Abyssinian

Temperament

An Abyssinian has to know everything. It inspects every grocery bag, keeps you company while you cook and treats a closed door as a challenge; it can open a cabinet and even switch on a light. It is very intelligent and responds brilliantly to clicker training, so it picks up fetch and simple tricks surprisingly fast. It is attached to its people and enjoys being close, but it rarely stays in a lap for long, because there is always something more interesting to do. Its voice is quiet, more chirp than meow, and it shows what it needs through behavior. It gets along well with dogs and other active cats. It handles boredom and loneliness poorly: left for many hours with nothing to do, it will quickly find its own entertainment, and not necessarily the kind its owner will appreciate.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Talkativeness

quietchatterbox

Indoor-only life

needs outdoor accessgreat

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Abyssinian for?

The Abyssinian suits active people who are home a lot, enjoy teaching a cat tricks and don’t mind a cat being part of everything they do. It does well with a second cat or a dog, and in a family with older children who like to play. If you are looking for a calm lap cat or work 12 or more hours a day away from home, choose another breed.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

The short, close-lying coat only needs a weekly once-over with a natural-bristle brush or a rubber grooming glove to remove dead hair and bring out the shine. Its need for activity takes far more attention. An Abyssinian should have a floor-to-ceiling cat tree, wall shelves and several play sessions a day, ideally hunting games with a wand toy or food puzzles. It learns to walk on a harness quickly. Put away valuable and fragile items, because this cat will get everywhere. Since the breed is prone to gingivitis, it is a good idea to get it used to tooth brushing from a young age. It is lean and burns a lot of energy, but diet and portions are best worked out with your vet. A second cat with a similar temperament often solves the boredom problem.

Health and breed-related conditions

Abyssinians have several well-documented inherited diseases that can be tested for. Pyruvate kinase deficiency, caused by a recessive mutation in the PKLR gene, leads to chronic anemia. Progressive retinal atrophy occurs in two forms: early-onset (CRX mutation) and late-onset (rdAc). Genetic testing has paid off here: in Sweden, the share of cats with the rdAc mutation fell from 45% to under 4%. Familial renal amyloidosis, in which protein deposits gradually damage the kidneys, has also been described in the breed. Breeders point to a tendency toward gingivitis. When buying a kitten, ask for the DNA test results of both parents. Breed profiles give a lifespan of 9–15 years.

• pyruvate kinase deficiency (PK-def)A recessive PKLR gene mutation causes anemia; a DNA test helps breeders avoid mating carriers.
• progressive retinal atrophy (PRA, rdAc and CRX)Leads to blindness; thanks to testing, the share of affected cats in Sweden fell from 45% to under 4%.
• renal amyloidosisFamilial buildup of amyloid protein in the kidneys can lead to kidney failure.
• gingivitisBreeders recommend brushing the teeth from kittenhood to prevent periodontal disease.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The breed is named after Abyssinia, today’s Ethiopia. In 1868, British soldiers returning from the Abyssinian War brought a female cat named Zula to England, and in 1871 she appeared at the Crystal Palace show. Genetic studies, however, suggest that the breed’s ancestors came from the coasts of the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. The oldest known specimen described as Abyssinian, a taxidermied cat bought in the 1830s, ended up in the zoological museum in Leiden with a label pointing to India. Abyssinians reached the US in the early 20th century, and the CFA has registered them since 1906, from the very start of its work. The British GCCF recognized the breed in 1929.

Fun facts

• Each Abyssinian hair has several dark and light bands, which creates the ticked effect.
• Zula, brought to England in 1868, is considered the first known Abyssinian cat.
• The Abyssinian was among the breeds registered by the CFA from 1906.
• The longhaired variety of the Abyssinian is the Somali.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. 1CFA – Abyssinian breed profilecfa.org
2. 2Purina UK – Abyssinianpurina.co.uk
3. 3VCA Animal Hospitals – Abyssinianvcahospitals.com
4. 4Wikipedia – Abyssinian caten.wikipedia.org
5. 5FIFe – Recognised breedsfifeweb.org
6. 6WCF – Breed standards shorthairwcf.de

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.