Abyssinian Cat
The "dog-like" cat â ancient, athletic, and allergic to boredom. The #6 CFA breed with a unique ticked tabby coat that looks like a wild hare. That shimmering agouti coat where each individual hair has 4-6 alternating color bands, those alert oversized ears, that body that was born to climb. Complete guide: the patellar luxation that plagues this ancient breed, PRA & PK-Def genetic testing, and why this is NOT a cat for sedentary homes.
ð Breed Overview
ð About the Abyssinian â The Cat of the Pharaohs?
The Abyssinian is often called "the cat of the pharaohs" because it resembles cats in ancient Egyptian tomb paintings. However, genetic studies suggest the modern Aby originated from cats in coastal regions of the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia, brought to England by British soldiers returning from Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) after the Abyssinian War in 1868. The first documented Aby was Zula, brought to England by Mrs. Barrett-Lennard. Regardless of true origin, the breed's sleek, ticked coat does strongly resemble the sacred cats of ancient Egyptian art. They're the #6 CFA breed (2026).
𧎠The Ticked Tabby Coat â Each Hair Has 4-6 Color Bands
The Aby's coat is unique among cat breeds: each individual hair is banded with 4-6 alternating dark and light color bands (ticking), created by the dominant agouti gene (Ta). Unlike a traditional tabby with stripes or spots, the Aby has no pattern on the body â the ticking creates a shimmering, iridescent, wild-hare effect. Colors: Ruddy (burnt sienna with black ticking â the original), Blue (soft gray-blue), Fawn (warm beige), and Sorrel/Cinnamon (copper-red).
ð The Dog-Like Athlete â NOT for Couch Potatoes
Abyssinians are perpetual-motion machines â climbing, jumping, investigating, and needing to be involved in literally everything you do. They're nicknamed "Aby-grabbys" because they snatch objects and carry them off like a dog. They need ceiling-height cat trees, shelves, puzzle toys, and daily interactive play. A bored Aby becomes a destructive Aby. They fetch, walk on leashes, and learn tricks. If you want a quiet, low-energy lap cat, this is absolutely NOT your breed. If you want a cat that acts like a monkey crossed with a border collie, welcome home.
â ïļ The #1 reason Abys are surrendered: "Too active." People buy them for their beauty without understanding the energy level. An Aby needs 1-2 hours of active engagement daily â not just food in a bowl and a scratch post.
âïļ Health â Patellar Luxation, PRA, PK-Def
- âPatellar Luxation: #1 orthopedic issue â slipping kneecaps. Keep lean
- âPRA: Inherited blindness â DNA test available
- âPK-Def: Red blood cell disorder â DNA test available
ðĄ Fun Facts
Look like ancient Egyptian cats: Abys bear a striking resemblance to cats in tomb paintings from 2000+ BCE. Whether or not they actually descend from Egyptian temple cats is debated â but the resemblance is uncanny.
Each hair has 4-6 color bands: The agouti ticking creates an iridescent, shimmering effect â each hair alternates dark and light. No other breed has a coat quite like it.
Walk on a leash: One of the few breeds that genuinely enjoys leash walking outdoors. Their adventurous, dog-like nature makes them eager explorers.
Aby-grabbys: Their nickname comes from grabbing objects with their paws and carrying them off. Part cat, part magpie, part kleptomaniac â check under the sofa for missing jewelry.