Somali Cat

Somali cat, similar in appearance to the Abyssinian cat, but with semi-long hair. It is medium-sized, slim and elegant, slightly round; the body is medium to large, with proportional and muscular physique, and graceful lines. It has a regal appearance.

The deep red color is also the representative color of Abyssinian cats and Somali cats, and it is the most common. All Somali cats have amber, light brown, or green eyes.

Somali cats have a lively personality, but not overly enthusiastic. They are very intelligent, gentle, understanding, and have strong vitality. They are very playful and emotionally rich, and they need a lot of attention from their owners.

They have highly developed motor nerves, so they are agile in movement and like to move freely. Their voices are also particularly clear and loud, so they are not suitable for being kept in apartments. This cat loves to play with water, so most Somali cats know how to turn on the faucet.

This cat is also known as the Achimangi Blue Cat or the Maltese Cat. It originated in the cold Siberian region of Russia and was once known as the Angel Cat. The reason is that their origin, the port of Arkhangelsk in Russia, was called the Angel Port. In addition, Russian folklore believes that they have the ability to heal and bring good luck like angels. Pictures or sculptures of the Russian Blue Cat were once given as gifts to brides as a sign of blessing.

Recommended for cat lovers

1. Soft Loose Stools

Soft loose stools in cats are common. Normal feces should be brownish, well-formed, and moderately moist.

Causes: Cold and flu, change in diet, poor food quality, stress reaction, parasites, etc.

Symptoms: Soft, sticky, unformed, watery stools.

Solution: If it is caused by parasites, it is recommended to deworm. If it is a stress reaction due to a new environment, it is not a big problem, and it is recommended to observe for a few days. Regarding diet, do not change cat food frequently to reduce gastrointestinal burden. Also, pay attention to controlling the amount of food and feed the cat less but more frequently, with timed and measured feeding. For water, it should be clean and fresh. Do not feed the cat with mineral water, as it may cause urinary stones.

2. Depression

Cats are sensitive animals, and depression is a common condition.

Causes: Lack of companionship, loss of a companion, abuse, long-term confinement, etc.

Symptoms: Loss of appetite, lying around all day, hiding, sensitive and irritable, timid.

Solution: Cat depression is a mental issue, and it is recommended that the owner spend more time with the cat. Offering treats or interactive toys can be used to engage with the cat more often, and try to reduce the cat's stress.

Hygiene: Since cats have more hair, they are prone to carrying various bacteria and fleas. For the sake of the cat's and the caretaker's health, the cat should be bathed regularly and its fur should be groomed;

Diet: Different cats have different food preferences. Caretakers should not randomly choose cat food on the market for the sake of convenience. They should carefully select cat food based on the cat's breed, growth, and physical condition. They should also prepare dedicated utensils for the cat;

Health: Like humans, cats can also get sick. When a cat is ill, it must be taken to a specialized animal hospital for treatment. Regular physical examinations and vaccine injections should also be given to the cat. Only when a cat is healthy can it have the energy to play with its owner;

Safety: There is a saying "curiosity killed the cat". Cats are restless and always have great curiosity about various things. Their nature also causes them to be fond of entering enclosed spaces. Therefore, owners must close doors, windows, and box lids to prevent cats from getting into potential dangers;

Living space: The thing cats like the most is to lie down and be lazy. Therefore, as an owner, you should prepare a small mat for it to sleep on. These mats will accumulate a lot of bacteria after being used by cats for a long time, so you must pay attention to cleaning and disinfection at all times;

Cat litter: The problem of pets defecating anywhere has troubled many pet owners. However, cats are actually very clean animals, so as long as the owner provides cat litter, the cat will go to the litter box to defecate on its own;

Cats cannot be forced to do anything they don't want to do. When the owner forces them to do something, they become annoyed. Therefore, owners should trim the cat's nails at any time to prevent scratches and infections when playing with it.

Grooming time: recommended every three days

1. Relax the cat: Before grooming, you can give the cat a massage. After the kitten purrs, proceed with the following steps;

2. Comb along the hair: From the back → waist → hips → tail; you can wet the cat's hair with a small amount of water to reduce static electricity. Comb along the direction of hair growth, from top to bottom;

3. Comb from the chest to the abdomen: Hold the cat and sit on your lap in a sitting position. Comb from top to bottom. The cat's belly is more sensitive, so the owner must be quick and accurate when grooming the fur;

4. Comb the cat's head and around the face: You can comb from the cat's head or face towards the neck. Be careful with the cat's eyes;

5. Hair under the armpits and on the abdominal side: At this time, the cat can lie on its side, lift its front legs, and comb from the armpits to the side of the abdomen;

6. Finally, use a fine-toothed comb to remove excess hair, tidy up the cat's fur, and finish the entire process.