The Somali is the long-haired Abyssinian, and it shares the Abyssinian's confirmed inherited conditions - progressive retinal atrophy, pyruvate kinase deficiency, and a familial kidney disease worth knowing before you buy.
Measured risks
How often they happen is backed by published studies.
Dental Disease 50-70%
$0.5-2k Cleaning
What is this?Hide
All cats Lund EM, et al. (1999) JAVMA 214(9):1336-41 - general feline dental disease baseline.
Periodontal disease requiring professional cleaning or extractions. No Somali-specific data exists - this reflects the general feline population. Full profile →
$1.5-5k/year
What is this?Hide
All cats [5] 14.7% (12.3-17.4%) point prevalence on screening echocardiography, 780 cats (Payne JR, et al. 2015, the CatScan study, J Vet Cardiol).
Thickened heart muscle that can cause sudden death without warning. There is no dedicated Somali echocardiographic study - this is the all-cats screening baseline. Full profile →
Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Deficiency 10-28% carriers
$0.3-3k (transfusion if severe) Diagnosis & management
What is this?Hide
Confirmed Kohn B, Fumi C (2008) Clinical course of pyruvate kinase deficiency in Abyssinian and Somali cats (J Feline Med Surg). Mutant allele frequency reported at 10-28% across Abyssinian/Somali populations sampled internationally (Grahn et al., EveryCat Health Foundation / UFAW summary); most carriers never become clinically anemic.
Inherited red blood cell enzyme deficiency causing chronic hemolytic anemia, with episodic weakness, pale gums, and an enlarged spleen. Somalis and Abyssinians carry one of the highest mutant-allele frequencies of any breed, with onset reported anywhere from 6 months to 12 years of age. A DNA test is available.
Known risks
Well documented in the breed - but no study has counted how often.
$0-0.1k test; no cure Genetic testing / management
What is this?Hide
Confirmed Menotti-Raymond M, et al. (2007) identified the CEP290 mutation (J Hered 98(3):211-20). Narfström K, et al. (2009) screened a combined Abyssinian/Somali population and found 45% affected, 44% carriers (Vet Ophthalmol) - reflecting a historically inbred colony rather than a random-bred population estimate; rates in tested modern lines are lower.
Inherited late-onset blindness caused by a CEP290 gene mutation (rdAc), first mapped in a joint Abyssinian/Somali research colony. Vision loss is slow, starts with night blindness, and usually progresses to full blindness by age 3-5. A DNA test exists and is standard for breeding stock. Full profile →
Renal Amyloidosis Confirmed in breed
$1-5k/year
What is this?Hide
Confirmed Renal AA amyloidosis is documented as a recognized Somali and Abyssinian predisposition (UFAW breed health profiles; Boyce JT, et al. 1984 Vet Pathol, cattery case series in Abyssinians). No breed-wide prevalence survey exists for Somalis specifically.
A familial form of AA-amyloid deposition in the kidneys, recognized as a breed predisposition in both Somalis and Abyssinians and distinct from ordinary age-related kidney disease. It clusters in related cats and can cause kidney failure well before old age. No simple genetic test exists - it isn't a single-gene trait. Full profile →
Diabetes Mellitus Not studied yet
$1-4k/year
What is this?Hide
Not measured No confirmed Somali-specific prevalence found.
Requires daily insulin. No Somali-specific prevalence study was found - this is the all-cats baseline. Full profile →
Urinary Crystals / FLUTD Not studied yet
$0.5-5k Treatment
What is this?Hide
Not measured No confirmed Somali-specific prevalence found.
Urinary blockage. Emergency + ongoing. No Somali-specific prevalence study was found. Full profile →
Lymphoma Not studied yet
$3-8k Treatment
What is this?Hide
Not measured No confirmed Somali-specific prevalence found.
Common feline cancer. No Somali-specific prevalence study was found. Full profile →
How we know these numbers
- Confirmed = measured or gene-confirmed specifically in this breed
- Breed study = scientists counted it in this exact breed
- Body type = comes from the cat's build - size, skull, skin
- Genetic risk = the gene is proven, the odds are not
- All cats = an average for all cats, not this breed
- Not measured = nobody has counted it yet
- How we grade evidence →
Red flags
Insurance Traps
Most owners sign a policy based on ads, but learn the real rules only when their first big claim gets denied. We don't want to scare you. We want to prepare you.
Price Explosion Premium creep
Premiums typically rise 15-20% per year. By senior age, your monthly payment can easily be 3x what you started with.
Hostage Status Pre-existing
Once your cat gets a chronic diagnosis, you can't switch insurers. No other company will cover a sick animal.
The Year 6 Rule Age limit
Many companies drastically cut hereditary condition coverage after age 6. Even if you've been paying faithfully since puppyhood.
Symptom = Game Over Pre-existing
The insurer doesn't need a diagnosis. A vet note from years ago saying 'cat limped slightly today' is enough to deny any future orthopedic claim.
Bilateral Exclusion Bilateral
If your cat tears a ligament in one leg, the insurer automatically stops covering the other (healthy) leg too.
AI Claims Adjuster Coverage
Insurers use AI to scan thousands of pages of medical records with one goal: find a 'kill-word' to deny your claim.
Orthopedic Waiting Period Waiting period
Ligament and hip claims often have a 6-12 month waiting period. Any symptom during that window means zero coverage for the rest of your cat's life.
UCR Limits Exclusion
The insurer doesn't pay your actual bill - just the 'usual, customary and reasonable' rate for your region. Go to a top specialist and you pay the difference.
Common Questions
Real answers about costs, treatment, and insurance coverage.
What is the most common health problem in Somalis?
The best-documented breed-specific issue in Somalis is Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA-rdAc), an inherited eye mutation shared with the Abyssinian that causes slow, progressive blindness by age 3-5. Pyruvate kinase deficiency (chronic anemia) and a familial form of renal amyloidosis are also confirmed in the breed. DNA testing exists for PRA-rdAc and PK deficiency - ask your breeder for test results before buying.
How much does pet insurance cost for a Somali?
Pet insurance premiums for Somalis vary based on age, location, and coverage level. Expect to pay $30-$60/month for a puppy, increasing 15-20% annually. By age 8-10, premiums can reach $100-$200/month. Always compare the actual coverage against the premium - a cheap policy with broad exclusions is worse than no policy at all.
Is pet insurance worth it for a Somali?
Somalis are prone to breed-specific conditions costing thousands to treat. Enroll as a puppy before symptoms appear for genuine financial protection. Read the fine print - check waiting periods, pre-existing condition definitions, and breed-specific exclusions. The workbook helps evaluate whether insurance makes sense for your Somali.
What is the average yearly vet cost for a Somali?
A healthy Somali costs roughly $600-$1,500/year in routine veterinary care (exams, vaccines, preventive medications). With chronic conditions, annual costs jump to $2,500-$5,000+. Senior Somalis with multiple health issues can exceed $6,000-$10,000/year. Breed-specific conditions make financial planning essential from day one.
What pre-existing conditions affect Somali insurance coverage?
Any symptom, sign, or irregularity documented in your Somali's medical records before the policy start date - or during the waiting period - becomes a permanent exclusion. Common flags include any noted lameness, skin issues, eye abnormalities, or digestive problems. Even a casual vet note can be used to deny future claims for related conditions.
Does pet insurance cover PRA-rdAc or pyruvate kinase deficiency in Somalis?
Most policies cover these hereditary conditions only if your Somali showed zero symptoms before enrollment and the diagnosis comes after the waiting period. Because both are genetic and testable, some insurers ask for a DNA test result at enrollment and may exclude a condition outright if your cat tests positive. If a vet noted related symptoms before coverage started, expect denial as pre-existing.
How much does kidney disease treatment cost for a Somali?
Somalis are one of the few breeds with a recognized predisposition to familial renal amyloidosis, a distinct kidney disease that can strike well before old age. Treatment - dietary management, fluid therapy, and monitoring - typically runs $1,000-$5,000/year depending on severity. Always get itemized estimates before proceeding and verify insurance coverage. Early detection typically reduces costs and improves outcomes significantly.
Why does my Somali insurance premium keep going up every year?
Pet insurance premiums increase based on your cat's age, breed risk profile, and regional vet cost inflation. For Somalis, expect 15-20% annual increases with no legal cap. A policy that costs $40/month for a young cat can reach $150-$200/month by senior age. Some insurers offer rate lock options, but read the fine print carefully.
Can I switch pet insurance if my Somali has a diagnosed condition?
You can switch, but any diagnosed condition becomes pre-existing with the new insurer and won't be covered. This effectively locks you into your current insurer for ongoing conditions. Switching only makes sense for coverage of future, unrelated issues. The longer you wait, the more conditions accumulate, and the harder it becomes to switch.
What does pet insurance not cover for Somalis?
Common exclusions include: pre-existing conditions, elective procedures, breeding costs, cosmetic procedures, and preventive care (without a wellness rider). Breed-specific exclusions may apply to hereditary conditions after certain age thresholds. Many policies also exclude behavioral treatments, supplements, and prescription food. Always read the full exclusion list before signing.
Should I get pet insurance or self-insure my Somali?
It depends on your risk profile and finances. If you save $100-$150/month from puppyhood, you'd have $6,000-$9,000 by age 5 with no exclusions or denials. But one early catastrophic event can wipe out your fund. Somalis' health risks make this breed-dependent. The workbook includes a calculator.
What questions should I ask before insuring my Somali?
Ask in writing: (1) How do you define pre-existing conditions? (2) Waiting periods, especially orthopedic? (3) Bilateral exclusion clauses? (4) Premium examples at ages 1, 5, 8, and 10 for a Somali. (5) UCR fee schedule for my zip code? (6) Claims denial rate? If they dodge any question, that's your answer.
Similar cats
My mother-in-law's boxer. Problem. $1,200 in tests, no answers. Another vet solved it with $8 pills. When you're scared, you'll pay anything - and some vets price accordingly. So I built what I couldn't find: real costs, real exclusions, plain language. Not selling policies.
Sources
Research and data used to compile this profile.
- 1 Menotti-Raymond M, David VA, Schäffer AA, et al. Mutation in CEP290 discovered for cat model of human retinal degeneration. J Hered. 2007;98(3):211-20.
- 2 Narfström K, David V, Jarret O, et al. Retinal degeneration in the Abyssinian and Somali cat (rdAc): correlation between genotype and phenotype and rdAc allele frequency in two continents. Vet Ophthalmol. 2009;12(5):285-91 - 45% affected, 44% carriers in a screened breed population.
- 3 Kohn B, Fumi C. Clinical course of pyruvate kinase deficiency in Abyssinian and Somali cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2008;10(2):145-53.
- 4 UFAW Somali - Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency breed health profile; renal amyloidosis recognized as a Somali/Abyssinian predisposition.
- 5 Payne JR, Brodbelt DC, Luis Fuentes V. Cardiomyopathy prevalence in 780 apparently healthy cats (the CatScan study). J Vet Cardiol. 2015;17(Suppl 1):S244-57 - all-cats HCM baseline.
- 6 Lund EM, Armstrong PJ, Kirk CA, Kolar LM, Klausner JS. Health status and population characteristics of dogs and cats examined at private veterinary practices in the United States. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1999;214(9):1336-41.