Snowshoe Cat Breed: Characteristic, Health & Fun Facts!

The Snowshoe cat gets its name from its adorable white paws, and its snout is marked with characteristic white markings in the form of an upside-down “V.” The Snowshoe is a lovely cat breed that isn’t just adorable; it also has a strong affinity for humans.

Snowshoes are among the nicest cats, in fact! They enjoy everyone and are quick to make friends with new people, even if they do have the propensity to have one person they absolutely like.

About The Breed

The American shorthair and Siamese breeds that originated in the US were crossed to create the snowshoe cat, which is a relatively recent hybrid.

The cat’s four unique white paws are what give it the moniker “snowshoe.” Its demeanor is comparable to a Siamese, as are its other colorpoint markings. This pleasant, medium-sized purebred feline is a healthy, affectionate, and loyal family companion.

Snowshoe Cat Breed History

Siamese kittens with white paws and white markings on their muzzles have appeared naturally for as long as the breed has existed, even though the Snowshoe cat breed wasn’t formally created until the middle of the 20th century.

A Philadelphia-based Siamese breeder named Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty noted that three kittens from the same litter all had Snowshoe patterns instead of solid color points in the 1960s. She made the decision to start a new line because the Siamese breed standard prohibits white feet. The Snowshoe cat breed was thus born.

Snowshoe Cat Breed Job Card/Overview

Breed Name	Snowshoe
Origin	United States of America
Height	9 – 11 inches
Weight	6 – 12 pounds
Life Expectancy	14 – 19 years
Colors	Lilac, seal, blue, or chocolate.
Temperament	Loving, curious, family-oriented, vocal

Breed Characteristics 

Personality 

Snowshoes are renowned for sharing the Siamese side of their ancestry’s demeanor. They typically show affection and form close bonds with their owners. Being confident, intelligent, and social, they often use their loud voices to seek attention and “talk” with their owners.

Since they are recognized for their inclination to make friends with other cats and amicable dogs, The cats may thrive in a multi-pet household. However, they will likely “speak up” in order to get the playtime or cuddles they require.

Pros And Cons Of The Snowshoe Cat Breed 

Appearance

General Appearance

These delightful pussycats are a sight to behold. Known for his or her striking markings and vibrant blue eyes, Snowshoe cats are certainly captivating. Their coats are commonly brief, glossy, and gentle, making them first-class to pet.

These cats recreation white coats with darkish shade points on their ears, paws, and tails, such as little snow boots. Their triangular faces provide them with a lovable, distinctive appearance.

Coat Color And Grooming

Snowshoes have darker legs, ears, faces, and tails than their lighter bodies due to point coloration in their coat. The hue of the body is often a light cream or tan, although it may also be lilac, seal, blue, or chocolate.

You don’t need to worry about getting the lint roller out every time you leave home because These cats don’t shed much. But be aware that just because a breed has less shedding doesn’t automatically make it hypoallergenic (in fact, no dog or cat is completely hypoallergenic). Spend some time with this breed to observe how you respond before taking a Snowshoe kitten home if you frequently sniffle or sneeze around cats.

Like any cat requires frequent nail trimming (so your lap won’t hurt when your cat is making biscuits there) and a clean litter box.

Shedding

The short to medium-length coat of a snowshoe cat is silky and lustrous. Because these cats don’t have a plush or multilayered coat, there isn’t much shedding. It is important to brush your cat twice a week in order to help maintain the health of its coat.

Health 

The short time that snowshoes have been a breed has shown that they are generally healthy cats. Due to their Siamese genetic makeup, occasionally, a litter will have crossed eyes and kinked tails, although these characteristics are neither unpleasant nor handicapping.

Maintenance And Care

One of the most prevalent health issues affecting cats of all breeds is dental disease, which is entirely avoidable. Make sure your cat is fed high-quality food, and if they are tolerant enough, try to incorporate cleaning their teeth into their weekly grooming routine.

It might be helpful to get children accustomed to having their mouths inspected at a young age and to have them relate it with positive things.

Food And Nutrition

Because they are obligate carnivores, snowshoe hares thrive on a high-quality meat-based diet. The amino acid taurine, which is present in animal-based proteins, must be present in enough amounts in the meal.

Your cat may experience potentially fatal eye and heart issues if it develops a taurine deficiency, which can occur if it consumes dog food or plant-based meals.

Exercise And Activity Level 

Like their Siamese ancestors, snowshoes are intelligent and observant. They like looking out over their area from elevated vantage points, such as the tops of cat trees, in search of a chance for adventure or a willing playmate. Your cat would enjoy a space with lots of games and toys to keep it from being bored.

These cats are quite simple to teach since they are so intelligent. Positive reinforcement training techniques may strengthen your relationship with your cat and keep it mentally and physically occupied by teaching it basic tricks and directions.

Little Known Facts

Here is a list of the amazing facts about this breed-

• These cats are born completely white, and after a few weeks, they start to acquire color points.

• These cats are quite uncommon since the recessive gene that generates their distinctive patterns doesn’t happen frequently.

• One of the rare breeds that like the water is the cat. These cats frequently accompany their owners in the shower and usually leap at the chance to get their paws wet.

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