Abyssinian Cat
Small to Medium
Medium
High
Ruddy, red, blue, fawn
Seemingly always in motion, she’ll slow down occasionally to curl up next to you on the couch or in bed. Although independent, she does best with another Aby companion to match her high activity levels while you’re away.
Abyssinians love attention from you and respectful children and get along well with cat-friendly dogs, as well as other pets, like large parrots and ferrets.
Although responsible breeders do their best to test for and eliminate genetic health problems, cats may still develop certain diseases or conditions. Abyssinians may have a higher risk for the following: /p>
Early periodontal disease
Hyperesthesia syndrome
Patellar luxation
Progressive retinal atrophy
Pyruvate kinase deficiency
Renal amyloidosis
An Abyssinian was first exhibited in 1871 at the Crystal Palace cat show. She took third place. There are no records of her origin, but her owner said she had been imported from Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) during the war. Although this story gives the breed its name, genetic tests have suggested Abys originated from the coastal regions of Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, brought to Europe by British and Dutch traders.
They were first imported to the U.S. in 1900, but a breeding program wasn’t implemented until the 1930s when more Abyssinians were imported from Britain. Only a dozen or so of the cats survived the decimation of World War II in Europe, but thanks to their import to the U.S., the breed bounced back and has steadily grown in popularity.
Some call Abys “Cats from the Blue Nile”, believing they’re the sacred cat of Egyptian Pharaohs.
Others believe the breed was created in Britain by crossing silver and brown tabbies with “ticked” coats.
The Somali is a longhaired Abyssinian.