History:

The Arabian Mau is a natural domestic cat breed that originated in the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. It is believed to have developed naturally over many centuries, adapting to the region's extremely hot climate and desert environment.

The breed's ancestors lived alongside people in villages, towns, and desert settlements, where they were valued for their excellent hunting and rodent-control abilities. Unlike many modern pedigreed breeds, the Arabian Mau was not created through extensive selective breeding. Its physical characteristics developed naturally as the cats adapted to the harsh environment of the Arabian Peninsula.

The Arabian Mau began receiving formal recognition in the early 21st century, with breeding programs established to preserve its natural characteristics and prevent the loss of the regional cat population. The breed was officially recognised by the World Cat Federation (WCF) in 2008.

Today, the Arabian Mau is valued as an intelligent, active, and affectionate companion known for its athletic build, short coat, adaptability, and connection to the traditional cats of the Arabian Peninsula.

Size: Medium

Life Expectancy: 12 to 16 years

Breed Appearance:

The Arabian Mau is a medium-sized, athletic, and muscular cat with a long body and strong legs adapted for running and climbing.

The breed commonly features:

• Slightly rounded or oval-shaped head

• Long, prominent muzzle

• Large, expressive eyes

• Large ears with slightly rounded tips

• Long, muscular neck

• Broad chest

• Long, athletic body

• Long, strong legs

• Oval-shaped paws

• Long, tapering tail

The breed has a short, dense, and glossy coat that lies close to the body. Its coat is well suited to the hot climate of the Arabian Peninsula and generally does not require extensive grooming.

Common coat colours and patterns include:

• White

• Black

• Red

• Brown

• Grey

• Tabby

• Black and white

• Red and white

• Brown tabby

• Spotted patterns

• Bi-colour combinations

The Arabian Mau's long legs, large ears, muscular body, and athletic build give it a distinctive appearance suited to its desert origins.

Breed Type – Companion / Hunting Cat:

The Arabian Mau is an intelligent, active, and affectionate companion breed.

It is known for being:

• Intelligent

• Affectionate

• Active

• Playful

• Alert

• Social

• Independent

• Adaptable

The breed generally forms strong bonds with its family and enjoys interactive activities. It can be friendly with children and other pets when properly socialised.

Its natural hunting instincts remain strong, so the Arabian Mau often enjoys chasing toys and other interactive games that allow it to use its hunting abilities.

Training:

The Arabian Mau is intelligent and highly responsive to its environment.

Training should focus on:

• Early socialisation

• Positive reinforcement

• Basic handling

• Harness training

• Recall training

• Interactive games

• Mental enrichment

The breed can learn:

• Basic commands

• Tricks

• Fetch

• Harness walking

• Puzzle toys

• Interactive games

Short, consistent training sessions help keep the breed engaged and prevent boredom.

Health & Care:

The Arabian Mau is generally considered a hardy and healthy natural breed because its development was shaped largely by natural selection.

However, individual cats may still be prone to common feline health concerns, including:

• Obesity

• Dental disease

• Parasites

• Urinary tract problems

• Age-related health conditions

Regular veterinary examinations, parasite prevention, dental care, a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy body weight help support long-term health.

Living Conditions:

The Arabian Mau is highly adaptable and can live comfortably in a variety of environments.

Ideal environments include:

• Apartments

• Houses

• Urban or suburban homes

• Homes with secure outdoor spaces

• Families with children

• Homes with other cat-friendly pets

The breed is active and benefits from vertical spaces, scratching posts, cat trees, and interactive toys.

Because of its strong hunting instincts and curiosity, secure outdoor access is preferable to unrestricted roaming.

Exercise:

The Arabian Mau has moderate to high exercise requirements.

Recommended activities include:

• Interactive play

• Wand toys

• Chasing games

• Climbing structures

• Cat trees

• Puzzle feeders

• Fetch

• Short training sessions

Around 30 to 60 minutes of active play and exercise per day helps maintain physical fitness and mental stimulation.

Providing opportunities for climbing, jumping, chasing, and exploration is particularly important for this active breed.

Grooming:

The Arabian Mau has relatively low grooming requirements.

• Brushing once or twice per week

• More frequent brushing during seasonal shedding

• Occasional bathing when necessary

• Regular nail trimming

• Routine ear cleaning

• Regular dental care

Its short coat generally does not mat easily and is simple to maintain. Regular brushing helps remove loose hair and keep the coat healthy.