Abyssinian Cat Cost

Last Updated on October 18, 2021
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

The Abyssinian cat is one of the oldest cat breeds in the world. There is data attesting to the existence of this cat since 4 thousand years ago, in Ancient Egypt. The first Abyssinian cat, a female named Zula, was brought to Europe in 1868 by a British soldier after Britain defeated Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) in the Abyssinian War.

In the United States, the Abyssinian cat appeared in 1900 but became more popular in the 1930s. Today, the Abyssinian cat is recognized by most cat associations in the world. The Abyssinian cat is one of the top 5 most popular cat breeds in the world.

Abyssinians are elegant cats of medium size, with supple and strong bodies and long, slender legs. They have a round head, slightly pointed towards the muzzle, with small distinctive tufts of hair on the tip of the ears and large, almond-shaped eyes. The short fur close to the body of an Abyssinian cat has a distinctive “spotted” look due to the different colored bands on each hair. The most common color is reddish, but there are other shades.

How much do Abyssinian cats cost?

The cost of an Abyssinian cat will vary depending on its color, rarity, age, breeder, and the place you live. Aby kittens can be purchased for $350 to $600, but if you want show quality cats with top qualities such as blue point or smoke (rare colors), expect prices between $1,200 and $1,600. The price varies because each different type has its own unique look that determines how rare they are in comparison with other types like black or gray markings. This means higher costs when looking for those specific markings.

You might also like our articles about the cost of Bombay cats, Nebelung cats, or Persian cats.

For example, the online breeder Aksum Abyssinians sells the rare TICA-approved colors for the price of $1,550 per cat.

Also, the Blueriver Abys breeder has show-quality breeds for sale that cost anywhere between $1,200 and $1,700.

What is going to be included in the adoption fee?

Adopting a new furry friend should be an exciting and rewarding experience. Responsible breeders will provide you with up-to-date vaccinations, medical records from the last veterinary visit, paperwork (such as CFA or TICA) to show that it’s purebred and if they ship their cats via air, a travel crate must be included as well.

On average, kittens are available for adoption at 12 to 16 weeks old.

What are the extra costs?

Shipping a cat is not cheap. If you want yours shipped, expect to pay $220 to $370 for air or ground shipping and possibly more if they need an expedited service such as overnight delivery.

Many cats require vaccinations and vet checkups in addition to toys (including some types of toys for playtime), food, and litter. A monthly expenditure between $50 and $65 should cover all their basic needs with an additional amount needed if you want them treated like royalty.

Whether it’s a monthly or yearly fee, pet insurance is an excellent purchase for your cat. This will help cover medical expenses if they were to get injured or ill.

Usually, breeders will ask for a deposit in order to hold your favorite kitten. As with any other deposit, this money is applied when the adoption goes through successfully.

Important things to consider

Currently, Abyssinian is one of the most popular breeds of cats, the most widespread being the varieties of ruby, red, and sorrel (of a more diluted red).

The blue and yellow-brown varieties are recognized by all feline associations in the world, but only a few registers accept silver Abyssinians. The British Association (GCCF) has registered no less than 23 color varieties, including chocolate and tortoiseshell. Abyssinians were bred with Siamese and Burmese to obtain new feline breeds, and certain genes specific to these cats contributed to the creation of the domestic Bengali breed.

Walt Disney contributed a lot to the popularization of the breed, choosing the Abyssinian as the main star of the movie “The Cat from Outer Space”.

The Abyssinian cat is calm, intelligent, and curious. It likes the company of people and gets very close to the family. It likes space and activity, is a good climber and will appreciate a garden full of trees and high places. Abyssinian cats are playful but quite temperate.

Abyssinian cats may suffer from an inherited disease called pyruvate kinase deficiency which can cause anemia. There is a relevant test for this disease, so future owners should ask breeders if their cats have been tested and do not have this problem. An eye problem, called progressive retinal atrophy, which causes progressive blindness, has been identified in some countries, so it is worth asking the breeder about it as well.

Abyssinians can live up to 15 years or more.

Abyssinian cat fur is easy to care for. It likes to be brushed or combed and if you really want a “professional” gloss you can “polish” it by gently stroking it with a piece of damp tanned leather to restore the shine of the fur. Like any other cat, this breed needs regular vaccinations, deworming, and annual health checks.

How can I save money?

If you’re looking for a pet but don’t want to spend too much, consider the older cat. They typically cost 50% less than their kitten counterparts and can be found at local shelters. If possible, add your name onto an existing waiting list so that when they do have one in need of adoption they will contact you about it.

If you just want a pet, then the cheaper non-champion breeds will be enough.