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Somali Cat Breed Introduction
The Somali Cat, also known as the Fox Cat or long-haired Abyssinian, is an active and intelligent domesticated cat breed. It was first introduced in Australian cat shows in 1965 under the name long-haired Abyssinian. Fox cats can thrive in any family environment as long as they receive sufficient mental and physical stimulation.
They come in various colors such as ruddy, cinnamon, red, blue, fawn, chocolate, or lilac. These moderate wedge-shaped cats have large almond-shaped eyes and semi-long hair. Their fur is shorter and closer to the body, while it is longer around the neck, legs, and tail. They are quite vocal and require an extensive outdoor space to play and exercise. Owners must provide them with plenty of climbing branches and lounging platforms for their comfort.
Origin
British breeder Janet Robertson exported the first Abyssinian kittens to Australia, North America, and New Zealand, which later produced kittens with long or fuzzy coats. In 1953, the first long-haired Abyssinian, known as ‘Raby Chuffa of Selene’, made an appearance in North America. Most breeders assume that the long-haired gene in Fox cats was passed down through its ancestry.
Evelyn Mague who is an American Abyssinian breeder was fortunate enough to receive longhairs from her cats, which she named “Somalis”. She then teamed up with Don Richings, another Canadian breeder, and worked on the breed. The CFA recognized the breed in North America in 1979, and Europe accepted it in 1982. The breed’s name “Somali” is derived from the African nation Somalia.
The Fox Cat is a unique interpretation of the Ethiopian-Somali conflict. Evelyn also founded the Somali Cat Club of America, which has Canadian members as well. The CFA established the International Somali Cat Club in 1975.
Somali Cat Lifespan
Fox cats have a lifespan of 12 to 16 years.
Grooming
The Fox cats are known for their beautiful semi-long-haired coat that adds to their charm. However, maintaining their coat requires regular grooming. To keep their coat healthy and shiny, it is recommended to brush them twice a week using a fine-toothed brush or de-matting comb. Brushing helps to remove dead hairs and prevent matting, leaving the cat looking neat. In addition to brushing, Fox cats also require bathing once a month.
This is important to remove excess coat oil and dirt that may accumulate over time. It is essential to use a mild shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for cats to avoid skin irritation. Bathing also reduces allergens for individuals who may be sensitive to cat hair. After bathing, dry the cat using a towel and comb the coat to keep it neat and avoid tangling. To maintain their hygiene, it is recommended to trim the cat’s nails every two weeks.
This will prevent the nails from growing too long and causing discomfort or injury to the cat. Also, it is important to clean Fox cats’ ears with a cotton ball or soft cloth dampened with appropriate veterinary ear cleanser to keep them free of debris or wax. In addition, brushing their teeth using a toothbrush and formulated toothpaste twice a week is crucial for maintaining their dental hygiene.
Shedding
These cats do shed but not heavily. However, they shed their thick, winter coat in spring to allow free air circulation in spring. After spring, they will shed the spring coat in preparation for winter.
Coat
They have a semi long-haired coat with longer hairs around the neck, legs, and tail.
Somali Cat Hypoallergenic
Fox cats are not hypoallergenic cats because they shed their semi-long-haired coat. As they shed, they spread the hair and dander around which contains Fel d 1 protein which causes difficulty in breathing, hives, and irritated eyes in allergic people. Also, the cat’s saliva and urine still carry the allergen protein. Thus, the Fox cats are not good cats for allergic people.
Training
Fox cats are renowned for their intelligence and independence. They can be trained, but positive reinforcement is necessary. Thanks to their cleverness, they can learn commands and tricks quickly, making training sessions fun and interactive. During the learning process, it’s important to engage them with interactive games, as they respond very well to play-based training.
Socialization is crucial for Fox cats to avoid shyness. Owners and trainers can socialize them in new environments, with different people, and other animals to boost their confidence. Additionally, Fox cats should learn basic command words such as “come,” “sit,” “high five,” and “no.” It’s crucial to praise and reward Fox cats for good behavior instead of punishing them for bad behavior. Create effective housebreaking rules such as early crate training, potty training, and feeding schedules from an early age.
Somali Cat Characteristics
- Lively.
- Alert.
- Curious.
- Intelligent.
- Independent.
- Inquisitive.
- Energetic.
- Friendly.
- Mischievous.
Behavior
They are social cats who enjoy some company from other cats or owners. They also love to play with their toys for hours and can be involved in everything, brilliant at climbing, jumping, and levitating.
Appearance
These cats have moderately wedge-shaped heads, large almond-shaped eyes, and semi-long hair. The fur lies shorter and closer to the body, but longer around the neck, legs, and tail. Additionally, these animals come in various colors including ruddy, cinnamon, blue, red, fawn, chocolate, or lilac.
Exercise
They are outdoor cats who spend time with their owners. The cats love to play fetch on occasion with their owners which boosts their health, physical, and mental growth.
Meow
Fox cats are not overly vocal cats but will emit soft meows and trills. They will meow only when socializing or greeting their owners.
Somali Cat Size
They stand at a height of 7 to 11 inches ( approx. 18 to 28 cm ). The male fox weighs 8 to 10 pounds ( approx. 3.6 to 4.5 kg ) while the female Fox cats weigh 6 to 8 pounds ( approx. 2.7 to 3.6 kg ).
Other cat breeds include:
Height
Fox cats stand at a height of 7 to 11 inches ( approx. 18 to 28 cm ).
Weight
The Male Fox cats weigh 8 to 10 pounds ( approx. 3.6 to 4.5 kg ) while the female Fox cats weigh 6 to 8 pounds ( approx. 2.7 to 3.6 kg ).
Somali Cat Health Issues
Although they are relatively healthy cats, they suffer from diseases like arthritis, heart disease, kidney issues, and periodontal disease. The cats may also have potential health issues including Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency which is a hereditary disease caused by a deficiency in the pyruvate kinase enzyme. They can also have the genetic eye condition Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).
Moreover, they can have gingivitis, renal amyloidosis, and tooth decay. Renal Amyloidosis is a disease where there is deposition of the protein amyloid in various tissues which hinders that part of the body’s normal functioning. The Fox cat’s kittens were found to have myelodysplasia which causes anemia.
Allergies
Fox cats can experience four types of allergies, which include insects, atopic dermatitis (caused by house dust, pollen, and molds), contact, and food allergies. Insect bites, such as fleabites, can cause minor skin irritation in cats, leading to intense itching, rough scratching, and hair loss. Food allergies in cats are often caused by the protein component of their diet.
Symptoms include itching, digestive disorders, and respiratory distress. To treat this allergy, owners should seek advice from a veterinary nutritionist. In the case of atopic dermatitis, cat owners can manage the symptoms by frequently cleaning their homes to reduce dust and dirt. Contact allergies are the least common type of allergies in cats, and the solution is to remove the irritant causing the allergy.
Names
Cat owners always give their pet names before or after joining their new homes. When choosing the name, choose the one that the cat will recognize and let it be short. Most of the Fox names are derived from several sources, including the cat’s place of origin, its physical attributes, famous songs, books, movies, or the cat’s distinct coat pattern. Additionally, the name should be different from important commands taught in training. Some of Fox cat names include:
- Abshir.
- Magan.
- Lilly.
- Udo.
- Loki.
- Thor.
- Max.
- Shadow.
- Tigger.
- Ruby.
Food
Fox Cats consume food depending on their size, age, and metabolism. The food should be high-quality cat food that has more protein-rich meat-based ingredients. Adults and seniors should consume two meals a day and kittens three meals a day of commercial food. These cats do not require any special diets unless approved by the vet.
They are prone to being overweight or obese thus, the owners should be careful with the type and amount of food they get. When giving the cats treats, they should not be more than 10% of a cat’s total caloric intake per day. If Fox Cats are taking a well-balanced diet, there is no need for supplements unless recommended by your vet. Always provide the Fox cats with clean and fresh water.
Somali Cat Colors
Fox cats are found in different hues such as reddish brown, blue, lilac, and fawn. They also have a silver variation of these colors where the undercoat and base of the hairs are white instead of cream.
Red Somali Cat
Red colored Fox Cats have the darker version coat of their cinnamon counterparts. They have a deep red coat which is usually laid over a softer red base coat. The Red Fox cats have bright pink noses offering a hint of contrast.
Blue
Blue Fox cats are known for their darker tint and base coat that’s usually a lighter shade of oatmeal or mushroom base coat, ticked with blue.
Silver
The Fox cats with a silver solid color have their base hair silvery white, giving an overall lustrous silvery sheen. Moreover, the facial markings, tail tips, heels, and ticks are the same color as the non-silver variety. The silver can come in various markings including the Tortie, fawn, chocolate, and sorrel silver coats.
Fawn
They are blonde cats with the top coat portion being a deeper beige. The color fades to a lighter, sandy color toward the belly and legs. Moreover, the Fox cat’s fawns usually have bright pink noses that immediately attract your gaze.
Lilac
Fox cats with lilac color, look like the blue ones. However, the only difference they have is that they have more of a purplish tint to them. These cats also have a darker base, but it’s still close to oatmeal.
Black
They are not available in black color. They often have a ruddy color, with a burnt-sienna ground, and ticked with darker shades of brown or black.
Black and White
Fox cats are not available in black and white color.
Orange
Orange is a solid color that is found in Fox cats.
Types
They are available in two types, long-haired Somali cats and short-haired Somali cats. The two cats have the same traits with the only difference being their coats.
Long Hair Cat
Long-haired Cats have longer lengths of hair around the neck, legs, and tail.
Purpose
The Fox cats are bred for companionship. These cats enjoy spending time with their owners or other pets.
Somali Abyssinian Cat
The Somali cat is a feline breed that is also referred to as the long-haired Abyssinian cat. This breed was created when a British breeder named Janet Robertson exported some Abyssinian kittens to Australia, New Zealand, and North America. The cat inherited two recessive genes for long hair, which led to the development of this breed.
Somali Cat Price
The cost of a healthy Fox cat ranges from $1000 to $1500 depending on the size, age, and location of the breeder.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Much Are Somali Cats
Fox cats cost from $1000 to $1500 depending on the size, age, and location of the breeder.
What Is A Somali Cat
A Somali Cat or Fox cat is an active and intelligent domesticated cat breed. The cat was bred when a British breeder named Janet Robertson exported some Abyssinian kittens to Australia, New Zealand, and North America. The cat inherited two recessive genes for long hair, which led to the development of this breed. Fox cats have a lifespan of 12 to 16 years.
Somali Cat Quick Facts
- Fox cats are expensive cats as they are rare.
- Fox cats inherit the recessive gene for long hair unlike its cousin the Abyssinian cat.
- They have a long and tapering bushy tail that earned them the nickname “fox cat”.
