Somali vs Oriental Longhair - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Somali vs Oriental Longhair - Breed ComparisonOriental Longhair is originated from United Kingdom but Somali is originated from United States. Both Oriental Longhair and Somali are of same weight. Both Oriental Longhair and Somali has same life span. Both Oriental Longhair and Somali has same litter size. Both Oriental Longhair and Somali requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

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United Kingdom
United States
Weight Male:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
10 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
Foreign Longhair
None
Colors Available:
Many colors and patterns
Coat of many colors - mostly brownish color with black ticking.
Coat:
Medium to long haired - silky
Medoum length, soft and silky
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Responsive, Social, 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

oriental longhairYour Oriental Longhair cat has his foundations in the Siamese breed. The Siamese came from Thailand to the UK in the 1800s.

Sometimes a litter of Siamese kittens produced a long-haired variety but in the 1950s breeders started honing in on these longer haired Siamese cats.

Various crossings took place and Oriental Shorthairs came about. By breeding these Shorthairs with Balinese cats, the Oriental Longhair came about in the 1970s.

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

oriental longhair kitten - descriptionThe Oriental Longhair is a medium-sized cat with a fairly long, muscular, lean body. The Oriental Longhair actually resembles the Siamese cat.

They also come in an outstanding array of colors and patterns with the coat being long and silky. The coat can be a solid color but you can also find tabby-type coats as well as tipped coats. The cat doesn’t have an undercoat and coat lies fairly flat against the body. You will also hear it being referred to as a semi-longhair.

The tail is attractive and forms quite a bushy plume.

The Oriental Longhair cat has almond-shaped green eyes. If you see the white Orientals, they can have green or blue eyes. They can also be odd-eyed.

Temperament:

These cats are intelligent, curious, and good-natured and they love to talk. Therefore it is important that such a cat breed have a home where there is plenty of company.

They’re active cats too, loving to play and bound and leap. He'll want to willingly join in with some of your games. The cat will certainly need some exciting toys to keep him occupied.

They are loyal cats and become loving and devoted to their human family, getting on well with children in the home as well as other pets.

They don’t like being left alone at all and will prefer to have company, even if it is from another pet.

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

oriental longhair cat - characteristicsYour Oriental Longhair is such a friendly, lively cat and he makes a splendid companion. It is an inquisitive cat and likes to be part of the activity in the household.

He is a social, talkative cat and has always got a lot to say/ They love the attention of their human family and don’t like being separated too long from them.

When you get one of these cats, you get both an entertainer and a friend.

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

oriental longhair kittens - health problemsThe Oriental Longhair is generally considered a healthy breed. Because the cat can be prone to some inherited conditions, it is always a wise move to buy a kitten from a reputable breeder.

A couple of these diseases to look out for include Progressive Retinol Atrophy which is a degenerative condition that can lead to blindness.

Also, look out for periodontal disease which is common in many cat breeds.

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

oriental longhair cats - caringThis is a slim cat and you can easily tell when he has put on weight. Be very careful with how much you feed your cat and what you feed him.

Cats are carnivores and you need to ensure that his diet is rich in meaty ingredients. These cats have long slim legs and extra weight can put pressure on the cat’s joints. Keep your cat lean and healthy. If in any doubt about diet for your cat, speak to your vet, Always ensure a bowl of fresh, cool water.

Prepare to have a cat included in your family. Invest in food and water bowls, a cat bed, grooming brushes, toys, climbing tree, scratching post and litter box. A cat box for transporting your pet to the vet is also a good idea.

The Oriental Longhair loves to leap up into high areas so he will need a climbing tree. Try to get your cat out into the sunshine where possible and allow him to climb into a tree.

They’re playful cats and will require some stimulating toys.

The cat’s medium- to long hair will require brushing once or twice a week. When you brush your pet gently but purposefully, he loves it and it becomes a bonding session.

Provide your cat with a litterbox and make sure to clean out the box every day. You can do that by buying a small plastic rake at the pet shop and it keeps the litter nice and even for your pet.

Have your cat neutered or spayed to prevent unwanted kittens.

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