Abyssinian
The Abyssinian is a domestic short-haired cat which holds its origin to the Indian ocean, in parts of South-east Asia. They are often known for their dog-like characteristics of being playful, affectionate and attention seeking. They are the smartest amongst all cat breeds holding a top notch detective skills
Breed Profile
Height
12 – 16
Inches
Weight
6 – 10
Pounds
Life Span
12 – 15
Years
Health
health
Gingivitis
What is it?:
When there is redness in your cat’s gums and the teeth become swollen.
Clinical signs
Loose of missing teeth, drooling with a hint of blood, facial swelling.
Treatment
The most common treatment methods are root canal, extraction, root planning. Preventing it is advised by brushing and rinsing regularly as Abyssinians do not take very good care of their gums and teeth
Eligible vet bill
$800
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency
What is it?:
It is the lack of pyruvate kinase enzyme which is found in their red blood cells which helps produce energy for survival. It can lead to reduction of red blood cells and hence Anaemia.
Clinical signs
Weakness, nausea and lethargy. Although no obvious signs may be shown for most of the Abyssinians, given the higher chances of it occurring, one should get their cat’s blood / DNA tested as the disease is mostly inherited
Treatment
Glucocorticoids can prevent or delay red-blood cell destruction and a splenectomy, the removal of spleen tissue, can be performed to stabilize the volume of red blood cells
Eligible vet bill
$5,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Active
Abyssinian cats are playful and love to spend time with their parent
Intelligent
They are natural explorers and never go out of curiosity
Affectionate
Need dog like features in a cat? Abyssinians are perfect.
Lifetime Care
Coat
Abyssinians usually have a dark coat that lightens as it matures and comes with a ticked-agoauti effect
Colors
The breed comes in a warm deep reddish-brown, sorrel, blue, chocolate, lilac, fawn and silver colors
Hypoallergenic
No
Grooming
Weekly brushing the body and daily brushing the teeth is advised
Training
These active cats can be trained for agility and can be given puzzle toys for taping their curiosity
The Abyssinian cats were introduced to Abyssinia through colonists and merchants who stopped in Calcutta. They are like the models of the cat world, owing to their long, lean and finely colored fur. Not only are they active and social like dogs but are also very loyal to their parents. They are also known as ‘The Cat of the Blue Nile’ owing to the fact that ancient Egyptians used to worship them. The most popular variants of the Abyssinian cats are Red Abyssinian and Blue Abyssinian.
Abyssinian Cat: Introduction to the Breed
Adding any new pet to your family is a big decision. So it becomes very important that you take the time to research the breed that matches your vibe, personality and lifestyle. Think through the traits you’d like in a cat, and the ones you’d want to avoid. Here are a few things you need to know about the Abyssinian breed.
Abyssinian Cats are generally:
Adventurous
Social
Energetic and playful
If you are looking for a dog in the body of a cat, an Abyssinian is the perfect match for you. They are highly intelligent and have a ferocious look. They might look like stalkers at times because they love to people-watch, which they do even after growing older. Also, they are not really a fan of smaller kids as they tend to be chaotic and these cats don’t like that a lot. They also don’t like being restricted while cuddling. But don’t worry, they are not very aggressive.
What do Abyssinian Cats love?
Games that take a lot of thought such as puzzles or tech toys
Treat releasing activities
Watch birds and other wild creatures outdoors
Brushing the fur
Snuggling with humans
Male vs Female Abyssinian Cat?
On a lighter note, when it comes to gender, they show similar traits to humans. Although every Abyssinian is different in terms of personality, there are commonalties in genders. For example, males are known to be more interactive and lovable while females prefer attention but on their will. Females may at times even be okay with spending time alone while the males ones are the clingy ones.
The sexual maturity for both the genders would be around 6 months. And talking about dog-like features, the male ones also get territorial. They might spray to shoo-off others and claim their area. Now unlike the human history of men dominance in the jungle for hunting, female Abyssinian cats are actually better at hunting than the male ones.
What to feed your Abyssinian Cat eat?
Given the active nature of the breed, there is usually a high protein requirement which will support its energy and the urge to play around all day. The average daily requirement of calories would be around 30-35. The diet of your Abyssinian cat should include –
Animal Protein
Amino Acids
Fats
Vitamins
Water content
Suggested sources of nutrients
Chicken, turkey and sea fish for their fat and protein requirements
Canned cat food for moisture content
Cottage Cheese, sour cream
Apples, carrots, cabbage,
Oats, rice and bran for carbohydrates
Shrinks and egg yolk
Raw beef
What to NOT feed your Abyssinian Cat eat?
The fact that they have a lean body, the food should be adjusted to support that.
Fatty foods – Pork, mutton
Spices – Salt and sugar
Hard foods – Bones
Garlic and onions
Eggplants
River fish
Just like a human toddler, Abyssinian cats do not chew their food very well. So it becomes very necessary to cut the food pieces in micro sizes before feeding. They also are not very careful of what they eat, so a surveillance is highly advised.
Conclusion
Smartest of all cats, energetic, adventurous, playful, curious, lovable and at the same time careless about their food and teeth are all the adjectives that would describe an Abyssinian cat. So get ready for a power pack of fun and glamour at your house with an Abyssinian.
Sources: