Discovering the Somali Cat: A Comprehensive Guide to This Unique Breed

People usually land on Somali cat pages when they’re weighing up a breed that’s lively, clever, and a little more “in the room” than the average cat. The practical questions follow quickly: what do they actually look like, how much grooming is real, and are there any breed-linked health problems worth screening for?

The Somali is essentially a longhaired Abyssinian—athletic, alert, and busy. The coat is softer than it looks, the tail really is a plume, and the energy level is not a rumour. The details below focus on what’s consistent across reputable breed standards and veterinary sources, with the handful of health risks that matter most for owners and breeders.¹

Size: Medium

Weight: Females ~2.7–3.6 kg (6–8 lb); males ~3.6–4.5 kg (8–10 lb) (typical adult ranges)¹

Coat: Medium-length, soft and silky; “ticked” (agouti) pattern

Colours: Commonly ruddy/usual, sorrel/red, blue, fawn; silver varieties also occur (plus additional colours depending on registry)^{1, 2}

Temperament: Highly interactive, curious, active

Life span: Often well into the teens with good care (ranges vary by source)¹

Grooming: Usually light-to-moderate; brushing helps with loose hair and hairballs

Known health risks: Not “none” — some lines are associated with inherited eye disease (PRA) and pyruvate kinase deficiency; dental disease can also be an issue in some lines^{1, 3, 4, 5}

Activity level: High; needs daily play and climbing outlets

Shedding: Moderate; often heavier through seasonal coat changes

History and origin

The Somali developed from longhaired kittens appearing in Abyssinian lines. The longhair trait is recessive, so it can sit quietly in a population and then surface when two carriers are paired. Over time, breeders began selecting for the longer coat while keeping the Abyssinian’s “ticked” pattern and athletic build, and the Somali became recognised as a separate breed in major registries.¹

Physical characteristics

Overall build

Somalis are medium-sized, lithe, and muscular—built for springing up onto high perches and staying there. The silhouette is “foreign type” rather than cobby: longer lines, fine-to-medium bone, and a sense of ready movement even at rest.¹

Coat and colour

The signature is the ticked coat: each hair has bands of colour, creating a warm, shimmering look rather than stripes or spots. Depending on the registry, you’ll see core colours such as ruddy/usual, sorrel/red, blue, and fawn, with silver versions also recognised. Some registries list a wider palette beyond those basics.^{1, 2}

Tail, ears, and eyes

The tail is full and plume-like, one of the breed’s most obvious markers. Ears are large and alert. Eyes are often described as almond-shaped and can range through gold and green tones, framed by darker facial markings that read like fine “eyeliner” (a pigment pattern rather than a special structure).¹

Temperament and behaviour

Somalis tend to stay busy. They investigate cupboards, follow movement around the house, and prefer to be near the centre of activity without necessarily wanting to be carried about. Many enjoy learning routines and will persist with puzzle toys or training games longer than you’d expect from a cat with this much physical energy.¹

They often do well in families where someone is home enough to provide company, conversation, and play. In quieter homes they can still thrive, but they usually need deliberate enrichment—climbing space, window perches, and daily interaction—so the intelligence doesn’t curdle into mischief.¹

Training and exercise needs

Mental stimulation matters

For this breed, exercise is not just running. It’s problem-solving. Rotating toys, offering food puzzles, and changing the “hunt” (feather wand one day, treat trail the next) helps prevent boredom behaviours such as pestering, scavenging, or relentless night-time zoomies.¹

Practical ways to burn energy

• Short, frequent play bouts: two or three 10-minute sessions can work better than one long session.
• Vertical territory: tall cat trees, shelves, or a safe access route to high perches.
• Reward-based training: many Somalis respond well to treats and praise for simple cues (touch, come, sit), especially if sessions are brief.

Health and lifespan

Health issues to know about (and screen for)

Somalis are often robust, but it’s not accurate to say there are “no breed-specific issues”. Two inherited eye conditions are well described in Abyssinian/Somali lines, and DNA tests are available for both:

• PRA (Rdy / rod-cone dysplasia): an early-onset condition where affected kittens become blind very young; UC Davis lists it as seen in Abyssinian and Somali cats and provides a DNA test.³
• PRA (rdAc): a later-onset progressive retinal atrophy with gradual vision loss, often leading to blindness by adulthood; also testable via DNA.⁴

Some breed resources also note pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency in the Somali, another inherited condition with DNA testing available in relevant labs and often screened by responsible breeders.¹

Dental disease (including gingivitis) is commonly mentioned in breed guidance for Somalis and is worth treating as routine prevention rather than a surprise—regular home dental care and veterinary checks make a noticeable difference over a lifetime.¹

Renal amyloidosis: more relevant to the Abyssinian, but worth awareness

Renal amyloidosis is described as uncommon in cats overall but disproportionately associated with Abyssinians, with heritability suspected. Because Somali and Abyssinian populations are closely related, it’s sensible to discuss kidney health history with breeders and keep up with regular veterinary monitoring, especially as your cat ages.^{6, 7}

How long do Somali cats live?

Reported lifespan ranges vary, but many Somalis live well into the teens with good routine care, a healthy body condition, and early management of dental or genetic issues where they occur.¹

Grooming and maintenance

The Somali’s coat is longer, not woollier. It tends to be soft and relatively low-maintenance compared with heavier longhaired breeds, though regular brushing still helps remove loose hair and reduces hairballs. Many owners find a quick brush once or twice a week is enough most of the year, with extra grooming during seasonal shedding.¹

Keep nails trimmed and check ears periodically. If your cat is prone to gingivitis, start toothbrushing early, using a vet-approved toothpaste, and build it as a calm habit rather than a wrestling match.¹

Diet and nutrition

Somalis are active cats with good appetites. A complete and balanced diet suited to their life stage (kitten, adult, senior) supports coat quality and lean muscle, and measured meals can be a better fit than free-feeding for cats that tend to overeat.¹

Fresh water matters. Some cats drink more readily from a fountain or when water is placed away from food, which can help support urinary and kidney health over the long term.¹

Fun facts (kept factual)

• The “fox cat” nickname is widely used, largely because of the plume tail and warm, ticked coat pattern.¹
• The name “Somali” was chosen to echo “Abyssinian”; it does not indicate the modern breed originated in Somalia.¹

Final thoughts

A Somali tends to suit people who enjoy an engaged, athletic companion—one that wants height, novelty, and daily interaction. Choose lines carefully, ask what genetic screening a breeder performs, and plan your home around climbing space and play. Do that, and the Somali’s restlessness turns into something closer to grace: a small, quick animal moving neatly through its world.¹

References

1. The International Cat Association (TICA) – Somali
2. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) – Somali
3. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA Rdy) (Abyssinian)
4. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA rdAc) (Abyssinian)
5. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Cat (genetic disease testing overview)
6. Cornell Feline Health Center – Renal Amyloidosis
7. Merck Veterinary Manual (Cat Owners) – Amyloidosis in Cats
8. PubMed – Renal amyloidosis in related Abyssinian cats
9. PubMed – Familial renal amyloidosis in Abyssinian cats