Somali vs Don Sphynx - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Somali vs Don Sphynx - Breed ComparisonDon Sphynx is originated from Russia but Somali is originated from United States. Both Don Sphynx and Somali are of same weight. Both Don Sphynx and Somali has same life span. Both Don Sphynx and Somali has same litter size. Don Sphynx requires Low Maintenance. But Somali requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

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Russia
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 - 15 Years
10 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
Donskoy cat, Russian Hairless
None
Colors Available:
Velour and Brush, Different shades – Flock, Rubber Bald
Coat of many colors - mostly brownish color with black ticking.
Coat:
Hairless
Medoum length, soft and silky
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

don sphynxOf Rusian origin, the Don Sphynx is an interesting looking, hairless breed. The cat came about in 1987 when a hairless cat was seen in Rostov-on-Don, a Russian city.

Cat breeder Elena Kovaleva rescued the kitten and it was at about 4 months of age that the kitten began to lose its hair. Later it was mated with a local tomcat and produced kittens which became the founding stock of the Donskoy breed.

The cat breed was recognized by the World Cat Federation in 1997 as well as the International Cat Association later on in 2005.

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

don sphynx kitten - descriptionThe Don Sphynx is a medium-sized cat known for its large ears and its long, webbed toes.

Their weight can be anything from 3 to 6 kg It’s a hairless cat but has different skin types that come in different shades – Flock, Rubber Bald, Velour and Brush.

The cat has this dominant hair loss gene that causes the coat they have at birth to thin and fall out. In fact, on close inspection, you’ll find that the cat isn’t entirely hairless but has a very fine layer of fuzz. The skin can be oily and the cat requires bathing fairly regularly.

These particular cats are also more susceptible to the cold and to sunburn. The legs of this cat are long and slender and they have a bit of a bow-legged appearance to them, but this is because of the barrel chest. The tail is long and hard.

Temperament:

These rare cats make excellent pets because they have all the characteristics needed that make them companionable. They are loving, companionable and playful. These are also intelligent, exploring cats which means you’ll need to provide them with games and toys that can keep them occupied.

They’re good with children and other pets and are even good for first-time cat owners. Breeders of these cats will tell you that they are even-tempered and amicable. They are gentle towards children and other pets.

Most of the time the cat has a calm demeanor but is highly sociable. As an entertainer too – he will do anything to get a laugh out of his human family.

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

don sphynx cat - characteristicsThe sphynx cat is an energetic feline that absolutely loves the attention of its human owners. In fact, he will even be willing to show off to get some kind of reaction from his humans.

This is certainly a cat that has a sense of humor. They’re friendly, loving cats who like to even follow you around the house to be where you are. They are loving and loyal, curious, intelligent and active.

It’s a hardy breed and you won’t have many health issues to contend with. We know that they are prone to skin conditions and periodontal disease so watch out for these with this amazing, but unusual looking cat.

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

don sphynx kittens - health problemsHairless cats are prone to teeth and gum issues, and every Don Sphynx owner needs to regularly check their cat’s teeth as bad teeth can cause a lot of problems with health as well as discomfort with the teeth.

This cat breed is also fairly prone to skin problems. You will need to watch him for rashes and fungal infections. Remember, that this strange-looking cat also needs vaccinations and de-worming as well as regular veterinary health checks.

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

don sphynx cats - caringIn spite of this being a hairless cat, it still requires frequent grooming, and yet you have to be careful that you don’t allow the cat to be bathed too often either.

Have your cat spayed or neutered to avoid kittens that you don’t want. This is beneficial for the cat’s health.

This is a unique cat and when it comes to food, if you can afford it, go for the very best food there is. Good food contributes to good health and this cat is a carnivore and requires food high in meat protein.

Of course, it requires other nutrients and the best commercially manufactured cat foods will have a list of ingredients in them that are important to your cat’s health.

Of course, with diet, there are other important considerations to think about and one of these is the right quantity of food to maintain the cat’s ideal weight. Too much weight gain can put pressure on the cat’s joints and contribute to health problems.

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. Don Sphynx vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. Don Sphynx vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. Don Sphynx vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. Don Sphynx vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. Don Sphynx vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. Don Sphynx vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. Don Sphynx vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. Don Sphynx vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. Don Sphynx vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. Don Sphynx vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. Don Sphynx vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. Don Sphynx vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  13. Don Sphynx vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  14. Don Sphynx vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  15. Don Sphynx vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  16. Don Sphynx vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  17. Don Sphynx vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  18. Don Sphynx vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  19. Don Sphynx vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  20. Don Sphynx vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  21. Don Sphynx vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  22. Don Sphynx vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  23. Don Sphynx vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  24. Don Sphynx vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  25. Don Sphynx 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