Abyssinians are active and playful cats who love their humans deeply. While they might not warm your lap for long, they’ll never say no to playtime and make lively housemates.
Personality and temperament
Abyssinians are energetic, intelligent, and always on the move. These curious cats thrive on activity and adventure, and their love of exploring means they’ll happily investigate every corner of your home — so it’s wise to keep anything fragile or hazardous safely tucked away.
Sociable by nature, Abys enjoy being part of the action and get along well with children and other pets. They’re not suited to a solitary lifestyle, so consider adopting a pair or introducing them to your existing cat, dog, or small pet. For an Abyssinian, companionship in any form is always welcome.
Size and appearance
A medium-sized cat, Abys are regal and light-footed. Males tend to weight around 6.5kg, with females coming in a little lighter. While they’re most commonly found in a rich, deep rusty colour, you’ll also see them in cinnamon, blue and fawn. Their shiny fur is wonderfully bright due to the bands of ticking (where each hair is multi-toned) and their angular faces are centred with beautiful almond-shaped eyes, and large cupped ears. One of their most distinguishing features is their elegant arched neck, which along with their fur, gives them a somewhat ‘wild’ look.
History
Despite their exotic name, Abyssinians didn’t come from Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia). Instead, they are believed to originate from the coastal regions of the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. The confusion comes from an unsuspecting cat named Zula, who was transported to England by soldiers after the Abyssinian war in the 1860s. Once Zula was shown at the 1971 Crystal Palace Cat show in London, the breed was sought after for its unique multi-shaded ‘ticked’ coat. Breeding increased in the early 1900s, before arriving in New Zealand in the 1950s and Australia a decade later. Today the breed is a constant favourite.
Health conditions that can affect this breed
Generally a hardy breed, Abyssinians can be prone to some health issues, including:
- Renal (kidney) issues
- Patellar luxation (dislocating kneecap)
- Inherited eye diseases, including progressive vision loss
- Gingivitis and dental disease
Regular vet check-ups and constant care can help manage these conditions and keep your Abys healthy.
Food and exercise
To fuel their active lifestyle, Abys need quality, protein-rich food. Splitting their food into two or three smaller meals throughout the day can help with digestion. Avoid leaving food out for ‘grazing’ as they tend to overeat.
Abyssinians are one of the most active cat breeds, so exercise is key to their happiness. They love climbing trees, mazes, ‘catios’ with different levels and bookcases that seem impossible to scale. This breed in particular will love a good cat tunnel, interactive games and as much playtime as their human can give them.
Grooming and maintenance
Abyssinians are naturally clean and low-shedding. All their slinky coat needs is a weekly brush.
How to groom your Abyssinian
- Coat type: short, fine fur
- Fur: Weekly brushing with a soft glove to remove loose hair
- Nails: trim every 3-4 weeks
- Ears: check weekly if needed
- Eyes: wipe gently with a soft cloth to remove discharge
Training and space requirements
Impressive problem-solvers, Abys can be taught basic commands and can even learn to walk on a lead, which most love. A stroll in the garden or around the block gives your Abyssinian a chance to stretch their legs without tasting any local wildlife.
As an explorer, with a love of an afternoon zoomie session, Abyssinians tend to thrive better in larger houses with outdoor ‘catios’. They aren’t called ‘Aby-silly-ans’ for nothing! However, with enough stimuli, climbing trees and vertical space to roam around, they can adapt to apartment living.
Best suited for…
Abyssinians love action and movement, so they suit busy families with other pets. They prefer to be around their humans as much as they can, but rather than warming your lap, you’ll find them scaling your furniture, chasing their housemates and trying to open your precious China cabinet… just for fun.
