🐱 Cat · size Medium
Sokoké
Versatile format, balanced qualities
Photo · Wikipedia FR (CC BY-SA)
Weight
5–30 kg
Size
Medium
Lifespan
12–18 ans
Energy
Moyen
Coat
Brown marble tabby
Maintenance
Moyen
Training
Moyen
The Sokoke, formerly called Khadzonzos, is a cat breed originating from Kenya. This medium-sized cat is characterized by its short-haired coat with a brown marble tabby pattern.
Profile
At a glance
Energy
Modéré
Trainability
Modéré
Maintenance
Modéré
Indicative profile — every animal is an individual.
⚡ Key facts in 30 seconds
L'essentiel
- 1Medium size (5–30 kg) — balance between presence and practicality.
- 2Lifespan: 12 to 18 years on average, depending on hygiene and diet.
- 3Moderate energy — 30 to 60 minutes of activity per day is sufficient.
- 4Moderate maintenance — weekly brushing is sufficient.
Chapter 1
Getting to know the Sokoké
Origins & history
A story told
The ancestral name of the Sokoke is Khadzonzos, which means "like bark". This name was given by a local tribe called Giriama who have lived alongside these cats for a long time. Indeed, the mottled coat of these cats is similar to the bark of a tree. It is possible that this breed has existed in Kenya for several centuries but it is difficult to date its exact origin. DNA tests were performed to search for wild feline genes but they were however negative. Westerners discovered the breed on the Kenyan coast, in the Arabuko-Sokoke forest. It was in 1978 and it was Jeni Slater who was the first to encounter this new breed. A friend named Gloria Moeldrop brought some back with her to Denmark to breed them. Indeed, Jeni Slater was concerned about the survival of the breed without human intervention. In 1984, they appeared for the first time at an exhibition and in 1990, Gloria Moeldrop brought other cats to strengthen the breed. It was in 1993 that the FIFe was the first to recognize the breed, under the simplified name of Sokoke (name of the forest from which it originates). In 2003, it was the turn of TICA to integrate the Sokoke as a "new breed". Currently, the breed remains rare but is bred in countries other than Denmark: United States, Canada and Norway.
Character
Daily temperament
The Sokoke is described as a lively, playful cat that loves to climb and swim. It would be relatively independent but sociable with its peers or other domestic animals. It would adapt well to apartment life if it has enough space and physical activity. These character traits remain however perfectly individual and are above all functions of each cat's history.
Physical
Breed standard
The Sokoke is a medium-sized cat with an elegant appearance. Its body is slim but nonetheless muscled, with a prominent chest. It has long legs. They have a robust skeletal structure and the hind legs have a particular curvature, characteristic of the breed. The feet are oval in shape. The tail is medium to long, quite thick at the base but it tapers progressively toward the tip. The tail must always be black at the tip.
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The head forms a softened triangle and it is relatively small compared to the body. The skull is almost flat, while the cheekbones are high and prominent. If you look at the cat in profile, you can notice a slight hollow at the base of the nose, which is straight and of medium length. The eyes are almond-shaped, quite large and spaced far apart. The two allowed colors are green and amber. The ears are medium-sized, with a broad base and rounded tip. At the end, plumes are highly appreciated. The coat is very short, close to the body and without undercoat. It is very shiny. The only permitted coat pattern is brown marble tabby, a kind of blotched tabby somewhat blurred and elongated and whose solid black parts contain ticked tabby hairs.
What if you adopted your future companion?
The Sokoké of your dreams may already be waiting in a shelter. Hundreds of sokoké (and equally wonderful crossbreeds) are looking for a family in France — every adoption starts a new story.
Editorial recommendation — no affiliate links.
Âge
What human age for a sokoké ?
The calculator is already set to the breed's adult size (espérance de vie 12–18 ans). Drag the slider to see the equivalence and corresponding life stage.
Equivalent human age
28years
Adulte
Most stable period. Monthly weigh-in, annual vet visit, dental care — this determines quality of life in later years.
Method: AAFP/AAHA table: 15 human years in year one, +9 in year two, then +4 per year.
These equivalences are statistical benchmarks drawn from published veterinary tables. Every animal ages at its own pace, depending on genetics, diet and care. This calculator is neither a diagnosis nor veterinary advice.
Alert
To avoid for cat
Our database lists toxic ingredients and problematic additives by species.
- cocoa pasteModerate
- onion piecesModerate
- low-fat cocoa powderModerate
- chilliModerate
Calculator · daily ration
How much to give a sokoké ?
Estimate based on the veterinary formula RER × DER, adjusted for cat. Adjust according to package recommendations.
Result
158 g
per day · 599 kcal
79 g / repas (2 par jour)
Calculation for food of 380 kcal/100g.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Sokoké
Does the Sokoke adapt to apartment living?+
How long does a Sokoke live?+
Does the Sokoke shed a lot?+
Can the Sokoke tolerate being alone?+
If you like this cat
Breeds with similar profiles
For more information
Sources & official links
Supplementary documentation on reference sites — breed clubs, encyclopedias, veterinarians.
The right score for your Sokoké.
SokoScan calculates a personalized PawScore based on breed, age, weight and your pet's sensitivities. Free, instant.