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Abyssinian Cat
Origin
Abyssinia (Ethiopia)
Height
8''-10''
Adult Weight
6-12 pounds
Life Span
14-17+ years
TEMPERAMENT
Playful, willful, active, intelligent
OTHER NAMES
Aby
Group
Medium-sized short-haired
Price
$200-$1,000
Personality and Temperament
With its lean, elegant profile, the Abyssinian cat bears a close resemblance to ancient Egyptian cat statues. Unique ticked coats in a variety of exotic shades combine with large, expressive eyes, lending a sense of mystery to the breed’s appearance.
Usually outgoing and active, with a fondness for being the center of attention, the Abyssinian cat develops a close bond with its family. Even so, this breed has a shy side to its personality. Abyssinian cats are often quick to disappear when strangers arrive.
Care
As with all cats, Abyssinians benefit from eating a high-quality food that provides ample protein, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. While all cats benefit from diets with a high moisture content, Abyssinian cats need more water than average. Feeding a high-quality wet food can help cats take in extra moisture.
The Abyssinian cat has extremely short hair, so you won’t have to spend a lot of time grooming your pet. Use a soft brush or grooming glove just once or twice per week to remove loose hair and keep your Aby looking and feeling their best.
Most Abyssinian cats are not fond of being held or restrained, so teach them to accept nail trimming from an early age using gentle, positive methods. Ask your veterinarian for some tips, or have your vet or groomer trim your cat’s nails for you.
Abyssinian cats are extremely active by nature and luckily, they’re not prone to obesity. Give them a big cat tower to climb—preferably one that goes all the way to the ceiling—and keep the interactive cat toys coming. An Aby cat will always entertain you with their agile moves while keeping themselves fit. If you’ve always wanted to play fetch with a cat, it’s likely that an Aby will help fulfill that desire.
Abyssinian cats tend to enjoy good physical health, but they are prone to stress and anxiety, particularly in unfamiliar situations.
In addition, Abyssinian some cats suffer from a few known health issues, including a hereditary form of anemia called pyruvate kinase deficiency (PK deficiency), a degenerative eye disease called progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), patellar luxation, and a hereditary kidney disease called renal amyloidosis.
Many Abyssinians have very long life spans. It’s not uncommon for Abyssinians to live 14 to 17 years or more, with some Abys living into their 20s.
Characteristics
Affection Level
50%
Activity Level
90%
Pet-Friendly
80%
Kid-Friendly
80%
Sociability
80%
Intelligence
90%
Playfulness
70%
Independence
60%
Vocality
60%
Grooming
50%
History
Abyssinians are one of the oldest cat breeds in existence. The most recent genetic research suggests the breed originated in Southeast Asia, somewhere on the coast of the Indian Ocean. This breed retains many hallmarks of the appearance of felis lybica, a wildcat that contributed its DNA to all domestic cats in existence today.
The modern Abyssinian cat is somewhat different than the original Abyssinian cat. Many of today’s Abyssinian lines were created with Russian Blues, Burmese, and Siamese cats as foundation stock.
Abyssinian cats were first recognized by England’s Governing Council of the Cat Fancy in 1929. America’s first Abyssinian cat litter was born in 1935. The breed is recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association and The International Cat Association.
The Breed Standard
Body
Abyssinian cats have long, lean bodies with well-developed musculature. The overall impression is one of athleticism and balance. The average male Abyssinian weighs 7 to 12 pounds; the average female is smaller, at 6 to 9 pounds.
Head
The Abyssinian cat’s head has a modified wedge shape, with slight rounding throughout the brow, cheek, and profile. Cheekbone shading is common, along with shadowing and dots on the whisker pads. The muzzle is balanced, neither square nor pointed. Intact adult males may display jowls.
Eyes
Abyssinian cats can have gold, copper, green or hazel eyes, with dark lines that extend from the eyes and eyebrows. The eyes are large, expressive, and almond-shaped, contributing to this breed’s exotic appearance. Around the outer edges of the eyes, darker lid skin is surrounded by a light-colored area.
Ears
An Abyssinian cat’s ears are large, wide-set, moderately pointed, and cupped at the base.
Legs & Paws
The Abyssinian cat’s legs are long, slender, and well-muscled. The paws have an oval shape, and are relatively small, almost giving the impression that the cat is standing on its tiptoes.
Tail
Abyssinian cats have long tails that are thickest at the base and taper to a point at the end.
Coat
The Abyssinian has a short coat with a fine, silky texture. The distinctive tabby ticked coat is known as the agouti pattern. Each individual hair is banded in alternating dark and lighter colors with up to four to six bands of ticking. In all Abyssinian cat colors, the tips of the hairs are darkest, and often display subtle patterning.
Color
The CFA breed standard specifies four accepted Abyssinian cat coat colors: ruddy, cinnamon, blue, and fawn. Distinct nose leather and paw pad colors correspond with each coat color. The TICA breed standard specifies six traditional colors (ruddy, cinnamon, chocolate, blue, fawn, and lilac), as well as six colors in the silver division: black-silver, cinnamon-silver, chocolate-silver, and a diluted blue-silver, fawn-silver, and lilac-silver.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Abyssinian cats cost?
A pet-quality Abyssinian kitten usually costs anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000.
Why are Abyssinian cats so expensive?
Pedigreed Abyssinian cats are more expensive than non-pedigreed cats because reputable breeders spend a lot of time and money caring for their adult breeding Abyssinian cats to ensure they are healthy, temperamentally sound, and good representations of the breed. Ensure your Abyssinian breeder performs genetic health testing on the parents prior to breeding to avoid passing on inherited diseases known in the breed, including erythrocyte pyruvate kinase deficiency (PK deficiency) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).
Are Abyssinian cats good pets?
Abyssinians are curious, active, and engaged, making them wonderful pets that will entertain you with their explorations and antics. Abyssinians bond closely with their human family, but are usually shy with strangers. Providing Abyssinian kittens with lots of socialization can help them feel more comfortable when visitors come to the house.
Are Abyssinian cats cuddly?
All Abyssinian cats are individuals, and some might enjoy cuddles more than others. In general, though, Abyssinians prefer activity to lap-sitting, and most Abyssinians prefer to be handled on their own terms, choosing how much and how often they want to be held or snuggled.