Somali cat Characteristics, Colors & Personality Guide

Somali Cats are considered to be one of the most beautiful and elegant cats in the world. With their attractive appearance and playful nature, they are bound to melt hearts.

A Somali cat is the perfect blend of wit and tenderness. With those captivating, playful fox-like eyes and a coat so silky, they are the pets that no one can resist. Hence, they are also given the title of “the cat with the smiling face”.

It is due to their mischievous, playful and energetic nature that this breed is mostly seen in show rings. Their personality is such that it will lift up anyone’s mood with their cute and intelligent stunts.

Interested in adopting a Somali kitten, or wondering what a Somali cat looks like? Want to know more about Somali cat characteristics? We will answer all your questions in our guide here.

Wondering Where These Originate From?

The Somali cat origin has a somewhat vague history. Still, they are essentially a longer-haired variant of the Abyssinian breed. This cat breed, Somali, was founded in the early 1900s when breeders started selectively breeding the Abyssinian cats.

A result was these Somali cats, which were then recognised for their beauty and classified as a separate breed in themselves.

They are often seen as a refined and feline version of a fox, with those beautiful almond-shaped eyes and long hair. They quickly gained prominence and were loved by cat enthusiasts, who started breeding these cats.

Therefore, the Somali cat breed is rare and unique, and is now accepted by all big cat associations.

Appearance of This Fox-like Feline Companion

The magnificent coat and the bewitching eyes are the most prominent features of a Somali cat appearance. Somali cats have a ticked, designed fur, resembling the Abyssinian. The length is medium-long fur, and silky in texture.

Notable features of the Somali cat

● Muscular body: Somali cats have a muscular and well-balanced build. Owing to their flexible and agile bodies, these cats are a very popular choice in cat or ring shows.

● Eyes: The fox-like, huge eyes are always attentive to their surroundings and whereabouts. A playful yet mischievous look is present in the Somali cat’s eyes.

● Large ears: Huge tufted ears, giving a wild-cat impression. They have expressive faces, all giving a fierce and attentive look to them. They are often made to resemble a cougar.

● Bushy tail: A feature similar to a fox is their long, bushy tail. Another distinctive feature is the existence of small amounts of hair between their toes.

The Somali kitten or a cat all come in varying colours, adding to their beauty. The Somali cat colours are distinct in their shades, elevating their overall charm.

They come in different colours and shades, appealing to all. You will definitely find a perfect fit yourself.

Somali Cat Colours: Radiant Shades Elevating Their Beauty

There is something about the colour of the Somali cats that adds to their appeal. They come in twenty-eight different shades, increasing their overall look and beauty.

The shade Ruddy is the most common of all when it comes to Somali cat appearance. This is a warm brown gold shade, which is most commonly seen in this cat breed. Red is another shade to be found in Somali cats. This hue is bright and striking, providing Somalis with an eye-catching appearance.

People looking for a warm and elegant-looking Somali cat can go for a Fawn-coloured Somali. The Blue Somali cat is also another breathtaking animal that appeals to many. This is a cool blue-gray shade, adding to the uniqueness of this cat breed.

Another beautiful colour that these cats come in is the Black Somali Cat. This shade brings forth a rare and enigmatic variant of this unique cat breed.

Somali Cat Characteristics: The Unique And Playful

Amiable and social are two dominant characteristics in a Somali cat’s personality. They are loving and devoted when it comes to their personality and their activities, and life revolves around their owners.

Curious and Energetic Nature

A Somali cat’s personality has curiosity and clinginess as very important parts as they follow their owners around everywhere. They love interacting and are highly energetic, meaning they remain busy all the time.

Active Through All Life Stages

Be it a Somali kitten or a full-grown Somali cat, they are not like other cat breeds which tend to become lazy as they become an adult. In fact, they thrive in environments with lots of stimulation.

Full-Time Entertainment at Home

Owning a Somali cat means having full-time entertainment at home, with their unique actions and their constant hyperactivity. Moreover, they are very loyal creatures and love to help out with house chores too.

Quirky Communication Style

A unique feature of a Somali cat’s personality is also that they are talkative in their own way and try to communicate with their owner in their own quirky style.

Mischief and Playful Adventures

These muscular and flexible felines love being involved in something and can create their own definition of fun when they are not stimulated enough. Climbing on the curtains or dropping things from the kitchen shelves are some of the many things that you can expect from them. They are mischief mongers, in short.

Keeping Them Engaged

To keep these pet animals active and involved, it is important for the owners to be equipped with toys or interactive items to keep these cats busy. You can check out the vast collection of toys and other essentials at WOPet.

Somali Cat Lifespan, Grooming, and Diet Guide

An average Somali cats lifespan is 12 to 16 years. They are generally well-doing creatures, but some medical conditions can occur.

● Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): A set of inheritable diseases that cause the cells of your cat’s retina to gradually degenerate, leading to blindness.

● Patellar luxation: A situation in which a cat’s knee cap gets displaced, leading to acute pain and arthritis as well as in the future.

● Amyloidosis: An issue related to the kidney or liver, leading to raised blood pressure or organ failure.

To avoid these diseases in your Somali kitten, it is important to ensure a balanced diet for them. To help you with this agenda, automatic feeders from WOPet can be very helpful. This can ensure timely feeding and an exact proportion of meals.

Grooming

● Brushing the coat once a week is sufficient to make it tangle-free. A steel comb would do the job. However, when it is the shedding season, then brushing needs to be more frequent.

● Clipping the claws once every two weeks.

● Brush your Somali cat’s teeth regularly. Timely vet visits are also important.

Diet

● Somali cats have a great appetite owing to their hyperactive nature. Therefore, good quality food is needed and should be fed twice daily.

● They should be fed high-protein food.

● Fresh and clean water at all times for your cat is very important to keep them hydrated. At WOPET, you can find the perfect pet water fountain for your Somalis.

● As aforementioned, timely meals are very important. The best tool for this is to use automatic pet feeders from WOPet.

Exercise And Training 

● Due to their energetic nature, Somali cats should be exercised more than other cat breeds. Taking out your Somali cats several times a day will allow them to burn off their excessive energy.

● Leashed walks are also good for them.

● Training Somali cats is easier due to their energetic and playful nature. Using positive reinforcements while training is more beneficial.

● Regular training sessions are recommended.

Somali Vs Other Cat Breeds

Somali cats, compared to their feline counterparts, are much more loyal, energetic, and affectionate. Persian cats are peaceful creatures, while Ragdolls live for nothing more than relaxing. Somali cats, on the other hand, are adventurous.

The loyalty of the Somali cat is likened to that of a dog. They will accompany you in every room in the house, assist you in all your daily chores, and enjoy communication. Other cat breeds are affectionate but not as agile as these Somali felines are.

A Somali cat would be the ideal cat if you are looking to find a pet cat that is active and fond of playing and spending time with its owners..

Conclusion

A Somali cat’s charming, witty, and radiant personality and inexhaustible energy make them unique in the feline community. They are a great breed with a loving nature, and they are available in different and bright colours, adding to their charm.

Cat lovers who are looking for interactive and energetic cats, then this is the perfect fit. These cats would keep you on your toes, and you need to match their energy.

Somali cats’ lifestyle is such that they would need some essential items to maintain a healthy life. Items like automatic feeders, water fountains, and stimulating toys available at WOPet can really enhance the Somali cat’s life and their lifespan.