| Abyssinian | Persian | |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 9-13 years | 10-13 years |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Weight | 8-12 lb | 7-13 lb |
| Energy | Very high | Low |
| Grooming | Low | High |
| Shedding | Low | High |
| With kids | With supervision | With supervision |
Abyssinians are one of the most perpetually active cat breeds that exists and generally dislike being held or restrained, which is the opposite of what most people picture when a breeder describes a 'friendly, people-oriented' cat.
The flat 'doll face' that wins in the show ring is extreme brachycephaly by another name, and it comes with lifelong breathing difficulty, constant tear overflow, and a kidney disease that historically affected roughly a third to half of the breed before genetic screening became common.
Abyssinian ·
Persian
Health problems, origin and what living with each is actually like.