Somali

About the breed

The Somali cat is the semi-longhaired sibling of the Abyssinian, recognizable by its bushy tail, tufted ears, and warm, agouti ('ticked') coat with a shimmering, metallic look. In size and build it closely resembles the Abyssinian - in fact, it is essentially that breed's longhaired variety, arising from the same gene pool. Somalis are medium-sized, athletic, and remarkably energetic cats, prized for their curious, playful, and highly social nature. The listed origin 'Ethiopia/USA' reflects the breed's dual background: its name comes from the country neighboring historic Abyssinia (modern Ethiopia), while the breed's actual development into a distinct, recognized breed took place in North America in the mid-20th century.

Somali and Abyssinian: the longhaired cousin

The Somali did not arise as an independent breed - it is the longhaired variety of the Abyssinian cat (featured on this site under Abyssinian), and the two share the same scientific name, Felis catus, and the same bloodlines. The longhair gene is recessive and had appeared sporadically for decades in litters of purebred Abyssinians without breeders deliberately selecting for it, since the shorthaired form is genetically dominant; longhaired kittens were born only when both parents carried the same hidden recessive gene. According to some breed accounts, Canadian breeder Mary Mailing showed such a cat at a local show as early as 1963, catching the attention of judge Ken McGill. The best-documented role in the breed's development, however, belongs to American Abyssinian breeder Evelyn Mague, who noticed the same trait in her own cats in the mid-1960s and, in 1965, produced a kitten named George - one of the first deliberately recognized longhaired Abyssinians. Mague named the emerging breed Somali after Somalia, the country bordering historic Abyssinia (today's Ethiopia); the name was purely a geographic and symbolic choice, as there was no actual breeding activity in Somalia itself. The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) granted the Somali championship status in 1979.

Appearance and coat

The Somali is a medium-sized, athletic cat with a wedge-shaped head, large tufted ears, and large, expressive eyes. Its most distinctive feature is the ticked (agouti) coat, in which each individual hair carries several alternating bands of light and dark color, giving the coat a shimmering, almost metallic glow. The coat is semi-long to long, soft and fine, without a dense undercoat prone to matting, with pronounced britches on the hind legs and a full, plumed tail. Recognized colors include ruddy, cinnamon, blue, and fawn, with some associations also accepting chocolate and lilac.

Temperament

Somalis are considered one of the most energetic and inquisitive cat breeds. They stay playful throughout their lives, love climbing, jumping, and investigating every corner of the home, and are notorious for their skill at opening cabinets and drawers. Despite their high energy, they are deeply attached to people - they want to be near family members, follow them from room to room, and show affection through head-butts and kneading. They are not cats that thrive being left alone without stimulation for long periods.

Activity and living space

Because of their exceptional energy and need for movement, Somalis are not an ideal choice for a small apartment without additional environmental enrichment. They need tall cat trees, climbing shelves, and daily interactive play, otherwise they may become destructive or develop separation anxiety. In a sufficiently large, enriched space - including an apartment - they can do well, but the owner must provide enough vertical space and playtime, which is why we classify the breed as only conditionally suited to apartment living.

Health

Because the Somali shares its genetic foundation with the Abyssinian, it also shares some of the same hereditary conditions. Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency is an inherited red blood cell metabolic disorder that causes hemolytic anemia; in Somalis, the mutant allele's frequency has been estimated at 10-28% in some populations, so genetic testing before breeding is recommended, and required by some registries such as the GCCF. Alongside the Abyssinian and several other breeds, the Somali is also listed among the breeds susceptible to late-onset progressive retinal atrophy (PRA-rdAc), a hereditary retinal degeneration caused by a mutation in the CEP290 gene that leads to gradual blindness between three and five years of age; a reliable genetic test exists for this condition as well. Renal (kidney) amyloidosis is a well-documented hereditary disease in Abyssinians, though it is less precisely studied in Somalis in the scientific literature - nonetheless, the CFA's own breed page mentions it as a condition prospective Somali owners should discuss with their breeder, since no genetic test for it currently exists.

Grooming

Despite its long coat, the Somali is not demanding to groom, since the coat lacks a dense undercoat and rarely mats or tangles - weekly brushing is usually enough, with more frequent brushing recommended during heavier shedding periods. Regular dental care is also important, as cats of this genetic group are prone to gum disease, along with routine nail trimming.

Suitability for families

Somalis are sociable cats that generally get along well with children and other pets, since they are social by nature and enjoy company. However, because of their high demands for attention, play, and environmental enrichment, they are not the best fit for completely inexperienced owners or households where the cat would spend most of the day alone - without enough stimulation, they can become anxious or destructive. The ideal owner is active, has time for daily play, and is ready to offer the cat a rich, vertically enriched environment.

Pros & cons