Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison

Known also as the Bunny Cat or the Abys, the Abyssinian cat hails from Abyssinia which is today known as Ethiopia.

It is believed that the cat was brought to the UK in the 1860s. At first the cat was crossed with British Shorthairs, and later with oriental breeds.

The cat was imported in 1900 to America with some breeding programs starting in the United States in the 1930s. It is thought that it was a good thing that cats were exported to the U.S. because World War II took a toll on breed numbers but the breed was built up again in the USA.

The Domestic Longhaired cat came about because of various attempts by breeders to bring in certain Persian cat varieties in the American Shorthairs.

The cat comes from champion bloodlines but one of the most remarkable traits of the Domestic Longhair cat is that they are just typical cats with long hair. In other words, Domestic Longhairs are a product of various cat breedings and it is thought they arrived in the USA with the early settlers.

They shouldn’t be confused with the purebred American Longhair cat. The ancestry of the Domestic Longhair cat is unknown but for people who own them, they are a longhaired cat that becomes special to their owners. The cat isn’t recognized by the larger cat organizations.

The Abyssinian is a slender, lithe, fine-boned, medium sized cat with shortish to medium length silky hair and long, slender legs.

The fur has a distinctive ticked look. The coat comes in several colors – but its base color is a glossy reddish-brown base with black ticking.

You’ll find that the feline reaches a height of 20-25 cm and that its length is roughly 30-41 cm. When your Abyssinian is an adult it will weigh about 4-5 kg. With good care, your feline pet can reach up to 13 years of age.

The kittens are born with dark coats, but as they mature, the coat lightens. The head of the cat is somewhat wedge-shaped and it has fairly large ears with big almond-shaped eyes. The eyes can be green or hazel, depending on the coat shade. The tail is long and tapering.

Temperament:

The Abyssinian loves leaping onto cupboard tops or anything that has some height. It's an intelligent cat this Aby and always on the go. He is a playful cat and just loves being the center of attention, and when he has lots of toys he is always occupied, entertaining you with his antics.

If you were to be away at work every day, it would be a good idea to have a friend for him because he’s the kind of cat that becomes bored and lonely and then he becomes naughty. This cat is known as a clown with its outgoing, mischievous nature.

These Domestic long-haired cats are hugely popular in the United States. They can be of any color and the coat can have different patterns too, including bi-color, tortoiseshell and tabby.

With his muscled, athletic body he can weigh between 3 and 6kg. He can have a variety of eye colors, ear sizes, and shapes Essentially, their size and shape is influenced by the breed that dominates.

Temperament:

These are just your regular, balanced cats and they make splendid pets for first-time cat owners, single pet owners, those with kids in the home and seniors. You can’t really tell how their personality will be and some will be more quiet than others and some more loving than others too. A lot depends on how you raise- and socialize your cat.

Your active Abyssinian cat is such a pleasure to have in the home as these cats love their human family as well as other pets in the home.

He’ll talk to you in a quiet way. They’re playful cats and you want to make sure you supply him with some stimulating toys.

Remember to brush his coat gently and make it a special therapeutic, bonding time. Make sure your active cat has exercise and provide some climbing equipment for him. Most of all he just wants to be around you and to get your loving attention.

Domestic Longhairs are such wonderful cats and slot into a host of different lifestyles.

They are generally content cats with the different lifestyles they find themselves in. Some are smart, some playful, some quiet and some naughty, some are very vocal and some are content to be lap cats.

They're all different but they all have needs and concerns – to be part of a loving human family and to be treated with love, care and respect for the companionship they offer.

The Abyssinian has been known to be prone to kidney disorders. It can also be prone to gingivitis which can lead to periodontal disease.

Also, the Abyssinian has been known to have problems with blindness. An eye problem, called progressive retinal atrophy is where the cells deteriorate over time and this is what causes the blindness.

The Abyssinian can also be prone to patellar luxation where the kneecap can become dislocated.

It is their mixed breeding that ensures that the Domestic Longhaired cat doesn’t have any health issues. Like any cat, things such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes and kidney disease can plague your cat.

A good diet, exercise, lots of love and care can all help to ensure your kitty kat doesn’t succumb to anything that your vet can’t handle.

As soon as your cat shows any sign of illness, get him to the vet. If you look after your cat well, he can avoid a lot of vet visits and can reach 15 to 20 years of age.

The Abyssinian cat’s short, fine coat is easy to care for. Brush and comb it timeously to remove loose hairs.

Because of periodontal disease, brush your cat's teeth. If you feel you don’t know how to perform any of these ‘caring’ routines for your kitty kat, don’t despair as your vet can do a dental cleaning procedure as well as your pet groomers.

Your Abyssinian cat is carnivorous and will need food similar to that which they would prey on in the wild. Your cat will require foods high in protein and with added vitamins and minerals.

Avoid cat foods that add in useless fillers such as wheat and soy. It is important that you buy the right cat food for your Abyssinian, and if you’re in any doubt, speak to your vet. Make sure your cat always has access to a bowl of fresh, cool water.

Always keep your Abyssinian’s litter box spotlessly clean. You can keep a special little plastic rake to rake up the sand and rid the box of cat droppings immediately.

The hair of the Domestic Longhair will need to be tackled and you will need a firm brush to gently brush your cat once a week. This ensures the hair remains silky and tangle-free.

Remember, there are always professional cat groomers who specialize in grooming cats and ensuring their teeth, inside of ears, their nails and their fur is in tip-top condition.

Keeping your cat healthy is always going to require a trip to the vet. Your Domestic Longhair is going to require certain vaccines and deworming to ensure he remains free of deadly cat diseases. Also, if your cat is acting in a lethargic, ‘sick’ way, it could well be a sign that he is ill and a trip to the vet will be imperative as the condition could become worse.

To ensure your cat has the best chance at health, make sure you feed him well. Gut health is absolutely imperative and feeding your cat too many carbs will give him plenty of digestive problems.

A cat is a carnivore – a meat eater – and therefore his food needs to be meat. A kitten will require 4 small meals a day and an adult cat – over the age of 1 year – will require 2 meals a day. Any questions you have about feeding your cat can be answered by your local veterinarian.

Speak to your vet about spaying or neutering your Domestic Longhaired Cat as this will prevent unwanted kittens, particularly if your cat is allowed outdoors and wanders off.

Also, neutering and spaying have a host of health benefits for your cat and it also improves their personality.