American Wirehair vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison

American Wirehair vs Abyssinian - Breed ComparisonAbyssinian is originated from Ethiopia but American Wirehair is originated from United States. Both Abyssinian and American Wirehair are having almost same weight. Abyssinian may live 3 years less than American Wirehair. Both Abyssinian and American Wirehair has same litter size. Both Abyssinian and American Wirehair requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

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

History

abyssinianKnown 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.

american wirehairThe American Wirehair started as a spontaneous mutation so that somewhere along the line, an unusual litter with this unique wiry type of fur was born.

The cat hails from New York and it was in 1966 that a couple of barn cats had a litter of kittens, some of which were born with this peculiar wiry hair. Only one kitten survived – a male – and later it was discovered that the gene responsible for the wirehair coat was dominant so that only one parent required the gene to produce Wirehair offspring.

Today, all American Wirehairs are descendants of this one surviving male kitten. Today the breed is still fairly rare. It is, however, recognized by the four largest North American cat associations.

Description

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.

american wirehair kitten - descriptionThe American Wirehair is a medium-sized cat, strong and powerful, and can weight 5, 6 or 7 kg.

The head is in proportion to the body and the cat has a strong muzzle and chin. The ears are medium-sized and are rounded at the tips while the eyes are large, round, and set well apart.

It’s the coat that draws attention as unlike a regular cat’s silky fur, the fur of this cat is springy, coarse and wiry to the touch. The coat can be any color or pattern. It is the cat’s very coat that distinguishes it from all other breeds.

With this coat, the less grooming the better. Brushing or combing can damage it, so unless he is shedding heavily, leave it alone.

The only other care he needs really is nail trimming, to check inside his mouth for bad teeth and to also check inside his ears for redness. Both the teeth and the ears can be a source of pain for your pet.

Temperament:

The American Wirehair may have a harsh coat but there is nothing harsh about his personality at all. He is amicable and loving, getting on well with all members of his human family.

He is an independent cat and while he loves spending time with his family, he is quite capable of spending time on his own as well.

The American Wirehair is a playful cat so you want to give him some toys to entertain himself for when you’re not around.

Characteristics

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.

american wirehair cat - characteristicsThe American Wirehair makes a splendid pet, and while he isn’t the best breed for children, he can make a good pet with those children who have been taught kindness, gentleness and respect for animals.

He is calm, quiet, dependent, and sociable and by providing him with a good home, he’ll prove to be a wonderful pet and companion.

Health Problems

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.

american wirehair kittens - health problemsThe American Wirehair is a healthy type of cat but any cat can develop health issues.

Be aware of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a common form of heart disease in cats where there is the thickening of the heart muscle.

Be careful of overfeeding your cat as obesity is a major contributory disease to many illnesses that a cat gets. Excess weight can contribute to diabetes and arthritis and put pressure on your cat’s joints. Certainly, carrying extra weight can shorten your cat’s life. Make sure your cat gets smaller, healthier meals and that he is active and exercised.

Caring The Pet

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.

General:

american wirehair cats - caringBrush the cat gently once a week. Your cat will love the connection you and he has. While you brush him, make a point of checking inside his ears and inside his mouth as well. It is also time to trim his nails. If you are hesitant to do this, ask you vet for suggestions or you can make use of a pet groomer too.

Make sure your pet cat is free from parasites such as fleas, ticks and heartworm. Your vet can recommend a treatment and it is also a good idea to talk to your vet about vaccines for your cat.

No unwanted kittens:

Have your American Wirehair spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted kittens and to promote better health for your cat.

Diet:

Always choose healthy food for your pet, bearing in mind that cats are carnivores, which means that you need to choose cat-food for your pet that has fish and meat in it. It can be difficult making good homemade food for your cat but there are excellent commercially prepared cat foods to ensure your cat gets the correct balance of nutrients and calories. Bear in mind that your cat's nutritional requirements change through their different stages of life.

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. American Wirehair vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  27. American Wirehair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  28. American Wirehair vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  29. American Wirehair vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  30. American Wirehair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  31. American Wirehair vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  32. American Wirehair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  33. American Wirehair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  34. American Wirehair vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  35. Applehead Siamese vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  36. Ashera vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  37. Asian vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  38. Asian Semi-Longhair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  39. Australian Mist vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  40. Balinese vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  41. Bengal vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  42. Bicolor vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  43. Birman vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  44. Blue Russian vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  45. Bombay vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  46. Brazilian Shorthair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  47. Bristol vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  48. British Longhair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  49. British Shorthair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison