Pets Australia Issue 70 August 2017

Creature feature | PETS

http://www.facebook.com/petsmagazine August 87

look. Their ears are large, wide set and pricked,

giving the impression of alertness. Their almond-

shaped eyes are brilliantly expressive and can be

amber, green or yellow in colour. Their body is

fi rm and slender, yet muscular. They have long,

lithe legs with small oval feet that make them

look as though they are standing on tiptoes.

Traditional coat colours of the breed are

tawny (ruddy), cinnamon (sorrel), blue and fawn.

There are also silver varieties, which are black

silver, sorrel silver, blue silver and fawn silver.

Abyssinians have a lustrous short, ticked coat

that many believe gives the breed a wild look.

Because of their short coat, Abyssinians need

very little grooming; a brush once a week with

a soft-bristled brush keeps them looking

beautiful. Their active lifestyle means that

weight management is usually not a factor.

THE FUN NEVER STOPS

Abyssinians are in constant motion. They want

to be where the action is and they thrive in

environments that keep them busy. For this

reason, it’s essential to give them plenty of toys

to play with. These toys needn’t be expensive.

If they can chase it, catch it, pounce on it

or wrestle with it, they’ll be happy. Michael

says it’s very important to keep Abyssinians

occupied and happy. “It’s unwise to ignore the

attention requirements of an Aby,” he says.

“They will fi nd some way of punishing you for

your inattention regardless of when, where or

what time of the day or night it is.”

Abys are innate climbers and will seek out

the highest possible vantage point to use as

their resting spot and observation perch. Tall

cat trees situated close to windows are perfect

but in the absence of these, Abys will climb

whatever furniture or fi xings are available to

get as high as possible.

This breed is highly interactive — they seek

out opportunities to be close to their owners.

“They are constant companions and owning one

— or, more precisely, being owned by an Aby

— means you will never have to do anything

by yourself ever again,” Michael says. While

Abyssinians are adaptable, it’s a good idea to

give them a companion if they will be spending

extended periods of time alone.

If you’re looking for a lap cat, the Abyssinian

may not be the breed for you. “Abys are known

as the cat for people who prefer dogs because

they are very dog-like in nature,” Michael says.

“They bond extremely well to people and are

exceptionally easy to train. They are genuinely

good with both adults and children, and have

been known to develop strong friendships with

other animals including dogs and horses.”

Abyssinians are generally a very healthy

breed, but there are a few health issues that may

occur more in Abyssinians than in other cats.

These include renal amyloidosis, which can lead

to kidney failure; patella luxation, which is the

dislocation of the kneecap; and degenerative

eye disease. There is also a hereditary condition

called pyruvate kinase defi ciency that can aff ect

the enzymes responsible for energy metabolism

in red blood cells. Cats can be tested for this

condition. As with all felines, periodontal disease

is a possibility, so it’s important to maintain

good teeth and gums.

When you bring an Abyssinian home,

prepare for life to get a whole lot more

interesting. This beautiful breed is playful and

aff ectionate and loves nothing more than being

the centre of attention. There’s little wonder

why this fun, friendly feline has been a favourite

for centuries.

Grooming:

Size: Medium

Weight: 3kg–4.4kg

Lifespan: Abyssinians are long-

lived, averaging 13 to 15 years

Cost: $800–$1000

At a Glance

DID YOU KNOW?

Our Abyssinian experts Michael and Sue

Shawn run the Osiris (V) and Chat d’Or

Abyssinians cattery in Queensland. Their

cattery is home to Australia’s most highly

awarded Abyssinian, Fast Talker. The

kittens Michael and Sue raise fi

nd homes

all over the world including in Hawaii,

Singapore and mainland United States.

3to 1 5

ost: $80$80 800 0$0–$0–0–$0$ 10010000

DIDYOUK

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