The Abyssinian cat, called aby by many cat lovers, is known for its “ticked” fur, an unusual pattern that we are not used to seeing on a cat.
Bred in Ethiopia in 1858, the Abyssinian cat was originally brought home by British soldiers shortly after they were deployed to Africa. The shape of the muzzle and ears are a hallmark of the Abyssinian breed, and many say the body resembles a sphinx.
Abyssinians are quite active, sociable and vocal. They become closely attached to their owners and want to participate in everything their humans do. They adapt very easily to new situations and environments.
Abyssinians are intelligent and easy to train; they are also good at getting their owners to wait on them hand and foot. Abyssinians are not just ornamental cats, although they like to cuddle well and are very affectionate with their family members.
They are a hardy, intelligent, witty, fun and funny breed that can be demanding of attention and respect.
If you want to get an Abyssinian cat, one of the first questions you should ask yourself is whether you can afford it.
You should consider how much it costs to buy them as a kitten or adult, but it doesn’t stop there. You should also consider the monthly or annual cost of caring for one of these animals.
Cost of Abyssinian Kittens
With most breeders, the cost of an Abyssinian cat depends on the breeder, age, color, quality, and geographic location.
If you are looking for an “average” Abi kitten, the cost can range from $300 to $550; if you want a show-quality Abyssinian cat, the cost can be as high as $1,000 to $1,500. Generally, the rarer the color, the more expensive the cat will cost.
For example, Axum Abyssinians, a breeder we found online, offered rare colors approved by TICA for $1,500 apiece.
Blueriver Abys, another breeder, also offered show-quality breeds for $1,000 to $1,500.
The price largely depends on the demand for the breed in your area, your location and the breeder you are buying from.
Adopting from a shelter will of course cost much less, but you are unlikely to get a kitten. Most likely, you’ll get an adult cat.
If you choose the adoption option, pay between $75 and $150. Also, factor in all the annual costs, they can add up to over $20,000 over the lifetime of your cat!
Adoption is always a cheaper option, but you usually don’t get a kitten, but an adult cat.
Whether this option is right for you is up to you, but financially and ethically I think it’s the best option. You are giving a shelter cat a new, loving home and saving money at the same time!
In general, it will cost you between $75 and $150 to take one of the cats into your home.
The best way to find out if one of these cats is available for adoption is to go to your local animal shelter and ask around.
Buying Abyssinian kittens – How to buy
Now that you know how much money you should set aside to afford an Abyssinian cat, you may wonder where you can buy one.
If you are going to buy a kitten from a breeder, it is best to go to a reliable breeder who follows an ethical and healthy breeding program.
Such breeders take pride in their work and are certified to do so. They will often be happy to show you the pet and answer any questions you may have.
Choosing a good breeder is very important, as it ensures that you get a healthy kitten. Always make sure that the breeder you choose has a good recommendation and reputation.
If you find a breeder who offers an Abyssinian kitten at a suspiciously low price, you should always be cautious and ask why he is willing to let the kitten go for much less than its market value. It may have health or behavioral problems.
When you buy an Abyssinian kitten from a breeder, it should have a registration certificate. It must also have its first vaccinations.
Overview of Abyssinian Cats
The Abyssinian breed is considered one of the most ancient breeds of domestic cats.
Abyssinians resemble sculptural and pictorial representations of ancient Egyptian cats – they are medium-sized, muscular but elegant, with a long, well-curved neck, large wary ears, long legs and exotic almond-shaped eyes.
They come in a variety of colors, including lavender, blue, chocolate, black silver, fawn, sorrel, ruddy and sorrel silver.
A unique feature of the Abyssinian breed is the striping, or “ticking”, on the individual hairs. There are usually three or four stripes on each hair. The Abyssinian coat is soft, silky and shiny, with a full undercoat.
The tail is wide at the bottom, tapering to the tip, the color of which corresponds to the darkest ticking of the coat.
Active and sociable Abyssinian is a great choice for families with children and cat-friendly dogs. He will play ball as well as any retriever, learns tricks easily, and loves the attention given to him by children who treat him politely and respectfully.
He is smart enough to get out of the way of toddlers, but loves school-age children because they match his energy level and curiosity.
Nothing scares him, especially dogs, and he will happily befriend them as long as they don’t give him any trouble. Abies have also been known to get along with large parrots, ferrets and other animals. Always get to know any pets, even other cats, gradually and in a controlled environment.
In conclusion, now that we have looked at all the costs associated with keeping an Abyssinian cat, we can clearly see that buying the cat itself is certainly not the most expensive part.
Of course, buying an Abyssinian kitten from a reputable breeder is not cheap, but the annual costs of keeping the animals throughout their lives will completely cover the initial purchase price.
However, do not let this scare you away. Of course, you should carefully consider whether you have the means to afford this cat and provide a good life for it, but if you can afford it, Abyssinians are great cats. They are playful, smart, kid-friendly, and very pretty!
