Where Did The Abyssinian Cat Come From
It is believed that this special breed of cat was developed in Africa, Egypt to be exact. It is said that this cat breed originated from an Egyptian kitten called Zula. If you notice many ancient Egyptian drawings, you will notice many paintings of the Abyssinian. And as if paintings were not enough, the Egyptians also made sculptures of this cat. Cats were well respected by Egyptians as they were thought to be creatures with supernatural powers. The cat was later brought to England in 1868.
What is the Temperament Of The Abyssinian Cat?
- Intelligent
- Playful
- Very Active
- Witty
- Shy
Size and Weight
The Abyssinian is a mid-sized cat. It has a small bone structure, slender legs, large ears, and lean legs. Those large pointy ears of the animal allows it to be extremely alert also. It has a longer than usual tail and possesses small oval shaped paws. The Abyssinian cat can weigh between 9-16lbs.
How Long Do The Abyssinian Cat Live?
The Abyssinian cat has a lifespan of 9-15 years domesticated. But chances are that it may live longer in the wild.
Grooming
This cat has short hair and does not shed as often as other cats. Grooming is ata minimum with the Abyssinian cat. The Abyssinian cat can be groomed at least once per week.
Gestation In The Abyssinian
Domesticated cats gestation period is anywhere between 65-67 days with 63 days being a normal minimum and 69 days being a normal maximum from the time the cat was bred. If the cat does not give birth with the 69th day, it is advisable to take the cat in to the vet immediately.
Health Issues
All cat breeds may be prone to certain health issues, but particular breeds do become more prone to certain illnesses. The Abyssinian Cat is no different. The diseases listed below could affect the cat.
- Periodontal disease
- Neurological problems that can lead to excessive grooming
- Luxating patella (knee problems)
- Retinal atrophy (eye problems)
- Kidney failure
- Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD)
Colorful Abyssinian Cat Fancy Coat
Talk about being cut from a different cloth and you are talking about the coat of the Abyssinian cat. The aby's coat is silky to the touch and feels dense. This cat's coat is different than all other cats coat which makes it top cat "coater" in my book. So why is the coat different from other cats? It is because of a gene called TA, no not Ra the Egyptian God, it's TA. Cats which exhibit this gene shows special characteristics in how the hair is colored. Each hair develops a base color with up to four darker colored bands. With the lighter colors at the hair root and the darker color at the tip. The kittens are birth with dark coats but lighten out as they grow older.
Conclusion
Abyssinian cats are wanderers and enjoy open spaces. They are natural hunters and like to explore their environment. They will keep themselves entertained for hours if they are privy to certain movable cat toys and cat obstacles . Overall, the Abyssinian cat is a warm cat which makes a fabulous pet.