Abyssinian
VS
Somali
Abyssinian vs Somali
Compare Abyssinian and Somali side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Abyssinian
Somali
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
20 – 25 cm
23 – 28 cm
Weight
3 – 5 kg
2 – 5 kg
Life expectancy
9 – 13 years
11 – 16 years
Child friendly
4/5
4/5
Energy level
4/5
5/5
Intelligence
5/5
4/5
Trainability
2/5
4/5
Health
4/5
4/5
Grooming needs
2/5
3/5
Shedding
3/5
3/5
Barking level
0/5
0/5
Aggressiveness
2/5
0/5
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Characteristics
Abyssinian
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Low grooming
Somali
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Easy to train
Summary
About Abyssinian
The Abyssinian is a medium, athletic cat with a sleek, ticked coat and large expressive eyes, often likened to a miniature wildcat. Active, intelligent, and social, it thrives on play, training, and family interaction, needs little grooming, and is generally healthy with some testable inherited risks.
About Somali
The Somali is an athletic, foxlike cat with a silky, low‑shedding ticked coat and plumed tail. Intelligent and playful, it enjoys tricks, climbing, and puzzle toys. Social and people oriented, it needs daily interaction, gentle grooming, and environmental enrichment to stay happy.
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