Somali
The Somali is essentially a long-haired Abyssinian — produced by a recessive longhair gene that had been present in Abyssinian lines since at least the 1940s.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United States
Lifespan
12–16 years
Weight
3–5.5 kg (6.5–12 lbs)
Height
20–25 cm (8–10 in)
Exercise
20 to 30 min/day
Diet
Obligate carnivore — high-quality food appropriate for a highly active cat.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
The Story
The Somali is essentially a long-haired Abyssinian — produced by a recessive longhair gene that had been present in Abyssinian lines since at least the 1940s. For many years, longhaired kittens appearing in Abyssinian litters were quietly rehomed without being registered. In the 1960s and 1970s, breeders in the USA and Australia began deliberately developing the longhaired variety as a separate breed — named Somali after Somalia, which neighbours Ethiopia (Abyssinia), reflecting the Abyssinian connection. The Somali shares every personality characteristic with the Abyssinian, with the addition of a spectacular ticked semi-long coat.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
The Somali has the same athletic, foreign-type body as the Abyssinian — long legs, large pointed ears, and large almond-shaped eyes. The defining difference is the coat — semi-long, dense, and fine, with the same ticked pattern (each hair banded with alternating light and dark) as the Abyssinian. The tail is full and bushy, and the facial expression is framed by tufts inside the ears. The combination of the fox-like face, ticked coat, and bushy tail gives the Somali the nickname "fox cat."
Grooming
Moderate
Shedding
Moderate
Coat Length
medium
Coat Type
silky
Brushing
2-3x-Weekly
Bathing
Rarely
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Identical to the Abyssinian — perpetually active, curious, and in motion. The Somali explores every corner, climbs everything, and demands interaction. They are intelligent and can learn complex behaviours. They are not lap cats — they prefer to be near their person but engaged in activity rather than resting. They do best in active households with enriched environments.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
4/5Attention Need
4/5Friendliness
4/5Playfulness
5/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
House-Small-Garden
Daily Exercise
20 to 30 min/day
Ideal Weather
15°C to 30°C
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor-Outdoor
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
40%
Attention
40%
Playfulness
50%
Communication Style
Vocal Profile
quiet
Stress Signals
over-grooming, destructive behaviour, excessive climbing, withdrawal
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •The semi-long ticked coat requires brushing 2–3 times weekly — it is less prone to matting than the Persian due to its finer texture, but the dense undercoat needs regular attention. High enrichment environment essential — cat trees, puzzle feeders, interactive play daily.
Nutrition Notes
Same as Abyssinian — PRA-rdAc, PkDef, renal amyloidosis. Long-haired Abyssinian. Hairball management. High-protein for athletic build.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
PRA-rdAc. PkDef. Renal amyloidosis. Gingivitis. Same as Abyssinian with longer coat. "Fox cat" — bushy tail. 11-16 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
400 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
280 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Same health profile as Abyssinian — progressive retinal atrophy (PRA-rdAc, DNA test available), renal amyloidosis, pyruvate kinase deficiency (DNA test available). Dental disease elevated.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Long-haired Abyssinian. Same DNA tests needed. India: suits climate.
Purchase Price
$800 to $2,000
Adoption Fee
$75 to $350
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
Somali cats were named after Somalia — not because the breed has any connection to Somalia, but because Somalia borders Ethiopia (formerly Abyssinia), linking the name to the parent breed.
The Somali's ticked coat is the same agouti gene pattern that produces the wild colouration of lions, rabbits, and many wild mammals — the banded hairs create a camouflage effect in nature.
Somali cats are one of the few breeds that actively enjoy puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys — their intelligence and hunting drive means they will spend extended periods working out how to access food.
