Bengal vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Known 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.

What an exquisite coat the Bengal cat has. It looks like the coat of a wild cat and can have spots, marbling, and rosettes, but it is domesticated, developed from hybrids – the spotted Egyptian Mau and the Asian Leopard cat.

It is the only domestic breed of cat that has rosette markings. It is Jean Mill of California that you associate the Bengal cat with, and she conducted a number of graduate classes in genetics.

The 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.

The Bengal looks like a wild cat and it can weigh up to 7kg. It can reach a height of 70cm with long, muscular legs and almond-shaped eyes which are green or blue.

When it comes to the coat of the Bengal cat, it has a wide variety of colors and patterns. The cat can be brown, black, red, grey, spotted, clouded, ticked or rosette.

There are Bengal breeders that claim that their Bengals are hypoallergenic so that they won’t cause an allergic reaction with their owers. This is something that hasn’t been scientifically proved and in fact many will say that there isn’t such as thing as a hypoallergenic cat.

The Bengal is a medium to large-sized cat, being long and lean and muscular. As a low shedder, it is believed the Bengal is a hypoallergenic cat breed – a cat less likely to cause an allergy with its human owners.

The cat's tail is thick, while the ears are medium-sized with rounded tops.

Temperament:

When you bring a Bengal cat into your home, you’ll find they are energetic, smart, and playful and they love cavorting around in water.

People who have owned a Bengal say that the cat is friendly and that it enjoys interacting with humans. They’re cats capable of forming strong bonds with their human family, becoming affectionate and loyal. They in turn want to receive lots of loving attention.

They’re intelligent too and are quick to learn. You have to remember that these are part wild cat and that they are only classed as tame from the 4th generation (T4).

The cat has wild traits so it is only natural that it likes to hunt so don’t be alarmed when your Bengal presents you with dead mice, moles, and birds.

Your 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.

Bengal cats are intelligent and just like a dog he is clever at learning tricks and can even be taught things such as ‘sit’, ‘fetch’ or ‘lie down’. They actually make great companions as they are sensitive to their owner's moods and can even recognize human gestures and adapt their behavior to their owner's mood.

They’re vocal cats too and they like to communicate about their needs, being able to meow in different tones. They’re active cats and they want active owners – those who can spend time with them playing and even going on walks and hikes.

The Bengal certainly is a wonderfully companionable cat.

The 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.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a concern with the Bengal cat breed and this is a disease where the heart muscle becomes thick and unable to pump blood properly.

It’s a common genetic disease in Bengal cats. Cats used for breeding need to be screened each year to ensure no hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is present.

Another problem with the Bengal cat is Progressive retinal atrophy or PRA. Anyone wanting to breed Bengals should have their cat tested for this eye disease as the disease can lead to blindness.

The 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.

You will need a secured outdoor area for your Bengal cat where he can play and climb. He will need these for his activity levels as well as stimulating toys.

Provide feeding and water bowls and also make sure that you provide your Bengal with a shallow swimming pool as this cat loves water.

Diet:

The Bengal is a healthy cat breed so it is important to provide your pet cat with the best food there is and to ensure he gets checked out at the vet every year.

Most hybrid breed owners provide raw food as these cats are often sensitive to commercially manufactured food. Having said that, there are high-quality prepared cat foods that will provide your Bengal with everything needed for a healthy life.

Look at providing your pet with a good supplement to ensure your furry friend has every chance to be healthy and happy.