This is a medium-sized cat with a muscular body, foxlike tail, fluffy britches, and a neck ruff. The ears are moderately pointed, and the eyes are green or gold and almond-shaped.
The most distinctive feature of the Somali is the ticked, medium length, silky coat. The coat comes in four main colours: tawny, sorrel, blue and beige-fawn, plus these four colours in the silver range.
The Somali is highly intelligent.
They are good natured and playful and enjoy games and toys. They may be slightly more shy than their Abyssinian cousins but enjoy human company.
They are active and enjoy access to outdoor exercise but care needs to be taken that these attractive cats don’t wander off or be stolen. A secure garden is ideal for them or, if this is not possible, they will adapt to an indoor life if plenty of toys and scratching posts are provided.
The Somali does require regular grooming to keep the coat free from tangles. However because the hair is not so long as the likes of the Persian it is easier to keep the coat in good order.
Most cats enjoy being groomed if the routine is established as a kitten and the job is certainly easier when done regularly.
