Breed Details
With its athletic build , lucent coat , and large , golden - colorful oculus , it ’s easy to see why the Abyssinian cat is sometimes refer to as a miniature Cougar .
It ’s not just its dish that has propelled its popularity . This felid is wise , loyal to a geological fault , and imprint tight bonds with its human family phallus .
While there ’s a tidy sum to love about the Abyssinian , it possesses some factors ( like a high energy level ) that may not make this qat breed the best fit for every home .
History and Origin
The Abyssinian is one of the oldest domesticated quat stock , which make tracing its origin a bit slippery . A prevailing belief was that itgot its start in Egypt , a stopping point establish in part , on ancient Egyptian painting and artifact bearing images of Abyssinian - alike cats . late DNA studies however , indicate that it in all probability originated from India ’s Bay of Bengal region .
The Abyssinian that ’s capture the hearts of today ’s cat lovers was evolve in Great Britain . One usual story is that a British soldier return home from Abyssinia ( now known as Ethiopia ) in 1868 with Zula , a cat that would become the stock ’s materfamilias .
Abyssinian cats began to trickle into the United States during the early 1900s , were first exhibited in cat display in 1909 , and surface in popularity during the 1930s . The Abyssinian has retained that popularity , consistently ranking as one of theCat Fanciers ’ Association(CFA ) top ten most popular breed .
Three major cat register have officially acknowledge the Abyssinian : the CFA start out register it in 1934 ; theFédération Internationale Féline(FIFe ) distinguish it in 1949 ; andThe International Cat Association(TICA ) accepted it for champ status in 1979 .
AbyssinianPhysical Characteristics
They ’re muscular , long - embodied , long - legged , slim cats who move with hurrying , agility , and grace . “ I call back of them as the acrobats — and sometimes the contortionists — of the cat world , ” says T.J. Banks , a founding member ofNortheast Abyssinian and Somali Rescue(NEAR ) , based in the New England and Mid - Atlantic states .
They ’re consider diminished - to - medium sized cat . female weigh between 6 to 8 pound , and males from 8 to 10 . They stand between 8 to 10 inches tall .
One of the Abyssinian ’s most prominent features are its Brobdingnagian , expressive , almond - shaped , heart that come in green , amber , or Pomaderris apetala . Their ears are broad , somewhat tufted on the closing , and pointed directly up , give the coming into court of being alert . On the opposite death is a long , thin rear end that tapers at the final stage .
The coat is inadequate ( though some say it ’s medium ) , diffuse , silky , satiny , and shimmery . Abyssinian cat do n’t shed as much as retentive - haired breeds do , but they ’re not hypo - allergenic — something to keep in mind if you have allergic reaction to cat dander .
Abyssinian cat colour come in red , gamy , fawn , ruddy , ash grey , chocolate , and lilac , and their coat are tick . “ Think of check off as being like the highlight and lowlights of human hairstyling , ” explicate cant . “ sluttish and dark lot of shading allowing for subtle modulations in the overall color . ”
Ruddy Abyssinian Cat . Deep reddish - brown , tick off with grim shades of black or brown .
RedAbyssinian Cat . Cinnamon , ticked with chocolate - John Brown . “ Reds have a shiny - orange tinge , ” says money box .
BlueAbyssinian Cat . Beige , ticked with blue ( blade grey ) .
Fawn Abyssinian Cat . Beige , ticked with soft brown .
Silver Abyssinian Cat . Steelgrey Abyssinian cat , click with black , blue , cocoa , cinnamon , lilac , or fawn .
Lilac Abyssinian Cat . Light pinkish - gray , ticked with Lady Jane Grey .
Chocolate Abyssinian Cat . Copper , ticked with obscure chocolate .
While there is no category of black Abyssinian cats , they can have blackticking .
Abyssinian catstechnicallyreach adulthood at about 1 year of historic period , but maintain kitten - like traits as they mature . “ Someone once called the Aby ‘ the ultimate kitten - cat , ’ adding that it ‘ retains a Peter Pan quality to its personality , ’ ” sound out Banks . “ I intend that ’s truthful of many Abys , but I would n’t say it ’s honest of all of them . ”
Abyssinian CatPersonality Traits
A standout trait of the Abyssinian cat personality is the love and devotion it displays for its homo . They ’re “ affectionate , piquant , and highly rummy about what their man are up to . Some of them are so visceral , so bonded with their owners , it ’s uncanny , ” says money box .
Do n’t expect the average Abyssinian cat to contently sit on your lap covering or curl up in a ballock on the couch all twenty-four hour period , however . “ Abyssinian cat are very dog - ilk in that they like to survey their humans around the house , ” says Marla Pelz , adoption coordinator atSouthern California Abyssinian Rescue(SCAR ) . “ They like to be with their humans and be part of the family , ”
They ’re just as eager to play with ball , optical maser toys , and anything that move . “ Some care to alight on shoulders as they love to be up high . They will be found at the top of a six - foot bookcase , on counters , tables , and even the top of the shower curtain pole , ” adds Pelz . “ They are very intelligent and are not satisfied being thought of as just another cat or a dearie . They know everything their human is thinking and very sensitive to their surroundings . ”
Abyssinians are fast creatures , and protective of their family and home . This commitment can step up at times , however . “ Sometimes when there are strange animals or cats out of doors they will become very agitated , and this can sometimes chair to turn their frustration on the other pet in the abode , ” says Pelz .
Another thing to be aware of is that Abyssinian cat tend to be little balls of energy , which may not be a good compeer for every household . Of naturally , individual personalities variegate and some Abyssinians may be more repose back .
Their ability to play nice with kids and other animate being in the home calculate on the single cat . “ Some are very sensitive and do not like the high zip and noise that nestling have . Some prefer to have all the attention and want to be the only cat , ” explicate Pelz . “ Most Abyssinians do not listen dogs as the Abys think that frank are below them in the hierarchy of the dwelling . ”
AbyssinianCare Guide
The Abyssinian ’s dressing requirements are minimal , and with a few exceptions , its dietary needs are reasonably standard . With a eminent muscularity level , you do need to allow your Abyssinian to engage in adequate mental and forcible activity .
Diet and Nutrition
Abyssinians usually do n’t have specific dietary requirements . “ In general , a high - protein , high-pitched - quality dieting is the top alternative but case-by-case cats with sure disease may have unlike requirement , ” saysDr . Sasha Gibbons , an associate veterinarian at Just Cats Veterinary Hospital in Stamford , Connecticut .
Some Abyssinians — like two of Banks’—have sensitive digestive systems , but it ’s not clear if this is a breed - specific issue .
Veterinarians recommend that any diet you opt for your cat be unadulterated and balanced for optimal nutrition , as recommended by theAssociation of American Feed Control Officials(AAFCO ) . A food that ’s perfect and balanced will have an AAFCO nutritionary statement on the label .
Any discussion about your Abyssinian cat ’s nutriment and caloric needs should always start with your vet .
Exercise and Activity
Abyssinian cat run on mellow octane . “ On top of this , they are very intelligent so they need lots of amusement and enrichment to keep them out of trouble , ” says Gibbons .
Be prepared to stock up on teaser toys , interactional fish toy , and other enrichment items , recommends Banks . “ Many multitude will enrich their environment with lots ofcat treesin front of the windowpane and shelving on the rampart , ” sum Pelz .
Grooming
Because Abyssinians do n’t drop much , their grooming need are minimum , sound out Gibbons . “ Brushing once a workweek should be sufficient . ”
you may expend a soft - bristled skirmish or prepare mitt , say Banks . Or you might try using a squiffy deal to remove loose hairs to quash pulling , adds Pelz .
Abyssinian CatHealth Issues
The Abyssinian CT is a clean goodly breed , says Edward Gibbon . However they can be predispose to some transmitted disorders . Here ’s a closer aspect .
Erythrocyte Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency(PK want ) . PK deficiency is an inherited disease seen largely in the Abyssinian . Some signs are fatigue , exercising weight loss , weakness , an exaggerated tummy , and acrimony . If working with a breeder , veterinarians commend asking if their kittens are tested for PK deficiency .
Progressive Retinal Atrophy . It ’s an umbrella term for a group of disorders that cause deterioration and expiration of the retina , the layer of cell located in the stern of the eye . It can moderate to reduction in vision timbre , and even sightlessness .
luxate patellas . This occur when the patella ( knee cap ) is dislocate from its normal smudge . It ’s more normally seen in Abyssinian big cat and is triggered by harm or injury .
Periodontal Disease . One of the most rough-cut of these isgingivitis , or excitement of the gums . It ’s not rare for Abyssinians to lose teeth as they maturate , say banking company . “ The good news is , they conform fairly quickly to toothlessness or near - toothlessness . ” Ask your veterinarian if a tooth cleanup turn is appropriate for your cat .
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy . HCM is seen in all breeds , although some , like theNorwegian Forest Cat , are at eminent risk . It ’s an irreversible condition in which the affection wall thicken , leading to heart loser and even death .
The average Abyssinianlifespan is between 14 and 17 long time , but can motley found on constituent like genetic science and care move over . Some cats may die at a younger years , while others flourish past the average .
Interesting Abyssinian CatFacts
The Somalian cat is a descendant of the Abyssinian . These first cousin look a lot likewise , except that the Somali ’s coating is longer , and the ass is downlike .
The Abyssinianwas call for Abyssinia ( now know as Ethiopia ) , the assumed res publica ofimport , not origin .
Late stone star David Bowie was rumor to have an Abyssinian . The cat visualise with Bowie in various vintage photographs very much resemble an Aby .
The office of Jake in the 1978 film , The Cat From Outer Space , was shared by a pair of Abyssinian sibs named Rumple and Amber .
Because of its wild visual aspect , the Abyssinian is often likened to a Cougar , Mountain Lion , and other wild cat breed .
AbyssinianAdoption Tips
The number of Abyssinians that arrive at NEAR for medical care and re - homing varies throughout the year , says Banks . “ NEAR was start because we find quite a few Abys show up in shelters in the Northeastern states . Sometimes the proprietor had expire , leave behind no one to take the computerized tomography ; sometimes no one in the folk want to . Or somebody had developed an allergic reaction . ”
It ’s rarefied to ascertain Abyssinians in regular shelters , says Pelz . “ We usually have one to five usable in our rescue . They will be eight years and older . ”
Abyssinian Cat Rescues
Since Abyssinian big cat seldom show up in shelters , you may want to consider contacting a strain - specific rescue group . However , there are only a few rescues that focus on the Abyssianian stock . They include :
You may also be capable to find an Abyssinian cat at a staring breed delivery likeSpecialty Purebred Cat Rescue .
If you adopt through a breed delivery , expect to pay an adoption fee . “ But it ’s an extremely sensible one when you stop to moot the amount of veterinary care that some of these cats require before they ’re quick for re - homing , ” says bank .
Abyssinian Cat Breeders
If you could not find an Abyssinian cat up for borrowing or rescue , you may have to turn over contacting a stock breeder . But it ’s important to do your due industry to check you buy from a reputable and trusted cat-o'-nine-tails breeder .
website likeBBB ’s Scam TrackerandPetscams.comare great places to start the stock breeder vetting process . Your enquiry should n’t stop there , though . Does the stock breeder facility have extension ? Does it test for hereditary conditions like PK lack ? It is a extremity of an established cat breeder association like CFA or TICA ?
AnAbyssinian from a reputable breeder will be $ 500 at the minimum , but can run as high as $ 1,200 or more . Remember to figure in the toll of veterinary concern , supplies ( like toys and khat trees to satisfy their curiosity and gamey energy spirit level ) , and complete and balanced solid food . These cost can add up and exceed the initial monetary value of the kitten .
AbyssinianFAQs
Be fully fain for your new Abyssinian cat kinsperson phallus with the resolution to some of the most frequently asked question about the breed .
Are Abyssinian Cats Hypoallergenic?
Although the Abyssinian bozo is a short - haired strain , it ’s not hypoallergenic .
How Long Do Abyssinian Cats Live?
Abyssinian cats survive between 14 and 17 years , but this can vary . Some Abyssinians have been known to live to 21 years of geezerhood .
Are Abyssinian Cats Aggressive?
Abyssinians are truehearted and can be protective of their base and family . This can sometimes top to aggression . However , with the right preparation and surroundings , Abyssinians are n’t an aggressive stock .
Picturesof Abyssinian Cats
With their dramatic , almond - form eye and wild - hombre appearance , Abyssinians are a joy to calculate at . pasture our gallery to see pictures of Abyssinian cats enjoying their habitats .
