Sokoke Cats
Cat Facts

The Sokoke Cat is also known as the African Shorthair or the Kadzonzo. This is a rare cat breed and considered a fairly new breed of cat.

The Kadzonzo cat is an athletic cat - sleek, slender and graceful. This cat has a solid, sturdy build and exhibits great strength. Its movements and long legs have been compared to the wild African Cheetah. They have beautiful long legs with fine boning and have a characteristic tip-toe gait. Its tail is relatively thin, medium in length and described as whip-like and somewhat stiff. To compliment the torso, the neck is long and slender, yet muscular and strong.

The Sokoke's head appears small in relation to the rest of the cat and the top of the head is somewhat flat. The cat has well defined cheek bones, a broad, well defined strong chin and a long, straight nose. It has large, expressive, almond-shaped eyes that are set wide apart and slanted towards the base of the ears. Eye color is light green or amber and has a distinctive black outline. The Kadzonzo has large, alert ears - meaning that they are in the upright 'listening' position. The ears are broad at the base and the tips are slightly rounded and ear tufts are desired.

The coat only comes in a Brown 'Modified' Classic Tabby. The coat has blotched markings with ticked areas on the inside. The coat resembles a marbled tabby and the blotches give the illusion of been 'hollowed-out'. There is no white on the Sokoke. The coat pattern provides perfect camouflage for a cat that once roamed the Forests in Kenya. Its coat is short, close-lying, shiny and dense but lacks an insulating undercoat and this does make the cat sensitive to cold weather.

Cat Information

Indoor or Outdoor Cats

This cat is suited to indoor and outdoor living, but 'outdoors' as described below. Many cat breeders have contracts that stipulate that the cat must be kept indoors.

Outdoors: An enclosed garden, one that is covered on all 4 sides and that includes the roof. If your cat has direct access from your home to a large enclosure of this type it will be possible to allow some access to the 'outdoors'. Indoor cats need an 'adventure zone' to prevent boredom.

Note: As mentioned, these cats lack an insulating undercoat and are sensitive to cold. In colder climates it is recommended that they be kept indoors.

Character

They are loving and affectionate cats - but certainly not lap cats! Breeders and owners describe them as sensitive cats that are curious and intelligent. They love to play and will keep themselves amused for hours, They are moderately active and their favorite pastime is to sit perched on high places waiting to pounce on the next unsuspecting victim! They are not aggressive; in fact they love their humans, other cats and dogs and generally thrive in groups. The Sokoke is a talkative cat with a relatively strong voice. It is one of the few cats that loves water. Whilst it may have a 'wild' heritage, it is considered a domestic cat and owners do not require a license to keep them.

Cat Care and Cat Grooming

This cat requires very little grooming. Their coats need to be brushed once a week and then rubbed down with a rubber grooming glove.

Cat Health Concerns

When the Sokoke initially arrived in Denmark they were more susceptible to feline diseases than other cats, but with vaccination, this has been overcome. It is considered a healthy cat breed and does not suffer from any genetic or hereditary diseases.

Cat Diet and Nutrition

This cat does not need a special diet, but you do need to feed your cat a healthy, well balanced diet. The review on cat food provides excellent information on the different types of feline foods and the cat nutrition guide reviews the importance of specific nutrients in your cat's diet. Water and not milk is also an essential part of their diet.

The Average Weight

The average weight of this cat is between 3.5 kg - 6.5 kg (7.7 lbs - 14.3 lbs). The male cat is heavier than its female counterpart.

Life Expectancy

The Sokoke cat only reaches sexual maturity at around 1.5 to 2 years. The average life span for these cats is 12 + years, but some cats may live up to 20 years. Cat life span depends on numerous things which are explained in detail in the chapter on how long do cats live.

Related Cat Pages:

Cat Breeders - cat breeder directory

Sokoke Cat - the origin of the African Shorthair

Cat Photos Courtesy of:

© Hilary Goodburn of Samburu Sokokes