Egyptian Mau vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Known also as the Bunny Cat or the Abys, the Abyssinian cat hails from Abyssinia which is today known as Ethiopia.

It is believed that the cat was brought to the UK in the 1860s. At first the cat was crossed with British Shorthairs, and later with oriental breeds.

The cat was imported in 1900 to America with some breeding programs starting in the United States in the 1930s. It is thought that it was a good thing that cats were exported to the U.S. because World War II took a toll on breed numbers but the breed was built up again in the USA.

The Egyptians have always been interested in cats, and it is believed that in 1953 a noblewoman left Egypt with a tabby cat, returning to Italy.

Later, another cat was also brought to Italy and the pair were mated. The Egyptian Mau is a natural breed.

In 1956, a kitten of the pair was brought to the United States and the Egyptian Mau was developed. A breeding program was started in the United States. The breed Egyptian Mau was recognized in 1958 in the United States and 1992 in Europe.

The Abyssinian is a slender, lithe, fine-boned, medium sized cat with shortish to medium length silky hair and long, slender legs.

The fur has a distinctive ticked look. The coat comes in several colors – but its base color is a glossy reddish-brown base with black ticking.

You’ll find that the feline reaches a height of 20-25 cm and that its length is roughly 30-41 cm. When your Abyssinian is an adult it will weigh about 4-5 kg. With good care, your feline pet can reach up to 13 years of age.

The kittens are born with dark coats, but as they mature, the coat lightens. The head of the cat is somewhat wedge-shaped and it has fairly large ears with big almond-shaped eyes. The eyes can be green or hazel, depending on the coat shade. The tail is long and tapering.

Temperament:

The Abyssinian loves leaping onto cupboard tops or anything that has some height. It's an intelligent cat this Aby and always on the go. He is a playful cat and just loves being the center of attention, and when he has lots of toys he is always occupied, entertaining you with his antics.

If you were to be away at work every day, it would be a good idea to have a friend for him because he’s the kind of cat that becomes bored and lonely and then he becomes naughty. This cat is known as a clown with its outgoing, mischievous nature.

This is a medium-sized, long, athletic cat that is well muscled. It weighs between 3 to 5kg. The Mau is heavily muscled and strong. It has a triangular-shaped head with large almond-shaped eyes.

The coat of the Mau is medium in length and is glossy and soft. There are spots on the coat but the cat is particularly well known for the dark stripe that runs from its head to its tail. The coat comes in several different colors such as silver, black, tan and blue. All Maus have green eyes.

Temperament:

These cats are known for being loyal and friendly and they love warm weather and enjoying a spot in the sun.

They are talkative cats too and also love to sit on high perches and survey the world from these high positions. They are excellent climbers and you’ll need to supply these cats with a climbing tree. Its an intelligent breed and he will get along well with children in the home as well as be friendly towards other pets.

Your active Abyssinian cat is such a pleasure to have in the home as these cats love their human family as well as other pets in the home.

He’ll talk to you in a quiet way. They’re playful cats and you want to make sure you supply him with some stimulating toys.

Remember to brush his coat gently and make it a special therapeutic, bonding time. Make sure your active cat has exercise and provide some climbing equipment for him. Most of all he just wants to be around you and to get your loving attention.

These are social cats with their own human family but the Egyptian Mau does tend to be a bit reserved around strangers.

They make excellent pets and companions and if he is happy, you’ll hear him making little noises to express his contentment.

What also makes him so attractive as a pet is that he is a short-coated cat that is considered to be low maintenance.

Before you decide to take on any animal as a pet and before you bring the Egyptian Mau into your home, do thorough research on this rare cat breed. If you do decide to take him in, find out all you can on how to provide for him so that he receives the best care and love in your home.

The Abyssinian has been known to be prone to kidney disorders. It can also be prone to gingivitis which can lead to periodontal disease.

Also, the Abyssinian has been known to have problems with blindness. An eye problem, called progressive retinal atrophy is where the cells deteriorate over time and this is what causes the blindness.

The Abyssinian can also be prone to patellar luxation where the kneecap can become dislocated.

Egyptian Maus are strong, robust cats and they don't have any particular health problems.

Obesity is a major disease with this cat and all other cats and it's worth noting, as obesity contributes to a great number of illnesses in cats. Excess weight can lead to diabetes and arthritis and well as other life-threatening diseases.

Two things that play an important role in his health are ensuring that he has access to excellent, nutritious, meaty food, as cats are carnivores.

You also want to ensure that he gets all his vaccines and de-wormings. If you notice that your cat seems to be under the weather, get him to the vet as soon as possible.

The Abyssinian cat’s short, fine coat is easy to care for. Brush and comb it timeously to remove loose hairs.

Because of periodontal disease, brush your cat's teeth. If you feel you don’t know how to perform any of these ‘caring’ routines for your kitty kat, don’t despair as your vet can do a dental cleaning procedure as well as your pet groomers.

Your Abyssinian cat is carnivorous and will need food similar to that which they would prey on in the wild. Your cat will require foods high in protein and with added vitamins and minerals.

Avoid cat foods that add in useless fillers such as wheat and soy. It is important that you buy the right cat food for your Abyssinian, and if you’re in any doubt, speak to your vet. Make sure your cat always has access to a bowl of fresh, cool water.

Always keep your Abyssinian’s litter box spotlessly clean. You can keep a special little plastic rake to rake up the sand and rid the box of cat droppings immediately.

The beautiful coat of the Egyptian Mau is easy to care for and a weekly brushing will ensure it stays shiny and healthy.

If he will let you, try to look inside his mouth to ensure the teeth and gums are healthy.

Remember, if there are any grooming activities for this cat that you feel you can’t cope with, professional groomers will do it for you.

Provide your Egyptian Mau with a climbing tree and scratching post as the cat loves to jump and climb.

He is an active, intelligent cat and needs to be stimulated with exciting toys, particularly when you’re not around to entertain him.

Cats such as the Egyptian Mau are clean and they want their litterbox to be kept clean. Invest in scoop and rake and rid the litter box every day of cat droppings. There also comes a time when you will have to replace all the sand or grit as well.

It will be fantastic if you can provide this cat with a water fountain and a type of pool as they love playing in water.

Make sure your Mau has constant access to fresh, cool drinking water.