Abyssinian
cat Breed Profile
The Abyssinian is a medium-sized cat with a long body and nicely developed muscles. She is an active cat that loves to jump and play.
In this article
Size
Weight
:, medium: 8-12 lbs.
medium: 8-12 lbs.
Coat
Length
Short, Medium Characteristics
Color
Ruddy, Red, Blue, Fawn, Cinnamon Pattern
Less Allergenic
No
Care
Longevity
9-13 yrs.
Needs
High Tendency to Shed
Traits
Grooming Needs
Low
Social Needs
High Tendency to Shed
Eye Color
Green, Gold
Club recognition
Associations
CFA, ACFA , FIFe, TICA, CCA
Prevalence
Common
The Abyssinian’s fur carries bands of color giving her a richness and depth not seen in other breeds.
The Abyssinian is a medium-sized cat with a long body and nicely developed muscles. She is an active cat that loves to jump and play.
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While an active cat, the Abyssinian is an easy cat to have in your home. They love people and other animals. They will play with their own toys for hours but also enjoy a good period of time of interactive play with their parents. They will talk to you in a soft, quiet voice. The Abyssinian is loving and affectionate, and loves to spend time with her parent. While the Abyssinian coat is easy to care for, the Abyssinian likes being combed or rubbed with a chamois cloth. She will reward you with a loving purr.
Abyssinians are active cats and generally will keep their weight under control with compensating exercise. They should have some high perches and cat trees available to them so they can jump and climb.
Abyssinians are social cats and like to have some company. This company can be provided by having another cat or pet around when human companions are not at home.
While the Abyssinian cat is considered to be the breed that can trace her roots directly to the Nile Valley, she was actually developed in Great Britain. In the 1860s, a cat was brought to Britain by Lord Robert Napier following a military expedition to Abyssinia. This cat was named Zulu and she was the foundation of the beautiful breed known today as the Abyssinian. The unique ticking pattern on the co,at of the Abyssinian reminded people of the camouflage pattern on the coat of the wild rabbit. This characteristic was so delightful that Zulu was bred to random-bred cats that carried a similar look to their coat and the Abyssinian breed was created.
The breed itself was extremely popular and Abyssinian cats were soon being bred throughout Europe and in the United States and Canada. This popularity proved to be the salvation of the breed as the two world wars almost decimated the breed in Europe. New Abyssinians were imported and the breed continued. In the late 1960s, when the feline leukemia virus almost destroyed the breed once again in Britain, more Abyssinians were brought into Britain to reestablish the breed again.
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