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Abyssinian Cats

A young Abyssinian Cat with a plush coat A lovely Abyssinian Cat With Amber Eyes An abyssinian cat with big ears and golden eyes A close up of a beautiful abyssinian kitten with golden eyes A beautiful abyssinian cat in different poses

Breed Rating (1 Reviews)

Appearance
Friendliness
Hardiness
Garden

History


There is confusion surrounding the history of this breed. However it is agreed that the Abyssinian cat breed originated in the 19th century. Some people believe that the Abyssinian descends from the ancient Egyptian cats in Egypt as they resemble cats found on Egyptian artefacts and murals. However, it is generally believed that this story is unlikely. Another theory is that British soldiers brought kittens back to the UK from Abyssinia (now known as Ethiopia) at the end of the war in 1868. Some even believe the breed are all descendants of a kitten named Zulu, however there is no solid evidence to prove this link. Some recent genetic studies have linked the breed's origins back to the coast of the Indian ocean.

Despite not knowing exactly how the Abyssinian breed entered the UK, it is known that the breed was refined in the UK by crossing it with the British Shorthair. Abyssinians began appearing in the USA in the early 20th century but it wasn’t until around 1930 that there were enough individuals to lay the foundations of stable breeding programmes.

Behaviour


This is a very active, intelligent and inquisitive breed. An Abyssinian cat will be eager to know what you are upto a lot of the time and will enjoy your company. They are very intelligent and can even be trained to perform tricks. They do not make good lap cats because of their active nature and they need lots of mental stimulation and attention. They may become depressed if they aren’t given space to explore or attention from their owners. This is a breed that likes to enjoy their environment from high up, so don’t be too shocked if your Abyssinian greets you from ontop of a door!

Varieties


Ruddy, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Blue, Lilac and Fawn. All variations will have ticked fur, and darker markings on their face.

Breed Details


  • Status: Common
  • Place of Origin: Ethiopia
  • Rough date of Origin: 19th Century
  • Hair length: Shorthair
  • Activity Level: High
  • Vocalness: Low
  • Child friendly: Good with children
  • Intelligence:
  • Playfullness: Playfull
  • Grooming Requirements: Less than once per week
  • Weight: 4.0 - 7.5kg
  • Size: Medium
  • House Cat or Outdoor Cat: House Cat
  • Pet Compatibility:
  • Social Needs:

Abyssinian Pictures

A abyssinian girl sat on a sofa
A abyssinian cat lying down
a group of orange brown and white kittens sat inside looking up

Latest Reviews For Abyssinian (1 of 1)


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Abyssinian’s are Loving, sweet cats - Susan,

A beautiful cat, smart, muscular, lovey dovey, quiet, clean, friendly, energetic as kittens, wants snuggles, will often follow you around or you’ll find an Aby sleeping somewhere warm.