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Abyssinian vs Somali Cat Breed Comparison

"Find similarities and differences between Abyssinian vs Somali" Compare Abyssinian and Somali. Which is better: Abyssinian or Somali?
 
 
 
Name Abyssinian Somali
OriginsEthiopia flagEthiopia Somalia flagSomalia
Cat Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group Natural Mutation
Popularity Rank1062
Reviews00
User Ratings

Other Names
What other names do they have?
Abys Fox Cat, Long-Haired Abyssinian
Price
Which one is cheaper, Abyssinian vs Somali cat?
$900 to $1500 $1000 to $1500
Cost Of Ownership High Moderate
Breed Recognition The International Cat Association (TICA)
Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA)
American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) 		No data available

Abyssinian vs Somali Size, Appearance and Physical Traits Comparison

Size
Which is bigger, Abyssinian or Somali cat?
Medium
The medium-sized cats usually weigh 10-15 pounds and are 8-11 inches long from the nose down.
Small
The small-sized cats usually weigh 5-11 pounds and are 7-10 inches long from the nose down.
Weight
Which is heavier, Abyssinian or Somali cat?
Male: 8 - 12 pounds, Female: 6 - 8 pounds Male: 10 - 12 pounds, Female: 6 - 10 pounds
Bite ForceWeak Bite Strength: Less than or around 10 PSI No data available
Body Type Foreign (Oriental)
Abyssinian have a slender, elongated body with a narrow chest and long legs.
 Semi-foreign
Somali have a moderate build, more elongated than cobby cats but not as slender as foreign cats.
Ear Shape Large
Pointed
Wide-set 		Large
Pointed
Tufted
Eye Color Gold
Green 		No data available
Hair Color and Pattern Ruddy
Red
Blue
Fawn 		No data available
Coat
What is the difference between Abyssinian and Somali coats?
Shorthair Long Hair
Leg Lenght Medium Medium
Whisker Length Short Medium
Musculature Lean Slender
Head Shape Triangular Triangular
Toe Count 5 front
4 back 		5 front
4 back
Eye Shape And Orientation Almond-shaped Almond-shaped
Night Vision
Paw Size Medium Medium
Nose Structure Straight Concave
Neck Length Medium Medium
Fur Texture Fine
Short
Silky 		Short
Dense
Bone Density Medium Medium
Flexibility
High
High
Bone Structure Slender
Fine 		Slender
Fine
Tail Length Long and Tapered Plumed
Sleep Patterns Active
Less Sleep 		Average

Abyssinian vs Somali Special Abilities Comparison

Attention Span Long, focused and curious Moderate, playful and affectionate
Guarding Instinct Moderate Moderate
Protection Instincts Moderate Moderate
Climbing Ability High High
Jumping Ability Excellent Excellent
Swimming Ability Poor Moderate
Water Affinity
Rescue Capability Poor Moderate

Abyssinian vs Somali Health Comparison

Litter Size 3-5 Kittens 1-3 Kittens
Special Needs Active
Intelligent
Requires mental stimulation 		Active
Intelligent
Requires stimulation
Breeding Requires experienced breeders, moderate litter size Requires careful selection, moderate litter size
Dietary Preferences High protein, low carbs Balanced diet
Solo Time Tolerance High High
Noise Sensitivity Low Moderate
Genetic Diversity Low Moderate
Sensitivity To Changes
Medium sensitivity
High sensitivity
Food Motivation Moderate Moderate
Feeding Schedule Twice a day
Morning and Evening 		Twice a day
Morning and Evening
Maintenance Level Low Moderate
Exercise Needs High High
Life Expectancy
Do Abyssinian cats live longer than Somali?
14-15 years 12-16 years
Energy Level
Which is more energetic, Abyssinian vs Somali cat?
The Abyssinian cat has a very high energy level.
The Somali cat has a very high energy level.
Hypoallergenic
Which cat is hypoallergenic, Abyssinian or Somali?
No
Abyssinian cats don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing an allergic reaction.
No
Somali cats don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing an allergic reaction.
Common Health Issues
Which cat is healthier, Abyssinian vs Somali?
High
Abyssinians tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.
High
Somalis tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.
Health Problems Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD)
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Periodontal Disease 		Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Periodontal Disease
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Climate Hot Temperate
Cold Tolerance High Medium
Heat Tolerance High High
Breeding Difficulty Medium Medium

Abyssinian vs Somali Characteristics and Personality Comparison

Common Vocalizations Quiet meows and chirps Soft and gentle meows
Interaction With Other Pets Generally good, enjoys companionship Good, playful and friendly
Facial Expression Alert and curious Active and playful
Tail Behavior Flicks tail when excited Active and playful tail movements
Explorer Instincts High High
Attention Needs High High
Protectiveness Moderate Moderate
Territoriality High Moderate
Independence High High
Response To Commands High High
Adaptability To Indoor Life High High
Hunting Drive High High
Play Style Active
Curious
Interactive 		Active
Curious
Playful
Escape Tendencies High High
Curiosity High High
Hunting Skills High ⬆️ High ⬆️
Reaction To Strangers Friendly 😊 Friendly 😊
Stalking Behavior High High
Aggression Level Moderate Low
Training Difficulty Moderate Easy
Agility High High
Travel Compatibility High Low
Activity
Highly Active
Highly Active
Compatibility With Other Animals High
Friendly
Tolerant 		High
Friendly
Tolerant
Household Noise Tolerance High Medium
Playfulness
Energetic Explorer. Abyssinian are extremely playful and energetic.
Active Adventurer. Somali are quite playful and enjoy frequent play sessions.
Trainability
Highly Trainable: Abyssinian cat breeds are the most intelligent, responsive, and eager to learn, making them excellent candidates for training, obedience, and tricks.
Challenging to Train: Somali cat breeds are more stubborn, independent, and less receptive to training, requiring specialized techniques and more persistence to achieve desired results.
Lap Cat
Which cat is lap type, Abyssinian or Somali?
Yes
This cat loves to sit on his owner's lap.
No
This cat sits on its owner's lap less than other breeds.
Temperament
Which one has a better personality, Abyssinian or Somali?
Active Mischievous
Adaptability
Which cat has a higher adaptability potential?
Abyssinian cats adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Somali cats adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate cat breed: Abyssinian vs Somali?
High: Abyssinian cats are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate cats toward their handlers.
High: Somali cats are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate cats toward their handlers.
Child Friendly
Which cat is more kid-friendly, Abyssinian or Somali?
The Abyssinian cat is a child-friendly breed.
The Somali cat is a child-friendly breed.
Dog Friendly
Which cat is more dog-friendly, Abyssinian or Somali?
Dog-friendly: Abyssinian cats generally get on well with dogs.
Dog-friendly: Somali cats generally get on well with dogs.
Intelligence
Which cat is smarter, Abyssinian vs Somali?
Outstanding: Abyssinian is one of the brightest cat breeds.
Outstanding: Somali is one of the brightest cat breeds.
Social Needs
Which cat is more social, Abyssinian or Somali?
Lots: this cat breed needs lots of social interaction.
Lots: this cat breed needs lots of social interaction.
Stranger Friendly
Which cat is more stranger friendly, Abyssinian or Somali?
Above-average: this cat breed gets on well with strangers.
Very: this cat breed gets on very well with strange people.
Vocalization
Which cat is the loudest, Abyssinian or Somali?
Low
Low vocalization cats are a category of cats that typically make less noise than other cats.
Low
Low vocalization cats are a category of cats that typically make less noise than other cats.

Abyssinian vs Somali Grooming Comparison

Seasonal Shedding Low Moderate
Grooming Tools Needed Brush
Nail Clipper
Comb 		Brush
Nail Clipper
Comb
Dental CareHigh Moderate
Grooming
Which is easier to groom, Abyssinian or Somali?
Low Maintenance
Occasional grooming is recommended to keep the Abyssinian coat in good condition.
Moderate Maintenance
Grooming your Somali cat is an essential part of caring for their health and well-being.
Shedding
Which cat sheds less, Abyssinian or Somali?
Minimal
This cat breed sheds much less than the average.
Moderate
This cat breed is of average shedding.

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