The Abyssinian cat is a beautiful, exotic and mysterious-looking cat, thought to be the oldest known domestic breed, first brought to Britain by soldiers returning from Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) in 1868. It’s soft, sleek, glossy ticked coat comes in a variety of shades from Sorrel to Lilac, as do it’s incredible, lined, almond shaped eyes which range in color from amber to green.
Nature of Abyssinian:
The Abyssinian is a friendly, affectionate, intelligent and outgoing cat, capable of learning a variety of tricks. They have a distinctive, bell-like voice. They are also an excellent family pet!
The Abyssinian cat is said to be descended from a cat called Zula, brought to England by Captain Barrett Leonard at the conclusion of the Abyssinian war. British troops left Abyssinia in May 1868, so that may have been the time when cats with ticked coats first entered England. There are no verifiable, written records tracing early Abyssinians to Zula, but Abyssinians were exhibited at Crystal Palace in 1871 so it is certain that all Abyssinians are descended from cats bred in the United Kingdom.
Abyssinians aren’t for folks who want decorative cats that sit around looking lovely, or for those who crave a contented lap cat. Courageous, curious and high-spirited, Aby’s give new meaning to the word “active.” Abyssinians perform antics for your amusement, earning them a reputation as the clowns of the cat kingdom. They perch on shoulders, crawl under covers and sit beside you purring loudly before dashing off to make flying leaps at the tallest bookcases. They are natural athletes, and no closed room or cupboard is safe from their agile paws and inquiring minds.
Abyssinian Cat Colors
The Abyssinian comes in several colours. Usual, sorrel, fawn and blue are the most widely accepted colours in the UK while the American color terms are;
Abyssinian Cat Color in USA (America):
- Ruddy
- Red
- Fawn
- Blue
Abyssinian Cat in Australia:
- Tawny
- Cinnamon
- Blue
- Fawn
Abyssinian Cat Color in UK(united Kingdom):
The American Cat Association also recognizes lilac and cream. Chocolate and silver colors were introduced from the Burmese, or their silver versions.
Eyes of Abyssinian
The slender creatures eyes are oval shaped or almond shaped usually green, hazel or gold and eye lined.
Abyssinians have long bodies and ruddy brown coats with ticking (marking on each hair) of darker brown or black. They are thought to be the most unchanged descendants of the ancient Egyptian domestic cat.
Abyssinians are generally healthy but are prone to gingivitis. If not treated, the more serious periodontitis can develop, causing tissue, bone and tooth loss. Untreated, dental disease can undermine the cat’s overall health. With routine tooth brushing, regular checkups, and periodic professional teeth cleaning, the problem can be minimized. Amyloidosis, a disease thought to be hereditary that affects the kidneys, and PK deficiency, which causes anemia, have been found in some Aby lines.
