According to scientists, the ancestors of the Abyssinian cat lived in Egypt. Actually, the birthplace of the Abyssinian cat is Abyssinia, now Ethiopia, where the very name of the breed came from. This breed was considered sacred – only the pharaohs had the right to keep the Abyssinian cat. They were later brought to Europe, presumably to Great Britain, by a British soldier who became interested in an unusual type of cat. The breed was officially recognized in England at the end of the 19th century. In 1907 they were brought to the United States.

During the Second World War, many animals died, and the breed was almost lost – at that time there were about 12 surviving cats in all of Europe. However, the stubborn breeders managed to recreate the breed from the surviving representatives, crossing them with other breeds. This gave a slight variation in the breed standards, and they were later changed from the 1889 standards.

Features of the breed, how long they live

The average life expectancy of an Abyssinian cat is 12-15 years.

Each breed has its own specific external characteristics and temperament, which will be discussed below.

Of course, each animal is individual, and its behavior largely depends not only on genetics, but also on upbringing. However, there are certain pros and cons of the breed.

pros

Abyssinians are very active, get along well with other animals and children. They love affection, are unpretentious in care, do not need regular brushing, their short hair does not fall into tangles.

Note!

They do not require special food costs, since they can easily get by with natural food. They are also unpretentious to toys, they can play both with complex clockwork mice and with simple balls.

disadvantages

Not suitable for people who are inactive, calm, who do not like unnecessary fuss and noise. An Abyssinian, by virtue of nature, will try to climb higher and stick his curious nose somewhere. You should not expect from him imposing reclining on the sofa as another fluffy pillow.

They are often forgotten during the game, they can fall from a height, fall out of the window, drop a pot with a favorite plant. They demand attention and are offended if ignored. They cannot stand a long separation from the owner.

Size and lifespan

Abi’s weight varies between 2.7-4.5 kg, and the average life expectancy is 12-15 years.

Breed standards

According to the WCF (World Cat Federation) standards, the Abyssinian cat has the following parameters:

The body is of medium size and length, flexible, muscular, with a long, thick tail at the base, pointed at the tip;
The limbs are slender, sinewy, the paws are narrow, oval in shape;
The head is wedge-shaped with soft contours. The muzzle looks rounded in front, the nose is of medium length, the chin is strong, the forehead is slightly convex;
The ears are large and wide at the base, set wide apart. Rounded tips, tassels are desirable;
The eyes are almond-shaped, expressive, with a black rim of the eyelids. Set wide apart and slightly oblique. Eye color – amber yellow, green;
The coat is tight-fitting, short, with double or triple ticking (zone dyeing of the coat). The tips of the hair are dark;
Acceptable colors: wild, sorrel (silver sorrel), blue (blue silver, black silver), fawn (beige-fawn)

Briefly about the disadvantages:

Round head, small or too large ears, pointed ears, deviation in eye color;
White or dark stripes and spots on the face and legs, necklaces on the neck, gray undercoat, too light undercoat;
The dark variations have a light tip of the tail, the absence of a “sole” on the hind limbs, and the absence of an eyelid outline.

Only specialists can determine the standard exterior. Determining compliance with standards on your own can be extremely difficult.

Character

Abyssinian cats are very lively, playful, curious, but at the same time self-sufficient and proud. They love to walk around the territory entrusted to them, as if guarding or inspecting it. They move almost constantly, until they eat or sleep, or until they are carried away by something interesting.

Abyssinians can watch what is happening on the TV screen, the fish in the aquarium, birds flying outside the window, until they are distracted by something else or they get tired of their occupation.

Playful even as adults. They can play for a very long time with one toy, but then they may get bored with it and they will no longer fit it. The game is often forgotten and can harm themselves. In games, they sometimes resemble dogs – the Abyssinians bring the toy back in their teeth and wait to be thrown away again.

Despite their self-sufficiency, they are very sociable and do not like to be alone for a long time. They fall into a state of depression if they are not paid attention to or are repulsed if they come to eat.

Abyssinians adore heights, and can even climb where, it would seem, no living creature can climb. They need to know what is where they have not yet been, and it is imperative to check whether nothing new has appeared where they have already been. They love to climb higher and carefully observe what is happening from the height of their own greatness.

Care and maintenance

Like all felines, Abyssinians demand attention to their eyes, ears, fur and claws. It is necessary to accustom you to clipping and bathing from a very young age. Oddly enough, Abyssinians usually love bathing.

Eyes should be wiped with a cotton swab moistened with boiled water at room temperature. The ears are wiped with a damp cloth or cotton swab, but in no case with a cotton swab. They bathe once every two months, or as they become dirty. It is best to bathe during the moulting period.

Important!

Always use shampoos for cats when bathing, they are hypoallergenic for animals. Shampoos and balms intended for humans can cause a strong cat reaction.

The combing of the wool is carried out with a comb with frequent teeth. You can comb it two or three times a week, during the shedding period, you can increase the procedure up to 5-6 times or comb it out daily.

Abyssinians can and should be walked in nature, but they need to be taught to do this from a young age. So that the pet does not get scared and does not run away, the walk is carried out on special harnesses.

Health

Pedigree and mixed breed cats have various genetic diseases. Abyssinians face the following problems:

early onset of periodontal disease;
hyperesthetic syndrome is a neurological disease that manifests itself in excessive self-care. This leads to hair loss when the cat actively licks or gnaws at it;
patella slippage syndrome is a hereditary disorder that can vary in severity. In severe cases, surgery may be required;
progressive retinal atrophy – eye disease;
pyruvatekinase deficiency;
Renal amyloidosis is an inherited disorder that occurs when the amyloid protein is deposited in the internal organs of a cat, usually the kidneys. As a result, kidney failure can occur.

Okras

The recognized color standards for Abyssinian cats are wild (most popular), sorrel, blue and fawn.

Sorel, or red color, is characterized by a rich copper-red apricot color. The ticking is chocolate brown, visible on every hair. The belly, inner thighs and forelegs are apricot. A brown stripe with a red tint runs along the back, the tip of the tail is dark. Hot pink nose with reddish brick piping. The eyes are green, amber, gold or bright copper. The paw pads are pink.

The wild color was previously the only one recognized in the breed standards. Nowadays it is the most common color variety in Abyssinian cats. The coat is bright brown with black, usually dark brown or ocher ticking. The lower abdomen and the inside of the legs are orange. The tip of the tail is black, the stripe on the back is dark brown. The rim of the nose is dark. The paw pads are black.

Fawn, or beige, is the most recent standard. The color is warm beige with a pinkish ticking. Undercoat, belly and inner paws of oat or light oat color. The stripe on the back is beige, the tip of the tail is a rich pink-beige color. The rim of the nose is dark pink, the paw pads are light.

Reference!

There are also tortoiseshell, silver, purple, brown variations, but they are not recognized by all federations and standards.

The blue color is characterized by gray-blue, beige zones and an apricot or fawn undercoat. On the back along the ridge, the stripe is dark blue, the tip of the tail is much darker. The nose is brick-red or red-brown in color, with a grayish-blue piping. The paw pads are bright purple.

Description and color of the coat

Abi is often said to resemble a wild cat. This is due to its ticked coat color, which is found in felines such as cougars. Ticking is an alternating light and dark blotch on each hair shaft.

The abi has a slightly rounded wedge-shaped head topped with large, wide ears to help you hear you better. Large, almond-shaped eyes of gold or green color take an interest in whatever they see. Dark lines can extend from the eyes and eyebrows. The muscular body is graceful and athletic, the Abyssinian is something between a stocky Persian breed and a slender Siamese.

Their slender legs end in small, oval paws. The abi’s tail is long and tapering at the end. The coat is soft and silky to the touch, of medium length.

Main colors:

wild (ruddy) – a reddish brown, more artistically described as the feminine sienna. The ticking is dark brown or black. The nose is reddish and the paw pads are black or brown;
sorrel (sorrel) – red, with a touch of cinnamon. Ticking is chocolate brown. The skin of the nose and paw pads are pink;
blue (blue) – warm pinkish-beige. Ticking is represented by various shades of gray and blue. The color of the nose is described as an old rose, and the paw pads are deep purple;
fawn – pink-beige color. Ticking is light brown cocoa. The skin of the nose is salmon colored and the paw pads are pink.

Several associations allow for complementary colors, including chocolate, lilac, and various silver tones.

Wool

According to the breed standard, Abyssinians are shorthaired cats. Their fur coat is rather thin and fits snugly to the body. A peculiarity of wool is the presence of double or even triple ticking on each hair.

There are several coat colors of the Abyssinian cat. The main difference from other breeds is the ticking color. It is the presence of a dark area at the tip of each hair. According to this principle, the fur coat of such cats resembles the color of wild rabbits.

Among the most popular colors are:

blue;
chocolate;
wild;
sorrel;
favn.

Several felinological organizations also distinguish lilac and silver coats separately.

The eyes of these cats are very beautiful and unusual. They are almond-shaped and expressive. The shade can be from deep amber to light green.

The eyes are set fairly wide apart. Their expressiveness is explained by the centuries, which are outlined with dark wool.

Quite long tail, slightly widened at the base and tapering towards the tip.

Small and set fairly wide. They have a wide base and taper closer to the tip, slightly rounded. Some Abyssinian cats have tassels on the tips of their ears.

Abyssinian cats are flexible and medium-sized. They have well-developed muscles and a long neck. The paws of the animal stand out especially. They are quite long, narrow and slender. The limbs are oval.

The Abyssinian cat is an elegant shorthaired pet with a flexible constitution and graceful demeanor. This mysterious person attracts attention with her unique appearance. Adult cats are generally of medium size, but tend to be more muscular than other breeds. The weight of an adult cat can be from 3 to 6 kg with a height of 28-32 cm.

The first breed standard was recorded by G. Steyles in 1889. But since that time, cats have been slightly modified.

Below is the ultimate Abyssinian standard.

Body type	Description	Points
Housing	Medium length.	twenty
Body	Strong, muscular, firm, of medium size, well-proportioned.
Tail	A long. Tapered with a sharp tip.
Paws	Slender and long, with oval feet.
Head	Medium size, slightly wedge-shaped. The profile is pronounced, with a strong chin.	fifteen
Neck	Slim.
Nose	Neat, short.
Ears	Large and straight, wide at the base and slightly rounded at the tips.
Eyes	They are almond-shaped. They are large and set slightly obliquely. The color is saturated. May appear from green to amber-gold.	10
Wool	Tight and short. Fine structure. There is a light undercoat.	10
Color	Sorel, faun, wild, blue.	25
Ticking (zone staining)	Double or triple coloring of each hair. The color is uniform. Does not create drawings on the body.	fifteen
Condition (according to the breed)	Cats do not always know how to behave in public because of their energy.	five

What is considered a flaw by the WCF standard:

Pronounced stripes on the forelegs.
Light undercoat.
The manifestation of the pattern on the wool.
Lack of eye rims.

Coloring is the main advantage of the Abyssinian cat. The color lays down evenly throughout the pet’s body, but some areas, the line of the spine and the tip of the tail, have a deeper and more saturated shade.

Given the variety of colors, consider how an Abyssinian cat might look with photo examples.

Wild color

The dominant color is reddish brown, with black and orange hues. The color of the nose is brick red with black edging. The black rim of the eyes and dark legs give the breed a more austere and serious look, emphasizing a touch of wildness. This is the most contrasting color, which delights many breeders.

Sorrel color

An Abyssinian cat of such a rich sunny shade will definitely attract attention. The main color is a pleasant apricot, with copper-orange and chocolate-brown hues. The nose is brown, sometimes the color of cinnamon. The eyes are also accentuated with a brown tint.

This color is dominated by a light cream tone. The ticking color is a more intense beige. The outline of the eyes, paws and nose is the same pale pink shade. In general, the cat resembles a soft airy marshmallow, so this color is recognized as the most exquisite and delicate.

Blue color

The color that dominates this shade is cream or pale beige. There is a grayish-blue tint on the back and legs, reminiscent of a tailcoat. The eye rims are also blue-gray. The nose is brick red. The combination of cold gray tone and delicate cream makes this breed exquisite and gives it a special charm.

There are suggestions that her temperament often depends on the color of the Abyssinian cat. For example, the owner of a wild color often shows his pride, but is distinguished by a sharp mind. Sorrels are mostly funny and perky cats. Fawn and blue carriers are endowed with tenderness and sensuality.

Attitude towards children and other pets

The active and social Abyssinian is the perfect choice for families with cat-friendly kids and dogs. Abi will play just like any retriever and it is easy to learn tricks. The pet will surely fall in love with children who will treat him with respect. He is smart enough to walk away from a small child, but prefers schoolchildren because they match his energy level and curiosity. Friendship with dogs is possible if they do not cause him any problems. Abi are also known to get along with large parrots, ferrets, and other pets.

Names (nicknames) for kittens

Male: Blade, Tiger, Harley, Coco, Momo, Lucky, Felix, Aron, Titan, Zeus.

Female: Ella, Angel, Lily, Zoe (Zoe), Sushi, Emma, Molly, Lexi, Alice (Alice), Nala.

Purchase

Since the Abyssinian cat breed is rare, you should look for it in official catteries that provide not only European registration, but also American, as well as a full package of documents. You can get a kitten at the age of more than 12 weeks, when he is no longer dependent on maternal care.

In the nursery, he must be vaccinated, and then a completed veterinary passport must be handed over to the buyer. You will also be given a metric that can be exchanged at the club for a pedigree, where the kitten’s ancestors will be indicated. It is imperative to inquire about recommendations for keeping a pet.

What to look for when examining a kitten?

At the age of 12 weeks, the kitten already has a ticking, but the final color will appear closer to 2 years. A healthy kitten has well-opened and clean eyes. He is mobile, moderately well-fed, and his coat is clean and soft. A real abi is not afraid of people, but gladly makes contact. If it doesn’t get out of your hands, there is a good chance that adaptation in your new home will be easy.

Before the kitten arrives at your home, you should prepare:

cat litter with a pet’s usual filler;
scratching post;
the food he ate in the nursery;
means for transportation.

When buying a kitten, be prepared for the fact that the cattery will be interested in your lifestyle and opportunities to provide proper conditions for the abi. Do not be surprised by this, because breeders put a lot of effort into these cats, so they are worried about their future fate.

Abyssinian cat price

The price of an Abyssinian kitten from titled parents, in officially registered catteries, ranges from $ 400-600 (without breeding rights) and from $ 700 to $ 1200 (with breeding rights).

You should not buy kittens from pet stores, poultry markets and unscrupulous breeders or resellers. Having saved once, be prepared for the fact that you may face various problems, and this will result in even greater expenses.

Catteries that breed Abyssinian cats spend a lot of money on:

purchase of kittens by parents;
caring for a pregnant cat;
high-quality nutrition, good maintenance and regular examination by a veterinarian;
vaccination;
paperwork for kittens;
and many others related to ensuring a full life for pets.

Based on the above, we can conclude that a real, healthy Abyssinian cannot have a low cost.

Abyssinian cat nutrition

Not only special food is suitable for pets, but also homemade food. Kittens can eat fish and meat raw. However, it is desirable that the product has undergone thermal processing – baking, boiling or steaming. Some pets have specific tastes and eat vegetables, fruits and even sweets. Supplements and vitamins should be prescribed by your veterinarian.

Until the age of one year, you need to feed your pet 3-4 times a day in small portions (up to 50 g). Feeding of adults is carried out 2 times a day. Portions can be increased up to 100 g for the female and up to 200-250 g for the male.

In this case, the animal should not be overfeed. A pet that has gained extra pounds ceases to meet breed standards.

What to feed

You can feed your pet with any type of food, both dry, ready-made, industrial-made, and natural.

Dry food

For feeding kittens, special feeds are suitable, such brands:

«Arden Grange».
«Natural Guabi».
«Natural kitten food».
“Royal Canin”.
Farmina.

When kittens reach ten months of age, they are gradually transferred to an adult diet. As a rule, premium-class feeds are considered to be of the highest quality, since they are distinguished by balanced compositions, including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. New types of feed are introduced into the diet with care, with appropriate monitoring of the animal’s health. It is imperative to ensure that the animal always has clean drinking water.

Organic products

In most cases, pets are fed with natural products, since not every owner can afford to use expensive premium food. Despite this, the animal receives all the necessary nutrients for a healthy lifestyle.

The diet in this case should include:

Beef, which is given to the animal up to 4 times a week.
Boiled boneless chicken, which is fed every day or every other day.
Boiled fresh or frozen offal, once a week.
Boiled sea fish, no more than 2 times a month.
Milk or non-fat cream for kittens every day.
Fermented milk products for adult cats – once a week.
Egg yolk is given raw or boiled twice a week.
Milk porridge based on rice, oatmeal or semolina is prepared daily or every other day for kittens up to 3 months of age.
Low-fat and non-acidic, fresh cottage cheese that can be mixed with egg yolk – up to 2 times a week.
Grain crops are fed once a week.
A couple of times a week they give vegetables raw or boiled. This can be asparagus beans, carrots, or cauliflower.

Every day, various mineral and vitamin supplements, as well as brewer’s dry yeast and vegetable oil, should be introduced into the cat’s diet. Sprouted oats or wheat can be purchased at pet stores or grown on your own on a windowsill.

Psychology of the breed

The breed is distinguished by calm and non-aggressive behavior. Abyssinians need attention from the host. They love to be played and talked to. If there are children in the home, pets can be good play partners.

In the complete absence of human attention, the animal experiences severe stress, may refuse to eat and get sick.

However, cats don’t like too much communication and obsession. Animals need autonomy and always prefer to sit not in the hands of the owner, but next to him. If the pet needs affection, he will inform the person about this by rubbing against his legs.

Curious

An Abyssinian needs to stick his nose everywhere. Even when the apartment is examined up and down, the cat will find a new secluded place to sleep. Or he will try to catch a stream of water with his paw. Can observe how the laundry is spinning in the washing machine. In short, he will not miss anything. New toys and objects invariably arouse interest in the Abyssinians and a desire to try them out.

The kitten happily sharpens its claws on a tree

Mentally prepare yourself for the fact that your pet wants to climb on tables, on cabinets, and in general – everywhere.

Playful, active

Even if you have read a hundred times how energetic Abyssinians are, you will not understand how much until you start your own. A jet engine is hidden under their tail. Like a drop of mercury, the Abyssinian is always in motion, cannot sit in one place, unless he is sleeping.

The Abyssinian breed among cats is like a husky among dogs. Ready to run and play around the clock. These cats are born acrobats. They jump high and dexterously, they can do somersaults in the air or run along the wall.

And now I will bite you, human leg!

Sociable

Alone, Abyssinians are bored, they need communication and attention. When the master of the house, they will always be nearby. These cats will greet you from work, raising their tail with a pipe and meowing joyfully. Often Abyssinians prefer to sleep with people in an embrace, crawling under the covers.

Talkative

Abyssinian cats do make a lot of sounds. They can bawl shrilly at 6 am and during the day. They can sing songs, begging for food or simply out of boredom. But the Abyssinians scream especially loudly and heartbreakingly during estrus.

The siren can also turn on if you don’t like something – for example, if you lock your pet in a carrier while driving.

Let me out, I swear you’ll regret it!

Affectionate

Abyssinian cats purr loudly and willingly. They themselves are looking for affection, butting a person with their head and rubbing themselves on their feet. They lick and gnaw their hands, trample their knees with their paws, willingly allow themselves to be stroked.

Trainable

Abyssinians love to play and are very intelligent – these qualities make them the most trainable cats in the world. They bring the fetch, running after the toy over and over again, learn to give a paw, sit and perform other tricks – it all depends on the imagination of the owners.

Get attached to people

The generally accepted stereotype is that dogs love their owner, and cats love their home. But in the case of the Abyssinians, this does not work. They have sincere affection for their master. The only problem is that the cat can choose one “favorite” person from the family.

Abyssinian cats do not tolerate separation well and are very bored when the owner is away

What diseases most often get sick

Most individuals are in good health. However, some diseases are genetically transmitted:

anemia;

renal amyloidosis;

dislocation of the limbs;

dysplasia of the hip joint.

The most common pathologies of Abyssinian cats include retinopathy – a disease of the retina of the eye. The duty of timely detection of the disease and culling of individuals prone to it rests with the nursery. Retinopathy leads to complete blindness as early as 5 years after onset.

Abyssinian cats are prone to dental and gum disease. For this reason, the owner must periodically brush the animal’s teeth with a soft brush.

Deficiency pyruvate

This disease manifests itself in hemolytic anemia, which leads to a disruption in the production of red blood cells, a deterioration in their functioning.

Progressive retinal atrophy

With it, retinopathy of the retina develops, as a result of which the animal can completely lose its vision. It is found at an early age, and conscientious breeders weed out such individuals in advance. They do not sell them, do not allow them to participate in further reproduction.

Amyloidosis of the kidneys

This disease is caused by disruptions in protein metabolism. Amyloid is deposited in a number of organs – in the kidneys, liver, and pancreas. The disease itself is still not fully understood, but it is believed that it is hereditary.

Vaccinations for Abyssinians

Vaccination in Abyssinians does not differ from the same procedure for cats of other breeds. The kitten receives the first vaccination at 8-9 weeks. At 10-11 weeks, it is re-vaccinated. Adults are vaccinated once a year. 10 days before the procedure, the prevention of worms is carried out.

Organization of living space

The axiom that movement is life applies to felines just as much as to humans. This is especially true for representatives of the Abyssinian breed, since they are naturally mobile. For a cat to have a place to frolic, not only regular walks are needed, but also cat accessories in the apartment:

– scratching post;
– a variety of toys;
– a special ladder with a viewing platform at the top is desirable (Abyssinians like to choose a place higher to observe what is happening);
– a conditional house (box, basket) for privacy.

It should be noted that the Abyssinian cat is sociable and tolerates loneliness very badly. If the owner is often absent, the Abyssinian will need a companion. In addition, you can not restrict freedom – for example, close the cat in one of the rooms for a long time or drive on a short leash.

How to protect an animal from bad heredity and accidental dangerous diseases

According to many years of observations of breeders and veterinarians, Abyssinian cats are a breed with good good health. Whether there are chances for longevity, you can find out by the pedigree, paying attention not only to how many great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers and ancestors of deeper generations lived, but also to what ailments followed them. Usually kittens from catteries have such information and bring heredity into special sections. In any case, and even more so if the tailed one is from the club and does not have a deep pedigree, timely prevention in the form of examinations and mandatory vaccinations is needed.

Preventive measures to prolong the life of cats

Preventive measures include visiting a veterinary clinic for examination and getting vaccinations. There is a list of them in the article “Diseases”, here is a short summary of the basic information in accordance with the age of the animal.

Kittens

The veterinary passport of a kitten of any breed, Abyssinian in particular, contains information about the animal, and about its owner, and about the vaccinations received. The document is usually drawn up by a veterinarian during the first vaccination of the tail. That is, if the kitten comes from a cattery or was born to a specialist breeder, then the primary vaccination has already taken place, because its planned implementation is carried out at 7-8 weeks of age. If the purchased two-month-old baby has already been vaccinated against rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, then according to the schedule for the litter of the Abyssinian cat follow:

– at 12-13 weeks, revaccination against the diseases already listed, plus vaccination against rabies;

– at 24 weeks, before entering the stage of an absolutely adult individual (they are still growing up to this age) – revaccination against the same possible diseases.

The day after the procedure, the pet may be lethargic, temporarily lose appetite. If this lasts more than a day, you urgently need to see a veterinarian.

Adults and elderly Abyssinians

Regardless of gender and age, annual vaccination is provided for the rest of life. On the day of vaccination, the animal must be absolutely healthy and not show any inappropriate behavior. The opinion that the old cat no longer needs vaccination is wrong.

Usually signs of aging in an Abyssinian cat are visualized after 10-12 years of age. Starting from this period, her full life especially depends on the attention of the owners – how well the food is organized and age-related diseases are noticed and treated on time. Neglecting annual examinations and vaccinations leads to the death of the animal before it could happen.

Owners who notice an extremely negative attitude of the cat towards visits to the veterinary clinic can, in order to avoid prolonged depression, carry out the procedure at home by calling a specialist.

Factors that will affect the life expectancy of an Abyssinian

Summing up the section on how long a cat or a cat of the Abyssinian breed lives, we note that this depends not only on genetics, but also on the following factors:

– the correct diet, excluding obesity, but including the vitamins and minerals necessary for the animal;

– regular visits to the veterinarian, ensuring the ability to prevent dangerous diseases;

– observance of the rules of hygiene: correct and systematic care of teeth, hair, claws;

– the most comfortable conditions for an active life;

– attention and love.

Sterilization of the animal can be added to the list, which helps to preserve its energy resource and health.

Knowing well the needs of a generally unpretentious Abyssinian in everyday life, giving him the attention he needs, noticing ailments in time, the owner can enjoy the company of a pet for long 20 years.

Read all about the Abyssinian breed in the Main Article

Interesting facts about the breed

Abyssinians Facts:

Even during active games, the cat can unexpectedly fall asleep in an uncomfortable sleeping position.
Females of this breed rarely give birth to less than 2-3 kittens. Moreover, there are always more boys than girls. Cats do not need help during childbirth.
Some Abyssinian owners are sure that pets will hypnotize them with their eyes.
Representatives of the breed can climb rocks and disguise themselves as ferrets.

Kitten selection criteria

It is advisable to buy a kitten in nurseries or from breeders with a good reputation. An individual older than 3 months is suitable for sale. The first vaccinations will be given to the animal by this age. The breeder will train him to be litter box. Individuals less than 3 months old do not adapt well to a new home.

When buying a kitten, you need to pay attention to its behavior.

The animal must be playful and outgoing. Alertness is caused by excessive fearfulness, drowsiness, apathy. The breeder is obliged to issue certificates of vaccinations and information about the kitten’s pedigree.

Breeding Abyssinians

Now there are the most favorable conditions for breeding this breed. In big cities there are a sufficient number of nurseries, breeders, and the breed itself is very popular and successful with a large number of people. Also, this breed does not have any special problems with reproduction, it will not be difficult to find a mating partner.

Mating and pregnancy

Females are ready for breeding at an early age. Heat begins at about four months of age. The first mating is recommended not earlier than the second or third estrus, when the cat is at least 8-9 months old. The process itself takes place on the territory of the male. Cats show more interest than females. At first, they can avoid this in every possible way, hide in secluded places. For a successful result, they should be left together for a few days.

You can count on the birth of 5-6 kittens. The pregnancy of an Abyssinian cat lasts about 65 days. During this period, the cat needs special care, nutrition, and human attention. The cat should not be stressed. The very ability to reproduce in the Abyssinian cat is uneven, and sometimes completely scarce. Most of this breed is born already sterile. This condition explains the high cost of kittens that do not have genetic diseases.

Castration and sterilization

This decision should be made after weighing the pros and cons. This operation is performed at the age of no earlier than 5 months for males and in the period of 7-12 months for cats. At this time, the active growth of the animal stops, the metabolism and hormones normalize.

Is it difficult to keep an Abyssinian cat

There will be practically no wool from an Abyssinian cat in the apartment – they have no pronounced undercoat. For the same reason, Abyssinians are real frosts who seek warmth from a radiator, under a blanket, in their arms. If the apartment is cold, you even have to buy special clothes for the cat.

But the main features of the content of Abyssinian cats are associated with their violent temperament. They are not prone to obesity, and with proper feeding, they retain a slim figure even after sterilization. But the risk of injury is extremely high.

You yourself are fat, give me more food, man!

The owner’s task is to hide all small things, wires and other dangers from the curious Abyssinian. Having played in the hunt, cats swallow a variety of foreign bodies – rubber bands, balls, threads, headphones.

Strong nets must be installed on the windows, ordinary mosquito nets will not save the cat from falling. In this case, it is unacceptable to open double-glazed windows for vertical ventilation, otherwise the pet may get stuck.

All cats love boxes

Abyssinian cats are prone to jerky movements. Frightened as a joke or seriously, in the game, they start right off the bat, bringing impressionable owners to a heart attack. They can jump vertically upwards. Fractures in kittens of this breed are not uncommon.

You cannot leave an Abyssinian in the kitchen where the stove is turned on, you should not leave breakable things like glass vases on the tables.

Sorrel Abyssinian female

These cats need to pay a lot of attention – not only to affection, but also to active games. They can hunt for a toy mouse or a red dot of a laser until they are really short of breath, and after sitting for a few minutes with their tongue out, start running after it again. Like a drop of mercury, abi is always in motion. When he is not sleeping, he is simply not able to sit for a long time in one place.

If you have not yet understood what kind of energizer it is, imagine that the kitten will have fun like this:

Hang on the curtains;
Hunt for the rag with which you wash the floor;
Catching a toothbrush while you brush your teeth;
Throw to your feet from an ambush;
Steal cotton swabs;
Gnaw on wires;
Jumping in a duvet cover or under a sheet;
Devour flowers and dig the ground.

And this is just a small list of all kinds of mischief. Abyssinian kitten will require a lot of your time, your patience. In any case, it won’t be boring.

With the opportunity to take a walk on the street, the number of destruction in the house decreases

Who is the Abyssinian suitable for?

This cat breed suits many people. They will feel good in large families with children. They will feel great with single people.

Sources used and useful links on the topic: https://lapulik.com/o-koshke/porody/abissinskaya/charasteristik.html https://NatWorld.info/domashnii-zhivotnye/abissinskaja-koshka-istorija-harakteristika-opisanie-uhod -zdorove-i-pokupka https://dogs-my-friend.ru/skolko-zhivut-abissinskie-koshki/ https: //xn--80aa0afb2bceb.xn--p1ai/prodolzhitelnost-zhizni-abissinskoj-koshki/ https: //faunistics.com/abissinskaya-koshka/ https://mamavet.ru/koshki/porody-koshek/abissinskaya-koshka-harakter-i-povedenie/ https://ProKota24.ru/porody-koshek/abissinskaya-koshka/ koshka-abissinskoj-porody https://findanimals.ru/chto-vliyaet-na-prodolzhitelnost-zhizni-abissinskih-koshek/

Post source: lastici.ru