Cat breed profile
Arabian Mau
A detailed profile covering characteristics, everyday care and linked health conditions.
Quick facts
A concise guide to typical adult needs and characteristics.
Lifespan values identify ranges, study medians and open-ended estimates explicitly. Ratings appear only for comparable care or activity scales. Individual animals still vary with age, health, breeding, environment and previous care.
Profile description
The Arabian Mau is a naturally developed, medium-sized shorthaired cat from the Arabian Peninsula. It is active, alert, independent and often strongly bonded to its family. Within the Arabian Mau, thoughtful breeding may produce recognisable tendencies in body type, coat, activity and social behaviour, while individuals still vary. Early, positive handling and a stable kitten environment help an Arabian Mau develop confidence and adaptability for adult life.
The Arabian Mau's coat is generally practical for indoor living and leaves body shape and movement easy to observe. Routine handling of the Arabian Mau should include the skin, ears, eyes, mouth, feet and body condition rather than focusing only on appearance. An active home life suits the Arabian Mau, which often investigates movement, objects and daily routines. The Arabian Mau often enjoys climbing, training and puzzle-based feeding, and may create its own activities when under-stimulated.
Many Arabian Mau cats are affectionate while still preferring to choose when physical contact occurs. Gentle introductions may allow an Arabian Mau to live with respectful children and compatible pets, although prey drive and tolerance of handling remain individual. A suitable Arabian Mau home provides safe indoor living or a secure enclosure, scratching surfaces, several resting places, clean litter trays and retreat from unwanted attention.
A responsible source for an Arabian Mau should provide health records, explain known family risks and match the individual cat to the owner's experience and lifestyle. Prospective Arabian Mau owners should meet mature cats where possible, because adult confidence and social style may be less obvious in a young kitten.
First-time cat owner tips
Practical preparation for welcoming this breed into your home.
Care requirements
Provide vigorous daily play, climbing space and environmental enrichment. Its short coat requires minimal grooming, but heat-safe indoor housing, hydration and routine preventive care are important. Plan several active Arabian Mau play sessions daily using wand toys, retrieving, chase games and food puzzles. Tall stable climbing structures and rotating enrichment help the Arabian Mau avoid boredom and frustrated behaviour. Reward-based Arabian Mau training can teach recall, carrier entry, nail handling and calm behaviour around meals. A weekly brush helps remove loose hair from the Arabian Mau and creates an opportunity to inspect the skin and body outline.
Seasonal shedding may require more frequent brushing of the Arabian Mau; persistent coat deterioration warrants assessment. Feed the Arabian Mau a complete and balanced feline diet appropriate to age, reproductive status and health. Measure the Arabian Mau's portions, record weight and body condition, and adjust calories before excess weight becomes established. Provide the Arabian Mau fresh water in several locations; wide bowls, fountains and moisture-rich food may encourage drinking.
The Arabian Mau's dental care should include tooth brushing when tolerated, regular oral examination and investigation of bad breath, drooling or changed chewing. For the Arabian Mau, trim nails as needed, check the ears for discharge or odour and monitor litter trays for altered urine, stool or straining. Schedule routine Arabian Mau veterinary examinations at least annually and more often for kittens, seniors or cats with chronic disease.
Base Arabian Mau screening on age, family history, body condition and lifestyle rather than the breed label alone. Seek veterinary care promptly if an Arabian Mau develops breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting, inability to urinate, sudden weakness, collapse, seizures, severe eye pain or refuses food. Because an Arabian Mau may conceal illness, subtle changes in appetite, grooming, jumping, social behaviour or litter use can be important early signs.
Conditions linked to this breed or species
Obesity
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Periodontal Disease
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Gingivitis
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Feline Tooth Resorption
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Chronic Gingivostomatitis
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Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)
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Feline Idiopathic Cystitis
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Urolithiasis (Urinary Stones)
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Urethral Obstruction
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Chronic Kidney Disease
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Acute Kidney Injury
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Pyelonephritis
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Diabetes Mellitus
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Hyperthyroidism
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Hypothyroidism
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Hyperaldosteronism
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Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
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Dilated Cardiomyopathy
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Arterial Thromboembolism
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Systemic Hypertension
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Feline Asthma
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Chronic Bronchitis
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Feline Upper Respiratory Disease
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Feline Herpesvirus Infection
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Feline Calicivirus Infection
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Chlamydia felis Infection
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Bordetella bronchiseptica Infection
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Pneumonia
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Pleural Effusion
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Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
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Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)
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Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
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Feline Panleukopenia
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Toxoplasmosis
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Dermatophytosis (Ringworm)
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Flea Allergy Dermatitis
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Feline Atopic Skin Syndrome
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Food Allergy
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Ear Mites
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Otitis Externa
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Demodicosis
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Cheyletiellosis
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Bite Wounds and Abscesses
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Feline Acne
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Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex
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Psychogenic Alopecia
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Seborrhoea
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Mast Cell Tumours
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Lymphoma
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Mammary Carcinoma
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Injection-Site Sarcoma
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Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
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Conjunctivitis
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Corneal Ulceration
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Cataract
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Glaucoma
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Taurine-Deficiency Retinal Degeneration
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Retinal Detachment
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Uveitis
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Vestibular Disease
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Epilepsy
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Cerebellar Hypoplasia
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Hydrocephalus
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Osteoarthritis
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Gastrointestinal Foreign Body
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease
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Pancreatitis
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Triaditis
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Hepatic Lipidosis
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Cholangitis and Cholangiohepatitis
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Megacolon and Chronic Constipation
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Megaoesophagus
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Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
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Intestinal Parasites
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