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Abyssinian Cat Breed Introduction
Abyssinian Cat is a domesticated cat breed with a unique ticked tabby coat. These cats are popularly known by the nickname Abys and are short-haired. Abys cats are popular for their love of height as they love to climb on high surfaces, watch from above, and fly off from them which also helps them to keep in shape. The first Abys cats to be displayed in England were brought from Ethiopia, previously known as Abyssinia where they got their name. Nonetheless, genetic studies revealed that this cat breed originated in the coasts of the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia.
Abys are inquisitive cats who love encouraging play and following their owners around. These cats have large upright ears, a unique wildcat appearance, and possess ticked coats. Abys are quite social cats that often need company and thrive well in households with other cats. They are quite athletic cats that are always in motion either playing or discovering new things. Abys are referred to as supermodel of cats due to their unique looks, finely colored coats, apparent long and lean bodies, and muscular build. These cat breeds have big almond-shaped eyes and a long and slender tail.
Origin
The first Abys cat was brought to England from Ethiopia, previously known as Abyssinia, where they got their names. It was first brought by Lt. General Sir Robert Napier in the 1980s who had just got back from the Ethiopia War. That cat was named “Zula” and took part in cat shows winning first prize in the Crystal Palace cat show in December 1871. However, genetic studies show that these cats originated from the coasts of the Indian Ocean and in Southeast Asia. The Zula cat was bred to produce the current Abys cats.
Their distinctive ticking pattern on their coats resembles that of the wild rabbit camouflage pattern on their coat. These cat breeds became popularly known and Abys cats were soon bred all over Europe, Canada, and the USA. Their popularity helped to rebuild this cat breed since they were almost eliminated in Europe during the two world wars. New cats of this breed were brought in from places like Australia, Holland, New Zealand, the USA, and Scandinavia, and breeding continued.
The Abys cats were almost eliminated again by the feline leukemia virus in the late 1960s in Britain. As a result, more Abys were imported to help rebuild the breed. However, most modern Abys cat breeders debate Zula as being the first domesticated cat of this breed. They have also proclaimed that the existing pictures of Zula show the cat as having ears that are too small for an Abys cat with coats that are too waved and long. This cat breed was acknowledged by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy in 1929 and is among the oldest accepted cat breeds.
Abyssinian Cat Lifespan
These cats can live for 8 to 15 years.
Care
Abys cats have a short coat that needs brushing at least twice every week using a slicker brush and comb to get rid of the loose hair. Clean around their eyes thrice every week using a wet cloth to remove any gunk. Trim their nails twice a month using sharp nail clippers or special scissors to prevent them from hurting themselves and you. Cutting their nails also helps to prevent them from damaging things like sofas and curtains.
Clean their ears using suitable pet cleaners and cotton balls every week to remove dirt and wax. Check their ears every week for any signs of pests, parasites, infections, or debris. Start brushing their teeth immediately after you bring them home to establish a routine. Brush your cat’s teeth thrice every week using a gauze wrapped around a finger, a finger toothbrush, or even an extremely soft toothbrush made for human babies. Use a pet-friendly toothpaste of your cat’s choice.
Bathe your Abys cat once or twice every two to three months using a pet-friendly shampoo and a conditioner if necessary to remove dander, loose hair, and debris. Rinse them properly to remove all the bathing detergents to avoid skin irritation and other skin conditions. Dry them well using a towel and ensure their skin is dry to prevent bacteria overgrowth that might cause itchiness and pain.
Shedding
Abys cats are known to shed although not excessively. These cats shed more in the fall and spring during their twice-a-year shedding season.
Coat
Abys cats are short-haired and possess a unique ticked tabby coat. They have an exceptionally fine and soft coat with a low quantity of undercoat and clumps of hair in their ears. Moreover, most of their hair has bands of color on every single hair. Their coat appears darker on the spine line.
Long Hair
These cat breeds are short-haired and have a unique ticked tabby coat that comes in various colors with only four of them recognized as the standard breed color.
Hypoallergenic
Abys cats are not hypoallergenic since they are known to produce less dander as they shed less which is not good for allergy sufferers. In addition, they also produce less saliva protein, which is known to trigger allergic reactions like runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, sneezing, and vomiting.
Training
Abys are strong, athletic, and active cats that are always curious and ready to learn new tricks. These cats are suitable for parents with a lot of time to spare to play and interact with them. They are also smart cats which makes it easier to teach them new tricks. Abys’ cats do well with positive reinforcement techniques and praise. As an owner or trainer, you can choose to use clicker training for your cat. It is also good to train your Abys cat to walk on a leash and go for walks.
Your cat is capable of learning everything you want them to do including basic command words like lie, heel, off, and sit as well as responding to their names. They only need a bit of patience and the use of treats to motivate them to learn. Abys cats require environments with heights where they can climb as well as stretch their legs. Providing your cat with a litter box is very crucial. Encourage them to spend some time in the litter box as well as dig if they want to, to help them get used to it for easier potty training. Take them to the litter box every 30 minutes for kittens or after a feed, nap, or play session.
Abyssinian Cat Personality
– Friendly.
– Tolerant.
– Smart.
– Playful.
– Inquisitive.
– Social.
– Active.
– Affectionate.
– Loving.
– Athletic.
– Outgoing.
– Attention seeker.
– Adaptable.
– Devoted.
Exercise
Abys cats are very active and athletic and mostly exercise by keeping themselves busy in activities around the house. It is also advisable to provide them with a cat tree or a perch to help them exercise since they love climbing on high surfaces and flying off of them. This will help prevent them from damaging things as they try to climb on high surfaces around the house.
These cats are popular for their love of height as they love to climb on high surfaces, watch from above, and fly off from them which also helps them to keep in shape. You can teach your cat to walk on a leash and take them out for walks to ensure that they get enough stimulation. Walking them on a leash prevents them from fleeing.
Meow
Abys cats are quite vocal and chatty cats that have a soft chirrup that does not sound like the anticipated meow.
Apart from Abyssinian Cats, other cat breeds include:
Abyssinian Cat Size
Abys cats weigh between 7 – 12 lbs ( Approx. 3 – 5 kg ) and are 7 – 10 in ( Approx. 18 – 25 cm ) tall.
Height
Abys cats have a height of 7 – 10 in ( Approx. 18 – 25 cm ).
Abyssinian Cat Weight
These cats weigh between 7 – 12 lbs ( Approx. 3 – 5 kg ).
Abyssinian Cat Health Issues
These cats can live for 7 to 15 years, however, they can also suffer from various conditions that can affect their lives. Some of Abys cats’ health conditions include:
– Progressive retinal atrophy.
– Renal Amylioidosis.
– Early-onset periodontal disease.
– Pyruvate kinase deficiency.
– Patellar luxation.
– Heart disease.
– Gingivitis.
– Hyperesthesia syndrome.
– Hip dysplasia.
– Feline asthma.
Allergies
Abys cats trigger allergic reactions but may be good for people with mild allergies since they shed less and produce less dander and saliva protein.
Names
Abys cats can also be given other names by their owners depending on their temperament, appearance, and other inspirations. Some of these names are:
– Foggy.
– Tuxedo.
– Topaz.
– Crystal.
– Misty.
– Nala.
– Crookshanks.
– Rocky.
– Monty.
– Ferrari.
– Chase.
– Harley.
– Valentino.
– Rodney.
– Carmen.
– Willow.
Abyssinian Cat Diet
There are two ways to feed an Abys cat which include natural products and finished products. These cats can eat about anything like apples, melon, and carrots. However, it is important to remember that they are carnivores by nature, and hence their diet should have meat products of not less than 60-70% of the food you feed them every day.
Kittens’ diet should consist of high protein levels until they are around 18 months old to help in their growth. Nursing adult cats’ diet should consist of moderate amounts of fats. The type and amount of food your cat feeds depends on their age, activity level, and life stage. Adults will need moderate amounts of fats while kittens will need high-protein diets. Active cats will require more calories in their diets to give them energy to carry out the activities.
Your cat’s diet should also consist of 20% vegetables like cabbage and carrots and 10% cereals like rice, oats, and bran which are rich in carbohydrates. Your Abys cat should feed on a balanced diet that has minerals, fibers, healthy fats, high-quality proteins, carbohydrates, and water. Provide your cat with fresh water especially when feeding them dry foods. For your adult cat, it is recommended to feed them 1 cup every day and 3/4 cup for senior cats.
Color
Abys cat’s first color standard is a warm deep reddish-brown base with black ticking, commonly referred to as tawny in Australia, usual in the UK, and ruddy in other places. Other colors of this breed include cinnamon, red, black, ruddy, blue cream, chocolate, cream, fawn, blue, and lilac. Other standard Abys colors include fawn, sorrel (cinnamon), and blue. Silver, chocolate, and lilac are the distinctive and uncommon colors of this cat breed.
Black
There are completely black Abys cats and there are those with white paws and white color on their neck. Black Abys cats can also have white on their chest, belly, legs, and face. There are also those with mostly white color on their bodies and some black patches on their back. However, these cats are not among the acknowledged Abys coat colors.
Blue
Blue Abys cats normally have a deep steel-grey coat that looks blue in general. In addition, these cats possess dark, soft blue or grey coats ticked with a deeper blue. The hairs on their belly, base, and inside of the legs are mostly pale cream. Blue Abys frequently have a dark blue stripe that goes down their spine up to their tail, normally covered in dark blue coloration. These cats also possess grey or blue noses and paw pads with yellow, amber, or green eyes and are among the standard Abys colors.
Grey
Abys with grey color mostly have grey on their body and some parts of their face. However, their inner legs, belly, front neck, and the back of their tail have a lighter color that can either be white, cream, or fawn. Abys cats with grey color are not recognized as a standard breed color.
White
There are pure white Abys cats with their face and ears having a pink-like color. However, these cats are among the unrecognized breed colors.
Red
Red Abys cats appear to have a darker shade that looks like gray which extends from its head to the spine, legs, and tail. It also has a black tip on the tail. Their paw pads are red while others have some darker shade of gray that extends to their legs.
Chocolate
Chocolate Abys are normally described as a halfway sorrel and ruddy but are exceptionally beautiful as a separate color. These cats mostly possess a rich copper-brown base that goes all over the inside of the legs and the belly and is ticked with brown and dark chocolate bands. Also, they have dark chocolate-colored noses and paw pads.
Abyssinian Cat Silver
Abys with this color are frequently acknowledged as a different group that includes fawn silver, sorrel silver, usual silver, and blue silver. Most breeders have asserted that these silver variants were among the first, and hence the oldest colorations of this cat breed. However, this is mostly speculation and very difficult to prove. Abys with silver color are among the uncommon and unique colors of this breed. In addition, these cats are also acknowledged by the UK.
Fawn
Fawn is among the rarest colors in the Abys cat breed. This color consists of pale brown base hair coloration that goes all over the inside of the legs and the belly. It is then ticked with bands of light brown and deep pink giving them a general rose-colored look. Fawn Abys have pink noses and paw pads and normally have amber, yellow, or green eyes. Also, fawn cats are not a standard Abys breed color.
Black And White
Black and white Abys can have more black than white. In some cases, these cats can have black on their bodies with white colors on their neck, face, and belly. Others can have even out black and white colors that are or one color being more than the other. Black and white is also not a recognized breed color for Abys cats.
Orange
Orange is also a rare and unique color in Abys cat breeds. These cats are mostly colored orange with white on their chin, ears, mouth, and neck. Some also have white on their chest, belly, and inside their legs. However, this color is not considered a standard breed color.
Abyssinian Cat Tabby
These cats are considered tabby although they do not have any spots, stripes, or swirls. In addition, Abys possesses a unique ticked tabby coat. This means their whole coat gives the impression that it is a solid color, however, the classic M shape on their forehead cannot be concealed.
Abyssinian Kittens
These cat breeds can litter between 2 to 4 kittens at a go.
Abyssinian Cat Cost
Abys cats are quite expensive and their prices depend on the breeder. These cats cost between $1,200 to $3,000.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Where Are Abyssinian Cats From
Abys cats are believed to have originated from Ethiopia, formerly known as Abyssinian, although genetic studies claim that these cat breeds originated from the coasts of the Indian Ocean and in Southeast Asia
What Is An Abyssinian Cat
Abys is a purebred short-haired domesticated cat breed that has an exceptional ticked tabby coat. It originated in Ethiopia.
What Does An Abyssinian Cat Look Like
Abys cats have big almond eyes that are either green, yellow, or amber, and a lithe and long body with a lean muscular build. Their head is wedge-shaped and is mostly referred to as the supermodel of a cat. They also have an exceptional ticked tabby coat that comes in several colors.
Are Abyssinian Cats Friendly
These cats are very social, friendly, and inquisitive cats that love following their owners around. Abys also thrive well in homes with other pets and older children who can handle them gently.
How Big Do Abyssinian Cats Get
Abys cats weigh between 7 – 12 lbs ( Approx. 3 – 5 kg ) and have a height of 7 – 10 in ( Approx. 18 – 25 cm ).
Are Abyssinian Cats Hypoallergenic
Abys cats are not hypoallergenic since they produce less dander and saliva protein which are the main triggers of allergic reactions in allergy sufferers.
How Much Are Abyssinian Cats
Abys Cats can be quite expensive depending on the breeder. Their price ranges between $1,200 to $3,000.
How Much Are Abyssinian Kittens
Abys kitten can cost between $600 to $1,500 depending on whether the breeder is credible.
Do Abyssinian Cats Shed
Abys Cats shed less throughout the years and more in spring and fall during their twice-a-year shedding season.
Abyssinian Cat Facts
- They are not hypoallergenic cat breeds since they produce less dander and fewer saliva proteins that cause allergic reactions.
- Abys Cats love heights and often climb on high surfaces to watch from above and stretch their legs.
