Abyssinian – Breed#01

Introduction

The Abyssinian cats are some of the most distinctive and favorite breeds in the feline world. Famous for their wild look, cheerful spirits, as well as their historical background, Abyssinians are the preferred pets of cat lovers worldwide. This article is going to talk about Abyssinian cats and their characteristics, as well as their history and care requirements, and so on. It does not matter whether you are planning to get one or not; this guide will have the necessary information about this breed.

What is an Abyssinian Cat?

Abyssinian is the short haired breed of domestic cat with a stunningly beautiful coat and metabolically high-affected nature. Abyssinians are cats with an elegant, slender body and sleek, muscular build, the most visually distinctive cats you can find. They have short, fine coats but have a defining feature which is a unique coat of fur called ticked. It implies all the hair is then coloured in stripes, this time of various tints, to produce a warm and glow effect, usually in deep tones of golden or reddish-brown.

The eyes of the Abyssinians are big, shaped like an almond, which is described as an alert intelligent impression. They also have large ears that further adds to their alert focused appearance. Their beauty can never be challenged but it is the personality that makes the Abyssinian a sought after pet. They are described as being intelligent, curious, of high energy and are always out there exploring and playing as well as interacting with the environment.

The Origin and History of the Abyssinian Cat

Abyssinian cat has a history that is debatable and very interesting. Although it is not clear on the origins of this breed, many people, it is considered that the Abyssinian emerged in ancient Egypt. This theory is founded upon the similarity between the present-day Abyssinians and cats that were drawn on Egyptian paintings. They are also very graceful and royal-looking looking and this fits well with how the cats were worshipped in ancient Egypt. There is however no conclusive evidence that has linked the Abyssinian to this region.

There is one more common theory according to which Abyssinian breed emerged in Ethiopia, formerly called Abyssinia, this way acquiring its name. There are those who are of the view that Abyssinians could have travelled to Europe in the 19th century via trade routes. The breed was considered in Britain at the end of the 1800s and then brought to the United States. Even nowadays, the Abyssinian remains as one of the oldest commonly known breeds of domestic cat, and, besides, even globally, the human race, which breeds cats in their care and affection, seems still to be amazed and stunned by the uniqueness of the breed and the elegant look of the cat.

Key Characteristics of the Abyssinian Cat

Coat and Color

The coat of the Abyssinian is one of the most prominent aspects of this cat. The fur of the breed is very soft and short; however, its characteristic is the so-called ticked texture. Individual hairs are colored in several shades, creating the coat of the cat a warm, glowing effect. The Abyssinians colors most seen are ruddy, sorrel ( reddish-brown), blue, and fawn. The most conventional one is ruddy, which provides Abyssinians with their particular golden-brown glow.

The coat itself is not especially difficult to maintain and only needs to be brushed every once in a while to avoid the problem of shedding. That is why the Abyssinian can be a good choice in case you do not want to waste your time on more frequent grooming of the long-haired cats.

Size and Build

Abyssinians are skinny and athletic with a muscular body. They are not very big cats, but their smooth body makes them look graceful and swift. A majority of the Abyssinians have a weight of 8-12 pounds, where males are usually a little heavier than the females. Although they are slim, they are very powerful and can jump and even climb with great ease.

The Abyssinians possess large almond shaped eyes which could be golden or green. Their facial expression is curious and alert which is portrayed by their eyes that portrays the curious characteristic of the breed. The high cheek bones on the triangular-shaped face are followed by their broad and sharp ears which aids in making them look expressive also. Such traits lend it to the Abyssinian to have one of the most impressive aspects of the breed: the face.

Personality

Another characteristic that makes the Abyssinian cat one of the most favourite is its playful and active nature. Abyssinians are extremely inquisitive and enjoy examining things around them. They also tend to be extremely bright and on many occasions they might be found trying to figure out new things, solving puzzles, and learning tricks as well. They find it easy to entertain and thus their exploratory nature embodies the fact that they might easily become bored hence, the most important thing is to provide them with much stimulus to satisfy them.

Abyssinians are not clingy, however, they are attached to their family members. They enjoy attending people and they usually accompany their owners through corridors and observe what is in their vicinity. Nevertheless, they also value their freedom and are happy to spend some time on their own, as this is necessary. They are also given a description of being more dog-like than cat-like, owing to their fondness for interactive play as well as the social disposition.

Check Out: American Bobtail – Breed#02.

Abyssinian Cat Care and Grooming

Grooming Needs

Abyssinian has a short coat that is not very demanding unlike long-haired ones. The fur is not easy to mat, and daily brushing will aid in stabilizing shedding and leaving the coat glossy. They should be brushed once or twice a week, only for a minute or so, in order to keep them sleek.

Abyssinians are also well groomed and most clean themselves just like most cats do by licking their fur. Dental check-ups, nail cutting, and cleaning of the ear, nevertheless, ought to be included in your cat’s care regimen.

Diet and Feeding Considerations

Abyssinians cats are active and energetic, hence requiring a sound diet to maintain them because of the high metabolism rates. They need high quality protein and hence a balanced diet is needed to maintain their muscle tones and the health in general. Abyssinians are obligate carnivores just like all cats, and thus need a diet with high concentration of animal-based proteins.

It should also be noted that portion control and frequent feeding are required in making sure that your Abyssinian does not become obese and live a healthy lifestyle. Put attention to their activity so that their playfulness may lead to rapid burning of calories.

Exercise Needs

Abyssinians belong to one of the most active types of cats, which demand a lot of physical and mental activities. They do well when they are free to explore and have a chance to interact through the art of play. They can entertain many different types of toys, climbing methods, and even puzzle feeders to keep them active. They also have a strong climbing habit and are quite nimble so vertical areas should be given to them in the form of cat tree and shelves to help them explore and exercise.

Health Considerations for Abyssinians

Abyssinians are fairly healthy cats, however, as with all breeds, there are some health problems that are common to Abyssinians. The Abyssinians are more prone to develop some of the following conditions:

• Hip Dysplasia: It is a genetic problem of the hip joints which fail to develop normally and therefore becomes painful and lead to mobility problems. Supervised check-ups and a healthy diet can control this disorder.
• Dental Problems: Abyssinian cats are more predisposed to dental problems such as gingivitis and periodontal disease thus it is highly recommended that their teeth are brushed regularly and checked by the veterinary doctor people.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): It is an autosomal, recessively inherited: causes gradual loss of vision. Though not every Abyssinian will acquire PRA, it is crucial to check their eyesight as they get older.

When cared properly Abyssinians have the average life expectancy of 12-16 years and some may even live up to 20 years. Making regular visits to the vet, a balanced meal, active life are some of the elements that can assist them to live long and healthy lives.

Abyssinians and Their Family Life

The Abyssinians are referred to as social cats and they like humans and other pets. They are prone to develop a close relationship with the members of their families and can be very affectionate. Nevertheless, they do not require so much attention and they would be happy about their self-sufficiency. This predisposes them to the needs of a family that does not want a cat who may always demand attention, yet needs a cat who is sociable and communicative.

They tend to get on with most children because of their playfulness and curiosity, and their preference of interactive play is why they can be an excellent companion to active families. Abyssinians also do well with other pets such as dogs as long as they are raised around other pets since early childhood.

Conclusion

Abyssinian cat is one breed that is so beautiful to look at, and its personality is quite charming. They are light-hearted, clever, and loving, and hence a nice companion to the right family or person. They are high maintenance and need a lot of stimulation as well as care, but their low maintenance coat and all-around healthy characteristics make them an excellent choice to anyone who is more than willing to give them the attention they are seeking.

It is important to ask yourself whether you want to get an Abyssinian that fits in your lifestyle and has high energy levels, as well as the desire to be mentally stimulated. The Abyssinian is a caring and loving pet that could see many years with the right treatment conditions.

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