Somali vs Selkirk Rex - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Both Selkirk Rex and Somali are originated from United States. Both Selkirk Rex and Somali are of same weight. Both Selkirk Rex and Somali has almost same life span. Both Selkirk Rex and Somali has same litter size. Both Selkirk Rex and Somali requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

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United States
United States
Weight Male:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 17 Years
10 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
Sheep Cat
None
Colors Available:
All colors
Coat of many colors - mostly brownish color with black ticking.
Coat:
Long- and short coat - wavy or curled
Medoum length, soft and silky
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

The Selkirk Rex originated in the USA in 1987. A host of cats have been used to develop this cat breed – Persians, British Shorthairs, Himalayans, American Shorthairs, Exotic Shorthairs, and others.

There was a litter of kittens and the odd one out, one with an unusual coat – was placed with the breeder, Jeri Newman, who bred the cat with a black Persian.

Three Selkirk Rex kittens were born as well as three straight-haired kittens. The cat has been developed with either long- or short coats. The Selkirk Rex cat breed is recognized by various cat associations such as the International Cat Association, the American Cat Fanciers Association in the 1990s as well as the Cat Fanciers Association in 2000.

somaliThe Somali is a medium- to longhaired Abyssinian. It was in Britain that the original introduction of the longhaired gene took place.

The first Somali cats came about in 1940 and it was British breeder Janet Robertson who exported some of her Abyssinian kittens to New Zealand, Australia and North America, Australia. Most of the kittens had long hair and breeders started showing an interest.

An American Abyssinian breeder Evelyn Mague decided to call her cats Somalis and the breed was recognized internationally by 1991.

Description

The Selkirk Rex is a medium- to large-sized cat that will weigh between 3 to 6kg. He is a well-built cat of which you get a short- and long coat variety. The coat is available in all colors. The coat has a soft, woolly look to it with some curls.

With the long-haired variety, the cat has a well-plumed tail. One drawback perhaps is that the cat is a fairly heavy shedder, and perhaps wouldn’t be a good choice for those with allergies.

Temperament:

This is a lively, playful, energetic cat with a friendly temperament. Cat experts will tell you that it is the Persian and British Shorthair ancestors that have given him his placid, lovable nature. He is, however, more active than those cat breeds and loves to play.

Tolerant and affectionate, the Selkirk isn't a lap cat. Because he has a sociable nature, he dislikes being left alone for long periods of time.

The Selkirk Rex fits in well with households where there are well-behaved children and other pets. He is such a loving cat and loves to be in the company of his human companions. He isn’t demanding and likes to talk to you in a quiet voice.

somali kitten - descriptionThe beautiful Somali is a medium-sized cat which means he weighs in the region of 3 to 6kg. He is muscular and lean with the ears being set wide apart.

The ears are also tufted. The eyes of the Somali are almond-shaped and are usually a brown shade or green in color. The legs are long and the paws are also somewhat tufted. The tail is well plumed.

The Somali's coat is lovely and soft, while being thick and lustrous. The adult cats have a ruff. The Somali's coat comes in a range of colors but the most regular color is a beautiful brownish color with black ticking.

Temperament:

The Somali is an intelligent cat that relies heavily on its human owners for company as well as love and care.

They’re fun-loving cats that get on well with children in the home and from other pets. They are active cats and will need exercise. They should have some high perches and cat trees available so they can jump and climb.

Characteristics

When you welcome a Selkirk Rex cat into your home, you’ll have a loving friend and companion.

They love to bask in the attention they get as they’re quite unusual with their wavy to curly coats. People are always wanting to touch it.

The Selkirk Rex cat is an active, playful cat and has a whole lot of love to offer you.

somali cat - characteristicsThe Somali is such a loving and affectionate cat, just loving to spend time with her human family.

Thanks to the cat’s good looks and lovely personality, this low-maintenance cat is a firm favourite when looking for a splendid pet and companion.

Health Problems

The Selkirk Rex cat, if looked after well and given excellent food can live to be 15, 16, or 17 years of age. Some of these cats can suffer from hair loss. Remember, that every cat will require vaccinations and de-worming.

Kidney Disease:

Chronic kidney failure usually develops over a number of months. Chronic kidney failure in cats is a progressive illness but if you get your cat to the vet it can be managed. The vet will want a sample of your cat's urine and possibly a blood test.

somali kittens - health problemsAlthough the Somali cat breed is healthy, as with many other cat breeds, there are a few hereditary diseases found in the Abyssinian that may be linked to this breed too. Look out for eye problems with the cat as well as anaemia.

Progressive retinal atrophy

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a degenerative disorder of the retina. This eye disease can either be inherited or acquired.

When a cat gets sick there are some antibiotics that have been associated with progressive retinal atrophy in cats. Cats can also develop vision loss if their diet is deficient.

You have to be very aware of your cat’s diet and ensure that he is getting all the right ingredients, one of which is amino acid taurine. If you can see that your cat is battling to see, you should get him immediately to the vet.even though there is no treatment for PRA. . The vet will explain to you how to make life more comfortable for your pet.

Anemia

Anemia isn’t a specific disease with your cat but rather the result of some other disease or condition. The most common sign that your cat has anemia is that you won’t find that normal pink color of the gums. Your cat will be listless and there may also be signs of blood loss such as blood in the feces or urine. Your vet will do several tests to diagnose the anemia.

Caring The Pet

Your Selkirk Rex will need to have his fur brushed. You don’t want to brush him too hard every week as this can cause the curls to frizz. Rather use a spray bottle with some cat conditioner and lightly spray the curls and use your fingers to ‘comb’ his hair.

Provide your cat with well-balanced meals. Your Selkirk Rex is a carnivore and you have to ensure that his food is made up of meat. The best commercially manufactured cat foods know how to correctly balance your cat’s food so that it gets the perfect blend of vitamins and minerals. Always choose a good brand of cat food that will meet your cat's nutritional needs. If you’re unsure, you can always ask your vet for suggestions about good quality food that will help towards ensuring good health for your cat.

The cheaper, unknown brands may not have the best ingredients to keep your cat happy and healthy. Remember to read the labels as a growing kitten will require different food to a senior cat.

Provide your Selkirk Rex with a litter box, scratching post, and a climbing tree.

Your kitten will need to be vaccinated to protect him from some of the life-threatening diseases cats can get. Most of the vets these days recommend a combined vaccine, starting at about 8 weeks of age. These vaccines will protect your kitten from Feline Leukaemia Virus, Feline Parovirus, and cat flu.

somali cats - caringCats can sometimes be finicky eaters and even the most delectable morsels might be ignored.

Every cat is unique but every cat is a carnivore – a meat eater – and requires a host of nutrients in their food to be healthy. Commercial cat foods aren’t all one and the same. You get different food for kittens, different foods for young adults, for pregnant cats, for energetic cats, and so on.

There is cat food for every season of a cat’s life. Other important considerations are feeding the right quantity of food to your cat.

Brush your Somali cat each week to keep the coat soft and silky.

Provide your cat with a litter box and empty out the feces every day.

Provide your cat with bowls, bed, scratching post, climbing tree, and toys.

Have your cat spayed or neutered to prevent kittens.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Selkirk Rex vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. Selkirk Rex vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. Selkirk Rex vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. Selkirk Rex vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. Selkirk Rex vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. Selkirk Rex vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. Selkirk Rex vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. Selkirk Rex vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. Selkirk Rex vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. Selkirk Rex vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. Selkirk Rex vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. Selkirk Rex vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  13. Selkirk Rex vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  14. Selkirk Rex vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  15. Selkirk Rex vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  16. Selkirk Rex vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  17. Selkirk Rex vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  18. Selkirk Rex vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  19. Selkirk Rex vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  20. Selkirk Rex vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  21. Selkirk Rex vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  22. Selkirk Rex vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  23. Selkirk Rex vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  24. Selkirk Rex vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  25. Selkirk Rex vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison
  26. Somali vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. Somali vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. Somali vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. Somali vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. Somali vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. Somali vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. Somali vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. Somali vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. Somali vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  35. Somali vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  36. Somali vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  37. Somali vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  38. Somali vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  39. Somali vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  40. Somali vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  41. Somali vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  42. Somali vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  43. Somali vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  44. Somali vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  45. Somali vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  46. Somali vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  47. Somali vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  48. Somali vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  49. Somali vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  50. Somali vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison