Table of Contents
Quick Facts
| Name | Abyssinian |
| Origin | Indian Ocean coastal regions and parts of southeast Asia |
| Size | Up to 12 pounds Up to 28 inches |
| Lifespan | Up to 15 years |
| Coat | Short hair Ruddy, red, blue, cinnamon, or fawn |
| Temperament | Friendly, interactive, animated, active, and playful |
| Exercise Needs | Medium |
| Training Difficulty | Medium |
| Health Issues | Patellar luxation, Dental diseases, eye problems |
| Grooming Needs | Medium |
| Price | $900 – $2800 |
Introduction: Abyssinian Cat
In the dynamic world of cat breed only few stands tall from the other, similarly the Abyssinian cat is no surprise. They are also known as Aby. As cats are known to be not so active species but the Abyssinian Cat changes the game with its immense activeness and playfulness personality in nature. They have a lean and muscular body which is medium in size with short hair. They come in various colors and patterns as well. From being active to being friendly and intelligent this cat breed has been successful in catching the heart of the cat enthusiastic all over the world. In this article we will learn about their unique world.
History and Origin
Talking about the history and origin of the Abyssinian, their exact origin is some what a mystery. It is believed that ancient Egyptians pharaohs owned them according to lore but some believe that they have been developed in Britain through selective breeding of silver and brown tabby cats. In 1871 they appeared in Palace Cat Show, after that they were sent for genetic testing and research showed that they likely developed somewhere along the Indian Ocean’s coastal region and some part of southeast Asia.
After the World War II the population of Abyssinian cat grew rapidly and became one of the most popular breed all over the world. The Cat Fanciers Association ranked them into 7th position as the most popular breed for 2023.
Physical Appearance
The Abyssinians are a medium sized cat with short length hair and a lean and muscular body. Their body is fully developed after 1 year of age. They have a very short and dense coat which ranges in various colors such as ruddy, red, and cinnamon to blue or fawn. They have relatively large up pointed ears which gives them alert and wild appearance. They have very charming eyes which are large and almond in shape which can be green or gold.
Temperament and Personality
The Abyssinian cat is a very intelligent and playful breed with outgoing personality who loves to seek attention of the owners and interact with them. They thrive on human companionship so they hate to be left alone at home. They are very social animals and are good with other pets and children if socialized at an early age. Due to their unique traits they distinguish themselves from the other breeds. Due to their playful and silly behavior they earned their nickname as “Aby-silly-an”.
Exercise and Activity Needs
The Abyssinian cat is a very active cat breed so they need moderate amount of exercise which includes mental and physical stimulation. Playing with them, walking, running, solving puzzles and tricks etc. are some of the most important activities which should be practiced at east 30 to 60 mins a day to properly stimulate their mental and physical capabilities and to keep them healthy as well. They love to climb and jump so providing them open space is very crucial and investing in a cat tree is also a better idea.
Grooming and Care
Having a short hair the Abyssinian cat does not require frequent grooming due to its minimal to none shedding coats. Regular weekly brushing and grooming can ensure its coats health. Occasional bathing, nail trimming and regular ear cleaning, teeth brushing are some of the major activities while grooming them.
Some helpful tips:
- In order to ensure its silky and shiny coat it is recommended to use slicker brush.
- One must know that they should not over wash their cat’s coat as it can damage and degrade its coat quality.
- Bathing once a month with high quality shampoo is much better for their coat’s and overall health.
- Clean their ears, trimming nails, brushing their teeth with high quality toothpaste are some major cleaning activities.
Health and Common Concerns
The Abyssinian is generally a healthy cat breed but they can be prone to some diseases from their genetical inheritance. Diseases like Dental problems, Patellar luxation, Eye disease, Hip dysplasia are some major diseases which they can suffer from if not taken care of properly. These diseases can be minimized and prevented through proper care and sanitation and a regular visit to vet.
Some helpful tips:
- Taking your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups at least once every 14 weeks is recommended.
- Feed them nutritious and protein condense foods like fish, milk, authentic cat foods etc.
- Never neglect the hydration of your cat.
- Giving them necessary vaccines to fight various bacteria and allergies is necessary.
- Socializing and interacting with them by playing is an important activity for their mental health as well as physical health.
- Proper sanitation and clean environment is a must for minimal risk of bacterial diseases.
- If any sudden sickness you should immediately seek help from respective professionals.
Training and Socialization
The Abyssinian is a highly intelligent breed which makes them very trainable. Due to their high intelligence they are good in learning tricks. They are also good with other pets and children including dogs as well if socialized at an early age. Training and socializing them at an early age plays a vital role in their adulthood behavior.
Conclusion
In Conclusion, the Abyssinian cat is a playful, affectionate and intelligent cat which can be very good for any families. They are good with other pets and children which can make them a great companion for your children and pets as well as family members. Due to their active playfulness behavior they are require frequent attention and playing interaction with family members and hate to be left alone due to which they might not be the best option for busy families. But in overall they make a great companion cats and bringing them home will surely bring happiness and joy to your life and family.
Image Source: Getty Images
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