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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+8
Cats
# The Sokoké: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Kenya
A rare, athletic and sociable cat, with a charm that is still very natural.
Size MediumLife expectancy 10–15 yearsBudget ≈ €65/monthKitten €1,000 – €2,000
No breeders yet — alert me [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-cat-breeds?races=sokoke)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Which cat is right for you?](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-cat)
Families and children Very good
Daily exercise needs High
Apartment living Fair
First-time owners Good
Other pets Very good
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Vocalization Moderate
Strengths and weaknesses
- Sociable: He readily interacts with his family, children and often other animals when he is well socialized.
- Athletic: His slender, muscular body makes him an agile, playful cat that is very comfortable with climbing activities.
- Easy maintenance: His short coat without an undercoat requires little daily care.
- Doesn't tolerate boredom well: Without sufficient stimulation, it can become frustrated or agitated in an environment that is too unstimulating.
- Not well suited to cold: The lack of an undercoat makes it more sensitive to low temperatures and humidity.
- Can be talkative: Its tendency to vocalize can bother people looking for a very quiet cat.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Active households: It is well suited to people ready to play often with their cat and enrich its daily life.
- Homes with space: It fully benefits from a home offering height, room to move around and, if possible, secure outdoor access.
- Families often at home: Its sociability and love of play make it a good companion for a lively and interactive household.
Not recommended for
- Small, unstimulating indoor spaces: He may struggle with a confined space without a cat tree, toys or opportunities for exploration.
- People looking for a very calm cat: His energy, curiosity and vocalization do not match a particularly placid profile.
- Cold or poorly heated homes: His very short coat without an undercoat offers little protection against low temperatures.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
28 cmSokoké
- Height at the withers
- 25–30 cm
- Weight
- 3–5 kg
- Coat
- Short, without undercoat
- Origin
- Kenya
- Grooming
- Easy to care for
## Photos and videos
See the Sokoké in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Sokoké originates from the Sokoke-Arabuke forest, in Kenya, where it lived in a semi-wild state under the name Khadzonzo. The breed began to be domesticated at the end of the 1970s, when Jeni Slater, a British woman living in Kenya, took in kittens found in a tree and raised them. The development of the breed then continued in Denmark, where several individuals were presented and bred in order to ensure its continuity. First called African Shorthair, this cat finally took the name Sokoké at the beginning of the 1990s.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Sokoké is a semi-foreign type cat, slender, muscular and athletic, without heaviness. Its body is balanced, with a fairly developed chest and hind legs that are slightly more angulated, which accentuates its lively appearance. Its head forms a softened triangle, with large ears wide at the base and almond-shaped eyes ranging from green to amber. Its coat is very short, close-lying to the body, devoid of undercoat, and the standard looks for an elongated marble tabby pattern with black ticked hairs.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
The Sokoké is an expressive, sociable and playful cat, while still retaining a real degree of independence. It becomes attached to its family, enjoys the company of children and generally lives well with other cats as well as with other animals that are properly introduced. Very communicative, it readily uses its voice to interact with those around it. Its temperament remains shaped by its natural origins, which makes it a curious, agile cat that is always on the move.
Affectionate Playful Intelligent Sociable
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
The Sokoké likes to climb, jump, explore and observe its environment from above. It tolerates poorly a totally confined life and is much more fulfilled when it has space, structures to climb and opportunities to expend energy. Even when it lives indoors, it needs significant daily enrichment to avoid boredom. It is also a cat often alert, playful and sometimes talkative, which appreciates regular interactions without being constantly glued to its human.
Training
## Training and socialization
The education of the Sokoké must be consistent, gentle and stimulating. This cat learns routines well, the limits of the home and certain interaction games when they are introduced with patience and positive reinforcement. Its intelligence and curiosity are real assets, but its need for autonomy requires avoiding any abrupt or punitive approach. A rich environment, daily play sessions and stable reference points are essential to channel its energy.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Sokoké
The Sokoké remains a rare breed, which directly influences its purchase price. The price mainly depends on the rarity of the available lines, the seriousness of the breeding, the quality of health monitoring, and the kitten’s intended purpose, companionship or breeding.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/sokoke/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Sokoké is generally considered a healthy and hardy breed. No specific hereditary disease is clearly documented to date, which makes it a rather robust cat when it comes from a reputable breeding program and is properly monitored throughout its life.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/sokoke/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Sokoké needs a good-quality diet, rich in animal proteins and adapted to its age, activity level and physiological status. Its active profile calls for a well-calibrated ration, without unnecessary excess energy.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/sokoke/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The Sokoké is one of the rare feline breeds directly linked to a natural population from East Africa. Its former name, Khadzonzo, recalls its local roots. It is often described as an excellent climber, and several portraits of the breed also highlight its unusual ease with water for a domestic cat.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Sokoké
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Sokoké suited to apartment living?
Not ideally. The Sokoké can live indoors if its environment is very enriched, but it thrives better with space, height, and real opportunities to expend energy.
### Does the Sokoké shed a lot?
No. Its very short coat and the absence of an undercoat generally limit shedding and make its care fairly simple.
### Is the Sokoké sociable with children?
Yes, as a general rule, it is a playful and sociable cat that enjoys respectful interactions with children.
## Discover other breeds
[Abyssinian
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/abyssinian)
[Egyptian Mau
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/egyptian-mau)
[American Shorthair
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/american-shorthair)
[American Wirehair
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/american-wirehair)
[Russian Blue
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/russian-blue)
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