Health and Wellbeing...

They usually live well into their teens and some into their twenties.The Aby is a cat that usually maintains a good activity level even out of kittenhood. As with any cat, they should be kept indoors and free from disease. Regular checkups by the veterinarian are important for abyssinians as for any cat throughout their lives. Your breeder should be able to advise you on the vaccination protocol that has been started with the cats so that you can discuss it with your veterinarian.

Gingivitis (gum disease)

Gingivitis can be a problem for abyssinians as it can for many cats. Fortunately, gingivitis can be avoided if owners know what to look for and treat it promptly.

Symptoms include red along the gum line and bad breath. A healthy diet is important in avoiding and treating gingivitis. You should also get your cat in a routine of weekly tooth brushing at an early age. There are many different types of brushes and pastes available. Yearly dental checks by a licensed veterinarian are a good idea.

Kidneys

A kidney disorder called Renal Amyloidosis, which is thought by some to be genetic, has been seen in Abyssinians. It also shows up in other purebred cats as well as random bred cats. Unfortunately, it has been labeled by some veterinarians as an Aby disease. Since it is not exclusive to just Abyssinians, this sort of labeling does a disservice to the breed and hinders the funding for research on the disease. As with any possibly heritable problem, responsible breeders do their utmost to avoid perpetuating this problem. It is important to discuss all possible health matters with a breeder when purchasing a kitten.