While Abyssinian comes from Southeast Asia, Exotic has United States origin.

But honestly, breeds' origin doesn't reveal a lot about it, so please keep reading to learn more about these interesting breeds.

Although both breeds are very intelligent, it's important to consider their differences as well.

Here is some basic information about these breeds:

Abyssinian vs Exotic Appearance

Both breeds are more or less similar in size. Abyssinian typical length is 12 to 16 inches and a weight is 6 to 10 pounds, while a typical length of Exotic is 13 to 15 inches and they usually weight 7 to 12 pounds.

Temperament

No doubt, each cat has its own temperament, but we'll try to make some generalizations and help you choose the breed that will fit

Affectionate with Family

Looking for a perfect family cat?

Well, we'd strongly advise to choose Exotic over Abyssinian.

Exotics love their people, and being a part of a family is something that helps them thrive.

Abyssinians, on the other hand, are more of an independent type, that will prefer to stay silent in the corner, or their spot and monitor closely what is happening around them.

This doesn’t mean that there is no love toward humans but instead means that they prefer moments of solitude. You can still expect Abyssinians to come to you for cuddles - at their own pace.

Kid-Friendly

It's no secret that cats and kids tend to keep their distance apart, as kids often see them as moving toys and rush to grab them. This is something that cats aren't comfortable with, and will react in defense.

That being said, if you have kids, you shoud probably get a 5, as they are usually more patiente with children than 3s are.

Of course, each cat is different, and proper socialization and introduction is neccessery.

Friendly Toward Strangers

Abyssinians are more friendly than Exotics. What does it mean to you?

Generally you should avoid Exotics in some cases:

• Your home is always full of people
• You like to make parties at your home
• You consider getting a cat for office or working place
• You travel a lot and plan to leave your cat with your friends
• You plan traveling or commuting with your cat in the transporter

Otherwise no worries, both breeds should do fine, just Exotics might be a more reserved in the beginning when meeting new people.

Pet Friendly

Cats being generally friendly is one thing, but being friendly toward other pets is a completely different thing.

This trait must be taken into account if you've got another pet, so let's see do these breeds compare.

Abyssinians are generally more pet friendly than Exotics.

Cats usually tolerate dogs because they are not so territorial beings as dogs are, but make sure that their introduction is done safely.

If you notice your feline moving away from pets, do not force them to mingle, or spend time together. As a general rule, cats and birds shouldn't be under the same roof.

Potential for Playfulness

Some cats are naturally more playful than others.

In human terms, some cats are social, while others are very independent creatures that prefer to be left alone. If you want a feline that is playful and always ready to chase that ball, you cannot go wrong with choosing Abyssinian or Exotic.

If you get one of these breeds be ready to invest some time in playtime, or your feline will get bored and eventually become destructive.

Once you get a playful breed be ready to organize your living space to accommodate your cat’s playful side. Cats need space where they can explore, jump, and rest. Think in terms of cat furniture and durable cat toys.

General Health

Unless you are ready to cover high veterinarian costs you should stay away from both Abyssinian and Exotic, as they are considered to be cats of poor health.

If you want Abyssinian or Exotic be ready to do throughout research on finding the best breeders possible, and finding the best veterinarian so your feline can have the best care possible.

Know that cats are prone to eye problems, and lower urinary tract diseases (FLUTD), including infections and bladder stones, in most cases, but not limited.

Once you find a responsible breeder, check for medical records of the breed and take your new pet to your veterinarian.

Grooming

Cats are natural groomers. They may love to hide, get into small holes, and explore different scents, but they will do their best to clean themself afterward.

Owning a Exotic will be more demanding than owning a Abyssinian as they require more grooming.

But don't let this fret you. Each breed requires grooming (brushing, trimming nails, hair trimming and combining, shaving mats, etc), it's just a matter of how frequently you should groom them.

Shedding

Abyssinian and Exotic are known as breeds with a medium shedding amount.

They may shed more during the shedding season which occurs in spring and autumn.

As medium shedders, Abyssinian and Exotic should have weekly brushing sessions.

If you are on the lookout for a breed that sheds in a fair amount and won’t make you sneeze, you are on the right track.

Tendency to Vocalize

Both Abyssinians and Exotics are known for being highly vocal breeds. They can talk all day long!

Cats enjoy social contact with people and they use their voices to get human attention, over and over again.

If you prefer quietness, or you have toddlers who sleep a lot, you might think about getting a less vocal feline.

Intelligence

It's a well-known fact that cats are among the most intelligent creatures alive. They are smart to react instinctively, fast to hunt, and smart to hide in a matter of seconds.

If intelligence is an important factor for you, you might prefer a Abyssinian. They are fast to interact, communicate, and demand a lot of your time and playtime to thrive.

Obviously, this doesn't mean that Exotics are dunderhead, they just don't tend to be smart as Abyssinians.

The Final Word

We hope our Abyssinians vs Exotics comparison helped you to choose the right breed for you.

You can use the tool below to make a new comparison.