Your guide to finding and caring for an Abyssinian in SLC
Abyssinians can do well in Salt Lake City apartments, as long as the space goes up. In the Avenues, where Victorian-era houses sit beside plenty of apartment buildings, a tall cat tree by a window gives an Aby somewhere to climb and a street to watch. They want play every day and company, so they suit people who are home a fair amount. Snowy winter days keep everyone inside, and that's when the daily play matters most.
Find your forever Abyssinian
While we don't have enough cats near Salt Lake City, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 3-7 y., 1472 miles
Abyssinian
F, 0-6 mo., 1484 miles
Abyssinian
F, 5 y., 1539 miles
Domestic Medium Hair, Abyssinian
M, 1 y., 1631 miles
Abyssinian
M, 1 y., 1631 miles
Abyssinian
M, 1 y., 1631 miles
Abyssinian
F, 3-7 y., 1659 miles
Abyssinian, Tabby
F, 5 mo., 1742 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Abyssinian
F, 0-6 mo., 1802 miles
Abyssinian
M, 2 y., 1802 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Abyssinian
The Abyssinian is a lithe, medium-sized cat, usually 6 to 12 pounds, with a fine-boned build, large cupped ears and almond eyes. Its short, silky coat is ticked, meaning each hair carries several bands of color, which gives ruddy, cinnamon, blue and fawn cats a warm glow. The breed was developed in Britain and is among the oldest recognized, despite a name that points to Ethiopia.
Abys are busy, curious and social. They follow their people around, investigate every cupboard and prefer playing to lap-sitting. In Salt Lake City, where many households rent and snowy months keep cats inside, that means planning for climbing space, daily interactive play and company. Some are shy with strangers at first, and every cat's personality differs, so judge the cat in front of you rather than the breed label.
Having an Abyssinian in SLC
Abyssinians pair high energy and a need for company with a low-fuss short coat. In SLC, the main questions are whether you can provide daily play and climbing space indoors, and whether you're ready for a few inherited health risks.
Abyssinians tend to be inquisitive, social and a little bossy about attention, often following their people from room to room. Many are affectionate without being lap cats, and some are reserved with visitors at first. In a Salt Lake City apartment, that attachment works well for people who are home often. Personalities vary from cat to cat.
Plan on daily interactive play, such as wand toys, fetch and chase games, plus puzzle feeders and rotating toys. Tall cat trees and wall shelves let an Aby burn energy indoors, which matters through SLC's snowy winters and hot July afternoons. A harness and leash can add supervised outdoor time in cooler hours.
Abyssinians can inherit pyruvate kinase deficiency, progressive retinal atrophy and kidney amyloidosis, and gum disease and kneecap problems also appear. DNA tests exist for some of these, and a veterinarian can explain screening and what to watch for. Dental care and yearly checkups help catch problems early. On smoggy winter days, keep play indoors.
An Abyssinian suits SLC's mix of apartments and older houses as long as it has vertical space. Window perches, cat trees and wall shelves matter more than floor area, and renters should confirm what their lease allows before mounting anything. Indoor living or a secure catio keeps this curious climber safe.
| 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* | $475 to $1,175 per year | $475 to $1,175 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,285 to $2,845 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* The $25 Salt Lake City license for a spayed or neutered cat, litter, flea 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 Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City's shelters and rescues care for cats of every age, and their listings here change often. Here are the rescues & shelters in the SLC area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether an Abyssinian is coming in.
Salt Lake City
511 West 3900 South, Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City
Yes, an Abyssinian can do well in a Salt Lake City apartment if it gets vertical space and daily play. About 56% of city households rent, so lease terms matter. Cat trees, window perches and wall shelves count for more than square footage, and a second cat or someone who's home often helps keep this social cat content.
Yes, nothing known in Salt Lake City restricts Abyssinians specifically. You do need to license the cat by 5 months of age or within 30 days of acquiring it, with proof of rabies vaccination and sterilization. The license also brings a free microchip. The city doesn't cap licensed cats, but your lease might.
An Abyssinian fits SLC well if you can offer daily play and some company, especially through long, snowy winters indoors. It's less ideal for people away most of the day with a small, bare apartment. Plan for climbing space, a cooling routine for July heat and a quiet room for fireworks nights.
For an indoor Abyssinian, yes, with some adjustments. Its short, fine coat gives little protection from cold, so give it warm perches in winter. Dry summer heat calls for shade, fresh water and cool rooms. Dry indoor winter air can make skin feel flaky, so brushing and fresh water help.
Yes, as long as the Abyssinian is securely contained. UTA buses, TRAX trains and FrontRunner allow pets only in a cage, kennel, carrier or container, and staff won't carry it for you. A 6 to 12 pound Abyssinian fits a standard carrier, so practice with it at home first.
Very little. An Abyssinian's short, close-lying coat needs only a quick weekly brushing, though a bit more in spring when shedding picks up. Winter's dry indoor air is the main local factor. Plan on nail trims and regular tooth care too. Grooming costs are a small slice of the 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 $1,285 to $2,845 a year for an Abyssinian in SLC. That covers food at $25–$50 a month, insurance at $30–$60 a month, $150–$350 of routine vet care, and $475–$1,175 in other costs such as litter, dental care, parasite prevention and the license. Actual costs depend on the cat's health.
Expand your search to find Abyssinians available for adoption near Salt Lake City.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Salt Lake City.
