Shorthair cat Medium size 3-7 kg

Arabian Mau

A hardy desert-origin cat that is active and affectionate - social and adaptable with a low grooming load.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
3-7 kg, 23-28 cm tall
High
Exercise needs
Active; enjoys play and climbing
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Social; prefers company over long days alone
Moderate
Training
Alert and interactive
Minimal
Coat care
Short coat, minimal grooming
Good
Fit with kids
Friendly with children
Good
Other pets
Sociable with cats and dogs
Light
Health burden
Obesity, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

The Arabian Mau typically weighs 3-7 kg, stands 23-28 cm, and lives 12-16 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want a naturally hardy cat shaped by survival rather than show breeding,
you like an active, curious companion that plays hard and then seeks your lap,
you want near-zero grooming - the short desert coat manages itself,
someone is home reasonably often; this is a people-attached breed.

Do not consider this breed if…

you are outside the Gulf region and want one soon - breeders are concentrated in the Middle East,
you want a quiet, decorative cat; Maus are vocal, athletic counter-surfers,
small caged pets share the home - the street-hunter instinct is strong,
you will free-feed; former desert survivors are shameless about food.

A typical day with a Arabian Mau

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Wakes you for breakfast, vocally if needed
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Patrols shelves and windowsills, athletic and precise
  3. 13:00 · Noon
    Nap in the warmest spot in the house
  4. 17:00 · Afternoon
    High-energy play - chase, climb, pounce
  5. 19:30 · Evening
    Affectionate lap time with its chosen people
  6. 22:30 · Night
    A last patrol, then sleeps near the family

Temperament and training

Playfulness High
Hunting drive Very high
Sociability High
Vocality High
Independence Moderate
Tolerance of handling Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Underestimating food drive - a desert survivor will overeat if allowed · Leaving an active, social cat alone all day with nothing to do · Assuming a natural breed needs no play - hunting games are essential

Family and environment

Kids Good
Playful and robust; enjoys interactive kids.
Other cats Good
Generally sociable; a playmate helps burn energy.
Dogs Good
Confident enough for cat-friendly dogs.
Apartment Suitable
Works with climbing space and daily play.
Seniors Conditional
More energy and voice than a typical quiet companion.
First cat Good fit
Hardy and uncomplicated, just active.
Busy household Conditional
Long empty days call for a second pet.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Obesity Portion control and regular exercise
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Genetic heart disease; screening advised
Kidney Disease Common in aging cats; monitor bloodwork
Dental Disease Plaque buildup; routine cleanings help

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Another natural-origin desert athlete
Egyptian Mau
A fast, athletic spotted cat that bonds tightly with its family - loyal and playful but wants activity and can be shy with strangers.
View profile →
Similar energy and curiosity, pedigreed
Abyssinian
A busy, athletic and intensely curious cat that never stops exploring - not a lap cat, and it needs stimulation.
View profile →
Hardy all-rounder, calmer and easier to find
American Shorthair
A robust, even-tempered all-rounder - one of the easiest cats to live with, though it tends to gain weight.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Arabian Mau cost?
In the Gulf states, where the breed originates, kittens run a few hundred dollars and street-descended rescues are often free to adopt. In the US and Europe availability is very limited - there is no established breeder network, so acquiring one usually means importing or adopting through Middle East rescue groups. Lifetime food, litter and vet care add roughly $10,000-$18,000 over 12-16 years.
Is the Arabian Mau a healthy breed?
It has a reputation for hardiness, and reasonably so - it is a natural landrace shaped by desert survival rather than narrow show breeding, so inherited disease loads appear low. That said, formal health data on the breed is thin, and individual cats still face ordinary feline issues: obesity, dental disease and kidney trouble with age.
Are Arabian Maus affectionate?
Most are, on their own schedule. The typical pattern is bursts of athletic independence - patrolling, climbing, hunting toys - followed by genuinely warm, people-seeking behavior with their chosen family. They tend to be vocal about wants, especially food. It is companionship with personality, not a passive lap ornament.
Can an Arabian Mau live indoors in a cold climate?
Yes. Despite the desert origin it adapts fine to indoor life anywhere - the short coat just means it appreciates warm spots and should not live outdoors in cold winters. The bigger adjustment is activity: an indoor Mau needs climbing furniture and daily hunting-style play to replace the street workout its ancestors got.