The Somali is a long-haired Abyssinian — the result of a recessive gene for long hair that occasionally appeared in Abyssinian litters and was eventually developed into its own breed. The Somali carries all of the Abyssinian's athleticism, curiosity, and intelligence, wrapped in a spectacular semi-long ticked coat and a dramatically bushy fox-like tail. They are extraordinarily beautiful and tirelessly active.
The Somali is known for activity but people sometimes expect aloofness to go with it. Mine isn't aloof at all — she's warm and openly affectionate with her people, just also in constant motion. She'll stop mid-sprint for a brief intensive cuddle and then continue. The affection is real; it just come…
Read full review →The Somali is not a companion for passive or busy owners. She requires daily interactive play, environmental enrichment, and consistent engagement. With all of this she's extraordinary. Without it, the energy and intelligence find less desirable outlets. Be honest about your daily availability befor…
Read full review →My first Somali came into my life four years ago and I have been completely converted. I now have two and my home has never been livelier, funnier, or more entertaining. They've made me a more active person by demanding engagement and rewarded every minute of it with genuine warmth and extraordinary…
Read full review →The Somali thrives on engagement. My boy participates in everything — cooking, working, exercising. He investigates bags, boxes, and new objects with methodical thoroughness. He's learned to respond to his name reliably and has a growing understanding of phrases I use regularly. Living with him feel…
Read full review →A bored Somali is a problem. Mine went through a destructive phase when work got busy and I couldn't give him sufficient playtime. Puzzle feeders, solo-play toys, and eventually a second cat solved the problem. But new owners should know: the Somali is not content to simply exist in your home. It ne…
Read full review →My Somali does things I didn't think cats could do. She springs vertically from standing, navigates between furniture in ways that seem to defy physics, and has caught insects in mid-air on multiple occasions. Watching her move at full speed is genuinely breathtaking. The athleticism of this breed i…
Read full review →Our Somali lives happily with an Abyssinian and the two of them have bonded around shared activity. They race around together, play chase, and sleep in a pile. The Somali's energy matches the Abyssinian well. Pairing energetic breeds works beautifully — they entertain each other when I can't provide…
Read full review →My Somali brings the same endless energy as an Abyssinian but somehow carries it with more poise. She investigates everything at speed but lands gracefully, plays enthusiastically but never chaotically. The combination of activity and elegance is genuinely beautiful to watch. An extraordinary cat to…
Read full review →The Somali coat texture and pattern is unique in the cat world — the multi-banded ticking creates a shimmering, iridescent effect that catches light beautifully. My ruddy Somali looks golden in sunlight. It sounds like high maintenance but the semi-long coat is actually straightforward: weekly brush…
Read full review →The Somali has been called the fox cat for good reason — the bushy tail, the ticked agouti coat, the athletic build. My girl looks like she belongs outdoors but has completely committed to the domestic life. She's everything the Abyssinian is, plus a spectacular coat. Active, curious, beautiful — a …
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