Today we’re going to tell you about your Abyssinian cat so that you can have a better idea of what to expects as your little one grows up. We’ll give you a chart with some growth estimates, as well as some nutrition tips and breed-specific information that can help along the way.
Without further ado, let’s talk about your Abyssinian cat and the time they’re about to spend growing up into full cathood!
Abyssinian Cat Weight By Age
Before we get started, we want to make sure that you know that what we are providing today is a general estimate of your cat’s growth. As each kitty is unique, you want to keep in mind that what we have here is a baseline, but not the ‘final word’ on what your pet should weigh.
If you think that your Abyssinian Cat is a little over or underweight, be sure to check with your vet first. They will be able to rule out any health issues and if your cat does indeed need a calorie adjustment then your vet will be able to help.
Factors such as the DNA from their parents, the age at which they were spayed or neutered, and your cat’s activity level are just a few examples of why your cat might deviate from our projections, so just keep that in mind and our chart can still give you a useful approximation of what you can expect with your kitty.
That said, let’s take a look at your cat’s projected growth based on the statistical averages!
Read Also: Munchkin Cat Weight By Age Full Guide
Abyssinian Cat Weight By Age Chart
Abyssinian cats tend to be tall and slender, with males standing approximately 12 to as much as 16 inches tall (30.4 cm to 40.64 cm), while females are a more modest 10 to 12 inches/25.4 – 30.4 cm in height.
Weight-wise, adult male Abyssinian cats tend to weight in the neighborhood of 8 – 12 pounds (3.62-5.44 kilo), while females tend to range between 7 and 10 pounds)3.17 – .4.53 kilo). These are just averages, of course, but these are the most common weights for adults of this breed.
Here is an at-a-glance growth approximation for this breed:
Abyssinian Growth rate – 3 months to 3 years | Male Abyssinian Cat | Female Abyssinian Cat |
3 months | 3 pounds/1.36 kilos | 2.5-3 pounds/ .90-1.36 kilos |
6 months | 4-5 pounds/1.81-2.26 kilos | 3.5-5 pounds/1.58-2.26 kilos |
9 months | 6-7 pounds/2.72-3.17 kilos | 5-6 pounds/ 2.26-2.72 kilos |
1 year | 8-12 pounds/ 3.62-5.44 kilos | 6-7 pounds/2.72-3.17 kilos |
3 years | 8-12 pounds/3.62-5.44 kilos | 7-10 pounds/3.17-4.53 kilos |
Read Also: Sphynx Cat Weight By Age Full Guide
As you can see, the female tends to be at least 2 pounds lighter than the male, but don’t be alarmed if this is not the case with your own kitty. If you purchased your Abyssinian from a breeder, check to see if you can get the height and weight of their parents and this should give you a good idea of what to expect.
You can also weigh your cat at about 16 weeks of age and then double this number, as this will give you a fairly accurate estimation of what your cat is going to weight when they are an adult.
Abyssinian cat weight – what to watch?
Abyssinian cats, like any breed, have some health issues that they are prone to more than other cats. With this breed, then tend to be susceptible to bacterial and viral infections, so it’s best to make sure that you stay on top of things with a regular vet checkup at least 4 times per year.
Dental issues are common with Abyssinian Cats, so if your cat is a little underweight then take a moment and watch them eating. If your cat is handling pieces of food very gently, then gingivitis or even tooth decay might be making eating painful.
Read Also: Burmese Cat Weight by Age Full Guide
You can get some cat-toothpaste and help your Abyssinian cat with some regular brushing. These pastes are flavored like chicken and other cat favorites, so your kitty might not even mind the brushing! Aside from the dental issues, if your cat is still a kitten then you’ll want to make sure that they are dewormed regularly.
At 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks of age you should get your Abyssinian Cat dewormed, and after that it is good to bring them in every 3 months or if your cat spends a lot of time outside, then once a month is even better.
Counting your cat’s calories for proper nutrition
Your Abyssinian’s diet is going to vary a little based on their age, but will basically boil down to 50-60 calories for every 2 pounds/.9 kilos of weight. For kittens, it’s best to go with 60 calories per 2 pounds of body weight, as they are still developing and will need those extra calories.
If you have an adult Abyssinian cat and they spend a lot of time outside, then the ‘60 calories per 2 pounds’ ratio is also optimal for the extra activity that they will be getting up to outside. Now, if your Abyssinian cat is an inside-kitty, then the ’50 calories for every 2 pounds’ will be a much healthier diet.
If your Abyssinian Cat is very young, it is recommended that you divide up their calories into 3 or 4 daily servings, while adults can make do with their daily calories divided up into 2 daily servings. With kittens, dividing up their nutrition helps to ensure that they are able to develop more quickly into adults.
Read Also: Snowshoe Cat Weight By Age – A Full guide
If you would like to divide up their servings in this way but your workschedule won’t allow for it, then you might try investing in an automatic feeder. These will allow you to set a schedule and the feeder will release preset portions at the times that you designate, effectively dividing up your kitty’s meals perfectly.
Care considerations for the Abyssinian breed
Abyssinian cats are actually quite low-maintenance. For instance, as they are shorthaired kitties, grooming can be quite minimal and a good combing once a week is typically all that you need to help maintain their coats.
Abyssinian Cat breed tends to be fairly active, but if your cat is strictly an indoor kitty, then you will want to invest in a few toys to make sure that they are getting enough exercise in and around the house.
Classics such as a laser pointer give you an interactive way to play with your cat and to spend a little quality time with them and while they don’t tend to become overweight, it’s a good idea to start tallying the calories from their favorite treats – as these can definitely add up over time.
Read Also: Siberian Cat Weight By Age – A Full guide
As a general rule, you want to take their daily calories (250-300 for a 10 pound cat) and make sure that treats make up no more than 10% of this daily calorie projection. That means that 25-30 calories a day can be treats for your cat, but try not to go too far past this!
Abyssinian Cat – Healthy Diet, Healthy Weight
While Abyssinian Cats are very low maintenance, there are a few additions that you can make to their diets that will help to ensure a healthy, shiny coat and overall good health. For instance, since this breed is prone to dental issues, try and see if your cat likes apples.
Some cats absolutely love them and apples are very fibrous fruits, which essentially brush your cat’s teeth and freshen up their breath when they eat them. You might also consider a single tablespoon of salmon or even sardines once a week.
Fish provides omega-fatty acids which will go a long way towards keeping your cat’s coat looking it’s best and with a small serving like this, you won’t have to worry too much about your cat having fishy breath. If it proves otherwise, then you should give those apples a try – if your Abyssinian Cat loves them, then problem solved!
Read Also: Tabby Cat Weight By Age – A Full guide
Aside from these tips, your cat really doesn’t have a lot of special dietary requirements that you will need to worry about. These sweet little kitties really are low maintenance and with an estimated lifespan falling between 9 and 13 years, then they’ll be sharing a good portion of the foreseeable future with you!
Some final words on Abyssinian cats
In today’s article we’ve taken a look at your Abyssinian cat’s expected growth. As we’ve previously mentioned, these figures are simply averages and not necessarily going to reflect the development of every kitty.
If you think that your Abyssinian Cat is under or overweight, just be sure to bring them in to the vet first for a checkup. As each cat is an individual, sometimes it just so happens that yours is a little bigger or a little smaller than the rest and this is perfectly okay.
Beyond this, don’t forget to comb their fur once a week and a salmon snack will definitely help to keep their coat looking clean and shiny. Until net time, we wish you and your Abyssinian kitty the very best!
Additional FAQs About Abyssinian cats
How much do male Abyssinian cats weigh?
A 1-year-old Abyssinian cat should weigh between 8-12 pounds or 3.62-5.44 kg
How big can an Abyssinian get?
Abyssinian cats are usually tall and slender. The males are usually 12 to 16 inches tall, while the females are 10 to 12 inches tall.
Are Abyssinian cats skinny?
Yes, Abyssinian cats are on the skinny side. They’re not emaciated, just lean. Some Abyssinians look almost like they’re made of mostly skin and bones – you can see every rib, every spine vertebrae. And their hips and legs are usually very slender. You can also often see the individual muscles in an Abyssinian’s thighs.
Of course, every cat is different and there will always be some variation from cat to cat, but in general, Abyssinians are thinner than most other felines.
How long do Abyssinian cats live for?
Generally speaking, Abyssinian cats have a life expectancy of around 10 to 15 years. However, there are always exceptions and some Abyssinians have been known to live into their 20s.