The Somali cat fascinates with its magnificent tail in the plume and flamboyant dress. Playful like a facetious squirrel and clever like a fox, animals to which he is close by appearance, he is endearing, affectionate, and reminds us of a mischievous elf. Discover the Somali cat, its characteristics, and its needs.
You can have a house cat called 'bastard' but you may also wish to acquire a purebred cat that will have a pedigree, issued by a Book of Origins recognized as the Official Book of Feline Origins (LOOF).
Any ailurophile can find his favorite among the many breeds of cats: long or short hair, large size, massive or fine, very feline look, solid color, tabby or spotted, black, white, red ... hypoallergenic cat... You will be spoilt for choice to find your favorite kitty among all the breeds of cats presented here...
One can choose a cat according to its breed for different reasons. The physical aspect first of all can be decisive. The price also weighs in the balance. While some cats are sold at a reasonable price, others cost a fortune. So if you fall for a particular cat, it is better to have a sufficient budget because you have to be able to maintain it afterward and provide for all your needs.
Ask yourself the right questions before choosing a cat breed
But what matters a lot in the final decision are the character and personality of the cat. As for the predispositions of each feline breed to certain pathologies, they must be known. There are cats known for their great robustness such as the Norwegian forest cat, the Maine Coon, or the Russian Blue while others are more delicate in terms of health. Abyssinian, Siamese, Exotic shorthair, and Persian are less resistant to certain diseases.
We ask ourselves many other questions when adopting a cat. Does he get along well with children? Is it a solitary cat, independent, or on the contrary hyper cuddly and very close to its master? Does he prefer the apartment or the large spaces? Another crucial point must be clarified before deciding on a particular breed: when the whole family is away, can the cat stay alone all day without risking depressing or ransacking the home? And if you own another animal - cat, dog, hamster, rabbit, turtle - it is better to set your sights on a sociable breed cat, who is playful, and in no way aggressive.
Each breed of cat has its own specificities, the lifestyle, the environment, the composition of the family but also the character of the master are elements to be taken into consideration. We, therefore, welcome the animal that has all the provisions to acclimatize without a problem.
Originally, Somali was a "mistake of nature". This medium-haired cat from Abyssinian parents had nothing to do in the litter. It did not correspond to the standard, since the latter imposed a short hair. This little black sheep was therefore excluded from breeding programs and sold without pedigree because of its "defect". But 2 breeders fell under the spell of this ugly duckling. Mary Mailing presented it on display and its success was immediate. He even got from his judge a seduced look, which, it must be admitted, is not common for a cat that goes beyond the framework set by feline associations!
At the same time, Evelyn Mague, an American breeder, fell in love with these squirrel-tailed cats. She decided to launch a new breed by selecting them. In 1972, she obtained a litter consisting entirely of medium-haired Abyssinians and chose the name Somali because Somalia is the country located right next to Abyssinia (now called Ethiopia). The breed was recognized in the USA in 1979. The Somali is therefore directly descended from the Abyssinian.
In Europe, the first subjects arrived in 1977, especially in Germany. In France, they were imported in 1979 by Monique Prunier, cattery Marie Galante. The breed has been recognized in Europe since 1982.
Did you know? The Somali is a relatively rare cat in France since in 2021, the LOOF registered only 178 pedigrees of this breed (compared to more than 23,000 Maine Coons). It represents 0.29% of purebred cats with 2,667 subjects in total.
The Somali is an elegant, bubbly cat with an exceptional coat and tail.
Its medium-sized body is thin and has athletic musculature. Males are larger than females. Its legs are thin and long. They end on small oval feet that contribute to its elegant and aerial gait. Its back, slightly arched, gives it a sporty silhouette.
Its head is triangular, but the contours are rounded. Above, rest large cup-shaped ears. These give a cat expression on the lookout for what surrounds him, ready to find his ideas of the little clown. Sometimes they are overhung with feathers, the tufts of hair at the end reminiscent of lynx. It is large, bright green, gold or light brown eyes are expressive. They are made of almonds and give their look intensity. Its muzzle is slightly rounded. As for its hair, it is mid-long, lying on the body, and shorter on the shoulders and backbone. It features a frill and royal breeches.
Finally, its tail is long, plume-shaped, wide at birth. It gradually refines to the tip.
The Somalis, like the Abyssinians from whom they descend, present particular and atypical dresses. They are rarely found in other breeds. The hair is labeled. Ticking is composed of at least 4 bands of contrasting and alternating colors. The lighter band is always close to the skin and the darker band at the end. However, this ticking is not present all over the body: the belly, chest and inside of the paws are united. The different colors are:
Thus, Savana of Prometheus is the first Somalia hare tortie born in France, in 2001. She lived for 18 years. She took her dress from her red-haired father, Romanov from Kinjal known as Dreamer.
Silver can also be added to some dresses and brings a bright white and silver to the base color.
The Somali cat is an excellent companion. Less lively than his ancestor the Abyssinian, he is playful but never turbulent. Very cuddly and attached to his humans, he is also a terrible gourmand! He must therefore be able to exert himself. As happy with family as with a single person, he adapts to all situations. It is a cat that does not like to be alone and needs fairly sustained attention. He can quickly become unhappy if he feels abandoned. He is very demanding of caresses. Intelligent, he brings his good mood to the home. Curious, he likes to observe, discover, rummage, and remains alert to capture everything that is happening around him.
Each animal has its own character, history, and context and weaves a special relationship with the humans around it. While some character traits are often found in subjects of the breed, they are not systematic. This is what makes the magic of each cat, with its qualities, and its small defects that we appreciate so much!
A sociable cat, it easily accepts to live with congeners if they are presented to it in compliance with the protocol for introducing a new animal. He also gets along very well with dogs. Even if it is less lively than the Abyssinian, it must benefit from an enriched environment to be able to exercise: horizontal and vertical scratching posts, cat trees, and toys... especially if he lives in an apartment.
In a house, it is better to fence your garden to prevent it from wandering. Indeed, especially in the countryside, it can easily be confused with the small game on hunting days.
The Somalis love children very much if they have learned to respect cats.
Since he does not like solitude, he needs you to be present often in your home, otherwise, a little companion can help him pass the time, but will not solve his need for frequent hugs.
We ask ourselves many other questions when adopting a cat. Does he get along well with children? Is it a solitary cat, independent, or on the contrary hyper cuddly and very close to its master? Does he prefer the apartment or the large spaces? Another crucial point must be clarified before deciding on a particular breed: when the whole family is away, can the cat stay alone all day without risking depressing or ransacking the home? And if you own another animal - cat, dog, hamster, rabbit, turtle - it is better to set your sights on a sociable breed cat, who is playful, and in no way aggressive.
Each breed of cat has its own specificities, the lifestyle, the environment, the composition of the family but also the character of the master are elements to be taken into consideration. We, therefore, welcome the animal that has all the provisions to acclimatize without a problem.
Somali cat at a glance
- Other name(s): fox cat
- Life expectancy: 13 to 16 years
- Weight: 3.5 to 5 kg (female), 4 to 5.5 kg (male)
- Size: 30 to 35 cm at withers
- Silhouette: Foreign
- Hair: medium-long
- Dresses: hare, sorrel, blue, fawn, chocolate... ticketed
- Character: playful, affectionate, greedy
- Origin: USA
- Cat breed recognized by the LOOF: yes
History of the Somali cat breed
Originally, Somali was a "mistake of nature". This medium-haired cat from Abyssinian parents had nothing to do in the litter. It did not correspond to the standard, since the latter imposed a short hair. This little black sheep was therefore excluded from breeding programs and sold without pedigree because of its "defect". But 2 breeders fell under the spell of this ugly duckling. Mary Mailing presented it on display and its success was immediate. He even got from his judge a seduced look, which, it must be admitted, is not common for a cat that goes beyond the framework set by feline associations!
At the same time, Evelyn Mague, an American breeder, fell in love with these squirrel-tailed cats. She decided to launch a new breed by selecting them. In 1972, she obtained a litter consisting entirely of medium-haired Abyssinians and chose the name Somali because Somalia is the country located right next to Abyssinia (now called Ethiopia). The breed was recognized in the USA in 1979. The Somali is therefore directly descended from the Abyssinian.
In Europe, the first subjects arrived in 1977, especially in Germany. In France, they were imported in 1979 by Monique Prunier, cattery Marie Galante. The breed has been recognized in Europe since 1982.
Did you know? The Somali is a relatively rare cat in France since in 2021, the LOOF registered only 178 pedigrees of this breed (compared to more than 23,000 Maine Coons). It represents 0.29% of purebred cats with 2,667 subjects in total.
Physical characteristics of the Somali cat breed
The Somali is an elegant, bubbly cat with an exceptional coat and tail.
Its medium-sized body is thin and has athletic musculature. Males are larger than females. Its legs are thin and long. They end on small oval feet that contribute to its elegant and aerial gait. Its back, slightly arched, gives it a sporty silhouette.
Its head is triangular, but the contours are rounded. Above, rest large cup-shaped ears. These give a cat expression on the lookout for what surrounds him, ready to find his ideas of the little clown. Sometimes they are overhung with feathers, the tufts of hair at the end reminiscent of lynx. It is large, bright green, gold or light brown eyes are expressive. They are made of almonds and give their look intensity. Its muzzle is slightly rounded. As for its hair, it is mid-long, lying on the body, and shorter on the shoulders and backbone. It features a frill and royal breeches.
Finally, its tail is long, plume-shaped, wide at birth. It gradually refines to the tip.
The colors of Somali cat
The Somalis, like the Abyssinians from whom they descend, present particular and atypical dresses. They are rarely found in other breeds. The hair is labeled. Ticking is composed of at least 4 bands of contrasting and alternating colors. The lighter band is always close to the skin and the darker band at the end. However, this ticking is not present all over the body: the belly, chest and inside of the paws are united. The different colors are:
- Hare or ruddy: warm brown with black hairtips;
- Sorrel or cinnamon: lighter hare tending towards red, the color that most closely resembles the squirrel;
- Genetic red: red linked to a sex chromosome;
- Blue: grey-blue;
- Chocolate: dark brown;
- Lilac or lilac: pinkish grey;
- Cream or cream: light beige;
- Fawn or fawn: pinkish beige.
Thus, Savana of Prometheus is the first Somalia hare tortie born in France, in 2001. She lived for 18 years. She took her dress from her red-haired father, Romanov from Kinjal known as Dreamer.
Silver can also be added to some dresses and brings a bright white and silver to the base color.
The character of the Somali cat
The Somali cat is an excellent companion. Less lively than his ancestor the Abyssinian, he is playful but never turbulent. Very cuddly and attached to his humans, he is also a terrible gourmand! He must therefore be able to exert himself. As happy with family as with a single person, he adapts to all situations. It is a cat that does not like to be alone and needs fairly sustained attention. He can quickly become unhappy if he feels abandoned. He is very demanding of caresses. Intelligent, he brings his good mood to the home. Curious, he likes to observe, discover, rummage, and remains alert to capture everything that is happening around him.
Each animal has its own character, history, and context and weaves a special relationship with the humans around it. While some character traits are often found in subjects of the breed, they are not systematic. This is what makes the magic of each cat, with its qualities, and its small defects that we appreciate so much!
Ideal living conditions for Somali cat
A sociable cat, it easily accepts to live with congeners if they are presented to it in compliance with the protocol for introducing a new animal. He also gets along very well with dogs. Even if it is less lively than the Abyssinian, it must benefit from an enriched environment to be able to exercise: horizontal and vertical scratching posts, cat trees, and toys... especially if he lives in an apartment.
In a house, it is better to fence your garden to prevent it from wandering. Indeed, especially in the countryside, it can easily be confused with the small game on hunting days.
The Somalis love children very much if they have learned to respect cats.
Since he does not like solitude, he needs you to be present often in your home, otherwise, a little companion can help him pass the time, but will not solve his need for frequent hugs.
Grooming and maintenance of the Somali
Although it is semi-long-haired, it has a little undercoat and the latter is not woolly. It, therefore, has no knot problems unlike some breeds such as the Maine Coon or the Siberian. Its maintenance is therefore easy. A weekly brush stroke is enough, accompanied by many caresses. During molting, some additional brushing may be necessary, especially to prevent him from swallowing too much hair during his toilet, which could cause intestinal problems.
Clean his big ears and eyes from time to time with a special cat solution and suitable wipes.
Major health problems in Somali cat
The Somali is, like the Abyssinian, a robust cat. One of the diseases that affect the 2 breeds is amyloidosis. It attacks the kidneys. The appropriate treatment is that of renal failure, but it does not cure. In case of weight loss or appetite, consult a veterinarian as these are often the first symptoms of the disease.
2 other diseases are to be monitored:
- PKDef, a deficiency of an enzyme called pyruvate kinase. It causes anemia (the death of red blood cells).
- PRA or progressive retinal atrophy that leads to vision loss.
The Somali must be regularly vaccinated against feline diseases: typhus, coryza systematically + leukosis if he goes out + rage if he travels. It must also be dewormed regularly.
An annual veterinary check not only allows you to check if you are up to date but also to check your general condition.
Somali cat food
The Somali is very greedy and can tend to be overweight, which is harmful to his health. It is, therefore, necessary to monitor its weight. His bowl must be well balanced, without excess cereals or carbohydrates. It needs quality animal protein as well as good hydration.
Bi-nutrition, which combines kibble and pâtées, is quite suitable provided that you have made a rigorous selection.
Always leave at your disposal the special cat water fountain or a bowl of fresh water renewed every day.
The household ratio is less industrial but slightly more complicated to set up. If you are interested in this type of diet, our post on the 8 mistakes not to make brings you some leads.
Finally, raw feeding or BARF is an even more natural diet, but it requires serious skills, both in balance and in the mode of preservation, because of the bacteriological risk.
Somali cat Prize
A Somali kitten costs around 1,500 euros. Many factors influence the price: the prestige of the line, the intensity of the dress, the destination of the kitten (company, exhibition, reproduction ...).
For this price, the breeder must have carried out numerous genetic tests on breeders, rigorous veterinary monitoring of parents and kittens, regular vaccinations and deworming, socialization, mandatory identification and many other steps intended to provide you with a small cat well in its paws and in its head.
Sometimes breeders replace an adult cat for a lower price.
Otherwise, be aware that the associations have many cats whose dresses and characters can be close to those of the Somali cat.
celebrity Somali cat
We are not aware of any celebrities who have reported living with a Somali. Do not hesitate to point out in comment the name of such a personality if you know one.
Anecdotes about Somali cat
The Somali cat is nicknamed in the United States "Fox cat", fox cat because of its resemblance to its plume tail.
Errol.the.cat is a Somali hare followed by 116,000 people on Instagram. We see him making faces and behaving like a little clown in his human. He is a very worthy representative of the breed!
Our advice to choose your Somali cat
Several points should not be overlooked.
- Choose your breeder from an association of Somalis recognized by the LOOF to ensure his seriousness.
- Then ask the breeder to perform DNA screening for genetic diseases on the breeders (amyloidosis and progressive retinal atrophy) which will avoid any risk of transmission to the kitten.
- Never adopt a kitten before the age of 12 weeks, even if it is allowed to let them go as early as 8 weeks. Indeed, he is not yet weaned psychologically. He needs his mom to give him the last learning for a balanced pet cat life.
- You should always meet the breeder in real life to check the living conditions of his animals.
- Finally, the breeder must declare the litter to the LOOF. It is an obligation. You can check the digit here: range number.
How to distinguish a Somali cat from an Abyssinian?
The Somali and the Abyssinian are subject to the same standard. Their morphology is the same, with a foreign profile, and their dress is just as flamboyant. The only difference is in the length of the hair. The Somali wears a long coat and a tail in the plume, unlike the Abyssinian who is covered with short hair. It is also possible to mate cats of the 2 breeds.
To adopt a Somali is to welcome a cheerful drill whose elegance is matched only by good character. It brings peace into a home. It is a rare cat that deserves to be better known as it is a pleasant, affectionate, and adaptable companion. Its maintenance is easy, which is rare in a cat with a medium-long coat. It has it all!
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