Are you looking for a cat to keep as a pet?
If yes, familiarizing yourself with different cat breeds in Kenya is a great place to start.
Surprisingly, most Kenyan cat keepers do not know the species of their furry animals.
Most go for color and size and need help finding which breed the cat belongs to.
It is critical to learn about different cat breeds because they behave differently.
For instance, some cats like being around their owners and can run away to find another companion when left alone for too long.
Other breeds like playing too much, and owners must get toys to keep them busy or get another cat for a playmate.
You’ll also find reserved cat breeds that like staying put with minimal play movements.
Additionally, some cat breeds are hard to domesticate and stay outdoors to hunt, meaning they will be out of sight most of the time.
So, which are the common cat breeds in Kenya?
1. Sokoke
Sokoke is an active and natural cat breed originally in Lamu.
The name Sokoke comes from Lamu’s Arabuko Sokoke National Forest.
This cat breed likes attention making it a social cat.
Invest in cat toys before bringing a Sokoke cat home for physical exercises since you’ll be keeping them indoors.
2. Egyptian Mau
This cat breed originates in Egypt but is present in Kenya too.
Egyptian Mau cats have a coat mostly of grey and silver with dark spots.
The medium-sized feline has wide ears and an athletic body and makes good companions to adults and children.
3. Savannah
Savannah’s first impression is a wild appearance that likens them to cheetahs, attributed to their brown fur covered with dark sports.
Their physical appearance includes raised ears, long legs and intrusive eyes.
Savannah cats are loyal and playful and pick cues quickly.
They also do not intimidate or get intimated by other pets like dogs.
4. Somali
The Somali cat has reddish and bushy fur that requires owners to groom daily to prevent matting.
The bushy-tailed felines have almond-shaped eyes, large ears, and a circular muzzle.
Adult Somali cats weigh between 6-10 pounds.
They get along with other cat breeds and pets, and their intelligence and attention-seeking traits make them a suitable pet breed.
The Somali cat can turn your house upside down if you fail to meet its needs.
5. Bengal
Bengal is another wild-looking cat whose coat is mainly brown with spotted or marbled patterns.
A Bengal cat may be wild-looking but is pet-friendly and an active feline.
6. American Shorthair
The American shorthair cat is an excellent pet whose coat has a range of colours like brown, black, red, chinchilla, cream, golden and more.
You can rely on this cat breed to keep rodents and other intrusive small animals at bay.
The thick-coated breed is playful and also gets easily attached to its owners.
7. Munchin Cats
Munchins are yet another cat breed that is lovable and affectionate, originally from the UK.
Munchkin cats are kid and adult-friendly felines with short legs but still adorable.
They also get along with other pets. Munchkin cats can play with people and toys.
8. Persian
Persian cats originated in Persia and Iran, but the breed has transversed the world because of their domestication demand.
Persian cats are some of the most expensive breeds in Kenya, mainly retailing between 80k to 150k.
It is a playful, interactive, and easy-to-train breed. Persian cats are good companions for kids and adults, easy to potty-train and pick other cues.
They also don’t mind being left alone for a few hours.
Others
Apart from these 8 breeds, you are also likely to find many other breeds in Kenya, including:
- Siamese
- Manx
- American curl
- Turkish Angora
- Abyssinian
- Himalayan
- Blue Scottish Fold
- Burmese
- Sphynx
- Ragdoll
- Main Coon
- Russian Blue
- Mixed breeds (crosses between any of the above breeds)
If you check ecommerce platforms like pigiame and jiji.com, you will even discover more breeds.
A word of Caution
But before you settle on a cat breed, do some background research to ascertain whether it is the breed you are looking for.
There is a tendency for Kenyans to claim that their kittens are certain breed while in real sense it is not.
This is very critical when you are planning to purchase a rare or expensive breed.
How Much Is A Kitten In Kenya?
Speaking of expensive cat breeds, how much should you pay for a kitten in Kenya?
Well, the cost of a kitten in Kenya can vary depending on various factors such as breed, age, and location.
On average, a kitten can cost between KES 1,000 to KES 15,000.
However, some rare or exotic breeds can cost significantly more. If you check pigiame, for instance, you will kittens listed for as high as KES 30,000!
It’s important to note that the cost of owning a kitten extends beyond the purchase price, as you’ll also need to factor in ongoing expenses such as food, litter, and veterinary care among others.
