Content
- Somali cat: origin
- Somali cat: physical characteristics
- Somali cat: personality
- Somali cat: care
- Somali cat: health
With many traits in common with the Abyssinian cat breed, it is often considered a broad-haired version. However, the Somali is much more than that, as it is a recognized breed, with some virtues, such as personality and intelligence, it also has an elegant and imposing bearing, with a beautiful coat that is a differential when compared with other similar races. Nowadays it is very popular and this is a consequence of its characteristics and for being an excellent companion. In this form of the Animal Expert you will know all about the Somali cat, check out:
Source- America
- Category IV
- thick tail
- small ears
- Strong
- Slender
- Small
- Medium
- Great
- 3-5
- 5-6
- 6-8
- 8-10
- 10-14
- 8-10
- 10-15
- 15-18
- 18-20
- Active
- Affectionate
- Intelligent
- Curious
- Cold
- Warm
- Moderate
- Medium
- Long
Somali cat: origin
It was in the 50s of the last century when the hybridization, made by breeders in the United States, New Zealand, Australia and Canada, between Abyssinian cats with Siamese, Angora and Persian cats appeared some examples with long hair. In the beginning, these individuals with longer fur than the congeners were despised and donated, since for the breeders it was more interesting to have a pedigree, however, with the passage of time and the succession of crosses, more and more offspring with these characteristics appeared. So, in the 60s, a Canadian breeder decided to separate these kittens with long fur and managed to establish the breed. The American breeder Evelyn Mague was who, in 1967, he managed to create in a controlled way.
In 1979, when the Somali cat breed was officially recognized for the first time, which was named that way because it comes from the Abyssinian cats, which originate from Ethiopia, a country that borders Somalia. The breed was recognized by the Cat Fancier Association (CFA) and then by the Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) in 1982.
Somali cat: physical characteristics
Somali is a cat of average size, weighing between 3.5 and 5 kilos, although there are some specimens that can weigh 7 kilos. The body is muscular and stylish, so it looks very elegant and majestic, the extremities are wide and slender, but at the same time they are strong and robust. Generally, life expectancy is between 9 and 13 years.
The Somali cat's head is triangular, with a soft slit that causes the forehead to be slightly swollen. The muzzle is widened and curved in shape. The ears are large and wide, with the termination at the tip marked and the furthest, as in the tail which is wide and similar to a feather duster, with thick and thick fur. The eyes are large and almond-shaped, with dark lids and colors ranging from green to gold.
The Somali cat's fur is semi-long, although on its tail and ears it is slightly longer than the rest of its body. This coat is dense and soft, it does not have a woolly coat, so, is a cold sensitive breed of cat. The colors of the fur are very particular, as different shades can appear in the same specimen. For example, the color is often lighter at the roots and darker until reaching the tips. The color ranges are: blue, yellow, fawn and reddish.
Somali cat: personality
The Somali cat is characterized by being active and happy, loves company and games with humans. It is a breed that has a lot of energy and needs to release all that energy to be more relaxed and avoid nervousness. The specimens of this breed are very intelligent, being easy to train, they easily learn some orders.
These animals love life abroad but manage to adapt to living in an apartment, although in these cases it is necessary to offer enough stimuli so that the cat does not get bored, can exercise and satiate curiosity. To do this, learn more about environmental enrichment for cats, as well as the benefits for your feline.
Somali cat: care
The Somali cat, having a semi-large coat, needs daily brushing, with a specific brush for the type of fur, in order to keep the coat healthy, free of dirt and dead hair. Hair maintenance is simple, as it does not tend to tangle and is not extremely wide. You can complete your brushing using products against hairballs, such as cat malt, petroleum jelly or oils specifically designed for this purpose.
It is necessary to provide quality food, with a diet rich in meat and with a lower proportion of cereals and by-products. It is also important to moderate the portions and frequency because it is a cat with a tendency to gluttony, despite being cats that practice a lot of physical activity, some dogs can develop overweight, obesity and other disorders that these conditions cause.
Also remember the importance of maintaining the condition of your nails, eyes, ears, mouths and teeth, as well as keeping vaccinations and deworming up to date. Visits to the veterinarian are recommended at least once or twice a year, so it is possible to prevent the cat from disease or diagnose possible changes in your pet's health early. It is essential, as mentioned before, a good environmental enrichment and also to practice intelligence games, scratchers with several levels, games that allow you to supply the hunting instinct.
Somali cat: health
The health of the Somali cat is really enviable, as it has no congenital diseases, being of the healthier and stronger breeds. However, despite the good predisposition of the Somali cat and the incredible genetics, it is important to keep the cat protected from contagious diseases, this you will achieve by following the vaccination schedule that will help you to prevent viral diseases but also lethal diseases such as feline rabies. For complete prevention, it is recommended to administer antiparasites, both external and internal, which keeps them free of fleas, ticks, lice and intestinal worms, all very harmful to the health of the pussy but also to human health, since there are zoonosis diseases, either say, that they can be transmitted to humans.