Description of the Abyssinian Longhair breed

Video

* We invite you to watch a video about the Abyssinian cat . In fact, in front of you is a playlist in which you can select and watch any of 20 videos about a given cat breed by simply clicking on the button in the upper right corner of the window. In addition, the material contains quite a lot of photos. By looking at them you can find out what an Abyssinian cat looks like.

Rate the material!

[Total votes: 3 Average: 3.7]

The Abyssinian cat is an animal artificially bred in the UK, which is now so loved by many that it is rightfully considered a popular domestic breed. These cats were among the first to participate in exhibitions. They can be different in appearance, and also exhibit many positive character traits, which makes them so popular.

History of the Somali cat

Somali cats come from sunny ancient Abyssinia (modern name Ethiopia). It was there that the Abyssinian cat breed arose and developed many hundreds of years ago. The history of the Somali cat is closely connected with the Abyssinian, as it originated from this breed.

In the middle of the last century, Englishwoman Janet Robertson took several Abyssinian kittens with her from Ethiopia. Soon representatives of the breed found their way to North America, New Zealand and Australia.

In Janet's nursery, unexpectedly, along with ordinary kittens, long-haired kittens appear in the Abyssinian litter. But the breeder did not feel joy or delight about this. Long-haired Abyssinians were perceived as defective. They were hidden in every possible way, they tried to get rid of them without unnecessary noise.

However, getting rid of the “defective” gene turned out to be not so easy. The gene responsible for the long hair of the Abyssinian cat is recessive. For it to manifest itself, both parents must be its carriers. Otherwise, all kittens in the litter were born with the usual appearance characteristic of Abyssinians.

If at least one of the parents was a carrier of the gene for long hair, then ordinary kittens also turned out to be carriers of this gene. Thus, long wool was passed down from generation to generation. This could last for more than one year before, with a fortunate combination of circumstances, long-haired kittens were finally born.

Where did the gene for long hair come from? There is still no exact answer to the question. There are two hypotheses. According to the first, after World War II, the British crossed Abyssinian cats with longhaired cats. The war practically exterminated many cat lines. The Abyssinians were also on the verge of extinction. To restore the gene pool of Ethiopian cats, the British had to resort to crossbreeding.

According to the second version, long-haired kittens appeared as a result of a spontaneous genetic mutation in the genotype of the Abyssinian cat. Proponents of this theory argue that the long-haired Abyssinian is a natural breed of cat that arose by the will of Mother Nature herself, and not an artificial hybrid.

For decades, long-haired Abyssins have been perceived as a mistake of nature. In 1963, American breeder Mary Mailing first showed the defective cat to the general public. An Abyssinian cat with long fluffy fur appeared in all its glory at a cat show in Canada.

The cat was given the complex name Mailing Tutsuta - after the name of his breeder. He was born through the mating of two long-haired Abyssinian cats from different nurseries and is considered the first official representative of the Somali breed.

At the Canadian exhibition, the long-haired Abyssinian was not appreciated. Only one American judge was interested in it.

British felinologist Evelyn Megue and her friend Charlotte Lochmeier crossed their Abyssinian cats. One kitten in the litter had long fluffy hair. He was named George and given to his family as a baby, at the age of five weeks. Evelyn also led a group to help homeless animals. It was through the group's work that Evelyn Mague met George again years later.

She was amazed by the beauty of his fox fur coat. And when she found out that this was the same cat that she and Charlotte had given away, she was shocked.

During this year, George constantly changed his place of residence. The owners either gave it away or threw it away. George did not receive proper attention from his owners, while his brothers, purebred Abyssinians, were popular with cat lovers. Megya felt a sense of guilt for the cat’s unfortunate fate. Then she again took George under her wing, but this time she was in no hurry to get rid of him, but was going to achieve his recognition from people. She introduced George as a new breed, first called the Abyssinian Longhair cat. Her initiative was perceived negatively by the breeders. Evelyn had to come up with a new name to represent the new breed. Without thinking twice, Megyu named the line Somali - in honor of the country Somalia, neighboring Abyssinia. Achieving public recognition proved difficult. All associations of felinologists were opposed to the Somalis. They did not want to allow long-haired Abyssinians to participate in international exhibitions. Association judges told Megyu that the breed would never be able to achieve recognition.

Evelyn found like-minded people in the breeders of the Canadian nursery. In 1972, she headed the Somali Cat Fanciers Club of America. In 1978, the Somali breed finally received CFA registration. And a year later, Somali cats are awarded the champion title. In 1980, all American breeder organizations recognized the Somali cat as an official breed.

In 1981, a representative of the Somali breed was transported overseas for the first time, to the United Kingdom. A year later, Somalia received registration in the FIF. In 1991, the GCCF awarded the breed champion status.

The population of Somali cats is smaller than that of Abyssinian cats. However, the thorny path to recognition has already been passed, and today long-haired little foxes, similar to Abyssinians with a fluffy coat, enjoy well-deserved success in many European countries.

History of the origin of Abyssinian cats

Abyssinian cats have been especially popular in the USA and Europe for many years. But in Russia they appeared relatively recently and managed to quickly win the love of many. There are a variety of versions regarding the origin of the breed as such.

The most popular is the one that claims the origin of cats from Ethiopia. The name speaks to this, because in ancient times Ethiopia was indeed called Abyssinia. From there the seals were brought to Great Britain, where they were repeatedly crossed with representatives of other local breeds. As a result of this, after many years, the breed that we all see now appeared.

According to another version, these are direct descendants of Egyptian cats. There is also a version that these are domesticated descendants of African cats who arrived from the Middle East. There is also the simplest version, which can be criticized by many experts. This version is that the breed was created in Great Britain artificially, simply after crossing local breeds. That would explain a lot. In particular, such a large process of genetic defects and infertile females.

One way or another, the breed began to develop most actively in Great Britain, where in the future representatives of the species were crossed with others in order to obtain the most ideal combination.

These cats were officially registered at the end of the 19th century. Afterwards, the breed went through a lot of different metamorphoses, so that later it could reach other countries in the form in which everyone sees it now. Today, many breeders are actively working to preserve the breed in its original form without impurities.

History of the Abyssinian cat breed

Abyssinian cat
Abyssinian cats have become popular quite a long time ago, but researchers have not been able to find out the exact geographical region and time of origin of the breed. Several main versions have been formulated. The first said that the animals first came to Europe after the war between England and Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in 1868, where they originated from. As the main evidence, supporters of the theory used an English book from the second half of the 19th century with a lithograph of a cat named Zulu, which was acquired by Captain Barrett-Lenard after the end of the military campaign. Despite the external resemblance to modern representatives of the breed, there is no convincing evidence that the cat depicted was actually an Abyssinian.

Other researchers believed that the animals had Egyptian roots, since ancient figurines depicted similar pets. Perhaps they were the ones worshiped by one of the most mysterious civilizations in the world. At the same time, genetic analysis carried out by scientists showed that these cats were always closely related to animals that lived on the coast of the Indian Ocean. In any case, the ancient line of the breed was considered extinct. Modern Abyssinian cats first appeared at shows in Great Britain in 1871, finishing third among 170 other breeds.

A detailed description of these animals was made in 1882, the initial standard was formed by 1889, and official recognition with entry into the stud book awaited the breed only in 1896. In the early 1900s, the first representatives came to America, which ensured the survival of the breed in the future. The Second World War almost completely wiped out Abyssinian cats from the European continent - only about a dozen individuals remained in the UK. It was the American specimens that helped restore the population.

Due to the changes that cats managed to undergo in the USA, after the war it was necessary to recognize the existence of two branches that have survived to this day: American and European. These animals managed to gain worldwide fame, although they remained exotic in the CIS. According to the CFA, Abyssinian cats ranked second in popularity among short-haired breeds in the United States and Europe in 2012.

Abyssinian cat - description of the breed

Abyssinian cats are medium in size. They cannot be called small or large. In many ways they are similar to the Bengal breed. Both of them are particularly versatile, easy to care for and suitable even for people with allergies. It's simple: the coat is very short and lies tightly to the body. That is why many people even form the opinion that the cat has a bald body.

Ticked color (a combination of dark and light shades in one hair) is what is typical for newborn representatives of the breed. The ears of these cats are quite massive - they have a wide base and rounded tips.

The most expressive eyes of these cats are their eyes. Green, walnut, yellow and all sorts of shades of these colors are not a complete list of their colors. A long tail and thin paws are other distinctive features of representatives of this breed.

In general, the body of the Abyssinian cat is extremely flexible and sinewy. The muscles (especially in the chest area) are developed. Although these animals are often called not beautiful enough, it is absolutely impossible to agree with this. Original colors, extreme grace - what more could you wish for?

Such a cat initially gets used to being the center of attention and then simply cannot live without it. Abyssinians will be ideal partners and companions. Thanks to their small dimensions, they can easily be taken on trips, which will be another undeniable advantage.

Since the breed is easy to train, it is perfect for apartments. After all, there you need to accustom the cat to the tray without harming the furniture or repairs. This certainly won’t be a problem with this breed.

Other sizes of Abyssinian cats

The growth of domestic Abyssinians is also miniature, as is their weight. For an adult girl, the ideal parameters are from 26 to 28 cm, the height at the withers of a boy is from 30 to 32 cm. And this despite the fact that the legs of representatives of the breed with thin bones are slender, even thin. Males have a higher initial growth potential - by the age of ten months, he can overtake the females from his litter, and after a year, even the mother.

The medium-length body is gracefully flexible with well-developed, but not coarse, strong muscles. This build is defined as average between refined-thin and kabby (stocky).

The feet are proportionally small, the pad of the paw is compact and small: the cat stands firmly, but the impression is created that it is on the tips of the toes. The tail, which is quite long and thick at the base, tapering towards the end, according to the standard, should reach the animal’s shoulders. For Abyssinians, overall balance and proportion are more important than size.

It is the harmony of weight, length and height that is the basis for the assertion that the appearance of Abyssinians is the “golden ratio” of domestic cats. This, coupled with its wonderful character, makes the breed desirable as a pet and pet. According to CFA experts, Abyssinians in the world traditionally occupy fourth place in the popularity rating, but this applies mainly to Europe and America.

Read all about the Abyssinian breed in the Main article

Popular colors of Abyssinian cats

These amazing cats come in all kinds and colors. At the same time, there are more popular ones, and there are rare ones. The rarer the color, the higher the price of the cat.

Each cat's fur has at least 4 different pigments. But you should be prepared for the fact that you won’t be able to see this at first. Only when the kitten is about six months old will it be possible to fully appreciate its color. He becomes more expressive.

The most popular colors among Abyssinian cats include:

• Classic wild. Judging by the name, we can conclude that this shade can most often be found in nature. The orange-brown tint mixed with ocher is what helps a cat naturally look inconspicuous;
• Terracotta with black-brown cut;
• Golden with emerald eyes. The rarest is the combination.

Fawn is another popular shade that is in demand because of its unusualness. Its main phenomenon is the presence of exclusively recessive genes in animals. This is what causes the light sandy tint.

Interesting fact: If at least one parent has a classic wild coloration, then absolutely all the cats in the litter will be of exactly that shade. If the parents also have other genes, then by six months the kitten’s tone may change slightly.

Golden brown shades should always prevail here. In cats of this breed, gray cannot be found at all. Also, discrepancies in shades on the abdomen and paw pads are not allowed. Even such deviations will become a significant reason to exclude the animal from competition at the exhibition.

Features of the Abyssinian cat

Despite the fact that the breed is considered royal, the character of the Abyssinian cat is docile and calm. Cats are quite active; they like to climb high places and do not like to sit in the arms of their owners for a long time.

They explore everything around them and are constantly close to people who pay attention to them.

Abyssinians do not like to be alone, so if you are often away, get another animal. Cats are good with children and other pets, even dogs.

Keep in mind that this breed is active, if you don’t like it, choose an animal from lazy breeds.

The meowing of cats is thin and sonorous. You can fall in love with her voice; it won’t irritate you. Having an Abyssinian in your home will fill your life with joy and tenderness. Undemanding, loyal and intelligent animals will change your life for the better.

Character and habits of Abyssinian cats

It is not for nothing that many argue that the character of representatives of this breed is much more similar to dogs. Indeed, they are very loyal to their owner. For cats, such excessive affection is usually not typical.

The Abyssinian cat especially loves those games that you can play with the owner. She will prefer his company to that of other animals. Representatives of this breed are easy to train. If desired, the cat can easily be taught to fetch a stick.

Interesting fact: The animal gets along perfectly with all members of the household, adores children, but still recognizes only one person as its owner. Seals take a very responsible approach to the issue of their maintenance. Since they love cleanliness very much, they themselves do everything to ensure that the apartment is always clean.

Although the cat is very flexible, you still shouldn’t expect complete similarity to the dog’s behavior. The cat knows his worth and still expects a response from his owner for his devotion. They are especially sensitive to changes in their owner’s mood. If he is tired or upset about something, the animal will simply lie down quietly next to him and enjoy his company. But if it is noticeable that the owner is in high spirits, the animal will immediately express a desire to play.

But there is also a downside to such attachment. If the owner has offended his pet in some way, he may become so upset that he may even become depressed or get sick. Cats are very pedantic, so it is extremely difficult for them to get used to a new place if they have already clearly learned where the kitchen and litter box are. This is one of the biggest advantages - it is not difficult to accustom them to order.

Abyssinian cat: character

The Abyssinian is an active and inquisitive cat, they strive to explore the world around them, and remains playful until old age. Wild appearance is not an indicator of temperament. Abyssinians are smart, balanced, intelligent and affectionate animals. They do not show aggression, do not release their claws during games, and are patient with children's pranks.

Cats do not sit still and are constantly looking for something to do. They love to climb into cabinets and watch what is happening.

Representatives of the breed are neat and clean, do not damage property, do not ride on chandeliers, do not gnaw flowers and do not dig soil in pots. However, breeders advise closing the windows and not letting them onto balconies if they are designed like the French ones - with forged bars.

Curiosity pushes Abyssinians to act recklessly: animals can easily jump after a pigeon from a balcony or window. In addition, fragile objects should be removed from view so as not to later collect fragments of an expensive porcelain vase, for example.

Abyssinian cats are independent, endowed with self-esteem, and do not tolerate disrespectful treatment. Murki prefer to sit next to their owner and only occasionally climb onto their laps. Owners often compare their pets to dogs: they are loyal, playful, easy to train, and fetch thrown objects.

Reference. Cats do not require assistance in obstetrics, do not abandon kittens, and feed and raise their offspring on their own.

Abyssinians need human warmth and attention. Without human contact, animals become depressed and suffer from psychosomatic disorders.

Care and maintenance

Abyssinians are undemanding, caring for them is not burdensome, but special attention should be paid to health in order to maintain the pet’s vitality at the proper level.

Abyssinian kittens often get scared in an unfamiliar environment, so on the first day in a new home, pay attention to the baby, give warmth and affection, and introduce him to family members and pets. Try not to overload the kitten with games, give time to get used to the situation and get stronger. The Abyssinian explores the territory on his own, and your task is to provide a comfortable place to sleep, provide a scratching post, a tray and bowls for water and food.

Hygiene

Training an Abyssinian kitten to use a litter tray is a feasible task for anyone. Select a tray according to the size of the animal and purchase filler. Using trial and error, decide on wood, silica gel, clumping or clay filler.

Get your pet accustomed to nail trimming and water treatments from an early age to avoid problems with bathing in the future. However, most Abyssinians love to swim. One wash during the shedding period is enough. Use special fragrance-free shampoos for short-haired cats. No air conditioning needed. After bathing, pat the coat dry with a terry towel and let it dry.

Teeth are brushed once every 3-4 months, as the breed is prone to the formation of tartar and plaque.

Ears and eyes are wiped once a week with a damp cloth or cotton pads soaked in special lotions.

Wool

Short hair does not require special care. Once a week, comb your fur coat with a special brush or rubber mitten. Abyssinians shed once a year and do not cause much trouble to their owners. Excessive hair loss indicates allergies or other health problems. To determine the cause of excessive hair loss, consult your veterinarian.

Nutrition

Abyssinians willingly eat natural products and industrial feed. Consult your veterinarian if you choose a natural diet. The specialist will select a vitamin and mineral complex for your pet to maintain the beauty of the coat and the health of the musculoskeletal system.

Try not to overfeed your pet, follow the daily norm. Feed kittens up to one year three times a day. Consult with the breeder and find out what kind of food he feeds his animals. After a year, switch to adult products and two meals a day.

Give your cat boiled or frozen fish and meat. Give raw foods only if you are confident in their quality. Abyssinian cats love to feast on fresh vegetables and fruits. Over time, you will understand which one your pet prefers.

Interesting facts about Abyssinian cats

The Abyssinian cat is an amazing creature that will not leave indifferent even the most zealous cat breeder. We can talk endlessly about this wonderful breed.

But, if we highlight the most interesting facts about these cats, it is worth noting the following:

• The name comes from the place where seals appeared in Ethiopia (formerly Abyssinia);
• Mummies of representatives of this breed were found in Egypt during excavations of the tombs of rulers;
• Only at first glance does the cat look wild. In fact, they are very domestic in nature, adapt well to the owner’s lifestyle, and need care and affection;
• The weak point of cats is the kidneys. Renal amyloidosis is a common pathology among representatives of this breed;
• On average, cats of this breed live up to 15 years. In most cases, this indicator depends on living conditions and other various external factors;
• Most often, males are born among cats of this breed. If you look at the statistics, the approximate ratio of males and females is 1:3. Pricing is related to this - females are much more expensive;
• Cats are quite expensive. Although, if you wish, you can find a budget option for a pet;
• In general, the character of these cats is much more similar to that of a dog. That is why they are not only so loved by their owners, but also by other pets. This breed of cat gets along just fine with dogs under one roof;
• The favorite pastime of these cats is jumping and running along various hills.

All these features set cats apart from the crowd, making them so different from others. This is their value and uniqueness.

How much does an Abyssinian cat cost?

The cost of Abyssinian kittens ranges from 15-35 thousand rubles. Individuals with pedigree and outstanding exterior cost more than 50 thousand rubles.

In the nursery you can choose a baby for show or just a home companion. In the second case, animals are sold “for castration”. This means that the breeder has discovered deficiencies that make the individual unsuitable for further breeding. Such animals are healthy and have the same character traits as the rest of the kittens from the litter.

Pros and cons of Abyssinian cats

Each breed of animal has its own strengths and weaknesses. First of all, we are talking about whether the breed is suitable for the home, how well it makes contact, and much more. Everyone will then decide for themselves which of these points are key and which are not.

At first glance, the cat seems arrogant, but upon closer contact it will turn out to be flexible and kind. Although the animal will not tolerate humiliation against itself.

The most significant advantages of the breed include:

• Devotion, attentiveness, intelligence. Representatives of this breed are always especially collected and reasonable;
• Beauty and sophistication of movements;
• The animal is non-confrontational, so it will fit perfectly into those families that already have animals or small children;
• The cat is not prone to whims or displays of aggression;
• He loves to spend time with his owner, so you can certainly play with him without any problems.

But this breed also has weaknesses.

The most significant include:

• Very high price;
• The need to give the kitten a lot of attention. Without this, the animal will quickly become bored;
• The cat is overly active and therefore can damage something in the house and cause harm. To keep her company, the owner often needs a lot of energy himself;
• Loves heights. In this regard, he loves to travel along cornices, curtains, and curtains. You need to initially accept this feature or think about choosing a different breed.

Although there are more advantages, for some the disadvantages may be the most significant, so you should always get acquainted with this in advance.

Pet care

The Somali cat requires the same care as any other animal. And before purchasing a purebred pet, you should familiarize yourself with the key nuances of its content. The following factors play a huge role:

• Proper nutrition . To stay healthy and active, your pet must receive the required amount of micronutrients. It is best to feed your cat professional food such as Purina Pro Plan, Nutra Mix or Royal Canin (it is advisable to consult a veterinarian to choose the most suitable option) or high-quality natural products. It is strictly forbidden to give junk food and feed the animal from the owners' table - such a load is unbearable for the body of a purebred cat and can cause the development of serious pathologies such as amyloidosis.
• Care of the coat, ears and teeth . To prevent the Somali's luxurious coat from becoming tangled, the pet must be combed at least 1-2 times a week. The cat's teeth are cleaned daily, ears - weekly. The animal needs to be bathed at least once a month - usually this procedure does not cause any trouble for the owner, since representatives of the Somali breed love water.
• Vaccination . All pets should be examined by a veterinarian annually and vaccinated against common diseases.
• Providing leisure time . To avoid problems with the safety of wallpaper and furniture, you should consider purchasing a scratching post. Even better is to purchase a special sports complex for your cat and carefully trim the tips of its claws once every 2 weeks. In addition, care should be taken to ensure that the animal spends as little time alone as possible.

Breeding Abyssinian cats

Often, certain difficulties may arise with breeding representatives of this breed. The reason is that, according to statistics, there are much more males than females.

Cats grow up very early. The first estrus occurs already at the age of 4-5 months. But according to the standards, you need to wait out 3 heats, after which it will be possible to match the female cat with a male. At this time the age must be at least 10 months. But, if we talk about males, they are considered sexually mature from 8 months.

Interesting fact: If you want to get a cat of a certain color, then you should look at the cat especially carefully. The same applies to cases where the cat is planning to participate in competitions in the future. Then you should select a partner solely according to parameters in order to get the ideal offspring.

Animals are kept exclusively in the cat's territory. The female will be a little nervous in this case, hiding in the corners, but in the end everything goes quite well. To definitely get the desired result, it is better to leave the cats together for several days. It should also be taken into account that the more experienced they are, the less time is needed.

A cat's pregnancy lasts about 65 days. The maximum number of kittens that can be obtained is 6. But most often they are born in the amount of 3-4. Females have a very developed maternal instinct, so she often copes with caring for the offspring on her own.

Unfortunately, among cats there is a fairly large percentage of infertile females. If among the offspring we select those who do not have any genetic pathologies, we will get an extremely small number. This is precisely the reason for such a high price for truly purebred kittens.

Abyssinian cat: appearance

Abyssinian cats are characterized by medium body size, flexibility and strength. The muscles are well developed, the limbs are long. This allows cats to jump a distance that is 6 times their own length.

Males are larger than females, but sexual dimorphism is weakly expressed. The average weight ranges from 3-4.5 kg. Abyssinian cats have a harmonious physique, their movements are graceful and precise. The American line is distinguished by a more graceful body constitution compared to the European line.

Head, eyes, ears, neck

The head is wedge-shaped, proportional, without pronounced cheekbones. The back of the head smoothly passes into the neck. The nose is of medium length, straight, smooth stop. The chin is developed and rounded. The muzzle is clearly defined, harmonizing with the soft contours of the head. Males often have prominent cheeks. Pinch is not acceptable - a pointed muzzle with a “foxy” look.

The eyes are expressive, almond-shaped, set wide at a slight angle. An oriental or rounded incision is not allowed. The eyes are shining, lined with a dark color, the iris is amber, green in different shades. Silver cats have green eyes. The halo is light, narrow, and matches the undercoat.

The ears are large, set wide, and slightly tilted forward. The base is wide, the tips are narrowed and rounded. The ears are covered with short hair, in the center there is a bald spot, reminiscent of a thumb print. There are woolen brushes inside the ear.

The neck is graceful and long.

Body, legs and paws, tail

The body is flexible, elongated, harmoniously built, of medium size. The chest is rounded, the back has a slight arch.

The limbs are long, strong, thin. The paws are oval, the toes are small, the toes are pressed tightly together.

The tail is long, thin, long, thick at the base, tapering at the end.

Coat and color

The coat is short and elastic, soft, thick, shiny, silky, with characteristic ticking. The hairs are longer along the back.

The color is rich, without a pattern, but with stunning iridescence. Each hair has alternating light and dark stripes - from 2 to 5 pieces.

The pads of the hind legs, the back and the tip of the tail are colored in a darker shade than the body and head. The inner surfaces of the limbs, chest and belly are of a lighter shade. The ticking is distributed evenly, with light areas present on the lips, chin, and nose area.

Acceptable colors:

• wild – brown-orange;
• Sorel - red with a chestnut or red tint;
• blue – grayish blue with a red undertone;
• faun - creamy red.

Blue Abyssinian cat
Also recognized are the “silver” variants of the listed colors, when the cat has a silver-white rather than a warm creamy undercoat tone. A lilac or chocolate tint is not considered the norm in all felinological systems.

Possible defects

Narrow and elongated or too short rounded head, clear stripes on the limbs, residual pattern on the body, pronounced cheekbones, light undercoat, blurry ticking, round eyes and small ears.

An Abyssinian cat with a flabby body, short limbs and tail, and no dark eyeliner around the eyelids does not receive high marks in the show.

Animals with a Siamese-type body type, as well as cats with too light areas of the coat and an unbroken necklace, are subject to disqualification.

Caring for Abyssinian cats

Cats are absolutely unpretentious in terms of care. Their fur is very short, so no special treatments are required. It is enough to just brush a couple of times a week with a stiff brush. If a period of active molting begins, then the cat will have to get a little help in coping with the problem and thereby speed up the process of getting rid of the old fur. To do this, the cat is bathed more often using the most suitable shampoos.

It is very important to take care of your pet's nails - they need to be trimmed regularly. It is also worth remembering the standard list of hygiene procedures: cleaning your ears and teeth. This needs to be done periodically. But, if there are concerns, it is best to use the services of specialists for this, rather than experimenting on your own.

Important fact: The diet deserves special attention. It must be balanced. If there are any deviations in the health of your pet, you need to take it to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

It is important not to forget about vaccination - it must be mandatory in accordance with the age of the pet. You also need to treat it for parasites if you plan to go outdoors. Otherwise, a variety of negative consequences are possible. In any case, after such a trip the pet will need to be carefully examined.

If you need to go on a trip with your cat, you should take care of a comfortable carrier, and in winter, also a warm overall. But this is recommended only as a last resort, because representatives of this breed themselves are very thermophilic. They are quite comfortable at home; cats do not need walks as such.

Caring for a Somali cat

Since Somalis have luxurious long fur, their maintenance is somewhat more difficult than short-haired pets. The luxurious coat needs to be brushed twice a week. Every month, Somalis take a bath, thoroughly lathering their fur with cat shampoo. When an animal sheds, it needs to be bathed more often and brushed daily.

Nails are trimmed every week. Ears are cleaned 3-4 times a month with cotton swabs or cotton pads.

Feeding a Somali cat

Since Somalis are extremely active pets, they need a good and balanced diet.
They can be fed premium dry food. This is the best option, since high-quality food already contains all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients the animal needs. When feeding natural products, you need to take into account that the Somali diet should be low in fat, but high in protein. Therefore, the basis of the diet becomes lean meat (turkey, beef, veal, rabbit).

For normal muscle development, cats need linoleic acid. It is found in meat and dairy products. Include milk, kefir, sour cream, cream and natural yogurt in your cat's menu. As a supplement, veterinarians advise giving your pet L-carnitine.

Diet of Abyssinian cats

Opinions on the proper nutrition of pets have diverged for many years. The reason is the most zealous discussions about dry food. Some argue that it is the best due to its balance, but natural food can often be of poor quality. Others are of the opinion that dry food should not be given at all, but should be fed with the kind of food that we eat.

Disputes arise due to the fact that, indeed, high-quality dry food is very expensive. But cheap analogues have the opposite effect and can easily harm a pet. If an animal, eating dry food, does not receive enough fluid, the consequences may be kidney stones, urinary stones, and peptic ulcers.

By the way, if you need to feed an animal 2 times a day as an adult, then there should be water constantly. Especially in the summer. You should also try to ensure that the walls of the drinking bowl are not slippery, otherwise the cat may get poisoned.

An excellent option for a cat would be meat. Moreover, since by their nature cats are predators, they don’t even need to boil or fry the meat first. It is enough just to cut it into small pieces. If this method is unacceptable for the owner, then it is better to boil it.

You can use oatmeal, millet or buckwheat porridge as a side dish. Carrots, beets, zucchini - these are the vegetables that provide the entire set of essential vitamins and microelements. But you should completely avoid sweets, fatty, fried, smoked foods.

There is no need to assume that by feeding the cat with treats, the owner makes it better. The body of a cat and a person works slightly differently, so this does not mean that the owner’s diet will suit the pet. It is not recommended for cats to drink anything other than water. Juices and teas are strictly prohibited.

Description of the breed

Large to medium in size, this cat is clearly larger than its predecessor; it has a flexible and light body of medium size, with a slightly concave chest. With its entire appearance, it creates the impression of a dexterous and graceful animal, a born nocturnal predator.

• The tail is quite long, in line with the length of the body, and very fluffy, but not very thick.
• The average weight of a male is from 4.5 to 5.5 kilograms, the weight of a female is from 3 to 4.5 kilograms.
• The head is wedge-shaped, without sharp corners.
• Large and sensitive ears are located on the back line of the head, where fur grows abundantly inside.
• The cats' eyes are large and shiny. They can come in a variety of colors: mostly bright green or light golden, but there are also darker shades, such as the common brown. There is a small dark mark on each eyelid above the eye.
• As for the coat, it is extremely thick and soft, with abundant undercoat. There is a little less of it on the shoulders, but still a lot. The tail is especially noteworthy - large and chic, practically fox-like. The hair takes on a natural color very slowly and is fully developed by about 18 months.

They also have a very soft and melodious meow, but at the same time they do not tolerate extraneous noise at all. They absolutely do not tolerate loud sounds, external noise, various scandals, some kind of loud music, etc.

These cats prefer to independently catch the source of this noise and try to stop its noise production by direct attack. So don’t be surprised if your cat pounces on you and tries to neutralize you when the ringtone on your smartphone rings or the music plays too loudly in your headphones.

The color must be ticked; only four main colors are generally recognized:

• wild,
• sorelle,
• blue,
• faun.

Although some associations also take on different shades of silver. The fur itself is long and soft.

There are two hypotheses about the origin of the long hair gene. According to one of them, in Great Britain, long-haired cats with ancestors of various bloodlines were used after the war to restore the dying population of Abyssinians. In particular, World War II almost completely reduced the number of pets, as a result of which only about a dozen or a dozen representatives remained from the total number, so nurseries resorted to cross-breeding in order to preserve the species.

Another theory says that the Somali is an independent breed, and not the result of mixing. This hypothesis is based on the assumption that their long hair appeared as a result of a specific intraspecific mutation.

They, like any fidget, often get dirty, so brush your pet's teeth regularly to prevent periodontal disease. Try to trim your nails every two weeks . Wipe the corners of your eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. Use a separate piece of tissue for each eye to avoid exposing your pet to the risk of spreading any infections.

Diseases and health problems

Basically, if we talk about the development of this or that cat pathology, then its occurrence and subsequent development is directly related to its lifestyle and diet. Often it is improper care or diet that provokes the development of diseases.

In the first place among all that occur in representatives of this breed are kidney pathologies. This is due to the fact that the organ is not so hardy. If the animal eats dry food in large quantities, then the development of urolithiasis is almost inevitable.

Retinal atrophy is another common disease among representatives of this species. Hip dysplasia and luxating patella are common.

These are the health problems that occur most often in cats of this breed. At the same time, you don’t need to worry that the kitten will definitely be sick. In fact, in reliable nurseries they try to be especially careful to ensure that only healthy cats are presented.

But in any case, the list of diseases indicates those to which the animal is predisposed. That’s why you should pay attention to your pet’s diet and lifestyle from an early age. If any prerequisites or possible manifestations of such diseases appear, it is better to contact specialized clinics as soon as possible to undergo a comprehensive examination.

The sooner you take care of your cat’s health, the more favorable the outcome will be. It is also important that the animal leads an active lifestyle. This will require various stands and toys.

Description of the Somali cat breed

Although the Somali cat is recognized as a separate breed of cat, its standard is fully consistent with that of the Abyssinian cat, with the exception of the length of the coat. Abyssinians are short-haired pets, and Somalis are semi-long-haired. In addition, Somalis are slightly larger than Abyssinians. The weight of sexually mature males ranges between 4 and 5 kg, females weigh 3-4 kg.

Somali cat breed standard

The head is wedge-shaped, with soft outlines. The profile has no sharp angles, high cheekbones and clear eyebrows. The muzzle is neat. The eyes are large and almond-shaped. They seem to be outlined with black eyeliner: the bottom of the eyelid is shaded by a dark line, which from the corner of the eye goes obliquely and upwards, towards the ear. The color of the iris is yellow or green, always clean, bright and deep. Eyes of brown and amber shades are also allowed. The ears are large, set high, and seem to be pricked up due to their high set and sharp tips. Tufts of fur protrude from the ears; tassels are preferred on the sharp tips. The body is medium in size, moderately elongated, flexible and strong at the same time. The chest is wide, the back is arched. From the outside it seems as if the cat is preparing to jump. Paws are of medium length, oval-shaped paw pads. The tail is of medium length, thick and wide, tapering slightly from base to tip. Externally, the Somali tail is very similar to a squirrel: with the same fluffy thick hair and a rich plume at the end.

Somali cat color

Somalia is a semi-longhaired cat. Its coat is double, but thin, soft and silky to the touch. The fur coat is thick, the hair is slightly shorter on the shoulders, and longer on the neck, belly and hind legs.

The color takes a long time to form.
By about one and a half years, the coloring finally appears. The wool must be ticked. Each hair has from 4 to 6 ticking rings, the shades of the rings depend on the color of the animal. Main color options:

• Wild – dark brown, ocher shade
• Blue
• Fawn - brown-beige color, it is also called fawn
• Sorrel – brick-brown, red-brown.

The TICA standard additionally specifies silver colors: silver, wild silver, silver red, silver blue and silver fawn. The AACE standard has added the colors silver cinnamon and silver chocolate.

Silver colors are distinguished by the fact that the cat's undercoat is snow-white, and the ticking stripes are also white (instead of the usual light color). The dark ticking rings remain the same shade. This effect makes the color shiny and silver, despite the fact that the basic color tone is the same as in the traditional version.

By the way, as part of crossbreeding, it is permissible to cross Somali cats with Abyssinian cats. As a result of such mating, short-haired kittens are born, since the gene for long hair is recessive, and the gene for short hair is dominant. Most associations regard such offspring as Abyssinian kittens, but their genotype will contain genes of the Somali breed.

Personality of the Somali cat

Somalis are similar in character to their closest relatives, the Abyssinians. These are very inquisitive and nimble animals. They don't like to lie on the couch all day, they need to explore everything around them and play with everything.

These are very restless animals. Even at cat shows, it is difficult for them to remain in one place for a long time; for them it is real torture. When getting a Somali pet, you definitely need to keep an eye on it. Do not leave windows wide open, and hide all fragile objects.

With a playful and friendly disposition, the Somali is a great option for families with young children. These are completely harmless cats that will happily have fun and play pranks with the kids.

Pets do not get along well with other cats. They are owners and jealous people who are not used to sharing the owner’s attention with anyone. As for birds and rodents, it is difficult to answer. The Somali has no hunting instincts left, but due to his curiosity, he may well use the hamster as a toy.

These are very hospitable and sociable animals, real psychologists who subtly sense the mood of the owner. The breed is quiet and silent; it is not often that you can hear a loud “meow” from its representatives.

Somali women are capable of turning a house upside down in two minutes and creating a terrible mess. When purchasing such a friend, think carefully about whether you are ready for such an active pet.

These are very smart and intelligent cats. They are easy to train, it is not difficult to negotiate with them and teach them anything.

Ethiopian longhaired cats have a hard time enduring loneliness and separation from their humans. If you are away from home for a long time, be sure to get a second pet. Otherwise your pussy will suffer.

Somali cats are known for their stubbornness and persistence. In some matters, fighting these foxes is useless.

These are absolutely domestic animals, not adapted to living on the street. They do not require regular walks outside. Of course, fresh air has never harmed anyone, but if you don’t want to walk with your cat, he will live just fine in the house. You can’t let just one Somali go for a walk.

Somali cat health

Fluffy pets live from 10 to 17 years.
This difference was influenced by the propensity of Somali cats to a number of hereditary diseases. Diseases of Somalia:

• Patella luxation
• Hyperesthesia syndrome
• Kidney amyloidosis – disorders of protein metabolism in the genitourinary system
• Retinal atrophy
• Hemolytic anemia is treatable with medication.

Somalis are prone to gingivitis and periodontal disease. To eliminate these troubles, you need to brush your pet’s teeth once a month using a special toothpaste for animals.

According to owner reviews, Somali cats usually do not have serious health problems, and their average life expectancy is 15 years.

Diseases of Abyssinian cats

Like any breed, Abyssinians have their own characteristics regarding health. Thus, they are especially susceptible and prone to the following diseases:

• Kidney amyloidosis is a disease in which deposits appear in the animal’s kidneys due to disturbances in protein-carbohydrate metabolism, which, when accumulated, disrupt the functioning of the organ;
• alopecia of the psychogenic type - a disease in which an animal licks itself so intensely and excessively due to mental disorders that its hair is torn out and falls out en masse, causing some parts of the body to go bald;
• retinal atrophy is a disease in which gradually atrophy of the cat’s retina occurs, which at first does not manifest itself in any way, but then becomes noticeable due to the fact that the animal refuses to go inside dark rooms or move up stairs;
• Panleukopenia or animal distemper, which can affect absolutely any cat, however, the prognosis for recovery in Abyssinians is disappointing, and the initial susceptibility to the disease is increased.

However, in addition to breed diseases, which, by the way, are not so many, “Abyssinians” can develop any other pathology, and they will have to be treated in order to save lives and maintain health.

Monitor your animal's health

The help of a veterinarian is very expensive, and if you add the medications that you need to buy, you get an even more terrifying amount. That is why you should think several times before buying any animal, even a non-pedigreed one. After all, we are responsible for those we have tamed.

Behavior of Abyssinian cats

The point that interests citizens who decide whether this extraordinary breed is right for them is the character of the animal. The appearance of the “Abyssinians” inspires certain fears, since such appearance usually corresponds to a difficult character. This is not just a cat, but a real companion, a home partner.

It's safe to say that the Abyssinian cat is a pet that demands respect

However, at the same time, their character is quite simple. We can say that this breed is one of the few among the entire cat family that becomes attached to its owner in almost the same way as dogs. However, they have one more similarity with dogs: they highly value activity. The owners of the “Abyssinians” must be prepared for the following:

• they will need to spend at least an hour a day playing with their pet;
• for “Abyssinians” it would be best to arrange some kind of high-rise houses or shelves along which the cats will move, since they love to climb and are high above the floor.

On the contrary, these cats do not like to sit on laps, just as they do not appreciate the active hugs of the owner. But, they will be happy to sit next to you and receive strokes, as from an equal to an equal.

The Abyssinian cat is devoted to its owner and is ready to follow him to the ends of the earth

At the same time, the Abyssinian will most likely be with the owner every minute while he is at home, not letting you get bored and tracking your eye movements.

Another important point is that this breed gets along well with children, from infants to teenagers. In addition, some cats even take on the role of a nanny, and do not leave the baby’s crib until he wakes up, and then they run and call one of the owners to him with a piercing meow.

In general, representatives of this breed can be characterized in three words as:

• devotees;
• flexible;
• smart animals.

Attachment to a person, however, can turn into real stress for the Abyssinian, because they do not like to sit at home alone. The longing for their owner is so strong that they begin to experience unpleasant emotions, which causes many diseases to develop. If you are, make sure to buy him another animal for company. At the same time, it doesn’t matter who it will be, a dog or a cat. However, it is better to avoid birds, since the hunting instincts of this breed are also very developed.

Abyssinian cats get along well with other pets

To summarize this section, we can say that if you want a lazy animal rather than an active one, the Abyssinian is not your option. You need to play with him and in the summer it is preferable to even walk him outside using a harness. However, the responsibility for providing the animal with a sufficient level of activity can be transferred to children, provided that they are sufficiently educated and will not cause pain to the animal.