Your guide to finding and caring for an Abyssinian in Sioux Falls
An Abyssinian suits a Sioux Falls apartment well, as long as it has something tall to climb. In the Cathedral Historic District, where early-1900s houses have been split into apartments, a cat tree by a front window gives an Aby a view of the whole street. They're busy, curious cats that follow you from room to room and want to play every day. Winters here are long, so an indoor cat with plenty to do fits most Sioux Falls households.
Find your forever Abyssinian
While we don't have enough cats near Sioux Falls, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 3-7 y., 470 miles
Bengal, Abyssinian
M, 4 y., 470 miles
Abyssinian
F, 3 y., 470 miles
Abyssinian, Extra-Toes Cat / Hemingway Polydactyl
F, 3 y., 470 miles
Abyssinian
F, 10 y., 470 miles
Bengal, Abyssinian
F, 3-7 y., 470 miles
Bengal, Abyssinian
F, 10 y., 470 miles
Oriental Short Hair, Abyssinian
M, 15 y., 477 miles
Abyssinian
F, 4 y., 296 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Abyssinian
F, 4 y., 296 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Abyssinian
Abyssinians are medium-sized, lithe cats, usually 6 to 12 pounds, with a short ticked coat in which each hair carries several bands of color. Large ears and almond eyes give them a small-wildcat look. The breed was developed in Britain, and despite the name, genetic research points to the Indian Ocean coast and Southeast Asia as the source of its ancestors.
Abys are athletic, curious and social, and they like to be part of whatever you're doing. Many aren't lap cats, but they'll shadow you around the house and ask for play with a paw. In Sioux Falls, where cold months keep cats indoors, that means planning for daily wand-toy sessions, climbing space and company. Cats vary, so judge each one by its own personality.
Having an Abyssinian in Sioux Falls
Abyssinians pair high energy with an easy-care coat. Expect daily play, plenty of climbing space and a household where someone is home often. Inherited eye, blood and kidney conditions are worth understanding before you adopt.
Abys are inquisitive, social and busy, often shadowing their people through the apartment or house. Many are affectionate without settling into a lap, and some are shy with strangers at first. A household with someone home often, or a friendly second cat, helps keep a lively Aby content. Personalities vary from cat to cat.
Plan on daily interactive play with wand toys, fetch and chase games, plus puzzle feeders to keep their minds busy. Tall cat trees and window perches handle the climbing. Because Sioux Falls winters keep cats inside for months, rotating toys and several short play sessions a day matter. A harness allows supervised outdoor time in warmer months.
Abys can inherit pyruvate kinase deficiency and progressive retinal atrophy, and kidney amyloidosis, kneecap problems and gum disease also appear in the breed. Tooth brushing and regular dental checks help. A veterinarian can discuss genetic testing and screening, and yearly exams catch changes early. Sioux Falls also requires rabies vaccination from six months of age.
Abyssinians do well in apartments and houses alike when there's vertical space. Cat trees, wall shelves and window perches matter more than floor area, so a one-bedroom works fine. Keep them indoors or in a secure catio, since coyotes live inside Sioux Falls city limits and a curious climber can slip out of an open door.
| 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* | $455 to $1,155 per year | $455 to $1,155 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,265 to $2,825 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* The $5 Sioux Falls cat license for a spayed or neutered cat, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, litter, toys, scratchers and cat trees, and occasional brushing.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Sioux Falls.
Shelters and rescues in Sioux Falls care for cats of every age and background, including the groups listed here. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Sioux Falls area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether an Abyssinian is coming in.
Yes, Sioux Falls has no known breed restrictions on cats. You'll need a city license and a rabies vaccination for any cat six months or older, and a cat off your property must be on a leash. A household can keep four pets over six months old in total, dogs and cats combined, so count any animals you already have.
Yes, as indoor cats they handle it well, but they shouldn't spend time outside. About 66 days a year never rise above freezing, and a December 2022 blizzard brought wind chills near −49°F. An Abyssinian's short, fine coat gives little insulation, so offer a warm bed, a sunny window perch and daily indoor play.
Yes, Abyssinians do well in apartments when they have climbing space and daily play. Sioux Falls leases often add pet rent or limits on pets, so get permission in writing before you adopt. Cat trees, wall shelves and a window perch matter more than square footage, and regular play helps keep a busy Aby from turning restless or destructive.
It can be, if you're home often and enjoy daily play. Long winters keep cats inside for months, which suits an Abyssinian that has tall climbing spots, puzzle feeders and company. A second cat can help if your days are long. Cats vary, so judge each cat by its own personality rather than breed alone.
Very little. The short, close-lying coat needs only occasional brushing, which also handles light shedding. Dental care matters more, since Abys are prone to gum disease, so brush teeth regularly and trim nails as needed. Grooming costs are minimal and fall within the Other line of the cost table, along with dental cleanings, flea prevention and litter.
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.
Abyssinian cats were developed in Britain, but their name comes from Abyssinia, now Ethiopia, because some of the first cats shown in England were imported from there in the 1860s and 1870s. Genetic research suggests the breed's ancestors actually came from the Indian Ocean coastal regions and Southeast Asia, mixed with European cats.
Budget roughly $1,265 to $2,825 a year for an adult Abyssinian in Sioux Falls. That covers food at $25 to $50 a month, insurance at $30 to $60 a month, routine vet care at $150 to $350 a year, and other costs at $455 to $1,155 a year. Insurance and dental costs vary with the cat's age and health.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Sioux Falls.
