Arabian Mau

It has lived on the Arabian Peninsula for more than a thousand years, in the deserts and cities of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and the Emirates. It is a natural population adapted to heat and dryness, and its standard was written by observing those cats just as they are. The WCF approved it at its general assembly in August 2008, in Germany, and it has been eligible for shows since January 2009; the Emirates Feline Federation also recognises it. It is a medium-sized, firm and muscular cat with long legs, a slightly rounded head and large ears, and a short coat with no undercoat. In character it is loyal, active and clever; males can be considerably larger than females.

Having no undercoat, it sheds little: a weekly brush is enough and also brings out the shine. It is energetic and curious, so it needs hunting play every day, tall scratching posts and things to investigate. It adapts to a flat if it has stimulation. Although it tolerates heat very well, it always needs shade and fresh water to hand, like any cat.

It is a natural, robust breed with no inherited diseases of its own described. Its problems are those of cats in general: tartar, cystitis, kidney disease in old age and obesity if overfed. Those that come off the street should be tested for FeLV and FIV. It is not hypoallergenic: it sheds little, but produces the Fel d 1 allergen like any cat.