Description: Arabian Mau
The Arabian Mau is a natural cat breed originating from the Arabian Peninsula. Known for its athletic build, large ears, and expressive, almond-shaped eyes, the Arabian Mau has adapted over centuries to the desert environment, developing a short, low-maintenance coat and a resilient constitution. This breed is valued for its playful, affectionate personality and strong social instincts, making it an excellent companion for families and individuals alike. The Arabian Mau is intelligent and energetic, thriving in active households where it can interact with humans and other pets. They are generally healthy, easy to care for, and well-suited to indoor living, but they also appreciate having space to explore. Their friendly disposition and adaptability make them a beloved choice for cat lovers, especially in the Middle East.
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Properties
The Arabian Mau is a natural breed of domestic cat that originates from the Arabian Peninsula, especially countries like the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. This breed is celebrated for its adaptability, resilience, and strong health, qualities it developed while surviving for generations as a desert-dwelling feral cat before being recognized and appreciated as a companion animal.
The Arabian Mau is a medium to large-sized cat, typically weighing between 8 to 16 pounds. Their body is athletic, muscular, and well-built, with a slightly arched back and long, slender legs. These physical adaptations are the result of surviving harsh desert environments, enabling them to be agile and swift hunters. The breed possesses a wedge-shaped head, prominent whisker pads, large expressive eyes—usually green, orange, or hazel—and large, slightly forward-tilted ears, which help with heat dissipation.
The coat of the Arabian Mau is short, close-lying, and lacks any undercoat, making grooming requirements minimal. The texture is smooth and glossy, helping to reflect some of the intense desert heat. Coat colors are highly variable, but common patterns include tabby, spotted, black, white, and combinations thereof. This diversity is a reflection of the breed's natural origins.
Personality-wise, Arabian Maus are known to be very intelligent, alert, and social. They form strong bonds with their owners while retaining an independent streak. They are playful and active, particularly enjoying climbing and exploring their environment. Despite their history as feral cats, most Arabian Maus adapt very well to indoor life, provided they have enough stimulation and opportunities for exercise. They are generally friendly toward children and can coexist with other pets if properly introduced.
Health-wise, the Arabian Mau is considered one of the healthiest domestic cat breeds, having naturally developed immunity and hardiness. Significant genetic health issues are rare, though, like all cats, they still require regular veterinary care, vaccination, and preventive treatments.
Overall, the Arabian Mau is a robust, low-maintenance, and affectionate companion, with a fascinating history rooted in the deserts of Arabia. Their adaptability, lively nature, and loyalty make them a unique breed for families or individuals looking for an energetic yet loving pet.
Appearance
The Arabian Mau is a natural breed of domestic cat originating from the Arabian Peninsula, known for its remarkable adaptability and resilience in hot, harsh desert environments. One of the most distinctive features of the Arabian Mau is its athletic, medium to large, and muscular body, which gives it an alert and agile appearance. This breed typically has a well-developed chest, long slender legs, and oval-shaped paws which contribute to its agile movement and ability to run fast or leap great distances. The Arabian Mau’s tail is medium in length, tapering to a rounded or slightly pointed finish.
The head of the Arabian Mau is relatively rounded but appears somewhat wedge-shaped when viewed from the front. It has prominent, wide-set cheekbones and a straight, slightly convex nose bridge which provides a strong profile. The ears are distinctly large, slightly forward-tilted, and set far apart, serving as an adaptation for dissipating heat and increasing alertness. The breed’s eyes are striking and contribute greatly to its expressive face; they are large, oval, and slightly slanted and can be of any color, although green, yellow, and hazel are common.
Arabian Maus have short, smooth, and close-lying coats that are adapted for the desert climate. The coat does not require much grooming, as its structure naturally resists matting and helps the cat stay cool. The breed comes in a wide array of colors and patterns, such as white, black, tabby (with or without spots), grey, red, and bicolor. Most commonly, Arabian Maus are seen with tabby patterns, often with noticeable spots or stripes. Their skin is tight, and there is no undercoat, which further assists in coping with high temperatures.
This breed exudes a natural elegance, combining a wild, ‘desert cat’ look with the grace of a domestic feline. Despite their robust physique, Arabian Maus have an overall balanced appearance, never looking too stocky or overly slender. The breed’s appearance is a reflection of its history as a survivor in some of the world’s most demanding conditions, resulting in a healthy, sturdy, and adaptable companion with a timeless, natural beauty.
History
The Arabian Mau is a natural breed of domestic cat that originates from the Arabian Peninsula and has a rich and fascinating history. This breed developed organically, adapting over centuries to the harsh desert climate of the region. The Arabian Mau is considered one of the few truly indigenous cat breeds from the Middle East, and its ancestors can be traced back more than 1,000 years, living alongside human settlements in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait.
These cats were originally street cats, surviving through their natural instincts and resourcefulness. They thrived in the arid landscape, developing traits that enabled them to withstand high temperatures, scavenge for food, and hunt for small prey. The Arabian Mau's short, dense coat was an evolutionary advantage that helped them stay cool in the heat and protected them from the sand. Their lean, athletic bodies were well-suited for agility and speed, which made them effective hunters and helped them avoid danger.
For centuries, the local people held these cats in high regard, appreciating their ability to control rodent populations and serve as loyal companions. Over time, the cats and humans formed a practical relationship: the cats provided pest control, and in return, the communities offered food scraps and basic protection. Despite their widespread presence in the region, formal recognition and efforts to preserve the breed's unique characteristics only began in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
The primary push for recognizing and standardizing the Arabian Mau came from the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries, where cat enthusiasts saw value in preserving their native breed. Organizations such as the International Cat Association (TICA) and the World Cat Federation (WCF) eventually recognized the Arabian Mau as an official breed. These organizations established breed standards that reflect the Arabian Mau's natural appearance and temperament. Today, Arabian Maus are celebrated for their resilience, intelligence, and affectionate nature. They are increasingly kept as pets both within the Middle East and in other parts of the world, serving as a living testament to the rich history and adaptability of animals that co-existed with early human civilizations in the Arabian Peninsula.