Somali vs Abyssinian Cat Breed Comparison
"Find similarities and differences between Somali vs Abyssinian"
Compare Somali and Abyssinian. Which is better: Somali or Abyssinian?
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| Name | Somali | Abyssinian |
|---|---|---|
| Origins | ||
| Group | Mutation | Natural |
| Popularity Rank | 62 | 10 |
| Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| User Ratings | ||
| Other Names
What other names do they have? | Fox Cat, Long-Haired Abyssinian | Abys |
|---|---|---|
| Price
Which one is cheaper, Somali vs Abyssinian cat? | $1000 to $1500 | $900 to $1500 |
| Cost Of Ownership | Moderate | High |
| Breed Recognition | No data available |
The International Cat Association (TICA) Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) |
Somali vs Abyssinian Size, Appearance and Physical Traits Comparison
| Size
Which is bigger, Somali or Abyssinian cat? | Small The small-sized cats usually weigh 5-11 pounds and are 7-10 inches long from the nose down. | Medium The medium-sized cats usually weigh 10-15 pounds and are 8-11 inches long from the nose down. |
|---|---|---|
| Weight
Which is heavier, Somali or Abyssinian cat? | Male: 10 - 12 pounds, Female: 6 - 10 pounds | Male: 8 - 12 pounds, Female: 6 - 8 pounds |
| Bite Force | No data available | Weak Bite Strength: Less than or around 10 PSI |
| Body Type |
Semi-foreign Somali have a moderate build, more elongated than cobby cats but not as slender as foreign cats. |
Foreign (Oriental) Abyssinian have a slender, elongated body with a narrow chest and long legs. |
| Ear Shape |
Large Pointed Tufted |
Large Pointed Wide-set |
| Eye Color | No data available |
Gold Green |
| Hair Color and Pattern | No data available |
Ruddy Red Blue Fawn |
| Coat
What is the difference between Somali and Abyssinian coats? | Long Hair | Shorthair |
| Leg Lenght | Medium | Medium |
| Whisker Length | Medium | Short |
| Musculature | Slender | Lean |
| 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 | Concave | Straight |
| Neck Length | Medium | Medium |
| Fur Texture |
Short Dense |
Fine Short Silky |
| Bone Density | Medium | Medium |
| Flexibility | High | High |
| Bone Structure |
Slender Fine |
Slender Fine |
| Tail Length | Plumed | Long and Tapered |
| Sleep Patterns | Average |
Active Less Sleep |
Somali vs Abyssinian Special Abilities Comparison
| Attention Span | Moderate, playful and affectionate | Long, focused and curious |
|---|---|---|
| Guarding Instinct | Moderate | Moderate |
| Protection Instincts | Moderate | Moderate |
| Climbing Ability | High | High |
| Jumping Ability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Swimming Ability | Moderate | Poor |
| Water Affinity | ||
| Rescue Capability | Moderate | Poor |
Somali vs Abyssinian Health Comparison
| Litter Size | 1-3 Kittens | 3-5 Kittens |
|---|---|---|
| Special Needs |
Active Intelligent Requires stimulation |
Active Intelligent Requires mental stimulation |
| Breeding | Requires careful selection, moderate litter size | Requires experienced breeders, moderate litter size |
| Dietary Preferences | Balanced diet | High protein, low carbs |
| Solo Time Tolerance | High | High |
| Noise Sensitivity | Moderate | Low |
| Genetic Diversity | Moderate | Low |
| Sensitivity To Changes | High sensitivity | Medium sensitivity |
| Food Motivation | Moderate | Moderate |
| Feeding Schedule |
Twice a day Morning and Evening |
Twice a day Morning and Evening |
| Maintenance Level | Moderate | Low |
| Exercise Needs | High | High |
| Life Expectancy
Do Somali cats live longer than Abyssinian? | 12-16 years | 14-15 years |
| Energy Level
Which is more energetic, Somali vs Abyssinian cat? | The Somali cat has a very high energy level. | The Abyssinian cat has a very high energy level. |
| Hypoallergenic
Which cat is hypoallergenic, Somali or Abyssinian? | No Somali cats don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing an allergic reaction. | No Abyssinian cats don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing an allergic reaction. |
| Common Health Issues
Which cat is healthier, Somali vs Abyssinian? | High Somalis tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds. | High Abyssinians tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds. |
| Health Problems |
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) Periodontal Disease Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) |
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD) Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) Periodontal Disease |
| Climate | Temperate | Hot |
| Cold Tolerance | Medium | High |
| Heat Tolerance | High | High |
| Breeding Difficulty | Medium | Medium |
Somali vs Abyssinian Characteristics and Personality Comparison
| Common Vocalizations | Soft and gentle meows | Quiet meows and chirps |
|---|---|---|
| Interaction With Other Pets | Good, playful and friendly | Generally good, enjoys companionship |
| Facial Expression | Active and playful | Alert and curious |
| Tail Behavior | Active and playful tail movements | Flicks tail when excited |
| Explorer Instincts | High | High |
| Attention Needs | High | High |
| Protectiveness | Moderate | Moderate |
| Territoriality | Moderate | High |
| Independence | High | High |
| Response To Commands | High | High |
| Adaptability To Indoor Life | High | High |
| Hunting Drive | High | High |
| Play Style |
Active Curious Playful |
Active Curious Interactive |
| Escape Tendencies | High | High |
| Curiosity | High | High |
| Hunting Skills | High ⬆️ | High ⬆️ |
| Reaction To Strangers | Friendly | Friendly |
| Stalking Behavior | High | High |
| Aggression Level | Low | Moderate |
| Training Difficulty | Easy | Moderate |
| Agility | High | High |
| Travel Compatibility | Low | High |
| Activity | Highly Active | Highly Active |
| Compatibility With Other Animals |
High Friendly Tolerant |
High Friendly Tolerant |
| Household Noise Tolerance | Medium | High |
| Playfulness | Active Adventurer. Somali are quite playful and enjoy frequent play sessions. | Energetic Explorer. Abyssinian are extremely playful and energetic. |
| Trainability | 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. | Highly Trainable: Abyssinian cat breeds are the most intelligent, responsive, and eager to learn, making them excellent candidates for training, obedience, and tricks. |
| Lap Cat
Which cat is lap type, Somali or Abyssinian? | No This cat sits on its owner's lap less than other breeds. | Yes This cat loves to sit on his owner's lap. |
| Temperament
Which one has a better personality, Somali or Abyssinian? | Mischievous | Active |
| Adaptability
Which cat has a higher adaptability potential? | Somali cats adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Abyssinian cats adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
| Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate cat breed: Somali vs Abyssinian? | High: Somali cats are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate cats toward their handlers. | High: Abyssinian cats are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate cats toward their handlers. |
| Child Friendly
Which cat is more kid-friendly, Somali or Abyssinian? | The Somali cat is a child-friendly breed. | The Abyssinian cat is a child-friendly breed. |
| Dog Friendly
Which cat is more dog-friendly, Somali or Abyssinian? | Dog-friendly: Somali cats generally get on well with dogs. | Dog-friendly: Abyssinian cats generally get on well with dogs. |
| Intelligence
Which cat is smarter, Somali vs Abyssinian? | Outstanding: Somali is one of the brightest cat breeds. | Outstanding: Abyssinian is one of the brightest cat breeds. |
| Social Needs
Which cat is more social, Somali or Abyssinian? | 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, Somali or Abyssinian? | Very: this cat breed gets on very well with strange people. | Above-average: this cat breed gets on well with strangers. |
| Vocalization
Which cat is the loudest, Somali or Abyssinian? | 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. |
Somali vs Abyssinian Grooming Comparison
| Seasonal Shedding | Moderate | Low |
|---|---|---|
| Grooming Tools Needed |
Brush Nail Clipper Comb |
Brush Nail Clipper Comb |
| Dental Care | Moderate | High |
| Grooming
Which is easier to groom, Somali or Abyssinian? | Moderate Maintenance Grooming your Somali cat is an essential part of caring for their health and well-being. | Low Maintenance Occasional grooming is recommended to keep the Abyssinian coat in good condition. |
| Shedding
Which cat sheds less, Somali or Abyssinian? | Moderate This cat breed is of average shedding. | Minimal This cat breed sheds much less than the average. |
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