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Abyssinian vs Exotic Shorthair
The Abyssinian is a lean, restless climber; the Exotic Shorthair is a flat-faced, plush lap cat with breathing and eye concerns.
Verdict
These two shorthairs sit at opposite ends of the energy range. The Abyssinian is lean, plays hard and wants to be busy. The Exotic Shorthair is a short-haired Persian type, quiet, calm and happy on a lap in an apartment. The Exotic needs more grooming and face cleaning, and its flat face brings airway, eye and kidney concerns that call for regular vet checks. Choose the Abyssinian for an energetic, easy-care cat and the Exotic for a quiet indoor companion if you accept the health trade-offs.
Choose the Abyssinian if
- You want a cat that climbs, plays and learns tricks.
- You want a fine coat that needs almost no grooming.
- You want a cat with a normal face and no flat-face breathing risk.
- You are home enough to give it company and activity.
Choose the Exotic Shorthair if
- You want a calm lap cat that suits a small flat well.
- You want a very quiet voice and a plush, dense coat.
- You can brush it, clean its face and pay for regular vet checks.
- You keep the home cool, as heat and humidity are harder on flat-faced cats.
Where they are alike
Both are common, medium-sized cats with short coats. Both get on well with children and other pets.
Side by side
| Abyssinian | Exotic Shorthair | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Shorthair |
| Origin | United Kingdom, with ancestry traced to the Indian Ocean coast and Southeast Asia | United States |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 8-12 lb (3.6-5.4 kg) | 8-15 lb (3.6-6.8 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 10-13 years | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Fine, close-lying coat with a ticked (agouti) pattern; each hair carries several bands of colour | Dense, plush, soft coat that stands out from the body |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | — | Championship breed since 1967 |
| How common | Common | Common |
| Affection | 3 | 4 |
| Energy | 5 | 2 |
| Playfulness | 5 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 2 | 1 |
| Grooming needed | 1 | 3 |
| Shedding | 2 | 3 |
| Good with children | 4 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 2 | 3 |
| Trainability | 5 | 3 |
| Suits a small home | 3 | 5 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The short coat is easy to keep clean, but people who react to cats may still react to an Abyssinian. | No breed is hypoallergenic. The dense coat sheds steadily and people who react to cats are likely to react to this one. |
| Suits | An active household that enjoys play and wants a bright, busy cat that follows its people around. | A calm indoor home that wants a quiet, affectionate lap cat and is ready to pay for regular vet checks. |
| Less suited to | Anyone who wants a calm lap cat, or a home where the cat is alone for long stretches. | A hot or humid home, a household with no time for face cleaning, or anyone worried about flat-faced cat welfare. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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| Health conditions to watch |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026