The Somali is a longhaired Abyssinian cat. Its hallmarks are a bright, rich coat brought to life by ticking and a bushy tail. That’s why the Somali is often compared to a little fox.
History of the Breed
The Somali’s roots trace back to Ethiopia, once known as Abyssinia. That’s where the well-known Abyssinian breed got its name, and its longhaired cats were called Somalis, after neighboring Somalia.
In the 1940s, British breeder Janet Robertson exported several Abyssinian kittens to Australia, New Zealand and North America. Some time later, their descendants produced kittens with long, fluffy coats.
In 1963, Canadian breeder Mary Mailing showed one of these cats at a cat show, where a judge noticed it and asked for it for his breeding program. Meanwhile, an Abyssinian belonging to American breeder Evelyn Mague also had longhaired kittens. She named them Somalis.
When the Canadian and American longhaired Abyssinians were bred together, the first official Somali cat, Mayling Tutsuta, was born. The CFA recognized the breed in 1979, and by 1991 it had been accepted by the major international registries.
Somali Breed Description
The Somali is a medium-sized cat weighing about 6.5–11 lb. The Abyssinian and Somali share the same standard; the only difference is coat length.
Here’s a detailed description of these cats according to the CFA:
- Head: a modified, slightly rounded wedge without flat planes. Neat lines of the brow, cheeks and profile. No pronounced whisker pinch or sharp, foxy muzzle;
- Eyes: large, almond-shaped, brilliant and expressive. They look as if they’ve been outlined with black eyeliner: dark lids stand out against lighter fur around the eyes. Color: gold or green, very deep and rich;
- Ears: large, alert, moderately pointed, broad and cupped at the base. Fluffy tufts of fur inside the ear; ear tufts at the tips are desirable;
- Body: medium length, lithe and graceful, with well-developed muscles, a rounded rib cage and a slightly arched back that gives the look of a cat about to spring;
- Legs: in proportion to the body, with oval paws. Standing, the Somali looks quick and nimble;
- Tail: a full brush, thick at the base and slightly tapering, in proportion to the body;
- Coat: medium-long, very soft to the touch, fine and double. The denser, the better. The coat may be shorter over the shoulders, but full side whiskers, a ruff, britches and tufts of fur between the toes are desirable.
Personality
The Abyssinian and Somali are very devoted, affectionate and smart cats. They’re highly interactive and curious about everything. So don’t look for them sleeping in a warm corner; you’ll find them roaming the tops of cabinets and the fridge.
These are remarkably playful cats. Even cat show judges note that Somalis simply can’t sit still. They can turn any object into a toy, so you need to keep an eye on them. Especially if you live on a high floor, make sure your Somali doesn’t jump out a window chasing a bird (window screens help). Better yet, set up tall cat trees with scratching posts at home.
Because they’re so active and curious, these cats don’t like being held for long.
The Somali is a great fit for families with children, where there’s always someone to play with. But it isn’t very friendly with other cats, since it doesn’t like sharing its owner’s attention.
Care and Health
Somalis live 11–16 years. Although these cats are very lively and active, they’re prone to some conditions, including periodontal disease, feline hyperesthesia syndrome, kneecap dislocation (patellar luxation, which can be hereditary), progressive retinal atrophy and kidney amyloidosis.
Caring for a Somali involves the standard set: brushing 1–2 times a week, monthly baths, daily tooth brushing and weekly ear cleaning. During shedding season, brush your cat every day; you can bathe it more often too.
To keep your Somali in athletic shape, feed it food that’s high in protein and low in fat. These cats also benefit from conjugated linoleic acid (found in meat and dairy) for muscle development and L-carnitine to help burn fat for energy. These recommendations apply if you feed a homemade diet. Quality commercial cat food usually already includes all the necessary vitamins and nutrients.
Colors
Here’s what a Somali looks like:
The Somali’s coat is a warm, glowing color with clear and sometimes contrasting ticking. The undercoat is usually a bright color, lighter than the rest. The standards prefer cats without markings on the belly, chest and legs, and the tail shouldn’t have rings. Instead, there should be darker shading along the spine to the tip of the tail, as well as on the hocks, elbows, cheeks and whisker pads.
A vertical line is “drawn” above each eye, rising toward the ears. The ticked color on the back and tail blends with a solid, lighter color on the underside.
Somali colors include:
- Ruddy (wild), traditional for Abyssinians
- Red (sorrel)
- Blue
- Fawn (lilac)
Keep in mind that a Somali kitten’s final color and ticking take a long time to develop.
How Much Does a Somali Kitten Cost?
In the US, a Somali kitten from a reputable breeder typically costs about $1,000–3,000, with an average of around $1,800. As usual, the price depends on the kitten’s sex, looks and pedigree; rarer colors cost more.
Where to Buy a Somali
The Abyssinian is one of the best-known breeds in the world, so it’s bred in practically every country. And where there are Abyssinians, there are almost always Somalis. Somalis are still fairly rare, though, so expect to wait for a kitten even after you find a good breeder. Both the CFA and TICA recognize the breed:
- CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) Find a Breeder – https://find-a-breeder.cfa.org/;
- TICA (The International Cat Association) breeder listings – https://tica.org/find-a-cat/find-a-cat-breeder-listings/;
If you buy a Somali through classified ads, always check reviews of the seller, and ask for registration papers and a health guarantee.
