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The Best Diet for Somali Cats: High-Protein Nutrition for High-Energy Felines

Good to know: general information, not veterinary advice. Read our disclaimer.
A ruddy Somali cat with a bushy tail eating from a ceramic bowl in a bright kitchen

Short answer: a Somali does not need an exotic diet. Like every cat, it needs a complete and balanced food built on animal protein, meals sized to keep a lean athletic body, and plenty of fresh water. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that cats are obligate carnivores that need animal protein, taurine and preformed vitamin A, so the label on the food matters more than the breed name on the bag.

What a Somali needs from its food

The Somali is a semi-longhaired version of the Abyssinian, a medium-build, energetic cat that typically weighs about 8 to 12 lb and lives around 12 to 14 years, according to the GCCF. Its high activity level is the reason owners worry about fuel, but the basics are the same as for any cat:

  • Animal protein. VCA explains that cats can eat some grains and vegetables but still depend on animal protein, and they use protein for energy more than many other animals do.
  • Taurine. This is a key amino acid that cats must get from their food.
  • Preformed vitamin A. Cats cannot convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, so it has to come from animal tissue.

You do not need to calculate any of this yourself. A commercial food labelled "complete and balanced" is designed to supply every essential nutrient in the right proportions. VCA points to the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on the label as the sign to look for. Our guide to how much to feed a cat explains how to read portions and body condition.

Wet, dry or mixed?

VCA says dry, canned or mixed diets can all work. Canned food can supply much of a healthy cat's water, which helps because cats drink relatively little. If you feed dry food, make sure fresh water is always available and watch how much your cat drinks; see our guide to how much water a cat should drink. For a closer look at the trade-offs, read Feeding Your Wegie: Wet Food vs Dry Food for Optimal Health.

How often to feed

Cats naturally prefer to graze on small meals through the day and night, sometimes 12 to 20 times daily, VCA reports. Free feeding can work with dry food, but moist food spoils if left out. For an active, curious breed like the Somali, a good compromise is several measured meals plus a food puzzle or two, which also gives the brain some work. Our guide to indoor cat enrichment has feeding-game ideas.

Keep the athlete lean

Even energetic cats can gain weight. VCA notes that obesity is common, that it is easier to prevent weight gain than to treat it, and that weighing food helps you track what your cat really eats, especially during a weight-loss plan. Outdoor cats may need more calories than indoor cats. Treats count too, so include them in the daily total. For a worked example of portion control in another breed, see Managing Your Russian Blue's Weight: Feeding Tips and Portion Control.

Teeth and the Somali

The GCCF highlights dental care for the breed, because tartar build-up can lead to gingivitis. Diet is only one part of dental health; read our dental care guide for signs of trouble and how to start brushing.

What not to do

  • Do not switch foods suddenly; change over several days and watch the litter tray.
  • Do not rely on homemade diets unless your vet has helped you balance them.
  • Do not ignore a sudden change in appetite or drinking. Our guides to vomiting and kidney disease explain when to call a vet.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. Ask your vet for a plan that fits your cat's age, weight and health.

Quick checklist

  • Choose a complete and balanced food with an AAFCO adequacy statement.
  • Wet, dry or mixed can all work; keep water available.
  • Offer several small, measured meals and a food puzzle.
  • Weigh food, count treats, and watch body condition.
  • Brush teeth and book a yearly vet check-up.

Keep reading

Sources

Further reading

Reminder: Kittyslovers (The Best Kitty Corner) is an independent blog. Our authors are not veterinarians and this article has not been reviewed by a veterinary professional. Always consult a licensed veterinarian about your cat's health, diet, supplements and medication. Found an error? Let us know.