Abyssinian

By 1000 Ventures · Last reviewed

A slim, athletic cat with a warm ticked coat that looks like a small wild cat from the savanna.

A Abyssinian cat sitting, full body
Size
Medium
Weight
6 to 10 lb (2.7 to 4.5 kg)
Lifespan
12 to 15 years
Coat
Short, ticked
Colors
Ruddy, red (sorrel), blue and fawn
Origin
Developed in Britain from cats brought from Abyssinia (now Ethiopia)
100% of the time, our scanner puts a Abyssinian in its top three. It names it first 99% of the time. How we tested

What does a Abyssinian look like?

The Abyssinian's coat is its signature. Each hair is ticked with several bands of color, so the body shows no stripes or spots at all, only an even, glowing shimmer. Most have a darker line along the spine and a few faint marks on the legs. The head is a soft wedge with large, alert ears and almond eyes in gold or green, rimmed in dark 'eyeliner'.

Abyssinian personality

Abyssinians are busy, curious and clever. They climb, explore and want to be part of whatever you are doing, but they are rarely lap cats. They do best with company and plenty to do, such as tall cat trees and puzzle toys.

How to care for a Abyssinian

The short coat needs little more than a weekly brush. The real work is keeping an Abyssinian busy. Play every day and give it places to climb, or it will find its own.

How do I know if my cat is a Abyssinian?

A ticked coat with no stripes on the body is the key clue. Plenty of house cats are tabbies with a ticked look on the back but clear stripes on the legs, tail and belly. An Abyssinian's body is evenly ticked all over.

A photo can only tell you what your cat looks like. Pedigree papers from a breeder, or a cat DNA test, are the only ways to prove a breed. For a quick first answer, upload a photo to our free cat breed identifier. It compares your cat with 31 breeds and the ordinary house cat and shows the three closest matches.

Curious which breed your own cat looks like? Upload one photo to the free cat breed identifier and see the three closest matches in seconds.

Identify my cat

Breeds that look like the Abyssinian

House cat House catA mixed-breed cat, called a domestic shorthair or longhair. Most pet cats in the world are house cats, not purebreds. Egyptian Mau Egyptian MauOne of the few naturally spotted breeds, with gooseberry-green eyes and a slightly worried look. Oriental Shorthair Oriental ShorthairA Siamese in every color but points: very slim, huge ears and a loud voice.

Or browse all 31 cat breeds side by side.

Frequently asked questions

Is an Abyssinian a good family cat?
Yes, for an active home. Abyssinians are friendly and playful with gentle children and other cats, but they need daily play and do not like long days alone.
Do Abyssinians like to be held?
Most do not. They are affectionate on their own terms and would rather sit next to you or follow you around than be carried.

What breed is your cat?

Upload one photo and the free cat breed identifier shows the three closest breeds in seconds, or tells you it is a classic house cat.

Identify my cat