The Somali cat is called the fox face cat because it resembles a fox. The Somali cat enjoys life and loves to jump, play and climb everything. This is a highly intelligent and inquisitive cat that nothing escapes. This cat is mischievous and somewhat like a monkey with its’ antics.
History
The Somali is the longhaired variety of the Abyssinian, a cat whose origin is surrounded by many romantic tales. Despite his name, he’s not from Somalia (the next door neighbor to Ethiopia, formerly known as Abyssinia) but more likely the coast of the Indian Ocean and parts of Southeast Asia. He resembles a small African wildcat but is domestic through and through. Breeds that probably figured in his background include Siamese, Burmese and Russian Blues. The longhaired gene was introduced after World War II when breeders were trying to bring the breed back after the privations of the war.
It wasn’t until the 1960s that Somalis truly began to be developed as a breed. The Aby is highly popular, but the Somali is less well known.
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Traits
The Somali is a medium-sized cat with a long body and nicely developed muscles.
The Somali is moderate looking in all aspects with smooth planes on her head. She has a gentle dip in the triangular head. Her rather large ears sit tilted forward giving her an alert, aware look as if she is always paying attention to everything. The eyes, which look large in the face, show the alertness and intelligence inherent in the breed.
The coat on the Somali is full with exaggerated tufts of hair in the ears. The fur is soft without being woolly and the tail is fluffy like a fox’s tail. The coloring of the Somali is special. The majority of the fur has bands of color on each individual hair, with the coat looking darker along the spine line. The color on the body softens and lightens under the neck and the underside of the cat and the insides of the legs. She has a wild look about her, but is not at all extreme except in the color of the fur, which carries bands of color giving her a richness and depth not seen in other breeds.
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Photo by Rivaleraiesomali
Personality
With all the virtues of the Abyssinian and adorned by a gorgeous semi-long coat, the Somali is a beautiful and lively addition to any household. Don’t get a Somali if you want a cat that can be taken for a furry doorstop, or if you want a cat that will do your bidding. Like the Abyssinian, the Somali is active, curious, and high-spirited, and loves to prance around the house, opening cupboards and generally getting into mischief. Their voices are soft, their minds active, and their food dishes are always empty. They also tend to be determined cats: Once they get an idea in their furry little heads, there’s no dissuading them. They’re not aggressive or unfriendly, just tenacious.
Somalis are affectionate, but are not lap cats. They don’t like to be cuddled and would rather be near than on you. They do, however, want to be involved in every aspect of your life. Open a drawer and your Somali will be there to peer in.
Source Petfinder.com
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photo by Julia Shepeleva
Health
Though this breed is generally healthy and vigorous, they occasionally have problems with gingivitis, tooth decay, and amyloidosis — protein buildup in the organs. It should be noted that these problems are no more prevalent in the Somali than in any other breed. Another common affliction for all breeds of cats is feline infectious anemia (FIA). Less common in cats (more in dog breeds) is auto immune mediated hemolytic anemia (AIHA), but at least one breeder has reported that some lines of Somali are more prone to this condition.
Because the treatment for each condition is very different, if your Somali is showing signs of anemia, it is recommended that you ask your veterinarian to perform a blood work-up, including a packed cell volume (PCV) test.
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Care
The medium length coat of the Somali needs a moderate amount of grooming. Comb the coat once or twice a week with a stainless steel comb to remove dead hair, prevent or remove tangles, and distribute skin oils. In the spring, when the cat is shedding his winter coat, you may need to comb him daily. A bath when the cat is shedding will help to remove excess hair more quickly. Check the tail for bits of poop stuck to the fur and clean it off with a baby wipe.
Brush the teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is better than nothing. Trim the nails every couple of weeks. Wipe the corners of the eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. Use a separate area of the cloth for each eye so you don’t run the risk of spreading any infection. Check the ears weekly. If they look dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball or soft damp cloth moistened with a 50-50 mixture of cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the interior of the ear.
It’s a good idea to keep a Somali as an indoor-only cat to protect him from diseases spread by other cats, attacks by dogs or coyotes, and the other dangers that face cats who go outdoors, such as being hit by a car. Somalis who go outdoors also run the risk of being stolen by someone who would like to have such a beautiful cat without paying for it.
Somali Cat Breed
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