The Snowshoe Cat is a breed of cat that originated in North America.
It is a large, long-haired breed with white feet and chest, and may have brown or black patches on its paws.
With thorough research, we have put together a guide that will teach you everything you need to know on the Snowshoe Cat breed.
You will learn learn about their personality, living needs, history, diet & nutrition, grooming, plus much more.
Snowshoe Cat
WEIGHT: 7-12 pounds
HEIGHT: 8 to 13 inches
COAT: Short
COAT COLORS: Chocolate / brown / white / black
EYE COLOR: Blue
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 14 to 20 years
Personality
The snowshoe cat has a very special personality that makes it a great pet. They are outgoing, intelligent and loving to their owners.
The breed is very gentle with kids as well as other animals they come into contact with outside of the home which can include dogs, cats and birds!
The snowshoe cat has been known to have a sense of humor around its owner - teasing them by bringing small "presents" such as a toy or a dead bird back from outdoors for them to play with.
It's an easy going animal overall though who likes nothing better than being next you on the couch while watching TV.
Snowshoes tend not to be high strung either so this new family member will fit in easily if there are already pets or children living in your home.
Living With / Temperament
Snowshoes are great family pets because they are very friendly with kids, even hyperactive ones.
They have a lot of energy and love to play games like fetch or tag. They do not need too much exercise either as long as you can take them out for walks!
If left alone indoors all day, it is recommended that they be given toys so they will not get bored.
Living Needs
If you live in an apartment building without direct access to a yard, this breed probably isn't right for you unless your home has multiple floors with windows on each floor.
This will allow them to sit and look outside. This allows them some mental stimulation during their indoor time by watching what's going on outside.
Characteristics of the Peterbald Cat
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Snowshoe Cat Appearance
Snowshoe cats originate from the Siamese breed which is why they tend to be a medium sized cat with long legs and paws.
They have large ears that are shaped like triangles, their eyes will either be blue or green depending on what type of coat pattern they have.
Snowshoe fur is distinguished by its short, single-coated, and color-pointed characteristics. The most frequent are dark colors such as fawn, chocolate, and blue, although black, orange, and lilac are also available.
White Paws are the distinctive appearance that gave their breed its name.
A purebred snowshoe may have up to three dominant colors: black, white, and colored.
The color on the legs may extend depending on how much or how little of each color is used.
History of the Snowshoe Cat
The Snowshoe is a fairly new breed of cat that was developed in the late 1960s.
Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty discovered three kittens in one of her litters that all had four white paws.
She was so taken aback by this, and their striking Siamese "Pointed" markings caught her eye even more than usual for a cat with such high contrast colorings!
In an effort to create this appearance, she decided to cross these Siamese with a Domestic Short-haired Cat with tuxedo markings.
It just so happened that during an experiment where different breeds were crossed together over time.
One cross revealed itself as having especially noticeable features: pointy ears on top of lighter colored bodies outlined by darker stripes down each side (a matched set known today commonly referred roundly among fanciers simply as Champagne).
There was only one breeder in the 1970's, but their popularity has grown steadily over time.
More people are starting to appreciate these unusual cats with an endearing mischievousness that can't help but make you smile when they're on your lap!
The first Snowshoe Cats were recognized by Cat Fanciers Federation and International Cata Association in 1982.
In 1990 the breedwas recognised by American Cat Fanciers Association, followed by the International Cat Association in 1994.
This was after being sighted for years before then under different names like "Smiling Face" or "Mischief."
The late 'Grumpy Cat' gained Internet celebrity status due largely thanks too her sweet yet grumpy disposition which reminded us all why we loved this furry friend so much.
Grumpy cat was believed to be a Snowshoe Cat cross.
Grooming And Care
Their coat should be brushed once or twice per week to remove any loose hair and to prevent matting.
Snowshoe Cats are low maintenance in terms of grooming, however their eyes should be checked regularly for signs of infection or injury.
The breed is known to have a long life span with many specimens living up too 15 years old!
To protect from disease and other dangers, it is a good idea to keep your cat indoors.
Snowshoe Cats are adaptable to almost any living quarters, be it an apartment or a house with yard however they will require some daily play time and exercise outside of their indoor environment.
Common Health Problems
The Snowshoe is generally a healthy breed but there are some common health problems to be aware of which include:
- Polycystic Kidney Disease
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) - Eye Conditions
Snowshoes occasionally show Siamese characteristics like bent tails or crossed eyes, but these are entirely cosmetic flaws that have no impact on their health.
Snowshoe Cat Diet and Nutrition
Like all cat breeds, the Snowshoe should be fed a high-quality, balanced diet of premium cat food.
Your cat deserves the best diet, which is why you should always make sure to feed them with a meat source.
If your furry friend lives in an environment where there are other dogs too, don't assume that they can eat dog food.
Dog food is missing some of the key ingredients that cats require such as taurine, vitamin A and fatty acids.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Snowshoet
Before bringing a new Snowshoe kitten home, you should do your research.
You can adopt a Snowshoe from various breed rescues and shelters, as well as pet-specific adoption websites.
If you want to buy or purchase a Snowshoe cat instead, consider looking at reputable breeders online.
You should always try to meet the parents of your future kitten before purchasing one to ensure that everything is legit.
You can usually tell a lot about the breeders by actually meeting them in person.
Snowshoe Cat Facts
Here are some fun and interesting facts on the Snowshoe cat breed:
- Snowshoe cats are very intelligent - they can learn to fetch items on their own!
- They love playing in boxes and bags; it's like a game for them!
- Many kitties also enjoy watching TV with their owners as well as cuddling up next to them while sleeping.
- Snowshoes purr loudly when you pet them – which is pretty much always because they're such loving animals by nature that never want to be apart from you for long periods of time.
- Snowshoes Are Born White.
- Their Eyes Are Always Blue
- They love water.
Common Questions
Are Snowshoe cats good pets?
Snowshoes make fantastic pets and companions and they'll leave you with an abundance of love, tons of cuddles and a big smile on your face every day!
They're great for people who live in apartments as well as those living in large houses, as long as you provide them with plenty of entertainment.
Is a Snowshoe cat a type of Siamese?
During the 1960s, the Snowshoe cat was developed in the United States by crossing Siamese cats with American Shorthairs.
Are Snowshoe cats expensive?
When it comes to buying a Snowshoe cat, you will find different prices depending upon the registration. Let's take a look:
- Limited Registration: Pet only. $300 -$600.
- Full Registered: Allowed to breed. $500 - $800 from lesser-known breeders or $800 - $1,200 from well-known breeders.
Do Snowshoe cats have health problems?
This breed is generally very healthy. The only real issues they can suffer from are:
- Polycystic Kidney Disease
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) - Eye Conditions
-Bent tails
-Crossed eyes
Is a snowshoe cat hypoallergenic?
There are no truly hypoallergenic cats as they all produce the Fel d 1 protein. However, the Snowshoe is known to have less of an impact on those with allergies. They are considered a very good breed for people who suffer from cat allergies.
Do Snowshoe cats shed a lot?
This breed of cat sheds seasonally and in moderate amount. Grooming them regularly with a brush can help to reduce shedding.
Snowshoe Cat Breed Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed learning about the snowshoe cat breed and their personality, needs, grooming & care, diet & nutrition.
Snowshoes are a beautiful animal that make great pets for those who have time to provide them with what they need.
Do you own a Snowshoe Cat? If you do, we would love to hear from you! Let us know your experience with this breed, and send us your favorite photos.
