The Abyssinian’s coat is one of the most striking in the cat world—short, fine, and beautifully ticked with alternating bands of color that shimmer in the light. Recognized in two main divisions, Traditional and Silver, each color variation highlights the breed’s sleek, wild look while maintaining its warm, expressive tone. Below is the full list of officially recognized Abyssinian colors.
1. Ruddy (Usual or Tawny)
The Ruddy Abyssinian is the classic look of the breed, with a rich reddish-brown base and black ticking that gives the coat a warm, glowing depth. The undercoat and inner legs are a deep orange to apricot shade, creating a vibrant, cougar-like appearance. The nose is brick red, paw pads dark brown or black, and eyes range from amber to green or gold. The tail tip and spine line are darker, and the ears often have black tips. This color matures beautifully over time, reaching full richness after about a year and a half.
2. Red (Sorrel or Cinnamon)
The Red Abyssinian is a lighter, coppery variation of the ruddy, with a warm apricot base and chocolate-brown ticking. The nose is rosy pink, paw pads pink with chocolate tones, and eyes are gold, copper, or green. The overall look is a glowing reddish-gold cat with soft chocolate shading on the tail tip and paws. It’s one of the most striking and sought-after shades for its fiery yet elegant warmth.
3. Blue
Blue Abyssinians have a cool yet soft look, with a warm blue-gray coat ticked with deeper steel-blue bands. The base fur is pale cream or beige, especially on the chest and belly, while the tail and spine are shaded with a darker blue tone. Paw pads are blue-gray or mauve, and the nose leather is dusky pink or blue-gray. This color gives the Aby a misty, silvery elegance without losing its signature ticking pattern.
4. Fawn
The Fawn Abyssinian is the palest of the four main colors, featuring a soft pinkish-beige coat ticked with a deeper warm cream. The base color is light oatmeal, blending into a powdery effect along the spine and tail. The nose is pink or rose-toned, paw pads pink-mauve, and eyes are typically golden or green. This delicate color gives the Aby a warm, velvety appearance that glows softly in natural light.
5. Silver Variants
Silver Abyssinians are distinguished by a clear silvery-white base coat, ticked with black, blue, cinnamon, or fawn tones. Each hair shows distinct color bands over the pale undercoat, creating a shimmering metallic effect. These silvers are less common and admired for their bright, refined look, with no warm tones showing through the base.
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