Abyssinian

Common Name: Abyssinian
Other Names: Aby
Scientific Name: Felis catus (Full Taxonomy)
Origin or Range: Abyssinia
Country of origin: Egypt
Relative Size: Average (as compared to other cats)
Average Lifespan: 13 year(s)
Compatibility: Average (as compared to other cats)
Category: Mammals » Cats

The Abyssinian has a distinctly ticked, tawny coat. The tail and paws may show tabby markings, but the body must not. It has large almond-shaped green or gold eyes with a fine dark line around them, and large ears. The coat is generally a warm golden colour, but "Abys" can also be blue, fawn, cinnamon and red. There is also a Silver Abyssinian variant whose coat shows shades of white, cream and grey.Abyssinians are very active, friendly, curious and playful, and almost dog-like, but are usually not "lap cats", being too preoccupied with exploring and playing as they would in their natural habitat. However, "abys" will also usually adopt one person in the household and become their best friend, often becoming a lap cat as they are extremely affectionate animals. They are "busy" cats, and can get bored and depressed without daily activity and attention. Many Abyssinians enjoy heights, and will explore their surroundings in three dimensions, from the floor to their owner's shoulders to the top of the highest furniture. They are highly intelligent, and very independent. There is a long haired version of the Abyssinian, called the Somali.Abyssinians are a special type of tabby cat; they are distinguished from all other tabbies by their beautiful ticked, resilient coats. All tabbies, in fact, have this ticked or agouti background in their coats (whereby each individual hair shaft is banded with different colors); however, superimposed on this ticked background is a particular dark pattern such as mackerel, spotted, or blotched. Through more than 85 years of selective breeding, these dark patterns have been nearly eliminated from the Abyssinian breed, and this is what makes them so unique. Although other tabbies are bred in different colors, Abyssinians are bred and recognized for championship by CFA only in the ruddy and red varieties, and more recently the color blue was recognized in 1984 and fawn in 1989).Adult Abyssinians don't reach their full potential in coloring or ticking until they around a year and a half old. A kitten who looks pale and washed out when its first baby coat comes in after birth could become a vibrantly colored beauty when its color reaches its maturity. Shorthaired, firm and muscular, the Abyssinian is a lithe and fast moving cat with the exotic look of an ancient Egyptian animal god.The Abyssinian cat is known for it's sleek, shiny coat and unbounded playfulness.It's diet must contain ample protein and balanced fatty acids to meet high energy requirements and maintain a coat in good condition.They can usually "free feed" because they are so active, they burn off extra calories - couch potatoes they are not.Many Abyssinians are prone to gingivitis, so I recommend feeding a quality alternative dry food at least three to five times a week to help prevent tartar build up and keep gums healthy.