Snowshoe cats are an enjoyable, popular breed of feline that holds the hearts of many cat-lovers. With their cute faces, bright blue eyes, and vocal tendencies, there is a lot to love about these furry friends. They also warm the hearts of many with their funny antics, playful personalities, and snowy little paws. Let’s go over the basics of this loveable breed and even talk about some of the most popular Snowshoe cats in the media today! After finishing explaining the ins-and-outs of this unique breed, you are sure to be a Snowshoe cat expert in no time!
Origin and History
The Snowshoe cat is a cross between a Siamese and an American Shorthair. The breed was discovered in 1960 when the owner, a breeder of Siamese cats, found her mama cat pregnant on accident by an American Shorthair. She was surprised to see a sweet litter of kittens with snow-white paws and bright blue eyes, and she was so in love with the kittens that they paved the way for a new breed. She found a Shorthair breeder, and together they brought Snowshoe cats into existence.
Over time, the American Shorthair was replaced by the Oriental Shorthair as the partner of choice for the Siamese. This choice was due to the more consistent transfer of marking and color from the breed.
In 1982, The Cat Fanciers Federation accepted the Snowshoe cat as a championship breed. The same occurred for the American Cat Fanciers Association in 1990, and in the International Cat Association in 1994.
Appearance
Snowshoe cats are a medium-sized breed, and they tend to weigh between 7-12 pounds depending on diet, exercise, and gender. Their kittens are tiny at birth, usually weighing 6 ounces and growing to full-size at about nine months. Snowshoe cats have a long, dark brown tail and pointed, similarly colored ears at their extremities. They have bright blue eyes that will draw any cat owner in, and the white fur on their muzzle creates a unique inverted “V” shape.
The fur between their ears and forehead is a light brown, bordered by dark hair around their eyes, almost like a mask, which makes the deep blue color of the eyes to pop! Lastly, the legs of a Snowshoe cat are long and sturdy, the upper half of which is brown. The lower half is white, leading down to their iconic snowy-white paws.
Snowshoe kittens are born completely white and are incredibly fluffy. They tend to start showing their adult patterns and colors after a few weeks. Both the fur of an adult Snowshoe and a kitten is smooth, short, and they always share the same white paws that gives the breed its name!
Temperament/Behavior
Snowshoe cats have very diverse personalities; in fact, no cat is ever truly the same as another. However, they are generally very playful and sweet, with a kind nature. It’s not uncommon for a Snowshoe to be talkative, but that is a sign that they are comfortable with their owner and affectionate. They also tend to be very protective and attached to their owners, which is incredibly endearing.
Health
Did you know that Snowshoe cats can live for up to twenty years? They are generally very healthy cats; all you have to do is make sure to care for them well. Take them to regular vet visits and get them checked for common health issues such as heartworms, fleas, and ticks. It is also imperative to get them fully vaccinated to prevent future problems. Some other conditions to watch out for are kinked tails and crossed eyes, problems inherited from Siamese cat genes. These issues are mostly cosmetic and easy to get checked by your veterinarian.
Care Requirements
Feeding
Cats are carnivores; they need sufficient nutrients and meat content to keep them in good shape, with their bellies full and coats shiny. We recommend offering them a healthy diet full of protein and high-quality ingredients. Make sure to feed your cat once a day, keeping the bowl about three-fourths full. Free-feeding your Snowshoe cat might be better because they tend to eat small amounts 10-15 times a day. You usually only need to fill their bowl once in the morning, and they will graze on it throughout the day.
More Feeding Tips:
- Treats: Moderation is essential, as these playful cats love to receive rewards. Make sure you always choose healthy natural treats;
- Water supply: Your cat can never have too much water. Always make sure she has at her disposal a full bowl with fresh, clean water.
Grooming
Maintaining a Snowshoe cat is usually easy due to their calm temperament and short hair. Cats often spent a lot of their time cleaning themselves.
- Ears: Examine your cat’s ears periodically and keep them clean to prevent ear infections or ear mites.
- Nails: As long as your feline has a good scratching post, their claws may not need to be trimmed. But if you observe that they are too long or sharp, you might need to trim the nails regularly to keep your cat safe and prevent potential damage to your furniture.
- Brushing: Gently clean your cat’s fur with a soft brush once or twice a week to remove dirt and dead hair and to maintain a healthy skin.
Helpful Tips
Trainability
Snowshoe cats love to play with toys and receive treats, so these are the best choices for training and for developing a special bond with your furry friend. Being highly intelligent, they will quickly learn with positive reinforcement fun tricks, fetch, open doors, or walk on a leash. Some of them also enjoy swimming and climbing.
Interaction with kids and other pets
Snowshoe cats among the most friendliest cat breeds. They get along very well with dogs or other cats and have a good temperament around children.
Fun Facts
Dusty the Klepto Kitty
From San Mateo, California, comes Dusty, the most popular Snowshoe cat on the internet. He is infamous for prowling his owner’s neighborhood at night and stealing items from the neighbors’ gardens and yards. He has, according to his owner, taken over 600 articles. Some neighbors have posted several videos and pictures of Dusty stealing hilarious items such as bras and bathing suits from their yards.
Grumpy Cat
Grumpy Cat still is the internet sensation that has taken the world by storm with her hilarious grumpy facial expressions that generated viral memes. Most people thought she was a purebred Snowshoe cat. Still, the owners said that they aren’t sure about Grumpy Cats origins despite the similar looks to a Ragdoll or Snowshoe. Her real name was Tardar Sauce; she died in 2019, leaving behind millions of internet users with a broken heart but also memorable pictures and memes.
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