Sokoke cat breed: facts, temperament and care
A rare, lean Kenyan breed with a ticked blotched tabby coat, named after a coastal forest, and known for being active and bonded to its people.
Also known as Sokoke cat, Sokoke Forest Cat, African Shorthair, Khadzonzo
Quick facts
| Origin | Coastal Kenya |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Typical weight | About 5.5-11 lb (2.5-5 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | Commonly 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short |
| Coat | Short, coarse but lustrous coat with little undercoat |
| Colours and patterns | Blotched tabby with cold, ticked brown shades |
Recognition
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Not recognised by the CFA |
|---|---|
| How common | Very rare |
Temperament and care (1 low, 5 high)
| Affection | 4 |
|---|---|
| Energy | 5 |
| Playfulness | 5 |
| Talkativeness | 4 |
| Grooming needed | 1 |
| Shedding | 2 |
| Good with children | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 |
| Happy alone | 2 |
| Trainability | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 3 |
Best suited to
| Suits | An active household that wants a rare, lean, athletic cat and will give it company and climbing space. |
|---|---|
| Less suited to | A quiet home, an owner out all day or anyone wanting a cat that is easy to find. |
Registries that recognise it
- FIFe
- GCCF
- CCA
About the Sokoke
The Sokoke is a natural breed from the coast of eastern Kenya, named after the Arabuko Sokoke forest where its foundation cats were found. Local people called these cats khadzonzo. Breeding began in 1978 when Jeni Slater took in feral cats near Watamu and first called them African Shorthairs. In 1983 a pair was taken to Denmark, and the breed was developed mainly in Kenya and Denmark. More wild-caught cats were added at later dates.
The FIFe was the first registry to recognise the breed, in 1993. The GCCF and the Canadian Cat Association also recognise it, and TICA holds it in a preliminary class.
The Sokoke is lean and long-legged, with a slender neck and a short, hard coat. The pattern is a blotched, or classic, tabby with a ticked, salt-and-pepper look. Longhaired cats are almost unknown.
Temperament and living with one
Sokokes are very active, climb well and enjoy company. They bond strongly with their people and with other cats, and they are vocal with both. Adults and older kittens can take time to settle into a new home. Plan for play, climbing and companionship, since a bored cat of this type will make its own fun. A second cat is often a good idea.
Care: coat, food and play
The coat needs only an occasional brush. Offer tall cat trees, shelves, puzzle feeders and plenty of play. Feed a complete diet in measured meals. Sokokes are reported to be sensitive to cold, so a warm indoor home suits them, although they can acclimatise.
Health
The breed has few documented conditions. The small founder population means the gene pool is narrow, and breeders work to manage it. The cats are reported to have limited resistance to some common infections in cat colonies, so they do best in clean, well-managed homes and catteries. Ask a breeder about the parents and their health, and ask your vet about vaccination and parasite control.
Is it right for you?
A Sokoke suits an owner who wants an athletic, sociable cat with an unusual coat and who is prepared to wait for a kitten from a rare breed. It is not for anyone who wants a quiet lap cat. For a similar wild-looking tabby with a longer record, consider the Egyptian Mau or the Abyssinian.
Profile last reviewed November 7, 2026