.jpg/1280px-Arabian_Mau_Kitten_(cropped).jpg)
A natural desert breed descended from the street cats of the Arabian Peninsula. Hardy, athletic, and devoted, the Arabian Mau is superbly adapted to heat and forms strong bonds with its family.
- Origin
- Arabian Peninsula
- Category
- shorthair
- Lifespan
- 12–14 yrs
- Size
- Medium to Large
- Weight
- 3–7 kg
- Coat
- Short, dense single coat with no undercoat
- Colours
- White, black, brown, grey, tabby and bicolour
😺 Temperament
🏡 Best suited to
📊 Personality ratings
📜 History & origin
The Arabian Mau evolved naturally over more than a thousand years from the desert cats that lived around human settlements across the Arabian Peninsula. Selected purely by the harsh desert environment, it became a breed in the modern sense only recently — recognised by the World Cat Federation in 2009 after a preservation effort led by breeders in the United Arab Emirates. It is one of very few formally recognised breeds native to the Middle East.
🧼 Care & grooming
One of the lowest-maintenance breeds for grooming: the short single coat needs only an occasional brush. Bred by the desert, these cats are highly active and intelligent and need plenty of play, climbing space, and mental stimulation to stay content indoors. They tolerate heat remarkably well but, like all cats, need constant access to shade and fresh water.
🩺 Health notes
Centuries of natural selection have produced an exceptionally hardy, healthy cat with no known breed-specific genetic disorders and a strong constitution. Their large ears, which help dissipate heat, should be checked and cleaned routinely. Otherwise they need only standard vaccination, parasite prevention, and dental care.
