Emma Jones
The Abyssinians were impressed with their agility and curiosity. In addition, the beautiful cat with the special coat color is extremely sociable and affectionate towards people, conspecifics, and other animals. Anyone who wants an active and elegant cat as a family member will make a good choice with an Abyssinian.
Abyssinian cat: character
The beautiful Abyssinian, resembling a miniature puma, has many typical characteristics of oriental cat breeds: it is playful, curious, and very attentive. Her urge to move is enormous, she needs sufficient mental and physical activity. She can live out her vitality particularly well with other dogs – and also with dogs, as long as both are gently accustomed to one another. Due to her open-minded nature, also towards children, she proves to be a wonderful family cat. But: She is not just a cuddly kitten, she wants to experience and discover a lot.
Abyssinian cat: husbandry and care
Overall, the Abyssinian is a fairly low-maintenance cat, provided you provide them with enough entertainment in the form of play, clicker training, and other activities. The intelligent and curious Asians always need new, exciting toys that challenge mind and body in equal measure. Climbing and hiding places as well as scratching posts are important so that the animals can live out their urge to play and move. A well-secured balcony or garden is also ideal for running around and playing.
Abyssinians love company – from fellow animals, people, and other animals. Due to their sociability, they are by no means suitable for keeping alone in the apartment. As a member of a family with children, other cats, or a dog, Abyssinian cats feel comfortable.
Abyssinian cat: colors
Abyssinians have a unique coat coloration known as “ticking.” In the case of the Abyssinians, ticking refers to a two to fourfold banding of the hair. This coat pattern, also known as the “agouti effect”, resembles that of wild rabbits. However, the ticking does not affect the entire coat, only the head, outside of the legs, tail, and back. The other parts of the body have a uniform basic tone.
When breeding, only colors are accepted that go back to the color pigment “eumelanin”, which ensures strong light absorption and thus causes dark pigmentation. All wild colors, as well as blue, fawn, and sorrel, are recognized as inbreeding. Colors not yet recognized by all-breed clubs are Chocolate and Lilac.
Abyssinian Cat: History
Numerous legends surround the history of the Abyssinians. One of them goes back to the name, which suggests that the cats came from Abyssinia, modern-day Ethiopia. Another theory holds that Abyssinian cats are the descendants of animals worshiped in Egypt. Both stories are wrong.
Genetic studies have found that Abyssinian fur markings only appear in wild cats in a specific area on the Indian Ocean coast between Sri Lanka and Singapore. This suggests an origin in this region. Traders brought the animals from the Near East to Africa, where they made their way to Europe with British troops in 1868. Abyssinians have been a recognized breed since 1882, making them one of the oldest pedigree cats in Europe.
Abyssinian: Peculiarities
If you want an oriental cat, but don’t appreciate their loud organ of speech (like Siamese cats), the Abyssinian could be the right family member for you: Abyssinians like to “talk” to their people, but with a rather quiet and gentle animal voice.