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Egyptian Mau vs Ocicat
Both are spotted, athletic domestic breeds. The Ocicat is easier to find, sociable and rated top marks with other pets; the Mau bonds with one or two people.
Verdict
These two spotted cats look related and score alike, and the one thing that decides it is social style. The Ocicat is sociable, rates top marks with other pets, and does best with a companion pet and a family. The Egyptian Mau bonds strongly with one or two people and rates only fair with children and other pets, so it does not suit chaotic homes. The Mau scores top marks for energy, and the Ocicat is a notch lower. The Ocicat is Uncommon and the Mau is Rare.
Choose the Egyptian Mau if
- You want a fast, athletic cat bonded to one or two people.
- You have a calmer household with older or considerate children.
- You will comb it weekly.
- You will ask your vet about pyruvate kinase deficiency and urinary stones.
Choose the Ocicat if
- You want a sociable cat for a family, ideally with another pet.
- You want an easier search, since the Ocicat is Uncommon.
- You enjoy training a clever cat.
- You will ask the breeder about urate stones, heart disease, amyloidosis and eye disease.
Where they are alike
Both are spotted, short-coated, medium-sized cats recognised by the CFA. Both need daily play and shed lightly to moderately, and neither suits long hours alone.
Side by side
| Egyptian Mau | Ocicat | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Shorthair |
| Origin | Egypt; the modern breed was developed in Italy and the United States | Michigan, United States |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 6-12 lb (2.7-5.4 kg); males are larger | 6-14 lb (2.7-6.4 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | 15-18 years |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Medium-short, resilient coat with ticking; finer and silkier in the smoke colour | Short, smooth, satiny coat with a glossy sheen and spotted tabby markings |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1977 | Championship breed since 1987 |
| How common | Rare | Uncommon |
| Affection | 4 | 4 |
| Energy | 5 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 4 | 4 |
| Talkativeness | 3 | 3 |
| Grooming needed | 1 | 1 |
| Shedding | 3 | 2 |
| Good with children | 3 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 3 | 5 |
| Happy alone | 2 | 2 |
| Trainability | 4 | 5 |
| Suits a small home | 3 | 3 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The short coat sheds moderately, and weekly combing helps with loose hair. | — |
| Suits | An active household that wants a fast, athletic cat and a strong bond with one or two people. | An active household with time for play and training that wants a social, spotted cat and ideally has another pet for company. |
| Less suited to | A home with noisy, chaotic children, or one that wants an easy-going cat for long absences. | A home where the cat is alone for long hours, or anyone who wants a quiet, low-energy lap cat. |
| 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