The Abyssinian cat is one of the oldest breeds of the cat family, decorating tombs in Egypt. The breed is known as a "rabbit" due to its short fur.
Cats of this breed are bright creatures with a distinct characteristic coloring on their coat. The medium-sized Abyssinian has a royal appearance, which makes it more luxurious.
The peculiarity is that each hair has two or three stripes of different colors, because of this, the Abyssinians’ fur shimmers greatly.
Abyssinian brief information
WCF standard
The body
is muscular, of medium size, strong, flexible, dense, of medium length.
Tail
rather long, pointed, thick at the base.
Limbs
sinewy, long and slender. The paws are narrow and oval.
Head
wedge-shaped, medium proportions, soft contour, a slight notch at the transition to the muzzle is desirable. When viewed from the front, the muzzle is rounded and fits into a parabola, pointing downwards. Strong chin, medium length nose. The profile is without a stop, but not straight either, the forehead is slightly convex. Graceful neck.
Ears
large, widely and vertically set and wide at the base. The tips are rounded, with a “thumb print”, tassels on the ears are desirable.
Eyes
large, shiny, expressive, almond-shaped. Wide apart, slightly oblique (the outer corners of the eyes are higher than the inner ones). Color - pure, clear, juicy amber yellow or green, with eyelid rims.
Wool
short, thin and tight-fitting. Double or triple ticking. Dark ends of hair are preferred.
Flaws:
White spots, white medallion, too much white on the chest, closed necklaces, gray or too light undercoat, too little ticking, moire stripes. Pattern/stripes on the face or limbs. In dark colors there is no dark tip of the tail, dark “soles” on the hind legs, or dark rims on the eyelids.
Siamese type, round head, small or pointed ears, round eyes, mixed eye color, too noticeable feet.
| Body: 20 points Head, ears: 15 points Eyes: 10 points Color: 25 points Ticking: 15 points Texture: 10 points Condition: 5 points |
Colors:
Wild color, sorrel, blue, beige fawn, tortoiseshell, tortoiseshell sorrel, blue tortoiseshell, tortoiseshell fawn, black silver, sorrel silver, blue silver, fawn silver, blue tortoiseshell silver, tortoiseshell fawn silver
Character of the Abyssinian cat
Abyssinian cats are gentle creatures with a sense of self-esteem. They love to spend time with their owner, but do not stay long in their arms. Representatives of this breed love to watch everything from above, for which they always climb higher in the room. The pet has a thin voice, but it is not very different from the purring of an ordinary mustachioed friend. It is very active, in this way it is similar to the Bengal breed.
They can find a common language with other animals. Abyssinians get along with children, but will not tolerate bullying, they will leave the room, hide, but will not offend the baby.
Kitties do not like to be left alone for long periods of time, so you should spend a lot of time with them. They do not scratch furniture, walls and carpets, although they are very mobile.
The animal is distinguished by the fact that it has a certain sensitivity. They adapt to the owner’s mood and can “cure” if the owner is in pain.
Appearance
The breed is clean and tidy. Despite the fact that the Abyssinian is friendly with all animals, they will not allow their own dignity to be humiliated, thanks to their noble roots; she is also one of the kindest cats. She looks very beautiful!
Head
The head is rounded. If observed from above, it has a wedge-shaped shape. She has a small nose and big long ears.
Head structure
Frame
The elongated body allows the Abyssinian to jump in length 6 times its own, and slightly less upward. The paws are round and small, but long and graceful. The tail is much thicker at the base than at the tip.
Abyssinian body diagram
Weight
The cat's body is muscular, despite the fact that its weight ranges from 4.5 to 8 kg.
At the same time, the weight of males and females is radically different. Abyssinian cat weight gain chart
| Age | Girl | Boy |
| 1 month | 280-600 grams | 510-500 grams |
| 2 months | 600-970 grams | 940-1600 grams |
| 3 months | 1-2 kg | 1.3-2.7 kg |
| 4 months | 1.6-2.5 kg | 1.7-3.8 kg |
| 5 months | 1.9-3 kg | 2- 4.2 kg |
| 6 months | 2.1-3.6 kg | 2.4-4.5 kg |
| 1 year | 3.1-4.8 kg | 3.7-6.6 kg |
| 2 years | 3.6-6 kg | 4-7.5 kg |
ns 25 BLACK SILVER
Color:
The base of the coat is pure white with black ticking.
A slightly darker shade along the back forms a line, it should appear especially dark. The tip of the tail and the "soles" of the hind legs from the pads of the feet to the hock joint should be rich black. Nose:
Brick red with black edging
Paw pads:
Black or brownish-black
Eye color:
Green or bluish-green, green preferred, with black edging.
Abyssinian cat coat color
Scientists have proven that there are 4 types of Abyssinian color:
Since the color sorrel and red ticking are similar but still have differences, we have indicated 5 types.
- Wild black coloring on a red-brown background.
- Cinnamon red ticking on an apricot background.
- Light blue grey-blue color on an apricot background.
- Faun pink-beige color on an ivory background.
- Sorrel color is characteristic of the Abyssinian.
Genetics of colorsA cat's back is always darker than its chest and paws.
| Name | Encoding | Genotype |
| Wild (Rudy) | ABYn | BBDD, BBDd, BblDD, BblDd |
| Red ticking, Sorrel | FBYo | blblDD, blblDd |
| Blue color | ABYa | BBdd Bbldd |
| Fawn | ABYp | blbldd |
n 25 WILD COLOR (RUDDY)
Color:
Body color is warm brown with black ticking.
The base of the hairs is dark orange, the belly and inner sides of the limbs are also dark orange or dark apricot, in accordance with the base of the hair on the rest of the body. The darker shade along the back forms a “wild” line. The tip of the tail and the "soles" of the hind legs from the pads of the feet to the hock joint should be rich black. Nose:
brick red with black edging.
Paw pads:
black.
Pros and cons of the breed
Any animal has its positive and negative factors. The advantages of this breed include:
- Lack of wool in the house. The breed has short hair; if you brush it once a week, it will not leave marks behind.
- The mustachioed friend does not yell and speaks quietly, which does not interfere with the owners’ rest.
- The breed is playful and never tires of its owners playing with it and paying enough attention to it.
- Such cats are neat and gentle. When playing with children, they do not release their claws so as not to touch the baby with their paw.
- They are satisfied with toys made from scrap materials.
The Abyssinian breed has much fewer disadvantages:
- The pet constantly runs, which can irritate a person.
- The cat loves to sit on high places. You must be prepared that the animal will spend most of its time on cabinets, mezzanines, etc.
- You need to provide the animal with affection, care, tenderness, as they need it. If you are sure that you will not be able to devote enough time to a cat, then it is better not to buy one.
Abyssinian red cat
Care instructions
If you do not plan to take your pet to exhibitions and shows, grooming will not be a hassle.
Wool
Abyssinians do not need a haircut, just combing the coat - 2 times a month, using a rubber glove or a brush with soft bristles. Mats and skin diseases are not typical for the breed.
Bathing
It is advisable to bathe the Abyssin during shedding, using a special cat shampoo (without conditioner), and dry it with a hairdryer afterwards. After washing, protect from draft and cold. If your pet is very nervous during the procedure, it can be replaced by wiping with special wipes.
Teeth
Abyssinians' teeth are prone to the formation of tartar and plaque, so take your animal to the veterinarian regularly for cleaning, and carry out the procedure at home once a week. Instead of a brush, you can wrap a piece of gauze around your finger.
Claws
Nails are trimmed 2 times a month, cutting off only the tips and not touching living flesh.
Ears
Ears - once a week, since wax constantly accumulates in them. Use cotton sponges, soaking them in a special solution. It is forbidden to penetrate into the ear canal, nor to pour anything into it!
Eyes
Discharge from the corners of the eyes is removed with a cotton pad soaked in “Diamond Eyes” or “Ophthal” solution.
Expert opinion
Dusheba Vera Ivanovna
In 2010, she graduated from the Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine named after K.I. Scriabin with honors, specializing in veterinary medicine. I regularly attend veterinary conferences, congresses, and webinars.
Cats should not be bathed often, but what should you do if the animal is very dirty? Use a special coarse grooming powder made from oat bran. Sprinkle the fur with powder, and after a couple of minutes, comb it out along with the dirt and debris, blow out the residue with a hairdryer.
Maintenance and care
Abyssinian cats can be kept both in city apartments and in houses. In this case, the air temperature in the room should not be lower than 22 degrees, since the pets are short-haired and have a light undercoat.
Like any thoroughbred, the Abyssinian has its own genetic diseases. At the same time, a mustachioed friend can live from 15 to 20 years if properly cared for. Remember that people do not always live to be 20 years old, since this age is equal to 100 human years.
Nutrition
Drawing up a diet for the Abyssinian begins with the fact that the owner must take into account the physical condition, age, and allergy reactions of the animal.
Do not forget about the quality and quantity of products. A cat should not eat too much or be underfed to be in good physical condition. From childhood, you should teach your kitten not to overeat by leaving food in the bowl. How much to feed a kitten?
Abyssinians can eat:
- dry food - it is considered the main food of the cat family;
- wet food - it can be found in the form of pate, cubes of meat in any store;
- meat - fresh meat contains more protein than feed, so it is useful to give it to your pet;
- fish, it is worth buying marine species, because river fish may contain helminths, in this case it is better to rely on the pet’s preferences;
- fruits, vegetables, try giving your cat an apple or carrots, if she eats it and the animal is not allergic, you should include the product in the kitten’s diet.
Hygiene
This procedure is an integral part of a cat's life. Show animals are bathed monthly. When can a mustachioed friend take baths less frequently during the molting period? The fur should not be dried with a hairdryer, just dry the animal.
It is worth brushing once every two weeks, and during shedding you need to do it more often to keep your pet’s coat shiny.
Sterilization
During the period of estrus, Abyssinian females scream at night and do not allow their owners or neighbors to sleep. Often females may refuse food and behave inappropriately. It is then that the owners decide to take the serious step of sterilizing the animal.
The appropriate age for the procedure would be 6-8 months, but if you missed this period, you can do it before the female’s first heat.
Walking your pet
Abyssinians are pets who love to walk on the grass, look at insects and birds, but they should not be allowed to go for a walk alone. Can get lost, and this breed does not live long in the wild.
This is why you can build an enclosure near your home to keep your pet entertained during the warmer months. If the owner lives in an apartment, the animal can be walked with a leash.
Your own corner
If you don’t want your pet to jump on cabinets and mezzanines, then you can buy him his own corner, from which he will not leave. The animal will climb to the very top and watch its owners from there.
You don’t have to buy toys; the animal happily plays with candy wrappers, wine corks and other materials.
Above all
Diseases
We can say that the Abyssinian cat is a strong, healthy cat that is not prone to catching colds, suffering from intestinal disorders and contracting infections. But some diseases are more common than others: according to statistics, illnesses are associated with genetic problems or poor diet.
Genetic diseases that are inherited:
- Knee dysplasia, which leads to luxation of the kneecap;
- Pyruvate kinase deficiency (anemia is an autosomal recessive disease caused by a deficiency of the pyruvate kinase enzyme);
- Atrophic retinopathy of the retina: an incurable disease. Causes damage to both eyes already at a young age, in cats over 5 years old it leads to blindness. Breeders carry out selection work to exclude animals carrying the mutant gene from breeding;
- Renal amyloidosis is a disorder of protein metabolism, which results in kidney failure. Symptoms: spontaneous vomiting, weight loss, shortness of breath, swelling of the face and body, ascites, yellowness of the skin and mucous membranes, constipation or diarrhea. The disease is incurable, but identifying the disease at an early stage allows you to maintain a high quality of life for a long time with the help of symptomatic therapy and a low-protein diet.
These pathologies usually appear in old age.
Other diseases whose symptoms cannot be ignored:
- Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by the presence of raw meat and preservatives in the diet. The accumulation of microbes on the gums causes redness and swelling. Recommendations: pour boiling water over pieces of meat, include natural products in the menu and brush your pet’s teeth with a special paste.
- Coronavirus - most often occurs in young (under 2 years old) and elderly animals. 80% of cases occur unsystematically (i.e. the animal becomes a threat to others), in 5% it leads to the death of the animal. Symptoms: intestinal upset, fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, loss of appetite, lethargy, cramps, muscle atony. There is no specific treatment, and the effectiveness of vaccinations is controversial. Antibiotics help improve the condition, but the animal, having recovered, may become ill again after some time. Therefore, spend more time on prevention: monitor hygiene, do not allow your pet to come into contact with other cats.
Choosing a kitten
You can buy an Abyssinian kitten at a nursery or pet store. When choosing a baby, you should pay attention to the age of the pet; it must be older than 3 months. At the same time, the animal must have all the documents indicating the pedigree.
To buy a real Abyssinian, it is worth assessing the baby’s behavior and appearance. If a kitten differs from the standards, then it is not a purebred Abyssinian.
Abyssinian kittens photo
Video about kittens
What is the price?
The cost of a pet depends on where you purchase it. A pet costs from 10 to 15 thousand rubles, it is not intended for further breeding.
Middle class Abyssinians 20-25 thousand. This class is not intended for exhibitions; it is no different from an ordinary pet.
For the amount of 26-75 thousand, the owner will be able to purchase a cat with which he can attend exhibitions and breed offspring.
You can buy it at the Super-Abu nursery, which was founded in 2001. Has all the necessary certificates.
What does the cost depend on?
The price depends not only on the color, but also on the purpose, that is, are you going to breed or are you just getting a pet for yourself. An equally important role in the final cost will be played by the cat's pedigree.
as 25 BLUE SILVER
Color:
The base of the coat is pure white with steel blue ticking.
A slightly darker shade along the back forms a line, it should appear especially dark. The tip of the tail and the "soles" of the hind legs from the pads of the feet to the hock joint should be a rich steel blue color. Nose:
Brick red with blue edging
Paw pads:
Bluish-gray
Eye color:
Green or bluish-green, green preferred, with black edging.
History of the Abyssinian breed
There are several versions of the origin.
- The animal, originally from Ethiopia, was brought to the UK under a different name. The established version of the origin is as follows: Captain Barrett-Lenard was able to take out the Abyssinian cat in early 1869. At this time, the Anglo-Abyssinian War had just ended, so there were few pets of this breed left in Ethiopia itself.
- Abyssinians are descendants of Egyptians. Remains resembling this breed were discovered in Egypt. In the 5th century BC. The cats were mummified, so they were able to survive quite well. After examining these mummies, scientists came to the conclusion that the studied breed coincides with the Abyssinian in many ways.
- Derived from African, the animals are similar to each other, but have different colors. Even now in Africa there are at least 10 species of steppe cats, some species are very similar in color to modern Abyssinians.
- The breed was formed by crossing several cats by British scientists. Many breeders also adhere to this version of origin. They believe that the standard for this breed was created by Harrison Weir in 1889.
Egyptian fresco with a cat
History facts
- During World War II, the Abyssinian breed almost completely disappeared. There were literally a few dozen cats left. Only thanks to the persistent efforts of the breeders, the breed was able to recover.
- In America, the breed is among the top 5 most popular, but in Russia they are not yet so popular.
The very first club in Great Britain was founded in 1929. Abyssinian Cat Club of Great Britain
Rays of the sun
A distinctive feature of this breed is its very unusual coat. Because of this, the Abyssinian cat is also called the sun cat or the rabbit cat. Its soft, short, but silky fur resembles that of a rabbit.
The color of the cat's coat is also very unusual. Each hair is evenly colored with dark and light stripes, reminiscent of the sun's rays.
This color is called ticking. The skin looks simply gorgeous - it shimmers in the sun and simply shines dazzlingly.
Names for Abby (how to name an Abyssinian cat)
Name table
| Egyptian | English | Asian | Ethiopian |
| Female | |||
| Monifa | Augusta | Sari | Ann |
| Sia | Abigail | Lorena | Anu |
| Nanu | Ada | Dorji | Food |
| Kiya | Blanche | Tata | Eha |
| Azizi | Julia | Florida | Elis |
| Maat | Grace | Ada | Eve |
| Bastet | Victoria | Keto | Hannah |
| Nekhbet | Bella | Taku | Carolyn |
| Isis | Agnes | Zel | Kati |
| Male | |||
| Apis | August | Abbas | Kert |
| Amon | Arthur | Kadir | Aron |
| Anubis | Arnold | Abu | Alan |
| Ramses | Bernard | Aziz | Alo |
| Anti | Bruno | Bagheer | Anti |
| Shushu | Henry | Abdul | Armin |
| Shenti | John | Homer | Gert |
| Osiris | Bruce | Jalil | Ivo |
| Canty | Vincent | Zaki | Jean |
Photo of an Abyssinian cat
You can look at photographs of females and males here or in a search engine. There are many websites that show the life of an Abyssinian from birth. On them, everyone can get a closer look at the colors of their pets and purchase one that suits them.
The Abyssinian cat is a pet that is ideal for a family. She is gentle and has no serious problems or illnesses. Having children in your family will be a plus, since a mustachioed friend will not be deprived of attention, and the child will get to know the world around him.
For the most ardent fans of the breed, the artist painted a picture and made a puzzle “Abyssinian cat” of 2000 elements.
cs 25 FAWN SILVER
Color:
The base of the coat is pure white with warm cream ticking.
A slightly darker shade along the back forms a line, it should appear especially dark. The tip of the tail and the “soles” of the hind legs from the pads of the feet to the hock joint should be a rich, warm cream color. Nose:
Pink with dark pink edging
Paw pads:
Dark pink
Eye color:
Green or bluish-green, green preferred, with black edging.
Note: Any shade of cream or brown in the undercoat is a fault on all silver varieties.
Interesting Facts
- Famous owners of Abyssinian cats include film actor Nicolas Cage and famous musician David Bowie.
- Abyssinians have well-developed parental instincts, since even cats take good care of their offspring.
- In 1978, the famous Disney studio released the film “The Cat from Outer Space.” The main character is an Abyssinian cat, his role was that the alien cat came to our planet due to a ship breakdown.
Common Questions
How much does it shed?
The short fur of cats sheds quite a lot. It crumbles especially quickly if the pet is stressed. Therefore, during periods of shedding, you need to use a furminator, otherwise the whole house will be covered in fur.
Smart or not so smart?
The special difference is that they are very smart and easy to train. They learn to litter box quite quickly and understand their owner very well.
Active or lazy?
The cat is not only active, but also extremely curious. If the owner is absent for a long time, a surprise will await you when you arrive home. Not only flower pots, but also other interior items can be upside down. After all, the cat will explore your apartment in search of something new.
Does this breed tear up furniture?
Abyssinian cats love to take care of their claws; they will tear not only furniture, but also curtains. Some owners complain about torn wallpaper. From a very early age, buy a scratching post and accustom the kitten to it.
How much does he meow?
Everyone likes the Abyssinian’s voice, because it is thin and high-pitched, so they meow very cutely. Sometimes cats like to walk around the house and talk to themselves. Also, many owners note that cats meow anxiously at night in search of their owner. After all, according to your pet, you are also a hunter and should also lead a nocturnal lifestyle. Therefore, the cat needs to be accustomed to the fact that it needs to sleep at night and lead an active lifestyle during the day.
How do you cope with loneliness?
Abyssinians cannot stand being alone at all. If you won't be around for a long time, either get another pet or take it with you everywhere. Otherwise, the cat will be offended by you, and in some cases even be very nasty, because you leave her alone.
Relationship to other animals?
They can establish good friendly relationships with all domestic animals, including dogs.
Attitude towards strangers?
Fluffies are friendly, they welcome every new guest in your home. And especially if guests pet the cat, pay attention to it.
Does he like to walk outside?
Abyssinians quickly behave like a dog on the street, because they quickly get used to the harness. They will explore new territories with great pleasure, but under no circumstances let them go, as it is not safe.
Are you prone to heart disease?
Seals do not have any genetic pathologies, so you don’t have to worry, cats do not have heart disease.
How long do they live?
If the cat has good genetics and you provide it with proper care, then it can live even more than 20 years.
How aggressive is he?
They are very active and impulsive, and if constant sexual dissatisfaction is added to this, then the cat can generally become wild. Therefore, if you do not plan to breed the Abyssinian breed, then it is better to immediately castrate your pet.
Does he like to be held?
If the cat purrs and asks for affection, then he will sit in your arms without any problems and allow himself to be petted. If the behavior is different from affectionate, then you should not forcibly take the mustache in your arms, because it may even bite you for violent actions.
How do you feel about water treatments?
They favor swimming. Even kittens will be happy to wash themselves in a basin with different toys.
Reviews:
In general, all owners and breeders speak only positively about the breed! Here are some video reviews:
Review from an expert of the international category video from the exhibition
They are cheerful, positive and always take part in your household chores, a friend who is always there and leads an active lifestyle! This breed does not cause any trouble. These cats love people sincerely. Everyone who got such a breed will never get another. The breed has an unusual character and unique appearance, which makes them very good pets and friends.
Video
* We invite you to watch a video about the Abyssinian cat . In fact, in front of you is a playlist in which you can select and watch any of 20 videos about a given cat breed by simply clicking on the button in the upper right corner of the window. In addition, the material contains quite a lot of photos. By looking at them you can find out what an Abyssinian cat looks like.
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The Abyssinian cat is an animal artificially bred in the UK, which is now so loved by many that it is rightfully considered a popular domestic breed. These cats were among the first to participate in exhibitions. They can be different in appearance, and also exhibit many positive character traits, which makes them so popular.
