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Abyssinian vs Egyptian Mau
Two fast, athletic, top-energy shorthairs; the Abyssinian suits families and other pets better, the Egyptian Mau bonds with one or two people.
Verdict
These two are close. Both are athletic, top-energy cats with short coats, both need daily play and both share pyruvate kinase deficiency on their health lists. The Abyssinian scores a point higher for children and for other pets, plays more and is the easier breed to find. The Egyptian Mau is rarer, scores higher for affection, forms a strong bond with one or two people and does less well in a noisy house. Choose the Abyssinian for a busy family and the Mau for a quieter, devoted pair.
Choose the Abyssinian if
- You have children or other pets at home.
- You want the quieter voice and the ticked, ruddy or red coat.
- You want the higher intelligence score for training and puzzle toys.
- You want a breed you can find without a long search.
Choose the Egyptian Mau if
- You want a cat that bonds closely with one or two people.
- You like naturally spotted silver, bronze or smoke coats and green eyes.
- Your home is calm, without noisy, chaotic children.
- You will accept a rarer breed and a longer wait.
Where they are alike
Both are medium-sized, fast shorthairs that need play every day and little grooming. Both dislike being alone for long.
Side by side
| Abyssinian | Egyptian Mau | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Shorthair |
| Origin | United Kingdom, with ancestry traced to the Indian Ocean coast and Southeast Asia | Egypt; the modern breed was developed in Italy and the United States |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 8-12 lb (3.6-5.4 kg) | 6-12 lb (2.7-5.4 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 10-13 years | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Fine, close-lying coat with a ticked (agouti) pattern; each hair carries several bands of colour | Medium-short, resilient coat with ticking; finer and silkier in the smoke colour |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | — | Championship breed since 1977 |
| How common | Common | Rare |
| Affection | 3 | 4 |
| Energy | 5 | 5 |
| Playfulness | 5 | 4 |
| Talkativeness | 2 | 3 |
| Grooming needed | 1 | 1 |
| Shedding | 2 | 3 |
| Good with children | 4 | 3 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 3 |
| Happy alone | 2 | 2 |
| Trainability | 5 | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 3 | 3 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The short coat is easy to keep clean, but people who react to cats may still react to an Abyssinian. | No breed is hypoallergenic. The short coat sheds moderately, and weekly combing helps with loose hair. |
| Suits | An active household that enjoys play and wants a bright, busy cat that follows its people around. | An active household that wants a fast, athletic cat and a strong bond with one or two people. |
| Less suited to | Anyone who wants a calm lap cat, or a home where the cat is alone for long stretches. | A home with noisy, chaotic children, or one that wants an easy-going cat for long absences. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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| Health conditions to watch |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026