Abyssinian Cat Information

The Abyssinian cat or "Aby," is considered to be one of the oldest purebred cats in the world, although just how old is a subject of debate, according to the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA). Ever since the hobby of cat showing began in the 1800s, the Abyssinian became one of the most popular short haired cat breeds in Europe and North America.

  1. History

    • Sculptures from ancient Egypt show long-limbed, short-haired cats and tomb paintings often depicted long, lean cats with sandy-colored coats, but this could just be a coincidence. British soldiers returning from Abyssinia (now called Ethiopia) brought cats with them in the 1800s. The oldest recognizable stuffed Abyssinian can be found in Holland's Leiden Museum. No one knows when the cat died, but the stuffed body was bought around 1835. The first Abyssinian cat written about was in 1872. By 1896, a breed society began in England.

    Identification

    • The Aby is a long, lean, cat with a tail that appears longer than the tails of most cats. However, they are not as lean nor do they have the extremely elongated face of Siamese cats. Their heads are shaped like a typical cat's, although the ears are slightly large in proportion to the rest of the head. No matter what shade of reddish-brown they are in, all Abyssinians have a noticeable M on their foreheads.

    Color

    • There are four colors officially recognized by the CFA. These are ruddy, a glossy gold reminiscent of a chestnut horse; fawn, a soft peaches and cream color; red, which is a more cinnamon red color and blue, a combination of beige and black hairs which make a bluish coat. All Abyssinians tend to have white muzzles and necks, and pale undersides. Abyssinians' eyes can be yellow or green, but the most common color is gold.

    Temperament

    • Abyssinians are active, highly intelligent cats that bond strongly with their human companions. They can be trained to do simple tricks and often wind up in advertisements or on television. "The Complete Guide to Cats" notes that they get on well with other animals, children and senior citizens. They often do not like to be held. They are not as vocal as some other breeds such as the Siamese.

    Health Problems

    • Abyssinians are healthier than many other purebred cats such as the Persian, but they are prone to some health problems, according to "The Complete Guide to Cats." These include retinal atrophy which can cause blindness; problems of the kneecaps dislocating called patellar luxation and kidney problems, including the potentially fatal renal amyloidosis. Abyssinians with renal amyloidosis should not be bred, because this is a genetic condition.