Somali Cat and Kitten Information

With its masked face, full ruff and bushy tail, the Somali Cat looks a lot like a small fox. They are medium to large size, with almond shaped eyes ranging from amber, green and hazel. Their coats come in red, ruddy, fawn and blue. Somalis are intelligent, active and high spirited. These little foxes are outgoing, playful and love the company of favored humans. The Somali makes a great companion cat.

Somali Cat History

The Somali is often considered the long haired version of the Abyssinian. They appeared in the 1950s as a result of the Abyssinian breeding programs that were going on. They gained Championship status with the Cat Fanciers Association in 1978.

The ancestor of all domestic cats is the African Wildcat, the genus Felis Lybica. This genus is comprised of smaller cats. Cats are thought to have been domesticated with the advent of farming and the storage of grain. The grain attracted rats and other vermin which naturally attracted wild cats. As time evolved, certain of these cats were domesticated for the mutual benefit of both cat and man. The African Wildcat has certain features which is obvious in the housecat of today.

Health

Cats who reside in the house should generally visit the veterinarian yearly, unless health problems are evident. Cats who enjoy the outdoors may need to see the vet as many as four times a year. When you take your cat to the vet, be sure to bring along a fresh stool sample so the vet can do a fecal exam to check for internal parasites such as tapeworm, round worm, whip worms and hook worms. The vet will also check for external parasites such as fleas, ticks and ear mites.

Any vet check should include a dental examination and a cleaning if necessary. Cats who are eight years of age or older are considered geriatric and additional blood and urine tests may be necessary to screen for any health problems. At about six months of age, the kitten should also be examined for sexual maturity and decisions about birth control should be made.

Behavioral Traits

They are usually quiet cats with a soft voice
Playful and inquisitive
Love to play in water
Can use their paws like little hands
Get along well with other pets and children
They shed, but all at once, not all year long

Somali Cat Registries and Clubs

Association of Somali Cats
Somali Breeders and Fanciers Association
Somali Cat Club of America
Cat Fanciers Association CFA
International Cat Association TICA
The Traditional Cat Association TCA
Canadian Cat Association CCA
The Australian Cat Federation
The American Association of Cat Enthusiasts AACE
American Cat Fanciers Association ACFA
United Feline Organization UFO
Cats United International

Kitten Care

Somali cats have relatively small litters, averaging three to four kittens. Kittens are generally available and the price depends upon bloodlines color and markings. Unlike puppies, kittens should not be separated from their mother until twelve to sixteen weeks of age. Some very important developmental stages occur during this period including emotional, mental and health. Curtailing this development may lead to any number of medical and behavioral problems.

Kittens that are separated from their mother at too young an age often fail to gain weight fast enough, have immune system problems because they have not had enough mothers milk. The may also develop eating and eliminating problems, and can have problems socializing with other cats and with people.

Every cat and kitten is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your cat or kitten. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

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