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Abyssinian vs Somali
The Somali is the longhaired Abyssinian: the same busy temperament, with a bushy tail and a coat that needs regular combing.
Verdict
These two are close, and the one thing that decides it is coat. The Somali is the longhaired Abyssinian, so the energy, intelligence and curiosity match. The Somali has a soft double coat, a full plumed tail and a fox-like look, and its coat needs regular combing. The Abyssinian has a fine ticked coat that needs almost no grooming. The Somali scores a point higher for affection and is a little rarer. Choose by how much brushing you will do.
Choose the Abyssinian if
- You want the least grooming possible.
- You want a fine, close-lying ticked coat.
- You want the easier breed to find, as it is the more common of the two.
- You are happy with a lean, sleek profile.
Choose the Somali if
- You like a bushy tail and a soft, longer coat.
- You will comb the coat regularly.
- You want a slightly more affectionate cat with the same drive.
- You have space for climbing and play.
Where they are alike
Both rank at the top for energy, play and intelligence and both do poorly when left alone all day. They also share the same health watch-list, so ask your vet about screening.
Side by side
| Abyssinian | Somali | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Longhair and semi-longhair |
| Origin | United Kingdom, with ancestry traced to the Indian Ocean coast and Southeast Asia | North America, from Abyssinian lines |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 8-12 lb (3.6-5.4 kg) | 6-13 lb (2.7-5.9 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 10-13 years | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Medium |
| Coat | Fine, close-lying coat with a ticked (agouti) pattern; each hair carries several bands of colour | Soft, fine, silky double coat, longer on the ruff, belly and britches, with a full plumed tail |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | — | Championship breed since 1979 |
| How common | Common | Uncommon |
| Affection | 3 | 4 |
| Energy | 5 | 5 |
| Playfulness | 5 | 5 |
| Talkativeness | 2 | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 1 | 3 |
| Shedding | 2 | 3 |
| Good with children | 4 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 2 | 2 |
| Trainability | 5 | 5 |
| Suits a small home | 3 | 3 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The short coat is easy to keep clean, but people who react to cats may still react to an Abyssinian. | — |
| Suits | An active household that enjoys play and wants a bright, busy cat that follows its people around. | A household that wants a clever, active, affectionate cat and will give it play, climbing space and company. |
| Less suited to | Anyone who wants a calm lap cat, or a home where the cat is alone for long stretches. | Anyone out all day, anyone wanting a quiet lap cat, or a home without room to climb. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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| Health conditions to watch |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026