Instructions
Spots, Stripes and Coloring
Observe whether the cat has spots or stripes. The Egyptian Mau "has the distinction of being the only natural spotted breed of domestic cat," according to the Cat Fanciers' Association Inc., which recognized the breed for championship competition in 1977.
Check the cat's stripes, if it does not have spots. Classic tabbies have coloring in a swirl pattern; instead, look for the mackerel tabby's solid stripes from the spine to the belly, almost like a pinstripe suit or a fish skeleton.
Observe the cat's coloring. Championship show Maus are silver, bronze or smoke colored; Maus that are registered but not for show can also be blue or black. Brown mackerel tabbies, of course, are brown or grayish brown, with black stripes.
Other Features
Pick your cat up and get face to face with her. Maus, according to the Cat Fanciers' Association, have "slightly almond-shaped" eyes of characteristic gooseberry green, with a "slight eyebrow." This and their facial proportions give them a slightly worried look. Brown mackerel tabbies can be of various breeds, but look for chins of light-colored fur and a dark "M" on the forehead between the eyes. Tabbies usually have green, gold or copper-colored eyes. Maus and all tabbies have "mascara lines" on the head.
Watch your cat at play. Maus, the Cat Fanciers' website says, are medium size, athletic, playful and energetic. They like to fetch and also are very intelligent. The American shorthair -- one type of tabby that includes brown mackerels -- can be easygoing, "quiet and amiable," according to the Cat Fanciers Association, and, of course, they are also playful.
Listen to your cat. Maus make a distinctive chortling sound when they are happy; they may also knead and wiggle or wag their tails rapidly. American shorthairs are a little less vocal but adaptable, although a brown mackerel tabby can be of various breeds and temperaments.
How to Tell the Difference Between Brown Mackerel Tabbies & Eqyptian Maus
The Egyptian Mau cat is an aristocrat, a breed with a lineage dating to ancient times and a legend involving an exiled Russian princess who introduced the cat to the United States in 1956. Its very name means "cat" -- say it out loud and you'll see why. The brown mackerel tabby, on the other hand, is not a breed of cat, but a type of cat with striped coloring, oddly named for the fish cats love. Both can be adorable, but each is distinctive in appearance and behavior.