The Somali has a soft, fine, dense, medium-length double coat. He should have a ruff around the neck and “breeches” on the thighs of the rear legs. Brush or comb the hair weekly to prevent or remove tangles or mats.Somalis can be prone to periodontal disease, so brush their teeth frequently at home with a vet-approved pet toothpaste and schedule regular veterinary dental cleanings.The rest is basic care. Trim the nails as needed, usually weekly. Check the ears every week for signs of redness or a bad odor that could indicate infection. Clean the ears only if they look dirty. Wipe them out with a cotton ball dampened with a gentle ear cleanser recommended by your veterinarian.
The medium length coat of the Somali needs a moderate amount of grooming. Comb the coat once or twice a week with a stainless steel comb to remove dead hair, prevent or remove tangles, and distribute skin oils. In the spring, when the cat is shedding his winter coat, you may need to comb him daily. A bath when the cat is shedding will help to remove excess hair more quickly. Check the tail for bits of poop stuck to the fur and clean it off with a baby wipe.Brush the teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is better than nothing. Trim the nails every couple of weeks. Wipe the corners of the eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. Use a separate area of the cloth for each eye so you don’t run the risk of spreading any infection. Check the ears weekly. If they look dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball or soft damp cloth moistened with a 50-50 mixture of cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the interior of the ear.It’s a good idea to keep a Somali as an indoor-only cat to protect him from diseases spread by other cats, attacks by dogs or coyotes, and the other dangers that face cats who go outdoors, such as being hit by a car. Somalis who go outdoors also run the risk of being stolen by someone who would like to have such a beautiful cat without paying for it.
