The overall impression of the ideal Abyssinian would be of foreign build, not as extreme as the Siamese not as rounded as the Burmese but somewhere in between. The Abyssinian is an extremely beautiful and colourful cat with a distinct agouti ticked coat. It is this agouti ticking (flecking) that gives the Abyssinian this rather special "wild cat " look. It is of medium size, lithe, very regal in appearance, hard and muscular showing eager activity and lively interest in its surroundings. Watching an Abyssinian lope across the room invokes images of a wild hunting cat, swift and capable.

There are four colors of Abyssinians accepted for show by the Registry of Pedigreed Cats Associations.
The Ruddy Abyssinian is the most popular and oldest of the accepted colors. It is described as a deep burnt-sienna, ticked with various shades of darker brown or black. This color offers nice contrast and is often described as resembling a cougar or mountain lion.
The Red or Sorrel Aby is a warm glowing red with chocolate-brown ticking. The nose leather is rosy pink and the paw pads are also pink.
The Blue Abyssinian has a warm beige under-coat ticked with various shades of slate blue ticking. There is contrast between the blue and beige which could be described as soft pastel tones. This dilute color is gaining in popularity.
Fawn Abyssinians are the newest color accepted. It is described as a warm rose-beige coat ticked with light cocoa brown. Like the red Abyssinian, it lacks the contrast in color of the blue or ruddy, however, many find it's subtle color very appealing.

The Abyssinian is an affectionate intelligent cat, very people orientated, extremely active and a cat that thrives on interaction and play. They are not constant lap cats, rather, they need to know what you are doing; like to help you make a telephone call; read your newspaper or make your bed, in fact they insist on being included in all family activities as a right. Whatever it is, an Abyssinian has to be totally involved. Abyssinians are not always ideal for every one so if this higher level of activity will annoy you then a quieter breed should be sort.
Abyssinians make good family pets but tend to bond with Adults and older children rather than young toddlers. Abyssinians are not vocal, having a small bell like voice to communicate. They prefer and seek higher places to sit such as backs of chairs, refrigerators and scratching poles. They get on very well with dogs and will quickly teach the dog who is the boss. Abyssinians can be taught to fetch and retrieve small objects and because of their dog like antics, they are often attractive to men who previously thought that they did not like cats. Once a relationship is formed there is no breed more loyal than an Abyssinian. Expect to be greeted with enthusiasm and devote 10-15 minutes attention to your Abyssinian on your homecoming. Being "people" cats, they can become very lonely if left for long periods of time alone so it's often wise to have two as company for each other.

Abyssinians are generally a healthy breed, and depending on their life style will live well into their teens. As with all cats they should be kept indoors in order for them to avoid many of the contagious and fatal diseases easily transmitted from the stray population. Vaccinations should always be kept up to date and routine checks should be made regularly. The first sign of any illness should be attended to promptly by a veterinarian. Many felines are prone to gingivitis, as are some Abyssinians. Incorrect diet is often the main contributor, start by feeding kittens raw chicken wings and necks at a very early age. This will exercise the gums and prevent tartar from forming on the teeth. The kidney disorder "Renal Amyloidosis:" has been associated with the Abyssinian cat and is thought to be genetic. This disorder often results in kidney failure and the cat's prognosis is often poor. This disease is also seen in many other breeds of cats but unfortunately, some veterinarians incorrectly label it as purely an Abyssinian disease. Only a few breeding lines are likely to produce kittens with Renal Amyloidosis, so this should not deter the public from buying an otherwise relatively sound breed. Responsible breeders will do their utmost to avoid perpetuating health problems, so it is important when purchasing a kitten to chose a reputable breeder and one with whom you can discuss all aspects of the Abyssinian including health matters.

The life expectancy of an Abyssinian is 15+ Years.