Your guide to finding and caring for an Abyssinian in Des Moines
Abyssinians suit Des Moines apartments and bungalows well, because they want to climb far more than they need floor space. In a Sherman Hill Victorian with tall windows, an Aby will claim the top of the bookcase and watch the street from the sill. Long Iowa winters keep cats indoors anyway, so plan on daily wand-toy sessions and a tall cat tree. They're busy, social cats that do best when someone's home a lot or a second cat keeps them company.
Find your forever Abyssinian
While we don't have enough cats near Des Moines, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 3-7 y., 298 miles
Bengal, Abyssinian
M, 4 y., 298 miles
Abyssinian
F, 3 y., 298 miles
Abyssinian, Extra-Toes Cat / Hemingway Polydactyl
F, 3 y., 298 miles
Abyssinian
F, 10 y., 298 miles
Bengal, Abyssinian
F, 3-7 y., 298 miles
Bengal, Abyssinian
F, 10 y., 298 miles
Oriental Short Hair, Abyssinian
M, 15 y., 306 miles
Abyssinian
M, 2 y., 440 miles
Abyssinian, American Shorthair
F, 3 mo., 250 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Abyssinian
The Abyssinian is a medium, lithe cat with a short, silky coat where each hair carries several bands of color. That ticking gives the glowing, wild look, set off by large cupped ears and almond eyes in gold, green, hazel or copper. The breed was developed in Britain and is one of the oldest recognized, though the name points to Abyssinia, now Ethiopia.
In a Des Moines home, expect a cat with an agenda. Abys are curious, athletic and people-focused, often following you from room to room and asking for attention with a paw. They're affectionate without usually settling into a lap for long. The coat is easy care, but the energy isn't: they need climbing space, interactive play and company. Personalities vary, so spend time with the cat in front of you.
Having an Abyssinian in Des Moines
Abyssinians pair an easy-care short coat with high energy, sharp curiosity and a strong pull toward people. How well one fits depends on your schedule, your space to climb and your willingness to play every day, more than on the size of your home.
Abyssinians tend to be inquisitive, social and playful, and many shadow their people through the day. Some are reserved with visitors at first. They often enjoy other cats and considerate children, but they don't all want to be held. Each cat has its own personality, so spend time with the one you're considering.
Plan on daily interactive play, such as wand toys, chase games and fetch, plus puzzle feeders to keep their minds busy. Des Moines winters mean more indoor time, so tall cat trees, wall shelves and window perches matter. A bored Aby often invents its own mischief, and some can learn harness walks.
Abyssinians can inherit pyruvate kinase deficiency, a cause of anemia, and progressive retinal atrophy, which leads to vision loss. Kidney amyloidosis, kneecap problems and gum disease also appear in the breed. Regular dental care and yearly checkups help, and a veterinarian can check eyes, teeth, joints and bloodwork after adoption.
Abys adapt to apartments and houses alike, as long as they can climb. In Des Moines, where many people rent or live in older homes, a cat tree by a sunny window and a few wall shelves work better than extra square footage. Keep them indoors or on a secure catio.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Pet insurance | $30 to $60 per month | $360 to $720 |
| Routine vet care | $150 to $350 per year | $150 to $350 |
| Other* | $465 to $1,165 per year | $465 to $1,165 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,275 to $2,835 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* The $15 Des Moines license for a spayed or neutered cat, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, litter, toys, scratchers and cat trees, and occasional brushing for a short coat.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Des Moines.
Des Moines has a city animal shelter and several adoption partner locations where cats of many breeds and mixes wait for homes. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Des Moines area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether an Abyssinian is coming in.
No, Abyssinians can't ride DART buses in Des Moines. DART is a bus-only system, and pets other than service animals aren't allowed on board, even in a carrier. Des Moines has no subway. Plan vet visits and other trips by car or with a ride from a friend, and bring a sturdy carrier.
Yes, Abyssinians can handle Des Moines winters as indoor cats. Their short, single coat offers little insulation against January lows in the teens, so keep perches away from drafty windows and offer warm bedding. Snow keeps play indoors for months, so plan daily wand-toy sessions and climbing space to burn off energy.
Yes, you can get an Abyssinian in Des Moines. The city requires cats six months and older to be licensed, at $15 if spayed or neutered and $35 if intact, along with a current rabies vaccination certificate. Des Moines's high-risk breed rules apply to certain dog breeds, not to cats.
Yes, an Abyssinian can live happily in a Des Moines apartment if it has vertical space and daily play. A tall cat tree, wall shelves and a window perch matter more than square footage. Check your lease for pet rules and fees, and keep screens secure on upper floors.
An Abyssinian can be a good fit for Des Moines if someone is home often or a second cat is in the picture. Long winters and spring thunderstorms mean lots of indoor time, which suits a cat that loves climbing and play. It's a poorer fit for people who are out all day.
An Abyssinian needs little grooming in Des Moines: a weekly brushing keeps the short coat sleek, with a bit more during seasonal shedding. Indoor winter air can dry skin, so watch for flaking. Add regular nail trims and tooth brushing. Professional grooming is rarely needed, so it adds little to yearly Other costs.
Abyssinian is pronounced ab-ih-SIN-ee-un, with the stress on the third syllable, SIN. The name refers to Abyssinia, the historical name for Ethiopia. Many owners simply shorten it to Aby, pronounced AB-ee. You may also hear the breed's ticked coat colors called ruddy, cinnamon or sorrel, blue and fawn.
An Abyssinian is a medium-sized shorthaired cat breed known for its ticked coat, in which each hair has bands of color that create a warm, glowing look. It has large ears, almond-shaped eyes and a lean, muscular body. Developed in Britain in the 1800s, it is one of the oldest recognized breeds and is famous for being active and curious.
Yes, Abyssinian cats shed, but usually only lightly to moderately because of their short, close-lying coat. Shedding may increase seasonally. Combing or brushing a few times a month controls loose hair, and a damp cloth or chamois rubbed over the coat adds shine. Sudden heavy shedding or bald patches should be checked by a veterinarian.
Expect roughly $25 to $50 a month for food and $30 to $60 a month for pet insurance. Routine vet care runs about $150 to $350 a year, and other yearly costs, including the city license, flea prevention, dental care and litter, run about $465 to $1,165. Cat trees and toys add to the first year.
Expand your search to find Abyssinians available for adoption near Des Moines.
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