How to Identify a Somali Cat

Co-authored by Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD

Last Updated: September 15, 2021

The Somali cat is a regal cat that is highly intelligent and affectionate, in addition to having an attractive coat and build. It is thought to be a cross between an Abyssinian cat and a long-haired cat. To identify one, you need to understand both the breed's general physical characteristics and its behavior. Looking at its build, coat, friendliness, and intelligence will give you a good idea whether you have a Somali cat at home.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Identifying the Physical Characteristics of a Somali Cat

1
Look for a full, long, multi-colored coat. The general color of the Somali's coat comes in 4 different colors: red, ruddy, fawn, and blue, which is generally perceived as grey. However, each hair on the Somali has several bands of color on it, leading to a generally speckled appearance. These bands of color on an animal's coat are called "ticking."^{[1]
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- The ticking on the Somali's coat is the same as on an Abyssinian, but the Somali's fur is longer.
- The Somali's chest fur may also be slightly bushy in comparison to the rest of the cat's coat.
- Somali cats also have “britches,” which means they have long, bushy hair on the upper half of their hind legs that add to the fullness of their coat.
2
Make sure your cat has a very bushy tail. The Somali's coat is generally long but its tail is especially bushy with thick fur. The Somali's tail is especially prominent when looking at the cat and its bushiness gives the cat a very regal appearance.^{[2]
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- The cat's tail should be widest where it meets the cat's body and it should taper towards the tip of the tail.
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3
Assess the cat's body size and proportion. The Somali is a medium-sized cat that is usually around 6–10 pounds (2.7–4.5 kg) in weight. It has a long torso for its size and a body that is relatively muscular and toned.^{[3]
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- However, despite its muscular build, the cat appears, thin, graceful, and light.
4
Inspect the cat's legs and feet. Look at your cat's legs and make sure that they are generally proportional to its body size. The Somali has very proportionate legs, meaning that they do not appear overly long or short.^{[4]
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- The Somali's feet are oval and compact. They should have 5 toes in front and 4 toes in back.
5
Look for large, prominent ears. The Somali's ears are large for the size of the cat's head. They are upright and softly pointed, which makes them a very noticeable feature. When looking at the cat directly from the front, the ears make the cat have a general appearance of alertness.^{[5]
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- The ears are very cupped at the base and they are set pretty far back on the skull, away from the eyes.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Recognizing Somali Cat Behavior

1
Look for impressive dexterity with its paws. Somali cats can use their paws with great skill, manipulating items more easily than other breeds of cat. They are known to open all kinds of doors, even those with turning handles. If you often come home to find an open fridge or cupboard door, you may have a Somali cat. ^{[6]
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World's largest registry of pedigreed cats and organization devoted to the well-being of all cats
Go to source}
- Watch how your cat investigates its world. If it reaches out its paws to investigate and feel everything in its path, then that is a good sign that you have a Somali.
2
Notice a friendly and confident disposition. The Somali is a pleasant cat that is not phased by much. It will gladly make friends with other cats or dogs that are not aggressive toward it. Even if another pet is aggressive toward a Somali, this breed of cat won't run and hide, choosing instead to stand its ground.
- However, the Somali does like the uninterrupted attention of its humans, so having this cat in a household with a lot of pets may be challenging.^{[7]
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3
Don't expect a lap cat. The Somali is not a cat breed that loves to curl up on a lap and sleep the day away. They are so intelligent and inquisitive that they hardly have time for that kind of thing. Instead of curling up and snoozing, look for a Somali to be investigating every nook and cranny of its home, climbing to the highest heights it can find, and looking out a window to inspect the neighborhood.^{[8]
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- With this personality in mind, be sure to give a Somali lots of interactive cat toys and give them things to climb, whether it be a cat tower or shelves along a wall that allow them to climb to great heights.