Welcome to our Sokoke Cats page! Here you will find everything you could ever want to know about Sokoke cats and a complete list of all the Sokoke catteries we have located in the USA.

The Sokoke, a wild-looking domestic cat, hails from eastern Kenya.  It is native to coastal areas near the Arabuko-Sokoke forest and has been imported to Europe and the United States.  Sokokes developed naturally, without human interference, and have always lived around humans.  This gentle, devoted breed is very healthy, but as a very emotional and territorial cat, Sokoke forest cats might be a handful for first-time cat owners and those who can’t interact with their pets frequently.

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Sokoke Cat Breed Information

Sokoke History and Origins:

Sokoke cats traveled to the West in two waves.  Today, the breed’s old and new lines have come together to widen the gene pool of this gorgeous African tabby.  Sokokes are gaining acceptance in major cat associations, and breeders are also working on a new color variety that is called Snow Sokoke.

Forest cats come to Europe

Nobody knows for sure how Sokoke forest cats originated.  Their DNA shows that they belong to the Asian group of domestic cats (with some Arabian wildcat mixed in), but the breed as we know it today developed in the wild, without any human interference.  They like to be near people and can easily be tamed.  The Giriama tribe gave them the name “Kadzonzo,” or “Come, pretty one,” from the words for “pretty” (kadzo) and “come” (nzo).

In the late 1970s, a European artist who was living in the Watamu area of eastern Kenya, near the Arabuko-Sokoke forest, found a mother Kadzonzo and some kittens on her property.  The kittens were tame, so this little family might have escaped from some village nearby.

Their coat pattern was unusual, and they didn’t look like the ordinary Kenyan shorthair.  The artist brought some of the kittens home and bred more pretty cats, naming the new breed Sokoke after the area where they were found.  In 1984, concerned that the cats might not survive in Kenya, she let a friend bring two to Denmark.  These were displayed at a cat show in Odense, spurring interest in the new breed.  Three more Sokokes arrived in Denmark in 1991, and another one reached Italy in 1992.

These six Sokoke cats formed the foundation of what is now called the Old Line.  The Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) recognized Sokokes in the early 1990s.

The new line

At the turn of the 21st century, more Sokoke forest cats were collected in Kenya.  Some of them came to Europe, where they were registered with FIFe in 2003.  Another seven Sokokes went to the United States.  Sokoke cat breeders everywhere welcomed the New Line cats because they widened the gene pool and made the developing breed healthier.

In 2004, Sokokes began the registration process in the US-based International Cat Association.  The Sokoke breed has also been admitted to the World Cat Federation and has preliminary recognition from the Livre Officiel des Origines Félines (LOOF), France’s central purebred pedigree registry.

As the regular brown-and-black tabby Sokoke gains acceptance in the world of the cat fancy, a few breeders are working to develop a new look.  Snow Sokokes have background white fur ticked in brown and swirled with open patterns that are a warm shade of light or dark brown.

Size and Physical Characteristics:

Sokoke cats look like the personification of wildness.  Their slim bodies and long legs give Sokokes an air of athletic grace.  Their beautiful African tabby coats hide them in the wild and attract admiration in the human world.

Head and body

Sokokes have the usual wedge-shaped head of a domestic cat.  It is smaller in relation to the rest of the body and has a flattened top, a little like the cheetah.  A Sokoke cat has high cheek bones that frame brilliant, slightly almond-shaped eyes that are set wide apart.  These cats usually have amber to light green eyes, framed in dark fur.  Snow Sokokes often have blue eyes that contrast nicely with their white fur.

The Sokoke nose is broad and ends sharply, with prominent whisker pads on either side.  You could draw an upside-down triangle between the tip of nose and the ears, which are only medium large but look bigger on that small head.  The wide-set ears are broad at the base and tapering into rounded tips that sometimes sport little tufts of hair.

A slender neck blends into the svelte lines of the Sokoke cat’s body, which is medium in size and well developed.  Those long legs are slim and rather fine-boned.  The hind legs are longer than the forelegs and have powerful haunches that give the cat a distinctive tip-toe gait.  The back legs are usually held flexed, so Kitty’s back is always straight and parallel with the ground as it walks.

A distinctive coat

The Sokoke cat has very short fur that feels hard, not silky.  Sokokes have little to no undercoat – they don’t need insulation in their warm equatorial home.

These cats have a background fur color that ranges from light brown to a deep chestnut.  The outer background hairs are ticked in a darker color that matches and blends in with modified classic tabby fur patterns that look like wood bark.  This “African tabby” appearance is the breed’s hallmark.  Sokokes do have the tabby “M” on their foreheads, though it may be a broken pattern.

Both background and pattern hairs are ticked (with dark color on the outer part of the hair shaft and white on the inner part).  This ticking blends all the colors together, and combined with the pattern color on the shoulders and below the spine, it provides good camouflage for Sokokes in the wild as they hunt or hide from predators.

Personality and Temperament:

Sokoke forest cats are moderately active, gentle cats that enjoy human company.  A Sokoke will pick favorites but make friends with the whole family.  These cats like plenty of emotional give and take.  They might not be the best pet for a first-time cat owner or those who can’t give them a lot of attention on a regular basis.

Focused on people

Sokoke cats came in from the wild in Africa.  In the West, they identify closely with their owners and the home.   A Sokoke has a very strong sense of place and is smart enough to recognize the social hierarchy at home and to understand where it fits into things.  Once comfortable, this territorial cat will keep an eye on things and let you know if it perceives a threat.

Sokokes will perch nearby when you sit down, or follow you around to see what you’re doing.  If you go out somewhere, your Sokoke will wait for you in the window.  When you return, it might greet you by dropping onto the floor at your feet, ready for some loving interaction.

These cats are family oriented, but they bond most closely with one or two people.  Once the relationship is established, you’ve got a friend for life.  The ties Sokokes form are so strong that it sometimes causes problems if the cat is moved to another home.

Playful and loyal

Sokokes have a zest for life and know how to get the most out of playtime.  A kitten can be kept occupied with a toy for hours and then hide it for more play later on.  Even adults have bursts of crazy energy now and then.  Fortunately, this natural athlete isn’t one of the constantly hyper cat breeds.

While Sokokes can entertain themselves, these beautiful animals prefer to have you join in on the fun.  Since New Line cats joined the breed, some say that Sokokes aren’t as loud as they used to be.  Nonetheless, this is a talkative breed.  Your Sokoke will happily chat with you, and you better believe Kitty will sound off if it feels ignored.

Sokokes do get lonely if left alone for long.  Living with a Sokoke is a wonderful but very intense experience.  These cats are very devoted and will be happiest when their special person frequently socializes with them.  If you are new to the wonderful world of cats or must be away from home for long periods of time, Sokoke cats might not be ideal pets for you.

Grooming and Upkeep:

Sokokes are very easy to groom, though they should be trained to accept a bath.  Besides taking care of their beautiful fur, you will have to regularly check that your Sokoke forest cat’s claws are healthy and short and that its teeth are clean.

Sokoke grooming tips

Like most shorthairs, Sokokes keep their fur in shape with self-grooming.  The most you will have to do with these cats is brush them or use a grooming glove every week or so just to reduce the chance of hairballs.

If you show your Sokoke cat, you will have to give it regular baths.  You might also want to train a pet Sokoke for bathing while it is young.  Sokokes do love water and can swim, but this agile, muscular cat is capable of putting up firm resistance if it gets dirty enough to be washed.

Claws and teeth

These gorgeous African tabbies groom their own claws by scratching, but that doesn’t remove all the dead nail layers.  Sokoke claws should be clipped every ten days or so.  If you have never done this before, it can seem quite an intimidating project, especially on such a wild-looking cat, but it isn’t difficult.  Your veterinarian can show you how to safely trim claws and what tools to use.  With the right equipment and a little practice, clipping your Sokoke cat’s nails will go smoothly and quickly.

Like all domestic cats, Sokokes are prone to gingivitis.  Their teeth must be cleaned regularly.  The vet can do this, but the procedure involves general anesthesia, which is risky.  Instead, you might want to try running a gauze-tipped finger over your cat’s teeth once a week or so.  As an alternative, if the Sokoke will accept it, use a special toothbrush and feline-safe toothpaste from the vet.

Nutritional and Exercise Needs:

In the African wilderness, Sokoke forest cats live on prey that is high in protein, with some fat and carbohydrates.  In our homes, these carnivores should have the same type of diet in order to stay healthy and lively.  Sokoke cats are moderately active and need some vertical and horizontal room to exercise, but they adapt quite well to apartment living.

A balanced diet

Dogs can eat almost anything, but domestic cats like the Sokoke must have meat in their diet to survive.  It isn’t difficult to get your cat’s nutrition right.  Any commercial cat food, canned or dry, that meets guidelines set by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) contains the right amount of protein and a proper balance of fat, carbohydrates, and other nutrients (like taurine and fatty acids) in every serving.  European pet food manufacturers also follow these guidelines.  There will be a note about it on the label.

Sokokes are descended from wild desert cats that used their prey to stay well hydrated.  For this reason, Sokokes don’t have a well-developed drink reflex.  If Kitty prefers canned food, that’s fine because each serving has enough water in it.  If it dines mostly on kibbles, just be sure to offer fresh water throughout the day.

Exercise tips

The lithe Sokoke forest cat looks like a powerhouse, but it also likes to kick back and enjoy the good life.  Hunting games that involve chasing, pouncing, and ambushing will interest your Sokoke and keep it in tip-top shape.

Don’t be surprised if a Sokoke carries off that catnip mouse and tucks it somewhere for another day.  Also, since this breed has a very strong hunting instinct and is also smart enough to figure out how doors, lids, and drawers work, be sure to keep any other small pets securely locked away from Kitty’s reach.  If you keep fish, be sure the aquarium has a tight-fitting, heavy lid.

Sokokes have powerful hind legs and are great jumpers.  If you can’t find your cat, look up.  It’s probably lounging around at the top of the cat tree or on a cabinet, surveying its domain.  If not, check the bathroom or kitchen.  Sokokes are fascinating by water and Kitty might be near a sink or in the bathtub, waiting for you to turn the faucet on for its entertainment.

Unique Sokoke Characteristics:

Fur ticking and a modified tabby pattern make Sokoke cats special.  Sokokes resemble Savannah cats, but it’s easy to tell the two breeds apart.

“See-through” marking 

If you could see a Sokoke cat in its home territory along Kenya’s coast, you might mistake it for a skinny tiger cub.  You probably wouldn’t see it, though.  The Sokoke’s ticked brown coat and dark “stripes” that are actually a modified tabby pattern provide perfect camouflage.

A regular tabby cat has a solid background fur color that contrasts sharply with darker fur that shows patterns of dots, swirls, or circles.  In Sokokes, the background and pattern are blended thanks to what is called agouti ticking.

In the agouti coloring, each shaft of hair has alternating bands of light and dark color.  This softens the coat coloring and patterns so the Sokoke doesn’t stand out against a natural background.  Those patterns are even less noticeable from any distance because they are broken up into blotches that have lighter agouti-ticked centers.

Sokokes compared to Savannah cats

These two African cat breeds resemble each other, but they are quite different.  For starters, Sokokes developed naturally while people made the Savannah cat breed by crossing the wild Serval with a domestic cat.

The Sokoke cat’s ticked agouti fur and swirling tabby blotches are also very different from the Savannah cat’s small dark spots that contrast sharply with the lighter background color.  Sokoke fur is shorter, and there is no undercoat.

Size is another clue.  Sokokes are much smaller than Savannahs and have longer tails and a shorter body and legs.

Both breeds have unusually small heads, but the Sokoke cat’s head is more proportional with the body.  Sokokes have smaller ears and wide-open eyes, while the Savannah’s ears are huge and its eyes are hooded.

Health and Wellness:

Sokoke cats, like many natural breeds, are strong and robust.  However, since they are new to North America, Sokokes may not be resistant to common feline illnesses there.  Sokokes should also be kept warm during cold weather.  Like all domestic cats, they need core vaccinations and might require additional ones depending on your individual cat’s lifestyle.

An equatorial breed in a new world

Sokokes developed in a wild setting where only the healthiest individuals survived.  As a result, they have no hereditary health problems.  However, North American cat breeders are watching Sokoke health carefully as these African cats are exposed to multiple-cat environments in the United States.  So far, no problems have been reported.

Cold weather is a concern, too.  Sokokes lack an insulating undercoat.  Like all members of the Asian cat group, they should be kept indoors during cold weather.

Routine health maintenance

Your Sokoke cat will need protection against feline distemper (sometimes called parvovirus or panleukopenia) and two types of upper respiratory infection (FHV-1 and FCV).  These are sometimes combined into a triple vaccine.

Rabies is also considered a core immunization in the United States and other areas where the disease exists.  Requirements for rabies vaccine vary according to local law.  Your vet can help you find out what’s needed where you live and what will be required for Sokokes when they travel with you.

The initial series of core vaccinations can be given to kittens or to adults that haven’t received them yet.  After that, Kitty will only have to get boosters every one to three years, depending on the vaccine.

Other cat vaccines exist, but not all cats must get them.  It depends on factors such as whether your Sokoke will be bred or exposed to other cats.  Talk it over with the vet to see what other immunizations may be needed.

The most common wellness issue facing all domestic cats, including Sokokes, is obesity.  If your Sokoke is more than 15 percent above average, it’s time to start watching serving size, limiting treats and table scraps, and getting out the toys a few more times each day.  This isn’t difficult with Sokokes.  They are naturally athletic and will enjoy the extra attention.

Interesting Facts About Sokoke Cats:

• Male Sokokes can be up to 40 percent bigger than females.
• Wild Sokoke cats are almost extinct in the Arabuko-Sokoke forest region. There are, at most, 100 Sokokes currently living in Europe and North America.
• The only difference between Old Line and New Line Sokokes is that they were found by Europeans at different times.
• At least some and possibly all Sokokes carry the recessive “snow” gene which turns the fur white by masking its natural brown color.