Sokoke

The story of the Sokoke has been pinpointed back to the Arabuko Sokoke Forest in Kenya. It’s believed that a couple of kittens were taken from Kenya to Denmark in the late 1970s, which helped bring the breed to Europe.

When a documentary maker named Jeannie Knocker started to research the breed in 2001, she wound up letting breeders in the United States and Europe know about the cat, which helped put the Sokoke firmly on the cat map.

The Sokoke was officially accepted for registration by the International Cat Association (TICA) in 2004.

These days, you may find Sokokes in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. So make sure to consider adoption if you decide that this is the breed for you!

The Sokoke is a medium-sized cat. As is always the case, exact size standards might vary.

Most Sokokes weigh in at six to ten pounds. Many can be smaller or larger than average.

In terms of the Sokoke’s overall personality, this is a feline who’s often compared to a dog. That means the breed is adept at being trained to learn tricks and will even have fun playing fetch games. Oh, and just like many canines, the Sokoke is often fond of playing with water!

Sokokes also have a reputation for being very loyal to the people they live with and often like to stick close to wherever the family is, whether that’s for lounging sessions or play times. You’ll need to ensure that your cat isn’t alone for long periods of the day. This breed does best in a busy family environment where there’s always someone available for company or fun.

As a final consideration, be aware that the Sokoke likes to be active and is very inquisative, so you’ll need to provide a living space where they can climb around to satisfy their instincts.

Sokokes are generally considered to be healthy cats; although, it’s always important to schedule regular wellness visits with your cat’s vet.

There aren’t any breed-specific health problems associated with the Sokoke, but always keep an eye out for signs that your cat might be in distress or pain.

As with all cats, it’s important to keep up your Sokoke’s regular veterinary checkups to detect any health concerns early. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your cat healthy.

Beyond scheduling yearly wellness visits with your vet, make sure that you pick up a scratching post for your Sokoke cat’s living environment. This can help promote healthy scratching and keep the cat’s nails in good condition.

The cat’s ears should also be examined regularly for signs of dirt building up or possible infection. Talk to your vet about starting a regular teeth brushing regime that will suit your Sokoke. Your vet can advise you about specific brands and techniques.

Finally, because the Sokoke is a cat with lots of energy, it’s recommended that you add at least one cat tree to your home. This is also a cat who takes well to being walked on a leash, but make sure you take appropriate safety steps before adding the activity to your cat’s routine.

The Sokoke has a short coat, and their fur is usually described as being thin. They sport a brown tabby pattern that many owners like to say looks like the bark of a tree.

When it comes to grooming, the Sokoke is a low maintenance cat. Brushing the feline once a week should suffice and will help lessen the chances of any mats taking root.

In terms of climate, most Sokoke cats definitely prefer a hotter rather than a colder environment. You should also always make sure that there’s enough shade and fresh water available during the hotter months.

The Sokoke is generally a really good fit for families with young children. Just make sure that early socialization takes place and boundaries are properly set on both sides. Supervise early interactions between kids and cats.

When it comes to other household pets, the good-natured Sokoke usually fares well with many domestic animals. But always make sure to supervise early interactions between the new cat and existing pets. Sometimes these relationships are very much dependent on the individuals pets’ personalities.

Ultimately, early socialization really pays off with this breed. Make sure to reward your Sokoke for good behavior when you bring them home to your family!

It may be hard to find a breed specific rescue for Sokoke cats because they are a somewhat uncommon breed. However, you may want to try shelters and rescues that cater to all types of cats, including Sokokes, as well as your local shelter. Here are some nonprofit rescues you can try:

• Hope for Paws
• Best Friends Animal Society

You can also try CatTime’s adoption page that lets you search for adoptable cats by breed and zip code!