Are Somali cats good pets?

How long do Somali cats live for?

The underside of the coat is typically lighter and more solid in coloring. Somali Cat Height: 19 to 24 inches. Somali Cat Lifespan: 9 to 13 years. Other Names: Long-Haired Abyssinian, Fox Cat.

When did the Somali cat become a breed?

Don Richings, another Canadian breeder, used kittens from McGill, and began to work with Mague. The first Somali recognized as such by a fancier organization was Mayling Tutsuta, one of McGill’s cats. In 1979, the breed was recognized by the CFA in North America.

How old is a Somali cat?

One of the oldest living Somali Cats was twenty-eight years old. Somali Cats have been said to be a generally healthy type of cat, but just like many other breeds, these cats may be prone to some health problems.

Do Somali cats have hereditary retinal degeneration?

Somalis may also have hereditary retinal degeneration due to a mutation in the rdAc allele. This mutation is also seen in Abyssinians, Siamese cats, and other related breeds.

Do Somali cats have a hairdresser gene?

Somali Cats Have a “Hairdresser Gene” Like the Abyssinian, the Somali absolutely loves playing with peoples’ hair, beards, and mustaches. That has led cat fanciers to jokingly speculate that it must have a “hairdresser gene” responsible for these behaviors.

What colors do Somali cats come in?

The Somali comes in four recognized colors in CFA: ruddy, red, blue, and fawn. The colors showing in the ticked fur of the back and tail harmonize with the solid, lighter color on the cat’s undersides. How did the marvelous breed come about?

Are Somali cats prone to health problems?

The Somali’s limited genetic variation does make it prone to a variety of inherited health conditions, ranging from minor to severe. Chief amongst these is PK deficiency, a type of anemia that severely reduces a cat’s lifespan.

What is the difference between a Somali cat and an Abyssinian cat?

These cats were actually produced out of a recessive gene found in Abyssinians; it’s believed that Somalis come from Somalia, whereas their cousins emerged out of Ethiopia. While they closely resemble Abyssinians, Somalis are definitely a distinct breed, and that’s especially evident in their varied colors.

How many colors of Somali cats are there?

The Somali comes in four recognized colors in CFA: ruddy, red, blue, and fawn. The colors showing in the ticked fur of the back and tail harmonize with the solid, lighter color on the cat’s undersides. How did the marvelous breed come about?

When was the first Somali cat recognized in North America?

Don Richings, another Canadian breeder, used kittens from McGill, and began to work with Mague. The first Somali recognized as such by a fancier organization was Mayling Tutsuta, one of McGill’s cats. In 1979, the breed was recognized by the CFA in North America. The new breed was accepted in Europe in 1982.

How do I get my Somali cat to Like Me?

Spend time with your cat. Somali cats are very intelligent and affectionate cats, which means that they love spending quality time with their people. Try training your Somali to fetch its toys, to open boxes or doors, or just to leap after a string you flick around in front of it for play time.

What age does a cat go blind from retinal degeneration?

The degeneration process of the retina is slow occurring, but will often lead to total blindness as early as age three and as late as age five. A feline with progressive retinal degeneration will progressively lose the ability to see and may become more cautious about her/his surroundings.

Why do Somali cats have long hair?

The long hair of the Somali cat, which separated them from the Abyssinian cat (from whom they descended), is a result of a recessive gene. But how this gene was introduced in the Abyssinian cat is not known.

What causes degenerative retinal degeneration in cats?

The degeneration process is occurring due to mutated DNA, which cannot be readily accessed as this is the feline’s genetic makeup. The veterinarian may advise that you have the affected cat spayed or neutered to prevent passing the progressive retinal degeneration gene on to offspring.

Are there hereditary and congenital ocular diseases in cats?

The aim of this review of hereditary and congenital ocular disease in cats is to present an overview of the most common disorders seen in this species, the pathogenesis of the problems and wherever possible, how they are treated.

What do Somali cats look like?

Learn more. The Somali cat is an absolutely gorgeous animal, with a bushy tail, expressive eyes, and tall, pointed ears. In fact, they’re often compared to foxes, and their look gives them the appearance of a truly wild cat.

What kind of coat does a Somali have?

The Somali’s silky long coat comes in a ticked pattern. This means that every hair shaft has alternating bands of light and dark color. This distribution of lighter and darker bands gives the coat a glowing appearance. The coat comes in four main colors, ruddy brown, sorrel red, blue, and fawn.

What does a Somali look like?

The Somali is endowed with more than its fair share of good looks. It is an attention getter from the start, an Abyssinian with long hair, often full at the chest and around the chin (the area referred to as the ruff), ending in a thick fluffy fox-like tail, and topping with large fox-like ears.

When did the Somali dog become a breed?

In 1979, the breed was recognized by the CFA in North America. The new breed was accepted in Europe in 1982. By 1991, the breed was broadly (though not universally) accepted internationally. The name “Somali” is in reference to the African nation, Somalia.

What kind of cat is a fox cat?

Common names for this natural breed cat include Somali Cat and the “fox cat”. Description The Somali cat is prized for its fox-like appearance, which is created by the medium length of its ticked coat, fluffy tail, ruff (thick collar), and large tufted ears. Other than the coat length and tufted ears, the Somali is very similar to the Abyssinian.

Why is the Somali cat called a fox cat?

This has earned him the nickname “fox cat”. Somalis have long legs with oval paws that have tufts between them. Because of his lithe muscular body and long muscular legs, this cat looks like she stands on his tip-toes—a look that makes him outstanding.

What is progressive retinal degeneration in cats?

Progressive retinal degeneration is a rare condition in the United States, but has been known to affect purebred cats including the Siamese, Persian, and the Abyssinian.