By Stacey Gonzalez
Photo by John Morton Foter.com CC BY-SA
The exotic looking Abyssinian cat breed is in the top five most popular pedigree cats registered with the Cat Fanciers Association. These social and affectionate felines are clever and make great companions for pet owners who love to play with their animals.A pure breed Abyssinian is easy to spot. It is slender but muscular with long legs. Its ears and tail are slightly larger and longer than the average cat. The distinctive M shape marking on the forehead of the Abyssinian is the proof staring you in the face. They are beautiful creatures that come in a variety of colours- from reddish browns to silver- but they all have that majestic, worldly look to them.Abyssinians are short-haired cats which makes grooming very easy. Just the occasional brush with a wire comb will do. The breed doesn’t have any other specific grooming needs- just regular nail trimmings and teeth brushings like any other cat.
Photo by FurLined Foter.com CC BY-NC-SA
Believed to be a mix of Siamese, Burmese and Russian Blue, the Abyssinian was first bred in the United States in 1935. Before that it is likely that the breed originated somewhere along the coast of the Indian Ocean and in parts of Southeast Asia. But there is no way to be sure where the mysterious cat came from. Many stories exist, like the cat is from Ethiopia- formerly known as Abyssinia- but this is not the case. All that is known is that the cat’s unique personality makes it a great pet.Abyssinians are gentle and caring by nature. They enjoy attention and interaction with their owners and can be very affectionate. They will demand attention from their owners and make great pets to play games with. They are also highly intelligent and have the ability to be trained. They enjoy exploring and interacting with their owners but they can be shy around strangers. Give them time though- they have curious minds and are generally gentle and content.
Abyssinians are generally healthy but when bringing an Abyssinian to the veterinarian for the first time it is important to have tests done to the kidneys. This breed can develop a hereditary condition called pyruvate kinase deficiency. Pyruvate kinase deficiency can affect young and old Abyssinians and not every cat develops symptoms- some are just carriers. Some symptoms of pyruvate kinase deficiency include enlarged abdomen, lethargy, pale gums and jaundice.Thanks to its curious, social character the Abyssinian has become more and more celebrated over time. They win over the hearts of pet parents with their cunning wit, their sweet personalities and beautiful, graceful presence.
Check out the featured dog breed for March 2013