Bengal vs. Egyptian Mau: The Key Differences (With Pictures)

If you like a cat that’s a bit on the wild side, the Bengal and Egyptian Mau are two breeds worth researching. One cat has a history dating back to ancient times, whereas the other has only been around for about 50 years.

Regardless, both cats are active and loving creatures with striking colors and patterns. In fact, at first glance, they almost look the same! But don’t get confused; these kitties have quite a few notable differences. Let’s explore what makes these two breeds so different so you can pick out the perfect pet.

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Bengal Overview

To understand a Bengal, it helps to know the Asian Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), a small wildcat found across the eastern side of the world. They’re no bigger than a domestic housecat, but they have striking fur patterns, which caught the attention of poachers.

Their beautiful exotic fur quickly landed the species on the endangered list. Conservationist Jean Mill decided to do something about it. In 1963, she started crossing Asian Leopard Cat and domestic cat genetics. By the 1970s, she had created a new breed of cat that looked like an Asian Leopard Cat but had a tamer personality suitable for domestic life.

Personality & Character

If you were to adopt a Bengal, many would say that you had a pet leopard roaming your house! Their wild roots mean Bengals are highly energetic cats hungry for exploration. They will climb, run, play, and fight more intensely than other housecats.

Without a way to burn this energy, Bengals can become disorderly. Plenty of exercise and mental stimulation can prevent behavior problems, though you might notice peculiar quirks occasionally. These cats are known to steal shiny objects and enjoy splashing in water. With a Bengal, there’s never a dull day.

Health

Bengals are generally healthy because of their selective breeding. Typical ailments found in all housecats are still common, like obesity and dental disease. Due to their high activity levels, this breed requires more calories than most others to meet their nutritional and energy needs.

Grooming & Appearance

Bengal cats are medium-sized cats with leopard-like spots or rosettes. Their markings and fur colors vary in color, such as:

Some even have shimmery fur that glistens under the light.

Bengals have small, round heads, large eyes, and additional facial markings similar to those of tabby cats. If you look closely, you’ll notice that their back legs are longer than their front legs, allowing for a more dominant stride.

Suitable For:

Bengals are demanding and therefore, require experienced cat owners with the time to dedicate to training and exercise.

Egyptian Mau Overview

The Egyptian Mau has no clear records of their history. Still, they compete with the Abyssinian as the direct descendant of ancient Egyptian cats, making them one of the oldest breeds in the world. Archaeologists have uncovered remains of cats that look similar to Egyptian Maus, but we will never know their origins for certain.

That said, we can trace their American lineage back to 1956, when the Russian Prince Nathalie Troubetkoy came to the U.S. after being exiled. Since then, the breed has earned their stripes in the country. They even achieved championship status in 1970.

Personality & Character

Egyptian Maus are perfect for dog-loving families. These cats are loyal and devoted to their owners and will form a bond with other pets over time. They’re not as accepting of others right away and will need to do so on their own accord. Over time, though, they learn to love new family members.

Like Bengals, Egyptian Maus are highly active and require rigorous exercise and mental stimulation. Behavior problems will arise if these needs aren’t met. With lots of playtime and snuggles, though, they can fit into almost any family.

Health

The Egyptian Mau is one of the most athletic and agile breeds. They can leap to 6 feet in the air from a standing position and sprint up to 30 miles per hour. They take up to 2 years to reach full physical maturity.

This breed has no major health concerns but can be prone to obesity and dental disease like all other cats. Due to their high activity level, Egyptian Maus require more calories to meet their energy requirements.

Grooming & Appearance

Often mistaken for Bengals, Egyptian Maus have sleek and slender bodies with natural spots on the coat and skin. They often sport silver, bronze, or smoke-colored fur.

Egyptian Maus are smaller than Bengals and have almond-shaped eyes and wedge-shaped heads with stripes. The stripes mimic an Egyptian scarab beetle, once a holy insect seen as a symbol of the sun.

Suitable For:

Egyptian Maus make excellent family cats with small children and other pets. Although they need time to adjust to new animals, they will come to love all household members, including the family dog. This breed does best with active families who can set aside time for rigorous play.

Which Breed Is Right for You?

The Egyptian Mau and Bengal are active cats that require time, attention, and activity from their owners. An Egyptian Mau does best in homes with small children and pets, and a Bengal does best in homes with older children and no other pets, though they can learn to tolerate one or two animals.

Ultimately, the people and pets already in your home will greatly impact which breed is best for you.

• See also: Bengal vs. Toyger

Featured Image Credit: (T) TheCats, Shutterstock | (B) Jolanta Beinarovica, Shutterstock