Somali

The Somali is a medium-sized cat with a finely boned, athletic frame and a full, fox-like plumed tail. It is the long-haired form of the Abyssinian and carries that breed's ticked coat, where each hair holds several bands of warm colour that shift and glow as the cat moves.

In character, the Somali is lively, attentive, and genuinely curious. It stays playful throughout its life, following household members from room to room, investigating corners and cupboards, and inserting itself cheerfully into whatever is happening. New Zealand owners often describe them as outgoing and a little mischievous, with the energy of a kitten that somehow never quite fades.

The breed suits active New Zealand homes with people around regularly, vertical space to explore, and daily play. A Somali left with little to do for long stretches will find its own entertainment, and households may not always appreciate the results.

Who it suits

The Somali suits active New Zealand households that want an engaged companion rather than a quiet, independent cat. New Zealand's strict rules around cats and native wildlife mean that fully indoor or enclosed-run management is both encouraged and increasingly required in many areas, a lifestyle this breed adapts to naturally with enough indoor enrichment.

The Somali traces directly to the Abyssinian. Long-haired kittens appeared in Abyssinian litters for decades as a result of a recessive gene carried quietly through lines. For much of the early twentieth century breeders treated these kittens as unwanted and did not pursue them.

Change came in the United States during the 1960s. Breeder Evelyn Mague is generally credited with naming the variety Somali, selecting a name that echoed the Abyssinian's North-East African heritage by referencing a neighbouring region. She and other North American breeders worked deliberately to establish the long-haired cats as a recognised type.

Through the 1970s the breed gained organised backing. The Cat Fanciers' Association granted championship status in 1979, with recognition spreading to international registries over the following years. The New Zealand Cat Fancy (NZCF) provides registration and show services for Somali breeders and owners in New Zealand.

Because the long-haired gene still appears in Abyssinian lines, the two breeds remain closely linked and are sometimes found in the same breeding programmes.

The Somali has a balanced, athletic build that is neither stocky nor fragile. The head is a gently curved wedge with large, well-spaced ears and almond-shaped eyes that convey alertness and intelligence. The legs are slim and the cat moves with a light, springy quality.

The coat is the defining feature: medium-long, soft, and ticked, shorter over the shoulders and fuller toward the rear, with a noticeable ruff at the neck and full breeches on the hind legs. The tail is thick and plumed.

Coat and colours

Each hair displays several colour bands, a pattern called ticking, which produces depth and a shifting sheen. Ruddy is the classic colour, a warm brown ticked with black. Sorrel (red), blue, and fawn are also established, along with silver versions in which the hair base is pale. Kittens are born dark and develop their full ticking over several months.

Somalis are sociable and attentive. They form strong bonds with their families and make themselves part of daily life, often following household members from room to room. With family they are openly affectionate, though many prefer to be close to a person rather than sitting directly on a lap.

With visitors the breed is typically curious rather than wary, and most settle quickly once someone is familiar. Somalis generally get along with other cats and with dogs that accept cats, making them suitable for multi-pet homes.

Intelligence and energy define the breed. They climb, explore, open cupboards, and invent games. A Somali needs daily mental stimulation and play to stay content; without it, restlessness follows. The breed communicates with soft chirps and trills rather than persistent loud meowing.

The semi-long coat is fine and does not mat as readily as a denser coat, so upkeep is moderate.

Grooming

• Comb once or twice a week to remove loose hair and keep the ruff and tail tidy
• Increase brushing during seasonal shedding in spring and autumn
• Check ears weekly and clean if needed
• Trim claws every few weeks
• Brush teeth regularly to limit dental disease

Exercise

• Provide at least two active play sessions a day with wand toys or chase toys
• Offer puzzle feeders and rotating toys to work the mind
• Give safe climbing options such as tall cat trees and shelves
• Consider a feline companion if the household is often away

Environment

New Zealand's commitment to protecting native bird and wildlife populations means cats are best kept indoors or in fully enclosed outdoor runs. This suits the Somali well: it is naturally suited to indoor life when given adequate stimulation, height to climb, and varied interactive play. A catio or enclosed run gives the breed safe outdoor experience without risk to local birdlife.

As an obligate carnivore, the Somali needs a diet built around animal protein. Choose a complete commercial food appropriate to the cat's life stage. The breed's high activity level means it burns energy readily, but portions should still be measured to prevent gradual weight gain. Fresh water must always be available, and many cats benefit from some wet food to support hydration.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to about ten percent of daily calories and subtract them from meals. A cat on a complete, balanced diet usually needs no supplements. Discuss any joint, skin, or coat supplement with a veterinarian before adding it.

The Somali is a sturdy, long-lived breed. Because it shares ancestry with the Abyssinian, it can carry some of the same inherited conditions. Choosing a kitten from a NZCF-registered breeder who screens their breeding cats reduces this risk.

Preventive care

• Annual veterinary check-ups, moving to twice yearly as the cat ages
• Keep vaccinations and parasite control current
• Maintain a dental routine at home
• Monitor weight and adjust food as activity changes
• Ask breeders for evidence of health screening before buying a kitten

Few cats take to training as readily as the Somali. Its intelligence and food motivation make it a strong candidate for clicker work, simple tricks, and games such as fetch. Many Somalis also accept a harness and learn to walk on a lead in enclosed gardens, a useful outlet in New Zealand's indoor-focused cat management environment. Training doubles as enrichment and helps absorb the breed's considerable energy. Keep sessions short, frequent, and positive.

Basics

1. Start with a quiet space and small, high-value treats
2. Reward the cat the instant it does what you want, optionally paired with a clicker
3. Teach one behaviour at a time, such as sit or come
4. Keep sessions to a few minutes and end on a success
5. Build to harness, recall, or trick training once the basics are reliable

Somalis reach sexual maturity at roughly five to ten months, though breeders usually wait until a cat is fully grown, around one year or older, before mating. Pregnancy lasts about 63 to 67 days. Litters average three to five kittens. Because long-haired Somalis can appear in Abyssinian matings, breeders pay close attention to coat genetics when planning pairings.

Responsible breeding depends on health screening. Pyruvate kinase deficiency and progressive retinal atrophy can be tested by DNA, and breeding cats should be checked before pairing. Kittens are born dark and develop their ticking gradually. Young kittens stay with the queen until at least twelve weeks so they are weaned, socialised, and ready for vaccination before going to new homes.

Registering a Somali and its chip in New Zealand

Giving your Somali a record takes less time than choosing her food: name, colouring, photo, phone number, save. The profile holds for life, free, with a chip number slot waiting whenever the vet's done. Registering your cat starts it.

If she is chipped already, finish the job the implant started: a chip with no record reads as a dead end. Registering the microchip is free for life with United Pet Club, open to any brand, with updates that never cost a thing. Creating a free account sorts the profile at the same time.