| Abyssinian | Sphynx | |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 9-13 years | 6-14 years |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Weight | 8-12 lb | 6-14 lb |
| Energy | Very high | High |
| Grooming | Low | High |
| Shedding | Low | Low |
| With kids | With supervision | Good with kids |
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.
Sphynx cats are sold as hypoallergenic because they lack fur, but the protein that actually triggers most cat allergies (Fel d 1) comes from skin and saliva, not hair, so a Sphynx still produces it — it just has no coat to catch the oil, which is why the breed needs weekly bathing for its own skin health, and why a 2024 UK-wide study found the breed's real-world average lifespan (6.7 years) was the shortest of any cat breed studied, well under half the general Persian/Birman-range longevity of other purebreds.
Abyssinian ·
Sphynx
Health problems, origin and what living with each is actually like.