Are Somali cats rare?
The Abyssinian is a very rare cat breed, with its long-haired Somali cat cousin being rarer still. Anyone looking to offer a Somali cat a home must be prepared to pay a relatively high price, especially if you are looking to take home more than just one.
How can you tell if a cat is Somali?
The Somali’s coat is generally long but its tail is especially bushy with thick fur….Look for a full, long, multi-colored coat.
- The ticking on the Somali’s coat is the same as on an Abyssinian, but the Somali’s fur is longer.
- The Somali’s chest fur may also be slightly bushy in comparison to the rest of the cat’s coat.
Are there black Somali cats?
Colors and patterns The usual or ruddy Somali is golden brown ticked with black. Other colors that may be accepted by some registries include chocolate, lilac, red, cream, usual-tortie, sorrel-tortie, blue-tortie, fawn-tortie, chocolate-tortie, lilac-tortie, and silver variants of these (e.g. blue-tortie silver).
What color are Somali cats?
Appearance. The Somali comes in four recognized colors: red, ruddy, fawn, and blue. Internationally, there are some breeders who trade in Somalis with tortoiseshell ticked or tabby ticked coats, but those are rare and not generally recognized colors by most breeders or breed associations.
Are Somali cats cuddly?
The Somali is loving and affectionate and loves to spend time with her parent. While the Somali is a long haired cat, the coat is easy to care for since it is not woolly. A daily brushing as part of play time will keep the Somali’s coat soft and silky.
How smart are Somali cats?
Somali cats are highly intelligent. The Somali breed is good natured and playful and enjoy games and toys. Somali cats may be shyer and more independent than their Abyssinian cousins but enjoy human company.
Do Somali cats like to cuddle?
The Somali is loving and affectionate and loves to spend time with her parent. While the Somali is a long haired cat, the coat is easy to care for since it is not woolly.
Are Somalis Abyssinians?
Somalis are actually a medium-hair Abyssinian. They appeared around the 1950s. Some attribute their appearance to a genetic mutation, while others believe they were the result of forbidden crossbreed-ing between an Abyssinian and a long-hair.
Are Somali cats calm?
The Somali is an active cat who loves to jump and play. This company can be provided by another cat or when people are not at home. They will play with their own toys for hours, but also enjoy a good period of time of interactive play with their parents. Somalis will talk in their soft, quiet voice.
Do Somali cats shed a lot?
Despite the long fur, Somalis don’t shed on a regular basis. Instead, they shed their coats in a large quantity twice a year or so. The coat is ticked, a variant of tabby markings. While some Somali cats may have a full tabby coat, this is not an acceptable breed pattern.
Can Somali cats be left alone?
These gorgeous cats may have a lot in common with their parent breed, but they’ve developed some adorable traits of their own. Somalis are great family pets, and will get along with everyone from children to other pets. They’d much rather be in the care of a friendly Pet Sitter than left alone for too long.
Are Somali cats affectionate?
The Somali is loving and affectionate and loves to spend time with her parent. While the Somali is a long haired cat, the coat is easy to care for since it is not woolly. Somalis are active cats and generally will keep their weight under control with compensating exercise.
Where does the name Somali cat come from?
The Somali cat is often described as a long-haired African cat; a product of a recessive gene in Abyssinian cats, though how the gene was introduced into the Abyssinian gene pool is unknown. It is believed that they originated from Somalia, long lost cousin of the Abyssinian cat; which has origins in Ethiopia.
What kind of hair does a Somali cat have?
Somalis are often said to look as if they are walking on tip-toe. Swishing behind them is a full brush, or tail, thick at the base and slightly tapering at the end. Its bands of color give the Somali’s coat a warm, glowing appearance. To the touch, the medium-length hair is soft and silky with a fine texture.
Are there any health issues with Somali cats?
The Somali cat is usually healthy, with few breed-related health issues, though some problems may occur. These include gingivitis, tooth decay, and renal amyloidosis, which are also seen in many other breeds of cats.
What kind of home should a Somali Cat live in?
Somalis are adaptable throughout their lives and fit well into any home where they are loved and given plenty of attention. In a home where people are at work or school during the day, the Somali does best with a companion, ideally another Somali or Aby, who can match his activity level.