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The Abyssinian Cat Breed
The Origin of a Natural Cat Breed

silver abyssinian cat

The Abyssinian cat breed, or Aby, as it is fondly called, is one of the most well known and much loved shorthaired, Foreign-type cat breeds.

A devastating outbreak of feline leukemia and two World Wars almost spelt the end of this domestic cat breed. (Many, recognized breeds suffered the same fate after WWI and WWII).

The history of the Abyssinian cat is anyone's guess! There is much speculation and various schools of thought as to the origin of this magnificent breed. There is insufficient documented proof to confirm their precise heritage. The 'African Connection' is plausible, but there are many other commonly held beliefs which we explore here:

  • The Abyssinian cat breed may have originated in Abyssinia (now known as Ethiopia). It is believed that the King of Abyssinia gave a litter of kittens to Ramses II of Egypt as Ramses was so enamored with this feline. (Or did it happen the other way around?)

  • Abyssinian cats resemble cats seen on murals and statuettes found in Ancient Egypt. It may be that Abyssinians descended from the sacred cats found in Ancient Egypt.

  • Another school of thought is based on genetic studies and suggests that the Abyssinian cat originated in Southern Asia (Sri Lanka, India) or Singapore. The cat then found its way to Africa and finally Britain via the trade routes of that time.

  • It is documented that Sir Robert Napier brought a cat, with a ticked coat, (resembling the Abyssinian) back to Britain, from Abyssinia, after the war in 1868.

  • Finally, some believe that the Abyssinian was in fact 'developed' or 'created' in Britain by crossing various ticked-coated cats with British cats.

Whether the Abyssinian resembles murals and statues of cats in Egypt, or the mummified stuffed remains of cats found in India - it is acknowledged as a long established, natural cat breed, with many of the physical features of its wild ancestors.



The Abyssinian cat breed pages that follow will provide you with extensive CAT FACTS about the Aby.

ruddy abyssinian cat playing

Cat information related to their features and characteristics, cat health concerns, life expectancy, cat food and the ideal home for this energetic cat.

Want to know more about these domestic cats? - then complete the journey with us.

If you're looking for a calm, docile, low-activity lap-cat, then move on ....the Abyssinian cat breed is not for you!

But wait! If it's a people-loving cat that you're after, this highly intelligent cat will interest you.


Related Pages:

Abyssinian Cat - extensive cat facts

Abyssinian Kittens for Sale - cat breeders from around the world



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Abyssinian Cat Pictures Courtesy of:

Top Pic: Abyssinian: Dreamstime

Bottom Pic: Gill Burman of Sherada Cattery: Ruddy Abyssinian Ch. Hillstblues Canasta of Sherada at play


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