Ginger Tabby vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

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.

All ginger cats are tabbies – they have spots and stripes on their coat. The tabby pattern is a common wild type, and it is believed that medieval cats were tabbies.

Most paintings and medieval manuscripts show them to be tabbies. Many people believe that these ginger cats come from a particular breed but this isn’t the case.

Ginger Cat Appreciation Day takes place in September. These cats, known as Orange Tabby Cats are very popular and they can actually have a yellow-, orange or red fur.

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.

Ginger cats have different patterns to the short or long silky coats – mackerel or striped, spotted, patched, ticked, and classic.

In fact the Ginger Tabby isn’t referring to a specific cat breed but rather a distinct color pattern. These cats get their ginger coloring from the pigment pheomelamin, the pigment red-headed humans also have.

The Ginger Tabby can range in size so generally they’re between 3 -6kg in weight. It also seems that a higher number of ginger or orange tabbies are male, put down to genetics. The eyes of the cat can be green, gold or copper.

Temperament:

The Ginger Tabby just loves being around his human family and to show his pleasure, you’ll hear loud purring.

They are affectionate cats and aren’t afraid to show you. These cats have a reputation for being friendly but you also have to bear in mind that a cat’s personality depends on their early socialization with people and other cats.

The Ginger Tabby is an independent, bold, courageous cat with a feisty nature.

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.

The link between personality and hair color is a talking point among humans, and so it is with cats.

The Ginger Tabby, with its marmalade shade coat is feisty, playful, bold, courageous, and interesting.

Certainly, when you bring this cat into your home, not only are you going to have a beautiful cat but one that is full of character and charm.

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.

Guard your ginger tabby against eating too much and guard against a diet that is nutritionally inadequate as this contributes to poor health.

Cats are carnivores and live on meat but you can speak to your vet about giving your cat the chance of a long life by feeding him proper amounts of a healthy diet.

Make sure he also gets plenty of exercise. Offer him things to climb on, such as an indoor climbing tree so that he can exercise when you’re not there. This is important for helping him stay physically and mentally fit.

Vaccines

All cats are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections. Deadly diseases like this are preventable through vaccination. Vaccines offer protection from other dangerous diseases like feline leukemia virus.

Parasites

All kinds of parasites – internal and external can invade your cat and make him miserable and sick and a trip to the vet is imperative.

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.

Have your Ginger Tabby cat spayed or neutered. In females, the ovaries and uterus are removed and in males the testicles are surgically removed.

This common op has health benefits and decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers in your pet. Very importantly it eliminates the possibility of your pet becoming pregnant or the male cat getting out and fathering unwanted litters. The world has too many unwanted kittens and cats as it is.

Grooming:

Brushing your Tabby cat will help with shedding. If you brush your Tabby once a week, you’ll remove all those loose hairs that gives your cat an ungroomed look. Cats shed more in Spring and Autumn and then you may want to increase your brushing to twice a week. Bear in mind that if your cat has shedding which is abnormal it could well be a nutritional thing. Diet is everything. He may not be getting the right mix of ingredients. Speak to your vet as your Tabby may be requiring more of certain vitamins in his diet.

Clip your cat’s nails and make a point of checking inside his mouth for bad teeth and inside his ears for wax and dirt buildup.

Your Ginger Tabby will need food and water bowls, litter box, sleeping place, collar, and toys as well as a carrier box for when he needs to get to the vet.