Abyssinian Kittens
With their sand coloured coats, delicate and inquisitive features and energetic nature, it is no wonder that Abyssinian kittens have earned themselves a special place in cat lovers' hearts the world over.
Abyssinia was the ancient name for the Ethiopian Empire, and genetic research suggests that it is likely that the breed is from close to this region in North East Africa. The original ancestors of the modern Abyssinian are thought to have been brought to the UK by traders from Egypt in the late 1800's, although there is no traceable documentation between the first registered Abyssinian cat and these cats.
The breed certainly resembles paintings of cats found in ancient Egypt, with their characteristic pointed faces and large ears. Abyssinians have a slight build, with fine bones, but don't let their daintiness fool you - these lithe cats are strong with well-defined muscles. This build, coupled with small paws, and a long, tapered tail make Abyssinians incredibly agile, even by cat standards, which is just as well as theses curious kitties love nothing more than to explore every nook, cranny and ledge of their environment. That said, they are highly intelligent, and not likely to strand themselves anywhere that they cannot escape from. These cats do look, and then think carefully before they leap.
One of the identifying traits of Abyssinians is their unusual coat, which consists of a lighter under layer with darker bands of colour towards the edges. This pattern is known as "ticking" and their markings are strikingly beautiful. Abyssinian kittens have darker coats, which then turn lighter and adopt their true colouring as they get older. For this reason it is important when buying a pedigree kitten to see their parents to know what type of colouring the kitten will develop. Most Abyssinian kittens will have reached coat maturity by around six months. The original Abyssinian colouring consists of a reddish undercoat with dark brown tips, although other colourings have become more popular in recent years such as Sorrel (which is a light tan undercoat with dark brown tips) and Blue (a pale sandy undercoat with blueish grey ticking).
Their highly energetic and intelligent personalities mean that these cats rarely sit still long enough to make patient lap cats, and are more suited to families who will spend time playing with them and enjoying their antics. You might have to think outside the box to provide toys that will hold an Abyssinian kitten's attention: they love a good puzzle, so look for interactive toys rather than simple tossing mice. Abyssinian kittens are often very shy, so when introducing one to your home, don't expect it to be immediately sociable with your family and new people who come to visit. The curiosity will no doubt get the better of them in time and they will come out to see who is around in their own time. Once an Abyssinian gets to know you, however, he is a great companion, enjoying the company of both humans and other cats and is very sociable. In fact, because of their extremely social nature, many Abyssinian owners say, "Once you go Aby, you never go back!"
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