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Abyssinian vs Oriental Shorthair
Both are clever, active shorthairs; the Oriental Shorthair is far more talkative and clingy, the Abyssinian quieter and busier.
Verdict
These two are close in intelligence, coat care and need for company. The one thing that decides it is voice and clinginess. The Oriental Shorthair talks constantly, scores top marks for affection and has the lowest independence score of the pair. The Abyssinian has a quiet voice and the higher energy score, and it shows its affection by following you and playing. Choose the Abyssinian for a quieter explorer and the Oriental for a chatty shadow.
Choose the Abyssinian if
- You want a quiet voice from an active cat.
- You want the most energetic, athletic cat of the two.
- You like a ticked coat in a few classic colours.
- You want a breed that is common and easier to find.
Choose the Oriental Shorthair if
- You enjoy a cat that talks back and wants to join everything.
- You want the more affectionate cat, with top marks for closeness.
- You like a slim, large-eared body and a huge range of colours.
- Someone is home most of the day to answer it.
Where they are alike
Both have short coats that need almost no grooming and both rank at the top for intelligence. Each lists progressive retinal atrophy and an amyloidosis condition, so ask your vet about screening.
Side by side
| Abyssinian | Oriental Shorthair | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Shorthair |
| Origin | United Kingdom, with ancestry traced to the Indian Ocean coast and Southeast Asia | United States and Europe, from Siamese stock |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 8-12 lb (3.6-5.4 kg) | Males about 8-12 lb (3.6-5.4 kg); females under about 8 lb (3.6 kg) |
| Lifespan | 10-13 years | Often reported as 12-15 years; few studies |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Fine, close-lying coat with a ticked (agouti) pattern; each hair carries several bands of colour | Short, fine, close-lying coat on a long, tubular body |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | — | Championship breed since 1977 |
| How common | Common | Uncommon |
| Affection | 3 | 5 |
| Energy | 5 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 5 | 5 |
| Talkativeness | 2 | 5 |
| Grooming needed | 1 | 1 |
| Shedding | 2 | 2 |
| Good with children | 4 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 2 | 1 |
| Trainability | 5 | 5 |
| Suits a small home | 3 | 3 |
| 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. | — |
| Suits | An active household that enjoys play and wants a bright, busy cat that follows its people around. | A person who is home much of the day and wants a talkative, athletic, affectionate cat and will play with it daily. |
| Less suited to | Anyone who wants a calm lap cat, or a home where the cat is alone for long stretches. | A quiet home, or anyone who is away for long hours, since this cat dislikes being alone. |
| 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