Arabian Mau: History of Arabian Mau Cats, Personality, Care, Lifespan

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Marissa Prizio attended the University of New Hampshire and earned a bachelor's degree in biomedical Animal Science. Marissa has always enjoyed writing; she was even mixing literature classes into her science major in college. During her writing career, she has edited eBooks, written for a variety of websites, and created audio-visual courses for sustainability.

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Updated on: 11/02/2022

Arabian Mau’s breed name says a lot about this domestic cat species from the middle east, but this lesser-known breed still holds many secrets. ^[1] Unlike its well-known cousin, the Egyptian Mau, the Arabian breed is often overlooked. A wide variety of fur colors and patterns make them less distinct than other breeds, but they have other stand-out features hidden in their physique and personality. Let’s get to know the beautiful Arabian Mau cat so you can pick this fine feline out of a crowd of cats.

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Characteristics

Weight	9 to 16 pounds
Size	Medium
Fur Color	Black, white, brown, gray, orange
Fur Patterns	Brown tabby, spotted, solid color, or patched
Eye Color	Any
Lifespan	12 to 17 years on average
Suitable For	High energy owners, warm climates, and larger living spaces

The Arabian Mau cat is distinguished by functional, powerful, and agile features that allude to its wild side. The body of this medium-sized cat is considered to be very proportionate, and this physical balance gives them an elegant appearance. ^[3] Their long legs end in oval paws, and they are matched with a medium-length tail that is just long enough to maintain balance. Muscling is prominent throughout the body, but it is not excessive, giving this cat breed a firm yet lean appearance. Male cats are known to be larger and slightly more muscular.

The face of an Arabian Mau plays on people’s preference for infant-like features, with large oval-shaped eyes and big high-set ears. These features are contrasted by a pointed muzzle flanked by wide well-defined whisker pads. This feature is reminiscent of wild cats, and it adds an air of predatory prowess to their otherwise adorable face. You may find yourself enchanted by this breed’s eyes, which can come in a variety of colors that tend to coordinate with the cool or warm shades of their coat.

The short and glossy fur coat is not double-layered, allowing it to lay flat on the body and highlight its lean musculature. Unlike their cousin, the Egyptian Mau, Arabian Mau cats are known to display very diverse fur colors, ranging from brown and black to gray and white. A common coat pattern for the American shorthair cat breed, tabby is also Arabian Maus’s most common coat color. These colors can also appear in a variety of patterns, giving most Arabian Mau cats a unique appearance that makes it harder to pinpoint their breed.

Overall, this medium-sized desert cat breed is known for its longevity and unique appearance that mixes both wild and domesticated attributes.

The Making Of The Arabian Mau

The Arabian Mau doesn’t receive as much attention as other breeds, and it is considered to have been in existence for hundreds, if not thousands of years. These two factors have muddied the breed’s history, but it is known that the Arabian Mau is a natural breed of cat. This means that the features of this breed developed as a result of natural influences more than human influences; this can be seen in its large ears, which are perfect for temperature regulation in hot climates.

Though their exact domestication history may not be known, their origins are clear. This breed originated from the African wildcat and migrated towards the middle east. The Arabian peninsula, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, were a few of the places where this breed congregated and continued to develop. ^[2] It was thought that these cats were somewhat self-domesticated in their search for food, which was more plentiful near human civilizations.

Since they evolved to suit the climate of The Arabian peninsula, Arabian Mau cats are still one of the most noticeable breeds of cats in the area, many are even hearty street cats. This breed was first recognized as more than a street cat by the Emirates Feline Federation, the World Cat Federation Followed suit. ^[4] The Cat Fanciers Association has yet to fully recognize the breed, and it hardly appears in shows, but with the increased public interest we can expect this breed to gain more recognition in the future.

Amazing Facts About The Arabian Mau Cat Breed

The Arabian Mau is commonly, if not constantly, getting mixed up with its more popular cousin, the Egyptian Mau. While these cats share some similarities and origins, they have distinct differences.

Although both of these cat breeds come from desert regions, the Arabian Mau is known for its heat-loving nature. The thin short coat and evenly proportioned body of this breed are perfect for preventing extra heat retention. One of the most notable features is their larger ears, which function perfectly as surfaces to regulate body temperature on a hot day. It is not surprising that this naturally occurring cat breed has features that resemble still-wild cat species, but it is impressive that they crave their natural habitat.

Arabian Mau owners commonly note that their cats seek out heat, whether that be a hot sun-filled window seat or a space heater. Most cats enjoy staying warm, but Arabian Maus take it to the next level with their constant heat-seeking behavior and their blissful nature in temperatures that would make most other domestic cat breeds pant.

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It is also interesting to note that many Arabian Mau owners find female Arabian Maus to be more vocal than male Arabian Maus. ^[1]

Arabian Mau Temperament & Personality Traits

Playfulness	5 out 5
Activity Levels	5 out 5
Friendliness With Other Animals	3 out 5
Friendliness With Children	3 out 5
Friendliness With Strangers	3 out 5
Grooming Requirements	1 out 5
Shedding	1 out 5
Attention Seeking	3 out 5
Affectionate	4 out 5
Intelligence	4 out 5
Independence	3 out 5

Arabian Mau cats are known for their playful and independent behaviors. When your Arabian Mau is ready to play, they will be more than happy to interact with you, but they are no ragdoll. Don’t expect them to want constant cuddles and don’t be surprised if they really seem to enjoy time alone. These clever cats are very capable of learning the typical tricks and getting into mischief, but their independence doesn’t make them the most devoted partner when it comes to learning less practical tricks. ^[1]

This can be a very territorial breed, so it is highly recommended that you ensure all pets are properly introduced and have plenty of space. Other cats may upset an Arabian Mau, but it depends on the pet’s temperament since they are all unique individuals. Most of these cats have very loving temperaments and bond closely with their owners, and they can show the same affection to other cats if they are a good fit. ^[2]

Activity Levels

It should come as no surprise that a cat breed so close to its wild lineage has high activity levels. This cat breed is an excellent hunter who loves to use its powerful physique to chase, jump, climb, and pounce. In their homeland, Arabian Maus do well for themselves as feral cats and they thrive outdoors. When kept indoors, these cats may have a longer life expectancy, but they won’t crave adventure any less. An Arabian Mau is exceptionally active and will turn your home into their personal playground, no matter how high a shelf is they will find a way up there. An Arabian Mau cats easily jump double their height, and outdoor cats will find small animals like bugs and rodents to provide endless entertainment.

These high activity levels make this breed best suited to larger households where they can have plenty of room to roam, have a cat tree, enjoy interactive toys, and are played with regularly.

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Adopting An Arabian Mau

The difficulty of adopting an Arabian Mau depends on where you are located and how purebred you want your cat to be. This cat exists in relative rarity since people in the Arabian Peninsula can adopt a stray or relinquished Arabian Mau may be a lot easier as the populations are naturally higher in their area of origin. Not all adopted Arabian Maus will be purebred, but their large high-set ears and active nature should hint at their lineage.

If you are looking to adopt a purebred Arabian Mau, cat-specific shelters and rescues may be your best bet as they will have a better idea of what breeds they are rescuing and they may even be able to record some cat’s origin stories.

Buying An Arabian Mau From A Breeder

Arabian Maus are an all-around elusive breed when it comes to areas outside of the middle east. In America, an Arabian Mau kitten can coat anywhere from $500 to $1000 depending on the cat’s appearance, where they are being bred, and any show lineage. ^[5] This breed was only widely recognized outside of the United Arab Emirates for a little over a decade, so there is little demand and few breeders outside of their area of origin.

Is An Arabian Mau Right For You?

The Arabian Mau cat breed has unique features to match its unique origins. While the world is still learning about this breed its popularity is slowly growing outside of its home range. If you are thinking of adding an Arabian Mau to your family, be sure to consider their compatibility with your household. You will need plenty of room for them to play, space for them to enjoy their independence, and you will have to introduce them to other pets properly to minimize territorial behaviors.

If you provide an Arabian Mau with all of these things and a healthy diet, you will be rewarded with a loving companion who is hearty enough to play with you for many years.