Abyssinians are very active interactive cats. If you are home they will want to join you in whatever you are doing. They will follow you around, or they enjoy riding around on your shoulders like a parrot, if you let them. If you are reading the paper they will want to sit on it or play under it. If you are doing house cleaning they will pad around behind you and try to get under your feet when you are carrying baskets of laundry. If you like to garden they will love to join you but on a leash of course for safety reasons. If you are unloading groceries they will be right in the bags checking out the new purchases. If you are a quilter…. well perhaps you should explore a different hobby or get a separate room just for this purpose!

Ruddicat Abyssinians live happily in most home situations. They are very adaptable. They are happy in quiet apartments with owners that work. They can always find ways to amuse themselves when no one is home! They are also happy in large homes with active noisy families and other pets. Abys will even enjoy living on a boat. We sold one cat that sailed around the world with his owners!

Ruddicat Abyssinians really enjoy the company of dogs, other cats and children. Very young children of course should be monitored and not left alone with the cat. Abys will be the best child sitter you have ever had. They will play with children for hours and hours. It is important when they are young kittens that they get a “time out” to rest throughout the day. Abyssinians are trusting cats so they enjoy being packed around, dressed up and will happily join in tea parties.

Many Abyssinians owners walk their cats using a leash and harness, just like a dog. See RUDDICAT NEWSPAPER ARTICLES. This allows your Abyssinian to accompany your on outings and enjoy the outdoors, without any of the risks involved when a cat is left to run loose.

Ruddicat Abyssinians use their feet a lot, similar to the way we use our hands. They will sniff new things and then touch them and try to move them with their paws.

If you have delicate china it should be kept in a safe place. Anything lightweight and left out on display should have double sided tape put on the bottom to prevent accidents.

Our Abys are fascinated with water. They vary in their curiosity and boldness. Some of our Abys will play in their water dish. They like to get their feet wet, then lick the water off from between their toes, and they seem to enjoy splashing anyone walking by. Other Abys will jump right into the bathtub with you!! So remember to keep the bathroom door closed while you are filling the tub or you will be sharing your bath with an Aby or at the very least some ticked hair! Abyssinians really like to “help” especially when water is involved. They will assist you as you are shaving, watering plants or washing dishes. If you are not comfortable with wet footprints in your life then perhaps an Aby is not the cat for you!!

Ruddicat Abyssinians enjoy a game of fetch. It usually starts when they are about 4 months old. Your kitten will develop a fondness for a particular toy. They will usually be caught trying to fling it into the air and “make it alive”. If you throw this for them they will run after it and start playing with it again. However, you will notice that if you keep throwing it for them they will start to bring it back to you to engage you in this game of fetch and retrieve. It is quite amazing to watch and is usually learned in one afternoon. We throw the toy down a flight of stairs and watch a kitten tear after their toy like lightening and then come padding back to you with the toy in its mouth and then drop it at your feet to continue the game. Who needs a dog?? This interest also varies from cat to cat. Some Abys will “perform” when you have an audience whereas others will only play this game when the immediate family is around. Often when a cat becomes a mom she will stop fetching, also sometimes a cat may become bored with their special toy and stop playing the game after a few months until they develop a new fondness for a new toy and then they get a renewed interest in the game again.