Somali Cat Breed Information
Also known as: Long-haired Abyssinian, Fox Cat
The longhaired sibling of the Abyssinian. Same energetic, intelligent, ticked-coat temperament with a fuller coat, plumed tail and pronounced ruff. NZ buyers usually choose Somali after considering an Abyssinian.
A highly affectionate, highly trainable, great with young children cat. On the practical side: low grooming demands and minimal drool.
About the Somali.
The Somali is the longhaired version of the Abyssinian, developed deliberately from the recessive longhair kittens that appeared occasionally in Aby litters. Same body type, same ticked coat, same active and people-oriented temperament, with a fuller coat, a plumed tail and a pronounced ruff. The nickname “fox cat” captures the look.
Personality and behaviour
Somalis are busy, athletic, and openly affectionate. Same profile as the Abyssinian. They greet visitors at the door, follow their humans around the house, and benefit from a feline housemate when the household is regularly empty.
Care and grooming
Twice-weekly brushing with a soft slicker. The breed lacks the dense Persian undercoat and matting is uncommon. Bath rarely needed.
Indoor vs outdoor in New Zealand
Indoor or catio. Same case as the Abyssinian: high prey drive, athletic, range further than most cats.
Where to find a Somali in New Zealand
NZCF and Catz Inc list registered breeders (NZCF Somali, Catz Inc Somali). Often bred by the same breeders who produce Abyssinians. Expect a three to seven month waitlist, NZD 1,200 to 2,800.
Insurance and lifetime cost
Mirrors the Abyssinian. PK-Def and PRA dominate the genetic risk profile, with renal amyloidosis as a middle-age concern. Lifetime cost mid-range at $250 to $400 a month all-in.
The Somali, by the numbers.
Each trait scored 1 to 5 on the AKC scale. The verdict synthesises the data; the panels below show the strengths, group averages, and the full trait table.
Top strengths
Family Life
avg 4.0Affectionate with Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Pets
Physical
avg 2.5Shedding
Grooming Frequency
Social
avg 3.8Openness to Strangers
Playfulness
Adaptability
Independence
Personality
avg 4.0Trainability
Energy Level
Vocal Level
Prey Drive
Mental Stimulation Needs
Living with a Somali.
A 24-hour breakdown of how this breed's day typically goes, scaled to its energy, mental-stimulation, and grooming needs.
What a Somali costs to own.
An indicative NZ lifetime cost: purchase, setup, then food, vet, insurance, grooming and other annual outgoings. Adjust the inputs to see how your choices change the total.
A Somali costs about
$153per month
$35
$5
$27,920
Adjust the inputs:
Where the monthly cost goes
Food
$33 / mo
$400/yr · breed-appropriate dry & wet food
Insurance
$32 / mo
$380/yr · lifetime cover protects against breed-specific claims
Vet (avg)
$54 / mo
$650/yr · routine checks plus breed-specific risk
Grooming
$8 / mo
$100/yr · brushes, shampoo, professional clips
Other
$25 / mo
$300/yr · toys, treats, dental, boarding
Indicative NZ averages calculated from breed weight, grooming need and screened-condition count. One-off costs (purchase $2,000 + setup $300) are factored into the lifetime total but not the monthly figure.
How does the Somali compare?
This breed
Somali
$27,920
14-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$2,300
- Food (lifetime)$5,600
- Vet (lifetime)$9,100
- Insurance (lifetime)$5,320
- Grooming (lifetime)$1,400
- Other (lifetime)$4,200
Reference
Average NZ cat
$23,600
14-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$500
- Food (lifetime)$7,000
- Vet (lifetime)$5,600
- Insurance (lifetime)$5,600
- Grooming (lifetime)$1,400
- Other (lifetime)$3,500
A Somali costs about $4,320 more over a lifetime than the average nz cat, mostly highervet and higherpurchase + setup.
What to ask the breeder.
Reputable NZ cat breeders test for these conditions and share results. The bigger health drivers for the breed appear in the Common group.
Common
2 conditionsPyruvate kinase deficiency (PK-Def)
Inherited from Abyssinian gene pool. DNA test available.
Dental disease
A common condition in the Somali. Ask the breeder about screening.
Occasional
3 conditionsProgressive retinal atrophy (PRA-rdAc)
DNA test available.
Renal amyloidosis
Reported in some lines, can lead to kidney failure in middle age.
Patellar luxation
An occasional condition in the Somali. Worth asking about.
The Somali in NZ.
- Popularity: A small but consistent NZ pedigree breed, often bred alongside Abyssinians by the same Catz Inc and NZCF breeders.
- Typical price: NZ$1200–2800 from registered breeders or rescues
- Rescue availability: rare
- NZ climate fit: The semi-long coat handles cooler regions well.
- Living space: Houses with vertical climbing space and a second cat are the natural fit.
Who the Somali is for.
Suits
- Active households where the cat will be played with daily
- Households with older children
- Multi-cat homes (especially paired with another Somali or Abyssinian)
Less suited to
- Owners wanting a calm lap cat
- Households where the cat would be alone all day with no second pet
- Outdoor-roaming setups
Common questions.
Is a Somali just a longhaired Abyssinian?
How does Somali grooming compare to Abyssinian?
Are Somalis safe outdoors in NZ?
If the Somali appeals, also consider.
Breeds with a similar profile that might suit your household.
Abyssinian
Lithe, ticked-coated, and famously busy. The Abyssinian is one of the most active and intelligent cat breeds, often described as a small wild-cat in build with the temperament of a curious, people-oriented terrier.
Ocicat
A spotted cat that looks wild but has no wild blood, developed from Abyssinian, Siamese and American Shorthair foundation. Athletic, dog-like, sociable, and a good fit for households that want a Bengal look without the Bengal hybrid status.
Singapura
The smallest recognised pedigree cat breed, with adults often under 3 kg. The breed has a sepia ticked coat and unusually large eyes and ears for the small head.
Siberian
Large, agile, triple-coated cat from Russia with a reputation for producing lower levels of the Fel d 1 cat allergen. Affectionate, family-oriented, and at home in cooler NZ regions.
Last reviewed:
Sources for this pageInformation only. Breed traits and health notes on this page are aggregated from public registry and breed-authority sources. Individual animals vary; this page is general information, not veterinary, behavioural, or insurance advice. Always consult a registered NZ vet or breeder for guidance specific to your situation.