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Abyssinian vs Persian: Cat Breeds Comparison

Are you thinking about getting a new cat for your family but are torn between the Abyssinian and the Persian? Keep reading to learn more about their similarities and differences.

While Abyssinian comes from Southeast Asia, Persian has Persia (known as Iran today) 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 Persian

Abyssinian
Length12 to 16 inches
Weight6 to 10 pounds
Overall Health
OriginSoutheast Asia
Life Span9 to 15 years
Persian
Length14 to 18 inches
Weight7 to 12 pounds
Overall Health
OriginPersia (known as Iran today)
Life Span10 to 15 years

Abyssinian vs Persian Appearance

Persians are longer.

Persians have an average length of 14 to 18 inches and a weight of 7 to 12 pounds.

On the other side Abyssinians, have a typical length of 12 to 16 inches and an average weight of 6 to 10 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

Abyssinians and Persians are known as breeds with a medium need to be around people. They will meow at you when feeding time comes, and they will come to you for cuddles, but they will equally demand their time.

They may come to you when they want and it can be a matter of only a few minutes. They may also decide to spend an entire day on their spot.

For those who want an independent cat, these breeds are to be considered welcoming. To enable the balance they need, think about installing a cat window seat.

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 2s are.

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

Friendly Toward Strangers

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

Generally you should avoid Persians 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 Persians 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 Persians.

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

If your future cat's playfulness is an important thing for you, be sure to read this carefully.

Let's get straight to the point:

Abyssinians are more playful, and they will require you to invest some time in keeping them entertained, otherwise they might get bored and eventully destructive.

Persians aren't described by feline lovers as a breed of high playfulness, so if you're looking for a more laid-back breed for your appartment, they might be a great choice.

General Health

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

If you want Abyssinian or Persian 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 Persian 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

Nobody enjoys the facts cats shed, but if you hate that, you should probably stick to Abyssinians, as they shed less than Persians.

However, don't forget that all cats need regular brushing, but how often depends on the breed.

Cats are not too fond of being handled, so invest in high-quality (and proper) grooming tools to make the brushing process easier and short.

Tendency to Vocalize

There are two types of cats: talkative, and silent.

But there are also two types of people: people who like talkative cats, and people who don't.

Therefore, you should consider this characteristic when you're choosing the perfect cat breed.

With Abyssinian, you will probably deal with a breed with a high tendency to be vocal, while Persians are often described as a breed with a medium tendency to vocalize.

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 Persians are dunderhead, they just don't tend to be smart as Abyssinians.

The Final Word

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

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

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