The Somali Cat is a slender and athletic feline with a wild appearance. It has a muscular body, a wedge-shaped head, and large olive eyes. The cat’s tail is long and bushy, and its paws are tidy ovals. The Somali Cat has semi-long hair that is longer around the neck, legs, and tail, giving it a unique appearance. Its fur is agouti, meaning it has multiple bands of color, which creates a tinted effect. This breed is sometimes referred to as the Fox Cat due to its bushy tail and large ears.

History

In essence, the Somali is the Abyssinian Cat with longer hair. Following a military mission to Abyssinia, Lord Robert Napier transported a cat to Great Britain, where it was developed into the Abyssinian breed. The magnificent breed presently known as the Abyssinian, as well as the Somali breed, were both inspired by Zulu, the cat Lord Napier brought to Britain. In the Abyssinian litters, some of the kittens appeared to have lengthy hair. The Abyssinian people did not value long hair, thus the long-haired kittens that were born were changed and kept as pets. However, many breeders preferred the way Abyssinian cats with long hair looked, thus in the late 1960s, these breeders developed a longhaired Abyssinian cat they called the Somali. Similar to how it appears on the Abyssinian, the Somali also has a lovely ticking coat. The Somali soon gained popularity due to her distinctive appearance, charming nature, and ease of maintenance.

Size

There are a total of 25+ different colors for Somali cats. Some of the more popular ones are red, blue, fawn, and Reddish-brown. The “usual” or “ruddy” coat is golden brown with black ticking. These cats take a long time to be an adult; they often don’t reach full maturity until they are 18 months old. The average weight of Somali cat breeds, which are categorized as medium-sized, is 8 to 12 pounds. Although males often are larger, both sexes are almost the same size, measuring 11 to 14 inches in length. This breed’s lifespan is typically between 10 and 15 years.

Personality

The Somali cat is an extremely lively creature who enjoys being in the spotlight. They adore when you interact with them, therefore they are amusing and playful, playing practical jokes on you and making you laugh. They are simple to amuse because they can play games with anything. They will spend hours pursuing a crumpled up piece of paper, race after a particle of dust on the floor, and attempt to capture shadows as the light shifts.

Food

Somalis need finest cat food with lots of protein to be in good form because they are so active and muscular. Avoid foods with extra fillers or grains with little nutritious value and stick to dishes made with high-quality meat-based ingredients. Your veterinarian is the finest source for you. They can advise you on the foods that will be most suitable for your Somali cat.

Grooming

Somali cats need regular brushing to remove stray hairs and aid avoid matting because of their thick, luxurious double coats. The Somali cat benefits from daily at-home tooth brushing just like other breeds. Given how active these cats are, you may also want to keep their claws clipped to reduce unnecessary harm to your skin, clothing, and other belongings. The easier these activities will be later in the cat’s life, the sooner you teach your kitten to rest and appreciate grooming practices.

Training

Because these cats are so sociable, intelligent, and active, you’ll find training a Somali cat to be simple and entertaining. Using rewards to train these kitties is the simplest method. These cats are quite curious and active, so training them might be an excellent method to keep them out of mischief. Your Somali will pick up on the benefits of obeying your directions more rapidly than playing disruptive activities with the use of positive reinforcement training and lots of rewards. Additionally, training provides this smart cat with an opportunity for brain exercise. You’ll be astonished at how involved they are in the process if you can add training that makes them think!

Health

Although some concerns could arise, the Somali cat typically has minimal breed-related health issues. These include kidney amyloidosis, teeth decay, and gingivitis, all of which are common in other cat breeds. The disorder known as renal amyloidosis causes the protein amyloid to accumulate in numerous tissues, impairing that system of the body’s normal operation. The majority of cat breeds, including the Somali, are also prone to feline viral anemia and autoimmune-mediated hemolytic anemia. Some erythrocyte problems associated with AIHA, like pyruvate kinase deficiency and osmotic fragility, are hereditary. Additionally, a mutation may cause inherited retinal disease in Somalis. Additionally, Abyssinians, Siamese cats, and other closely related breeds exhibit this trait.

Bottom Line

If you’re searching for a low-maintenance living statue or a sweet, gentle lap cat, don’t acquire a Somali. The Somali, like his sibling the Abyssinian, is curious, extremely energetic and athletic, and he enjoys playing. He spends his days investigating every corner of your house, keeping an eye on everything you do, and observing birds from the window or an enclosure outside.

Any age person who devotes a lot of time at home and enjoys interacting with him, especially an older child who will train and play with him, is the greatest match for this cat. The Somali cat wants to live alone and enjoys being the center of attention so he may have all of your undivided attention. He has a great eye for people and is recognized for swiftly instructing people to do his wish.