Somali
The Somali is a long-haired version of the Abyssinian, with a bushy tail and a stunning ticked coat. These active, playful cats are known for their fox-like appearance and mischievous, endlessly curious personalities.
About the Somali
History and Origins
The Somali is, in essence, a long-haired Abyssinian. Long-haired kittens appeared now and then in Abyssinian litters — likely from a recessive gene introduced generations back — and for years breeders considered them undesirable. In the 1960s and 70s, a few breeders, notably Evelyn Mague in the United States, saw their beauty and began developing them into a breed of their own, naming it “Somali” as a nod to Somalia, the country neighboring Abyssinia (Ethiopia), the Abyssinian’s namesake.
The Somali gained championship recognition in the late 1970s and 1980s. It shares the Abyssinian’s warm, ticked “agouti” coat — where each hair carries multiple bands of color — but adds a longer, silky coat and a magnificent plumed tail that gives the breed its unmistakable fox-like look.
Personality and Temperament
Somalis are bundles of energy and mischief. They are highly active, athletic, and intelligent, and they stay playful and kitten-like for years. Expect a cat that climbs to the top of everything, opens cupboards, dips its paws in water, and investigates every corner of the house. Bored Somalis will invent their own (sometimes naughty) entertainment.
They are affectionate and social, forming strong bonds with their families and loving to be part of the action — but they are independent enough to entertain themselves and aren’t the type to sit still in your lap for hours. Somalis are curious, clever, and interactive, often learning to play fetch and solve puzzle toys. Their lively, engaging, good-humored nature makes them a joy for owners who want an active, involved feline companion.
Care and Grooming
Despite their long coat, Somalis are relatively easy to groom because their fine, silky fur lacks a heavy undercoat and resists matting. A brushing once or twice a week keeps the coat glossy and tangle-free, with a little extra during seasonal sheds — when the plumed tail and neck ruff can become especially full. They shed a moderate amount.
The bigger commitment is exercise and enrichment. Somalis are athletic and need lots of activity: tall cat trees, climbing shelves, puzzle feeders, and daily interactive play are essential to keep their clever minds and busy bodies satisfied. Many enjoy water play, too. Because they are so social, they often do best with a companion pet. Round out care with routine nail trims, ear checks, and good dental hygiene, as the breed can be prone to gum issues.
Health and Lifespan
Somalis typically live 11–16 years and are generally healthy, but because they share Abyssinian genetics they can inherit a few specific conditions — most of which have DNA tests. Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency, which can cause anemia, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA-rdAc), which causes blindness, are both screenable by responsible breeders. The breed can also be predisposed to renal amyloidosis (a kidney condition), patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps), and dental issues such as gingivitis.
Choose a breeder who DNA-tests for PK deficiency and PRA, keep up with dental care, provide plenty of exercise, and maintain regular veterinary checkups to support a long, healthy life.
Cost and Is the Somali Right for You?
A Somali kitten from a reputable breeder generally costs $1,000 to $2,000 in the United States, with show-quality lines and rarer colors running higher. Health-tested lines are worth the premium given the breed’s inherited risks.
The Somali suits active, engaged owners who want a playful, intelligent, and interactive companion with a spectacular fox-like appearance. Their energy and curiosity fit lively households, families, and multi-pet homes — ideally with space to climb and a companion to play with. They are less ideal for those wanting a calm lap cat, for very quiet or sedentary homes, or for owners unable to provide the daily stimulation this busy breed needs.
Explore More
Love an active, intelligent, playful cat? Compare the Somali with other high-energy breeds like the Bengal and Devon Rex. Curious about your busy cat’s antics? Read why cats knock things off tables, or browse all cat breeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main difference is coat length. The Somali is essentially a long-haired Abyssinian — it shares the same ticked coat, warm colors, athletic build, and lively, intelligent temperament, but has longer, silky fur and a full, bushy "fox" tail. Abyssinians have a short, close-lying coat. Both breeds are highly active and playful; the Somali simply comes with more glamour and slightly more grooming.
In grooming terms, only moderately — their fine, silky coat lacks a heavy undercoat, resists matting, and needs brushing just once or twice a week. Where they are demanding is energy and attention: Somalis are highly active, intelligent cats that need plenty of play, climbing space, and stimulation to stay happy. The real "maintenance" is keeping their busy minds and bodies engaged.
Absolutely — climbing is one of their favorite activities. Somalis are athletic, agile, and endlessly curious, and they instinctively seek the highest vantage point in any room. Providing tall cat trees, shelves, and safe high perches is essential for the breed. A Somali without vertical space to explore can become bored and mischievous, so give them plenty of room to climb.
Somalis are not especially loud, but they are communicative. They tend to "talk" to their owners in soft, pleasant chirps and trills rather than the loud, persistent yowling of breeds like the Siamese. They express themselves more through action and interaction than through constant meowing, making them expressive without being noisy household companions.
Somalis come in the same warm ticked colors as Abyssinians. The classic and most famous is "ruddy" (a rich golden-brown), along with red/sorrel, blue, and fawn, plus silver variations in some registries. Each hair is banded with multiple colors — the ticking — which gives the coat its glowing, luminous quality and contributes to the breed's striking fox-like appearance.