What’s The Best Cat Food For The Abyssinian?

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The Abyssinian cat is one of the most popular breeds, yet doesn’t get nearly the attention that it deserves. They are a classic breed who looks like they stepped out of an Egyptian mural. Abyssinians are also known as Abys, so if you’ve ever heard someone talk about how smart their Aby is, this is what they are talking about.

If you are considering bringing an Abyssinian into your home, here are 5 things that you should know.

1) They’re Considered The Wild Ones

Abys are often thought of as wild cats due to their coats (which are short and dense), and their long, lean, athletic bodies. They have a ticked coat pattern with alternating bands of light and dark color on each shaft which resembles the pattern on many wild cats. Abys are exotic looking with colors such as red, chocolate, blue, or silver. Their large almond-shaped eyes are expressive and take interest in everything they see.

2) They Have Mysterious Origins

No one really knows where the Abyssinian came from. Though some believe they come from Egypt, others say Libya. Many ancient Egyptian sculptures and murals show cats that closely resemble Abyssinians, yet genetic research shows they may be from Southeast Asia. Though there is no concrete evidence of where these beauties originated, we do know that the first to bear the breed name was Zulu, who came from Ethiopia (called Abyssinia at that time) and she won 3rd place in a British cat show in 1872.

3) They’re Always On The Move

Abyssinians are the most active of all the cat breeds. They know how to live it up and are in constant motion. The Aby will run, jump, climb, and play, leaving little time for relaxation. They love to supervise what you do, so trying to get any work done without a pair of eyes watching, or a paw intervening, is next to impossible. Abys love attention and do not do well alone, as they get bored very easily and start looking for trouble. They do well with dogs, cats, and many other pets, so consider a pet-companion to keep them busy when you are not at home.

4) They Are Smart, But Not Showy

Abys are very smart cats and are usually seen as the most intelligent of the breeds. They can learn tricks and be trained, run obstacle courses and learn puzzles, and you can even teach them to walk on a leash to take a stroll. One might think that the Aby would be perfect to show, but when exposed to unfamiliar people and animals, Abyssinians become shy. They prefer to perform for the home audience, so it’s best to let them rule the home and not the circuit.

5) They Have Some Health Issues

All pedigreed and mixed-breed cats have certain health issues that might be genetic in nature and the Abyssinian is no exception. Be sure that you take your Aby to the vet for regular checkups and keep an eye on her in case any of these issues crop up:

Early-onset periodontal disease
Hyperesthesia syndrome (excessive grooming and frantic reaction to touch)
Patellar luxation (dislocation of the kneecap)
Progressive renal atrophy
Renal amyloidosis (protein deposits that affect the kidneys)

Though not all illness are avoidable, and not all illnesses will affect you kitty, there are certain foods that hold nutritional values that can help with some of these issues. Good nutrition is the key to keeping your cat healthy, no matter what breed or what issues they may face. If you ask, “What is the best cat food for the Abyssinian,” the answer is the one that contains plenty of real meat, as this will meet your cat’s dietary needs overall. Skip the fillers of corn, corn meal, wheat, and wheat gluten as these can cause allergic reactions in many cats.

Dry Kibble and Wet Offerings

Keeping your cat’s teeth and gums healthy requires good dental routines, including brushing. Many people think that crunchy kibbles prevent dental issues, but both dry and wet food are appropriate as long as they are full of health-building meats and proteins. Good varieties to try are:

The Eyes Have It

What is the best cat food for eye health? Anything that contains plenty of taurine, found high up in the ingredient list. Taurine is critical for good eye health and all cats need it. Also excellent for eye health is the addition of carrots, which promote healthy eyes in cats and boost the immune system. These brands boost plenty of what your Aby needs for healthy eyes:

Keep The Hairballs Moving

If your Aby suffers with excessive grooming, she might be ingesting more hair than she should. To prevent her from upchucking hairballs and keep them moving through her system, try foods that have plenty of fiber, such as brown rice, barley, pumpkin, or oats, such as:

Keeping The Joints Flexible

When it comes to joint pain, foods that contain glucosamine are important for kitty’s diet. Glucosamine can be found in meat by-products, which are a bit sketchy since you don’t know what’s in them. Stick with a trusted brand if you do go with the by-product, but look for brands that contain Omega 3 and 6, and manganese, which helps with joint pain as well. Try:

The Abyssinian is one of the most fun and enjoyable cats you can choose to live with. Keep her healthy and strong with good food, and keep her going with lots of activities and love.