Energetic | Sociable | Friendly. The exotic Abyssinian cat or “Aby” for short, proudly reigns in the top 5 most popular cat breeds in the world and it’s easy to see why. With a friendly and playful purrsonality and a unique regal beauty about them, they’re a purrfect match for a sociable family who wants a kitty with a bit more zest than the average lazy moggie. Today we’re going to explore everything there is to know about the Abyssinian cat including their mysterious ancestry and specific feeding requirements.
ABYSSINIAN CAT BASICS
Average Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
Average Weight: 2.5 – 4.5kg
Coat Length: Short
Colouring: Abys all sport a ticked coat but can be golden brown, sorrel, blue, fawn, silver, chocolate and lilac
Shedding: Low
WHAT IS THE ANCESTRY OF THE ABYSSINIAN CAT?
Although some ancient Egyptian mummified cats bear a similar resemblance to the Abyssinian cat, their exact origins are unknown. With some cats native to North Africa and the Middle East sporting the typical Abyssinian ticked coat, some believe they hail from this region of the world. However genetic testing suggests that the breed may have origins along the coast of the Indian Ocean and even into Southeast Asia.
What we do know is that the first Abyssinian cat to be paraded in the UK was a cat named Zula who was imported from Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia) and won third prize in the 1871 Crystal Palace Cat Show. This is likely where this alluring kitty got its name and from their first show back in the 1800s, Abys have since grown in worldwide popularity with the support of dedicated cat clubs and breeders.
WHAT DO ABYSSINIAN CATS LOOK LIKE?
Abyssinian cats resemble wild jungle cats. With large pointy ears similar to that of a Lynx and a medium muscular build, they have a striking and exotic appearance. Original Abyssinian cats sported golden brown coats. This type of Abyssinian coat colour is the “usual” colour, however nowadays, Abys come in a range of colours including sorrel, blue, fawn, silver, chocolate and lilac.
What all Abyssinian cats have in common and what makes their appearance truly unique, is their ticked coat. This means that each hair on their body has multiple bands of colour giving them a wild look, similar to a British hare or fox. The eyes of an Abyssinian cat are green or gold with an almond shape to them which are known to allure their hoomans hypnotically for more playtime and cuddles.
ABYSSINIAN CAT PURRSONALITY
Abys are a high-energy breed of kitty and thrive on hooman interaction, playtime and socialisation. They’re extremely loyal and make great family cats for those that want a floof who loves to play.
The downside of the Abyssinian cat’s deep love of their furmily is that they can have a hard time being left alone. So, if you are thinking of adding one of these lovable felines to your fur fam it would be worthwhile looking into adopting a second cat to keep your Aby company.
Invest in lots of toys and games as well as cat tunnels and climbing frames to keep your Abyssinian occupied and prevent boredom. Abyssinians are very intelligent and curious, which if not stimulated can get them into mischief as well as the most obscure hidey-holes in the house.
They’re not overly vocal and have a cute chirrup vocalisation which they use when they’re ready for a delicious cat treat or when they want to play.
DO ABYSSINIAN CATS LIKE TO GO OUTSIDE?
With an inquisitive mind and bundles of energy, Abyssinian cats love to explore the great outdoors. However, it’s impawtent that their safety is at the forefront of their outdoor adventures. Cat-friendly gardens, playpens, cat leashes and cat balconies are a great way to provide the stimulation of outdoor play to your Abyssinian cat in a safe manner. Without this, their curious minds may get them lost or put them in harm’s way whilst out exploring.
ABYSSINIAN CAT FEEDING REQUIREMENTS
Abyssinian cats have no specific feeding requirements. However, as they are more prone to developing an eye disease known as progressive retinal atrophy, choosing a cat food that includes healthy levels of zinc and vitamin E can be helpful in maintaining the health of their eyes.
Like all kitties, the Abyssinian cat is an obligate carnivore meaning that they need a diet high in animal protein to thrive. They also have high energy levels, so it’s impawtent that they’re eating the right amount of cat food and consuming enough calories to support their elite athlete status.
SCRUMBLES, THE PAWFECT FOOD FOR ABYSSINIAN CATS
If your Abyssinian is on the prowl for a highly nutritious and delicious dinner check out our collection of gut-friendly cat food.
Made with high levels of human-grade animal meat, and 100% natural and gut-friendly ingredients, all of our cat food recipes are designed to support the athletic bouts of the carnivorous Abyssinian.
Our Chicken and Salmon Dry Cat Food also contains vitamin E, zinc and Omega-3 fatty acids to support optimal eye health.
We also add gut-loving probiotics to our dry cat food and prebiotics to our wet cat food, so that they’re easy on sensitive stomachs, highly digestible and make for pretty poops at the kitty litter.
We even have in-built feeding calculators on all of our cat food pages so that you know exactly how much to feed your cat based on their size and activity levels.
So if you’re adding an Abyssinian to your fur fam or already have one at home, make the switch to Scrumbles today and optimise their health for a happy tomorrow!
Whilst you're here, why not read:
- Russian Blue Cat
- Snowshoe Cat
- Cornish Rex
