A Rare Rainbow: Abyssinian Kitten Colours in South Africa

If you’ve been searching for an Abyssinian kitten in South Africa, you probably already know just how special these cats are. Known for their playful personalities, graceful build, and striking ticked coats, Abyssinians are one of the oldest and most captivating cat breeds in the world.

Recently, our cattery welcomed something truly extraordinary — a rainbow litter. In one litter, we had three different coat colours: a soft fawn, a dreamy blue, and a fiery sorrel kitten. It’s incredibly rare to see all three in the same litter, and it’s made even more special by the fact that blue and fawn Abyssinians are particularly hard to find in South Africa.

Abyssinian Colours Explained

The four recognised colours for Abyssinians are:

1. Ruddy – The classic warm golden-brown with black ticking.

2. Sorrel – A rich copper coat with cinnamon ticking (also called red in some countries).

3. Blue – A soft, cool beige base coat with slate blue ticking.

4. Fawn – A warm oatmeal base with light cocoa ticking.

   
   

While ruddy and sorrel are more commonly seen, blue and fawn require specific genetics to appear, making them more rare and highly sought after.

The Genetics Behind the Magic

Coat colour in Abyssinians is determined by a combination of genes:

• The base colour gene (B/b1/b) controls whether a cat is black-based (ruddy/blue) or cinnamon-based (sorrel/fawn).

• The dilution gene (D/d) lightens the base colour:

  • No dilution (D) = Ruddy or Sorrel

  • Dilution (d) = Blue or Fawn

In our rainbow litter, both parents carried the genes for cinnamon (b1) and dilution (d). That allowed for four possible outcomes:

• Sorrel (b1b1 D_)

• Blue (BB dd or Bb1 dd)

• Fawn (b1b1 dd)

• Ruddy (BB D_ or Bb1 D_)

Getting three in the same litter is a genetic stroke of luck — and a breeder’s dream!

Why Our Litter is So Special

In South Africa, most Abyssinians are ruddy or sorrel. Blue Abyssinians are very rare, and fawn Abyssinians are almost never seen. The fact that we have all three together makes this a truly unique litter, the kind that may not come around again for many years.

Each kitten has the same playful, affectionate temperament Abyssinians are famous for — intelligent, active, and deeply connected to their humans.

Finding Your Abyssinian Kitten in South Africa

If you are looking for an Abyssinian kitten in South Africa, it’s important to choose a breeder who prioritises health, temperament, and responsible breeding practices. Our kittens are raised in our home, socialised with people and other pets, and come with full health checks.

While our rainbow litter is already reserved, you are welcome to contact us about future litters.

Blue Abyssinian mother cat with her rare rainbow litter of fawn, blue, and sorrel Abyssinian kittens in South Africa