Somali Cat

Cats come in many shapes and sizes but some of the most defining characteristics will come from the type of fur a cat maintains. Semi-Long haired cats are longer than the shorthair but considerably shorter than the longhair breeds. They will shed considerably less hair in comparison to the longhaired relatives and the hair left around the house will be manageable if a regular grooming regime is put into place. If a grooming regime is ignored, build up of fur can occur and can quickly spiral out of control if left unattended. Helping with grooming will help with both hygiene and aesthetic improvement and is a much needed essential for all cats regardless of fur type. The Somali cat is another well known cat that comes from the African Country of Somalia.

The Somali Cat is closely linked to another cat named the Abyssinian, a shorthair cat that is from the same region. The Somali semi-longhair cat started to emerge from the litter of the Abyssinian over the years and quickly gained recognition for its clear differentiation in comparison to the short hairs. This is a rare occurrence as breeding practices were kept very much the same for years yet these new breeds of cats had emerged without conscious effort, a miracle of some sort. However the actual reason was an unknown gene pool addition somewhere in the breeding programme that emerged over time. Initially this was regarded as an undesirable and random trait, not fit for lineage. After domestication of these cats, a clear breed emerged and the Somali cat was officially recognised ass its own breed.

Somali cats come in a great range of colours and have beautiful elegant fur coats. Chocolate, Lilac and many more colours have become apparent over time. The idea of an aesthetically pleasing Somali cat lies within its coat and stature. The cat should show off its muscular body that is covered by a beautiful fur coat all over the body with a majestic posture. This type of cat prefers to exercise its freedom and will not be happily kept indoors all the time. Owners wishing for an outgoing and independent cat should consider the Somali cat as they are most intelligent and loving companions that will exercise their freedom in space. The grooming commitment is not as demanding either for the Somali cat and an owner can dedicate time to other forms of care.