The snowshoe cat is a breed of cat that was created by crossing the Siamese cat with the American short-hair breed. The result is a cat with the pointed coloration of the Siamese and the stocky body type of the American short hair.
How did snowshoe cats get their name?
Snowshoe cats are named for their white “socks” and white markings on their faces, which resemble snowshoes. These cats are friendly and outgoing and make great companions. They are also relatively active and enjoy playing games and exploring their environment.
When was the snowshoe cat breed developed?
The snowshoe cat is a relatively new breed of cat that was developed in the United States in the 1960s. The original goal was to create a cat with the pointed coloration of the Siamese and the stocky body type of the American short-hair.
Now, other shorthair cats like the Oriental shorthair are also used by breeders to create snowshoe cats.
The resulting kittens were then bred back to Siamese cats to help preserve the desired traits. The snowshoe cat gets its name from its white “socks” and white markings on its face, which resemble snowshoes.
Is the snowshoe cat a recognized breed?
Snowshoe cats are now recognized by several major cat registries, and their popularity has been steadily growing in recent years.
What is the temperament of the snowshoe cat?
Snowshoe cats are social creatures that enjoy spending time with their human companions. They are outgoing and friendly and love to play games. They love to play games and will often “play fetch” with their favorite toys.
They are also relatively active and enjoy climbing and exploring their environment. Snowshoe cats are intelligent and can be trained to perform tricks like opening doors.
Unlike most cats, snowshoes are known for their fondness for water.
They are generally good with children and other pets, although they may become jealous if they feel they are not receiving enough attention from their humans.
Snowshoe cats tend to bond with one person in a household.
Because of their sociable nature, snowshoe cats don’t like being left along for a long period of time without another cat in the house.
If you’re looking for a fun-loving and social feline friend, the snowshoe cat may be the perfect breed for you.
What does the snowshoe cat look like?
Snowshoe cats are medium-sized cats with stocky build and long legs. They have a triangular head and large ears. The eye color of the snowshoe cat is always blue although the intensity can range from a light blue to a deep blue color.
Their coat is short and fine and comes in a variety of colors, including seal point, blue point, and lilac point. Like most colorpoint cats, the contrast in colors on a snowshoe deepens as the cat gets older. Kittens are born all-white with the colorpoint pattern developing a few weeks after birth.
As their name suggests, snowshoe cats have white “socks” on their feet, as well as white markings on their faces. These markings take the form of an inverted V on the forehead and may extend down the nose and onto the cheeks.
Activities that snowshoe cats enjoy
Because of their outgoing personalities, snowshoe cats enjoy spending time with their human companions. These cats are also relatively active and enjoy climbing and exploring their environment.
Snowshoe cats are generally good with children and other pets, although they may become jealous if they feel they are not receiving enough attention from their humans.
What is the best way to care for a snowshoe cat?
A: Snowshoe cats are relatively easy to care for. They should be brushed regularly to remove any loose hair, and their nails should be trimmed on a regular basis.
These cats also enjoy having access to a scratching post or cat tree, as they love to climb. As with all cats, it is important to keep up with vaccinations and routine vet check-ups.
Infamous snowshoe cat
One infamous snowshoe cat named Dusty was a San Mateo-based cat with a penchant for swiping items from around the neighborhood.
His owners in 2011 estimated that Dusty had stolen over 600 items from neighbors over a three-year period. Animal Planet even set up infrared cameras to capture the cat burglar in action.
Quick facts about snowshoe cats
- They are a relatively new breed: Snowshoe cats were developed in the 1960s by breeding Siamese cats with American Shorthair cats.
- They have a distinctive appearance: Snowshoe cats have a short, glossy coat that is usually white with dark markings on their face, ears, legs, and tail. They are known for their distinctive white paws, which give them their name.
- They have blue eyes: Snowshoe cats have bright blue eyes that are typically larger and rounder than those of other cat breeds.
- They are intelligent and active: Snowshoe cats are known for their intelligence and are generally very active and playful. They enjoy interacting with their caregivers and playing with toys.
- They are generally good with children and other pets: Snowshoe cats are known for their sweet disposition and are generally good with children and other pets.
- They have a medium to large size: Snowshoe cats are a medium to large breed, with a sturdy, muscular build.
References
Patterson, J. (2020, April 13). Snowshoe at a glance. International Cat Association. https://tica.org/breeds/browse-all-breeds?view=article&id=1817