Somali Cat

Somali Cat

The Somali is a medium sized domestic cat, with thick, semi-long hair and a prominent tail. Due to its prodigiously bushy tail and auburn coat, it is sometimes called the "fox cat."

Fast Facts

Originated from the Abyssinian
Coat is "ticked" in color
Show the typical tabby "M" on their foreheads
Accepted by all cat associations and clubs as an official breed
First appeared in the 1950s

Origins and History

While the origins of the Somali are not completely known, the breed is not from Somalia. What is known is that Somalis first appeared in the early 20th century, among breeding populations of Abyssinian cats. According to one theory, the Somali's luxurious coat is a natural genetic mutation, such as the hairlessness of Sphynx, but genetic studies suggest the Somali is the result of interbreeding with non-Abyssinian longhairs.¹ Until the late 1960s, when Somali's were first deliberately bred, Abyssinian breeders considered Somali traits undesirable², and most kittens displaying them were probably neutered or euthanized.

Categories

Animals | Pets | Cats

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The Mahalo Top 7

Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA): Somali Breed Profile
Cats Of Australia (COA) Somali Cat Breed Profile
Cat Fanciers: Somali Breed FAQ
Wikipedia: Somali
Animal Planet: Somali Profile
Iams: Somali Breed
Video: Somalis (Time: 3:31)

Somali (Cat) Background and Characteristics

Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA): Somali Breed Standards
Somali Breeders and Fanciers Association (SBFA): Somali Characteristics | Somali Colors
The American Association of Cat Enthusiasts (AACE): Somali Cat Breed Standards
Semi Long Hair Cat Association (LHCA): The Somali
Somali Cat Club Of Great Britian: Colors of Somalis
Somali Cat Club of America (SCCA): Somali Characteristics

Somali (Cat) Rescue and Adoption

Pure Breed Cat Rescue: Somali Cat Rescue
Somali Cat Club of Great Britian: Somali Cat Rescue
1-800-Save-A-Pet
PetFinder.com

Somali (Cat) Health Care and Special Needs

Feline Advisory Bureau: Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Deficiency in the Somali
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine: Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PK)
Pets Health: Renal Amyloidosis Concerns in the Somali
Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine: Familial Renal Amyloidosis
Somali Breeders and Fanciers Association (SBFA): Somali Genetic Health

Somali (Cat) Blogs and Articles

Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA): The Somali Cat: 30 Years and Going Strong!
Somali Breeders and Fanciers Association (SBFA): My Five Years as a Somali Breeder
Somali Cat Club of America (SCCA): Those Early Somali Years
Families.com: The Somali: Exquisite Beauty and Brains Too! (2006)

Somali (Cat) Photos and Videos

Google Image Search: Somali Cats
Cats of Australia (COA): Somali Photos
Somali Cat Club Of Great Britain: Picture gallery
YouTube: Portsomali cat "Apolo" (Time: 2:29)
YouTube: Somali Chat (Time: 2:26)

Somali (Cat) History and Trivia

Somali Breeders and Fanciers Association (SBFA): History of the Somali
Somali Cat Club of America (SCCA) History of the Somali
eHow.com: How to Identify a Somali
Felinexpress: Somali Appearance and History

Somali (Cat) Related Merchandise

Amazon.Com: Somali Cat Merchandise
Google Product Search: Somali Merchandise
Ebay.com: Somali Cat Merchandise
CafePress.com: Somali Cat T-Shirts and Gifts

Related Pages on Mahalo

Cats | Abyssinian Cat | Birman | Exotic Shorthair | Oriental Longhair | Scottish Fold | Cat Vaccines | Scottish Fold | Turkish Van | Cat Food | Persian Cat | Siamese Cat | Pictures of Cats | Pet Leash | Pet Collar | Feline Distemper | Rabies | Oriental Longhair | Himalayan Cat | Litter Box Training | Cat Allergy | Balinese Cat | Burmese Cat

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