Snowshoe vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison | MyCatBreeds

Snowshoe vs Abyssinian - Breed ComparisonSnowshoe is originated from United States but Abyssinian is originated from Ethiopia. Both Snowshoe and Abyssinian are having almost same weight. Both Snowshoe and Abyssinian has almost same life span. Both Snowshoe and Abyssinian has same litter size. Both Snowshoe and Abyssinian requires Low maintenance.

History

snowshoe - historyThe Snowshoe is a short-haired, natural breed of cat. It is a bit similar in looks to the Siamese cat.

It was in the late 1960's that Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty from the USA devoted her time to developing a breed which was a mix of Siamese cat and American Shorthair. There was much enthusiasm for the new breed – the mesmerizing blue eyes and the lean, lithe, athletic body, .

This rare cat has been approved for championship status. In 1982 the Snowshoe was approved for championship status by the CFF and later by the American Cat Fanciers Association in 1990.

This beautiful cat has strict standards laid down for breeding.

abyssinian - historyKnown 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.

Basic Information

Origin:
United States
Ethiopia
Weight Male:
5 - 7 kg
11 - 16 pounds
4 - 5 kg
8 - 12 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 7 kg
11 - 16 pounds
5 - 5 kg
11 - 12 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
9 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
3 - 6
Other Names:
None
Bunny Cat, Abys
Colors Available:
cream, brown, tan and black, White
many colors - reddish-brown base with black ticking.
Coat:
Short and silky - no undercoat
Short and close-lying
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

snowshoe kitten - descriptionThe Snowshoe is a medium-sized cat, with the body being longer than many other cat breeds.

A distinctive feature with him is the white paws.

The cat can weigh between 5 to 7 kg. The legs of the cat are long and strong and the medium-length tail gradually tapers to a tip. The ears are fairly large with rounded tips. The smooth, short coat is white, brown, tan, and black and without an undercoat. He reminds you of a sweet treat - hints of chocolate and coffee shades with vanilla or light cream. He is pure white at birth, but after a few weeks, the coat undergoes a significant color change.

The face, ears, tail, and legs are darker in color than the rest of the body. The eyes of all Snowshoe cats are a sky blue.

Temperament:

Snowshoes are friendly, docile, and affectionate. They lap up the company of their human family, getting on well with children and other pets. They tend to be shy of strangers.

The Snowshoe is a fairly vocal cat and will let you know when he is hungry or he just wants to talk to you.

These cats are intelligent too and he can be taught a few tricks. He is very sociable and doesn’t like to be left on his own for long periods of time. Ideally, these cats should have a constant companion. They are active cats and like to be busy. You’ll need to spend some time with your Snowshoe as these cats love fun and games.

abyssinian kitten - descriptionThe 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.

Characteristics

snowshoe cat - characteristicsPeople who have already owned Snowshoes will tell you that they make splendid pets. They’re loyal and devoted to their human family, usually choosing a favorite person.

The fact that the Snowshoe is social and becomes so attached to people, makes him an awesome pet but just because he is fairly docile and amicable doesn’t mean he should be left alone for hours at a time. You’ll hear him voicing his displeasure at this.

He is certainly not a solitary cat, but an affectionate and most extraordinary cat.

abyssinian cat - characteristicsYour 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.

Health Problems

snowshoe kittens - health problemsYour Snowshoe may well be a healthy breed, but every cat is prone to some illnesses. We look at some cat diseases you need to be aware of -

Amyloidosis:

This is a feline disease found more often in Siamese cat breeds. The cat develops this protein disease between 1 TO 5 years of age. Amyloidosis is when there is an abnormal deposit of the protein complex amyloid into the liver, spleen and kidneys, resulting in bacterial infections, inflammation, and cancer.

Dental problems:

Your Snowshoe’s teeth are particularly prone to gingivitis which is inflammation of the gums. It can lead to more serious conditions if left unattended. Other dental problems to watch for are bleeding gums, broken teeth, and swelling of the gums.

Spaying and neutering:

Have your Snowshoe spayed or neutered. Spaying or neutering decreases the likelihood of some cancers. Both males and females are less likely to roam too, making them more domesticated. The cat is less likely to spray urine as a territorial gesture too. Spaying or neutering is imperative if you want to avoid your cats being parents.

abyssinian kittens - health problemsThe 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.

Caring The Pet

snowshoe cats - caringProvide your Snowshoe with the best cat food that there is. Always be aware of excess weight with your cat and avoid it at all costs. Extra weight is an influential factor in the development of diseases such as diabetes and arthritis.

A proper diet for your Snowshoe will ensure that your vet expenses are less. The nutritional needs of your Snowshoe will be protein, minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, and enzymes. Your cat is a carnivore and his food needs to be high in meat and protein. He isn't going to require any carbohydrates. Speak to your vet about the best food for your feline friend.

Provide your Snowshoe with a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Your Snowshoe will appreciate some cooked meat once in a while. Some tasty tuna now and then which is rich in omega-3s will also go down well.

Cats are fastidious about cleanliness so ensure his litter box is always clean. Scoop out the feces every day.

The Snowshoe has a low maintenance short coat, and a weekly brush will keep his coat shiny and glossy and he’ll love the attention this brushing session provides.

Cats like to scratch, so provide your Snowshoe with a scratching post as this will save your furniture from being used as a scratching post.

The Snowshoe cat is regarded as a low maintenance cat in terms of his short coat which needs to be brushed once a week. Brushing the hair will remove dead, loose hair and distribute skin oils to keep the coat in tip-top condition.

abyssinian cats - caringThe 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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Aegean vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. African Serval vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  3. Chausie vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  4. American Bobtail vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  5. American Curl vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  6. American Keuda vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  7. American Longhair vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  8. American Polydactyl vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  9. American Shorthair vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  10. American Wirehair vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  11. Applehead Siamese vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  12. Ashera vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  13. Asian vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  14. Asian Semi-Longhair vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  15. Australian Mist vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  16. Balinese vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  17. Bengal vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  18. Bicolor vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  19. Birman vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  20. Blue Russian vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  21. Bombay vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  22. Brazilian Shorthair vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  23. Bristol vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  24. British Longhair vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  25. British Shorthair vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  26. Snowshoe vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. Snowshoe vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. Snowshoe vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. Snowshoe vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. Snowshoe vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. Snowshoe vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. Snowshoe vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. Snowshoe vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. Snowshoe vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  35. Snowshoe vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  36. Snowshoe vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  37. Snowshoe vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  38. Snowshoe vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  39. Snowshoe vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  40. Snowshoe vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  41. Snowshoe vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  42. Snowshoe vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  43. Snowshoe vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  44. Snowshoe vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  45. Snowshoe vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  46. Snowshoe vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  47. Snowshoe vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  48. Snowshoe vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  49. Snowshoe vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  50. Snowshoe vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Cat Breeds