The Abyssinian is a lively, affectionate, low-maintenance breed. It is ideal for families and active individuals. Its slender body, ticked fur coat, and striking facial features give it an interesting, elegant appearance.
The Abyssinian cat is thought to have been brought from Abyssinia (present day Ethiopia) to England by a soldier in the British military. The first recorded Abyssinian was named "Zula." Some believe that this cat was a direct descendent of the sacred ancient Egyptian cat, Bastet. It is likely that the original cats from Abyssinia were brought to England and were mated with select British Shorthairs to produce the current Abyssinian breed.
The Somali is a long-haired version of the Abyssinian. It is recognized as a separate breed, but shares the same ancestors as the Abyssinian.
Abyssinians are low maintenance, even-tempered cats. They are affectionate and lively. They easily become attached to their owners and enjoy lots of attention. They enjoy playing, but are fairly quiet cats. They usually get along with new pets.
Common Name(s)
Abyssinian Cat, Aby, Ticked, British Tick, Rabbit Cat, Hare Cat, Bunny Cat
Background
Abyssinians are believed to have originated from Ethiopia. They are thought to have been brought from Ethiopia (then Abyssinia) and bred with English species.
Description
The Abyssinian is most well known for its "ticked" coat. It has various, bands of color on each of its hairs, which are short and lie close to the cat's body. The ticked coat resembles a rabbit's coat, hence the nicknames "Rabbit Cat", "Hare Cat", and "Bunny Cat".
Abyssinians come in many different color combinations, but the most prevalent are tawny (usual), cinnamon (sorrel), blue, fawn, and silver. Tawny is a golden brown, ticked with black. Cinnamon is copper ticked with chocolate. Blue is a tawny dilute with pale underparts and blue-gray ticking. Fawn is a dark cream with copper ticking. Silver is another dilute of tawny, with a warm base coat that fades to white. Rare colors include lilac and chocolate.
The Abyssinian is a medium build cat with a long, slender, muscular body. Its weight ranges from 9 to 16 pounds. It has a wedge-shaped head, almond-shaped eyes, large ears, and a long tail. It also has small, compact paws that make it appear as if it is walking on tiptoe. An Abyssinian's lifespan is about 12 years. Few mutations occur in this species.
Care and Feeding
Abyssinians can benefit from having something they can chew, such as raw chicken necks, in their diet. While they are still growing, they can also benefit from a vitamin supplement.
Housing Your Cat
Abyssinians are active cats, and need room to exercise. It is optimal to provide an enclosed yard for them.
Maintenance
Abyssinians are low-maintenance cats, but can benefit from being brushed weekly. If a shiny coat is desired, rub the coat with a chamois cloth.
Social Behaviors
Abyssinians enjoy being around people and get along with other pets. They are good cats for families.
Activities
This species enjoys playing and exercising inside and outside. They need toys and a scratching post when inside so that they do not turn their extra energy into destructive behavior.
Breeding/Reproduction
These cats are weaned between 12 and 16 weeks.
Common Health Problems
Abyssinians are more susceptible to mild gingivitis than other cat breeds. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums and is characterized by a red line of gum tissue on the border against the teeth. It can cause the gums to bleed, and produce larger red areas in more severe cases.
There is no cure for gingivitis in cats. Antibiotics, ant-inflammatory, and immune-suppressive drugs and removal of tarter from the teeth are often used to treat this condition. To prevent gingivitis, owners can feed their cats food intended to prevent dental problems and regularly brush their cats' teeth.
Availability
Abyssinians can be purchased from breeders. Some breeders can be found on the internet. Prices range from $350 for a pet to $900 for a show cat.
Glossary Terms
Ticked Coat: A type of fur coat characteristic of wild rabbits, which is comprised of hair strands with bands of various color.
Chamois Cloth: A soft, pliant leather cloth made from lamb and sheep skin. Chamois cloth is often used to retain the shine on a cat's coat.
References
Burke's Backyard: With Don Burke, Abyssinian Cats, CTC Productions, Copyright 2001
Provet: http://www.provet.co.uk/
ThinkQuest: http://library.thinkquest.org/C0126246/species/species.htm
Desmond Morris, Cat Breeds of the World, Viking Penguin, 1999
Author: Ruth Bratcher
|
