Van Kedisi 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.

The Van Kedisi cat or Cat of Van as it is also known is a domestic cat that hails from the Lake Van region of Turkey.

There are historians who agree that the domestic cat originated in Egypt. The actual cat was developed in the United Kingdom from a host of cat types from Turkey. During the late 1990s the Van Cat became an informal municipal symbol of the city.

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.

The Van Kedisi cat is a large feline with a soft, silky white coat, which he often sheds in the Summer. There is usually color on the head and tail – a yellow apricot color. The coat is descibed as seni-long.

He can reach up to 10kg in weight. The cats are lean and long-legged and they also like to swim. The eyes are almond-shaped eyes and are often odd-colored. One eye might be green and the other blue.

Temperament:

Van Kedisi cats have a strong wild side to them, but in spite of this they love getting attention from their human owners. In fact, they demand it or else they can become disgruntled. It's the kind of cat that can adapt to new environments and he is intelligent enough to be able to be trained.

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.

Van Kedisi cats are intelligent and friendly and they make excellent companions.

They are lively cats and love playing games with their humans. They will need stimulation from interactive toys. He also loves to leap up onto high perches and watch things from his elevated position.

If you have decided to have a Van Kedisi in your home, expect things to joyful and entertaining as this cat likes to build a strong bone with his human owners.

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.

A healthy meat diet for your cat is like a ticket to good health. Cats are carnivores and they rely on you to supply them with food high in protein.

Cats battle to absorb protein derived from plants. Learn to check your food labels to ensure the food contains animal meat. Meat from chicken and tuna is good.

Regular visits to the vet when you suspect that your cat is ill will give you the chance to catch any diseases in their early stages.

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.

Brush your Van Kedisi each week because the semi longhair can become matted and tangled if not brushed each week.

The Van Kedisi will need to be vaccinated. As a kitten he will need to be vaccinated against deadly cat diseases. While at the vet he will also be dewormed.

As your cat matures, you will need to make sure that he is free from parasites. Ticks, fleas, and heartworm can cause havoc with your pet and the vet can advise you on a treatment plan.

Have your cat neutered or spayed as not only will it prevent unwanted kittens, but the procedure can have health benefits for your cat too. It can eliminate the possibility of your cat getting some of the many cancers there are. Spaying and neutering also has a positive impact on your cat’s personality.

These are big, strong cats and the temptation will be to overfeed him. They enjoy their food and can easily put on weight. Obesity can bring about many different diseases in your cat.

It is up to you as a responsible cat owner to ensure your ca doesn’t put on a lot of weight but rather maintains a healthy weight.  You should also make sure that your feline friend gets regular exercise through playing, walking, and even swimming. These cats enjoy a swim, particularly when it is with their human owners.

Provide your cat with attention and play with him every day. They are playful, intelligent cats and it boosts his morale to have his favorite human playing with him.

Allow opportunities for scratching and climbing. The Van Kedisi loves to climb and scratch – two natural behaviors of cats. Supply him with a scratching post and a climbing tree to get the exercise he needs.

Provide your cat with a litter box, water and food bowls and a nice, soft bed.