Abyssinian

Breed of ancient cats that like perching

The Abyssinian is a cat breed believed to have originated in ancient Egypt. The ancestors of the breed were actually worshiped by the Ancient Egyptians as incarnations of their goddess Bastet. Egyptian murals and sculptures depict cats that resemble modern-day Abyssinians.

A cat named Zula is said to be the ancestor of present day Abyssinian. This cat was transported to Britain by the military that was returning from the Abyssinian War in 1968.

Resembling the African wildcat, this breed is fondly called the Aby. Active breeding didn’t start until the 1930s. Among shorthaired breeds, this cat is second to the Siamese in popularity.

Characteristics

The Abyssinian is a vibrantly colored cat with a medium-sized, long and graceful body structure. He has a well-developed muscular structure and a wedge head that is slightly rounded.

The ears are large and slightly pointed, and the eyes are large and almond-shaped, with gold or green eyes. Mascara lines can be seen on the eyes.

The legs are extremely long, giving the impression that the Abyssinian is standing on tiptoes. The paws are small and have fine bone structure. The tail is long and tapering, with a thick base.

The Abyssinian shorthaired coat is vibrantly colored and distinctively ticked. It has a dense and glossy appearance with a translucent effect. The coat colors include ruddy, blue, fawn, red, and silver.

An adult Aby can weigh an average of 2.5 to 4.5kg.

The lifespan of an Abyssinian cat is 9 to 15 years.

Personality

The Abyssinian is a quiet cat that is also brave, inquisitive, and energetic. He is intelligent and trustworthy. He is athletic and enjoys climbing and exploring. He has been observed perching on the shoulders of his owners.

Although the Aby enjoys playing by himself, he rather prefers to play with his owner. The Aby will probably cling to people's legs at the dinner table when everyone is eating.

The medium sized Aby is a performer, earning himself the title of the clown of the cat kingdom. He excels at learning and performing new tricks.

This cat will fit in with any household, whether there are kids or not. All he really needs is tons of love and care. He needs distractions when left alone, such as cat toys or another Aby, or else he could create a mess while looking for anything to do.

Care

The Aby has a short, delicate coat that is simple to maintain by routinely brushing it to get rid of dead hair, dander, and to massage the skin. When he is shedding, bathing will help to get rid of extra hair more quickly than brushing.

Periodontal disease can be prevented with regular dental care. Along with the required routine cleanings by the Aby's vet, use of a pet-approved toothbrush and toothpaste is also required.

Any discharge can be cleaned out of the eyes with a soft cloth or cotton, maintaining a tidy appearance. To avoid infections, the ears must be cleaned weekly to make sure they are clean and dry and to check for any debris.

It is advisable to clip the Aby’s nails every two weeks.