Are you looking for an energetic cat breed? And do you enjoy playing with your cat often? Then an Abyssinian might be for you. After all, they are super fast and have real hunting instincts. Read more about these mini pumas here!
In this blog:
- Where does the Abyssinian come from?
- The appearance of an Abyssinian
- The coat of an Abyssinian
- The character of an Abyssinian
- The care of an Abyssinian
- Diseases and diseases of the Abyssinian
- How old does an Abyssinian become?
- Buying an Abyssinian?
Where does the Abyssinian come from?
Where the Abyssinian originally came from is a bit of a mystery. Pictures from Ancient Egypt already show cats resembling this breed. But whether they actually came from there is not certain. The name of the Abyssinian refers to a chest that was brought from Abyssinia around the year 1868. This cat was called Zula and had an unusual and beautiful brown tabby pattern. Yet this cat is not the breed-mother of the cat breed as we know it today. Abessijnen stammen af van een mengelmoes aan katten – uit Engeland en verschillende Oosterse streken – die op Zula lijken en waarvan de afkomst niet helemaal duidelijk is. Er zijn geen fokverslagen van dit ras, maar het is aannemelijk dat de Abessijn zoals we hem nu kennen, van een fokkerij in Engeland komt. That was around the year 1900. Nowadays, this cat breed is mainly bred in England, America and Scandinavia.
Fun fact: the first Abyssinian entered a cat show in 1871, making it one of the oldest bred cat breeds in existence.
The appearance of the Abyssinian
Abyssinians are graceful, lithe and well-muscled. They are among the lighter cat breeds – females grow to a maximum of 4 pounds and males about 6 pounds. They are active, fit and alert. An Abyssinian’s head is slightly rounded and has a wedge shape. And in that beautiful head are two radiant and expressive almond-shaped eyes. These are often amber-gray, light brown or green. Furthermore, they have large ears that are set far apart.
The coat of an Abyssinian
The coat of this beautiful cat is short, fine and soft. A true tabby, yet the fur is distinctly different from other tabbies. It somewhat resembles that of a wild rabbit. Breeders are strict on the coat – every hair on the coat of the back, head, tail and outside of the paws must have the ‘agouti effect’. Because that causes the special “ticking. We’ll explain that briefly.
Each hair of an Abyssinian’s coat is striped two to four times and the extreme tips of those hairs are the darkest. That’s what the fur is what makes this cat breed so unique. And the colors. An Abyssinian is bred in blue, sorrel, fawn and wild color.
The character of the Abyssinian
Abyssinians are one of the smartest cat breeds in the world. They are curious and take great interest in their owners. Cosy creatures, in other words. Also because they are so affectionate. Their boss is their best friend and they do a lot for that – they are always near their boss. Are you away from home a lot? Then an Abyssinian is definitely not a suitable cat for you. It is better to choose a British Shorthair, for example.
Abyssinians are generally not real group animals. Do you have several cats in your home? Even then it is better to choose another cat breed. The Abyssinian may love attention, but prefers not to share it with other cats.
The care of an Abyssinian
The nicest feature of this cat breed – they are smart and energetic – there is also one to take good note of. Abyssinians are require attention and lots of challenge. And so, as a cat owner, you must be willing to spend a lot of time with your cat. Putting down new cat toys regularly and cuddling and playing with your cat a lot is one of the most important things this breed of cat needs. And a scratching post that is suitable for an Abyssinian. Think of a scratching post where your cat can climb, play, sleep in and scratch.
Other than that, an Abyssinian is easy. You can brush its coat once a week. And other than that, this breed cat needs the same care as other cats:
- a safe place to live
- lots of love and attention
- toys and a nice cat basket
- fresh water and appropriate food every day
- always one (or more) clean litter box(es)
- protection against fleas, ticks and worms
- necessary vaccinations
- and every year to the vet for a general health check
Disease and disorders in the Abyssinian
This cat breed is generally very healthy. But – like any other kind of cat – the Abyssinian also has some predisposition to a few hereditary diseases. First of all, this cat breed is predisposed to the formation of tartar and gum disease. This is something to keep a close eye on. Furthermore, these diseases sometimes occur:
- Feline neonatal isoerythrolysis (also: Fading Kitten Syndrome) – which is a form of acute anemia in kittens and is almost always fatal.
- Progressive retinal atrophy – this disease causes blindness and usually begins with night blindness.
- Deficiency of pyruvate kinase enzymes – this disease is hereditary and causes anemia. Blood transfusions often help, but the disease cannot be cured.
- Patella Luxation (PL) – this is a condition of the kneecaps of the hind legs that, left untreated, can cause your cat to become lame.
How old does an Abyssinian get?
An Abyssinian is a healthy and strong cat breed with a normal life expectancy. Abyssinians reach an average age of twelve to fifteen years.
Buying an Abyssinian
Are you home a lot and enjoy spending a lot of attention and time with your cat? And you don’t mind going to the vet regularly and paying a little extra for it? Then an Abyssinian could suit you well. A cat of this breed costs about € 1000.00. Not cheap, but that is logical because a good breeder spends a lot of time and attention to the parents and only breeds with healthy animals. This prevents hereditary diseases. You always buy a healthy and happy breed of cat from a cattery or recognized breeder who is a member of a breed association. Never buy cats from a bread breeder, a kitten website or from an online marketplace!
Disclaimer: Petrebels does not consist of veterinarians or behavioral experts: all content, information and tips on this blog are intended to inspire and inform you. Does your cat have complaints or problems and do you have doubts about your cat’s health? Then always go to the vet or a behavioral expert.