Your guide to finding and caring for an Abyssinian in Nashville
An Abyssinian fits comfortably in a Hillsboro Village bungalow or a Germantown apartment, as long as there's something tall to climb. Abys are busy, curious cats that treat a bookshelf like a mountain, so a cat tree beside a front window gives one plenty to watch on a Nashville street. They like company, so a household where someone is home often, or where a second cat can join in, usually works best. Expect daily play sessions with a wand toy.
Find your forever Abyssinian
While we don't have enough cats near Nashville, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 5 y., 356 miles
Domestic Medium Hair, Abyssinian
M, 2 y., 377 miles
Abyssinian, American Shorthair
F, 8 y., 394 miles
Abyssinian
F, 4 y., 394 miles
Abyssinian
F, 4 y., 394 miles
Abyssinian
F, 4 y., 394 miles
Abyssinian
F, 3 y., 394 miles
Abyssinian
F, 3 y., 394 miles
Abyssinian, Extra-Toes Cat / Hemingway Polydactyl
M, 3-7 y., 394 miles
Bengal, Abyssinian
M, 4 y., 394 miles
Abyssinian
The Abyssinian is a medium, lithe cat with a short, silky coat in which each hair carries several bands of color, giving it a glowing ticked look. Large cupped ears and almond eyes add an alert, wildcat-like expression. The breed was developed in Britain and is among the oldest recognized, despite a name that points to Abyssinia, now Ethiopia.
Abys are active, inquisitive and people-focused, though many are affectionate on their own terms rather than lap cats. That energy fits a home with plenty of climbing spots and daily play, and these cats are safest kept indoors or out on a harness. The short coat needs little care, but adopters should know about inherited conditions such as pyruvate kinase deficiency and retinal degeneration.
Having an Abyssinian in Nashville
Abyssinians pair a lean, athletic build with a strong need for activity and company. In Nashville homes, vertical space, daily play and a plan for hot summers and spring storms matter most, and understanding the breed's inherited health risks helps too.
Abys are inquisitive, social and often shadow their people from room to room. Many are affectionate without being lap cats, and some take a while to warm up to visitors. They usually enjoy other cats and playful kids. Temperament varies from cat to cat, so spend time with the one you're considering.
Plan on daily interactive play: wand toys, fetch and chase games, plus puzzle feeders to keep their minds busy. Nashville's humid summers and rainy stretches make indoor play the default, so tall cat trees and window perches carry much of the load. A harness-trained Aby can also enjoy short, supervised walks on cooler mornings.
Abys can inherit pyruvate kinase deficiency, progressive retinal atrophy, kidney amyloidosis and kneecap problems, and gum disease is common. A veterinarian can check teeth, kneecaps and eyes and discuss DNA testing. Keep rabies vaccination current and flea and tick prevention up to date, since ticks and fleas are summer concerns in Nashville.
Abys do well in apartments and houses alike if there's vertical space: cat trees, shelves and window perches matter more than square footage. That suits Nashville's mix of apartments, bungalows and ranch houses. Keep them indoors or in a secure catio, since coyotes are common in Middle Tennessee neighborhoods and target small pets.
| 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* | $458 to $1,158 per year | $458 to $1,158 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,268 to $2,828 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* The $8 Davidson County rabies tag, litter, flea and tick prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, 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 Nashville.
Nashville's shelters and foster-based rescues care for cats of all kinds, and the ones listed here can help you find a good match. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Nashville area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether an Abyssinian is coming in.
707 Monroe St., Nashville
Nashville
5125 Harding Place, Nashville
Nashville
Nashville
Nashville
Nashville
Nashville
Nashville
Nashville
Yes, you can own an Abyssinian in Nashville, and Metro's animal code has no breed-specific rules for cats. Cats six months or older need a rabies vaccination and a Davidson County rabies tag, which costs $8 for one year. Nashville doesn't require spay/neuter or microchipping, and there's no household pet limit, though landlords set their own.
Yes, an Abyssinian can do well in a Nashville apartment if it has vertical space and daily play. Cat trees, wall shelves and window perches matter more than square footage. Since many Nashville households rent, get your landlord's consent and pet terms in writing, and provide scratchers to protect floors and furniture.
Yes, if you're home often, enjoy daily play sessions and can keep the cat indoors. Abys crave company, so a household that's empty most of the day is a harder match, though a second cat can help. Nashville's apartments and bungalows both work, provided there's a tall cat tree and a window to watch from.
Mostly yes, for an indoor Abyssinian. Summers reach about 90°F with humid nights, so keep the home cool and water available. Winters are mild with occasional ice, and a short coat means these cats seek out warm, sunny spots. Spring storms are the main hazard, so keep a carrier and ID ready.
Very little. Occasional brushing or a rubdown with a damp hand keeps the short, close-lying coat tidy, and baths are rarely needed. Dental care matters more, since gum disease is common in the breed. Professional grooming isn't usually necessary, so grooming fits within the roughly $458 to $1,158 yearly Other budget alongside litter and parasite prevention.
Only in a carrier. WeGo's code of conduct allows non-service animals on its buses and the WeGo Star train only in an approved transfer cage, so an Abyssinian would need a secure, enclosed carrier. Check WeGo's current rules and fares before riding, and keep trips short since many Abys dislike unfamiliar noise and crowds.
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 $1,270 to $2,830 a year for an Abyssinian in Nashville: food at about $25 to $50 a month, insurance at $30 to $60 a month, routine vet care at $150 to $350 a year, and $458 to $1,158 a year in other costs like litter, dental care and parasite prevention.
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