Snowshoe Cat Breed… Everything You Need to Know at a Glance!

Now, for those who are a big fan of the Siamese cat breed but sometimes wish they weren’t always so “skinny” or had such a narrow face, we might have a cat that could be just right for you because the Snowshoe cat breed is a breed that was created by mixing a Siamese cat with an American Shorthair mixing, which captured many of the best features of each!

Now, will a Snowshoe cat be right for you?

Who knows! This is why we wanted to write this article to shed some light on what it might be like to own one of these little guys so that if you’re ever allowed to make one your own, you’ll know for sure if it’s a good idea.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!

Snowshoe Cat Breed Fast Facts

Country of Origin:  United States

Size:  Medium

Weight:  8 to 10 pounds

Eyes:  Oval (bright blue)

Shape of Head:  Wedge-shaped

Lifespan:  12 to 15 years

Origin of the Snowshoe Cat

The Snowshoe cat breed is a relatively new cat breed that only dates back to the early 1960s when a cat breeder named Dorothy Hind-Daugherty decided to cross a Siamese cat with a bicolor American Shorthair. As a result, she created a litter with many of the same color points as the Siamese breed, only now with a “fuller” frame. And while Dorothy liked what she saw, her enthusiasm for her creation began to wane over time, which is right about the same time another local breeder named Vikki Olander took over.

Vikki Olander is…

Credited for being able to get an “experimental breed” status for the Snowshoe cat from the American Cat Association, which is the first step to getting a new cat breed “officially” recognized by many cat “aficionados” but even after hitting this significant hurdle, the Snowshoe cat breed was still struggling to remain “alive.”

Eventually, Vikki Jim Hoffman and Georgia Kuhnell joined her and more breeders until they got champion statues from the Cat Fanciers Federation in 1983. Their combined efforts were successful, which is why the Snowshoe is around today and why it has been “officially” recognized by the American Cat Fanciers Association since 1990 and recognized by The International Cat Association since 1993.

Physical Characteristics

The Snowshoe has a point smooth, shorthaired coat (though their issues don’t start to develop until they’re a few weeks old), which can come in a variety of colors, including:

• Cream,
• Beige,
• Tan,
• Lilac,
• Blue,
• Or chocolate.

Their paw pads and nose can either be pink, the color of their points, or a mixture of both. Snowshoes are also known to have a rectangular and muscular body with a slightly rounded head that sports bright blue eyes with medium-large ears perched on top of their head. Their eyes are also oval or walnut-shaped and will always be bright blue if they are a proper pedigree.

Fun fact:

All Snowshoes are born white.

Temperament and Personality

A Snowshoe cat is the type of cat that loves to be cuddled. They’ll sit on your lap or cuddle up to your side and nap with you. This affectionate cat loves to be around anything (that can breathe) they can touch. If you go away for work for too long, unless you have another pet or someone who can care for your Snowshoe cat, you shouldn’t get this pet.

The Snowshoe cat…

He doesn’t like being alone for too long. Despite being shy, They’re very social and want to be around the people they know best. These guys thrive on social contact but are also a bit nervous. They’ll take their time to warm up to your guests and likely have a favorite family member. Snowshoes also love playing and learning tricks. They’re intelligent and enjoy learning new things, such as opening doors and faucets and playing fetch! This is one reason why they are such a good cat breed for those with children.

They’re also a “bit” strange…

They’re one of the rare cats that enjoy playing with water, so don’t be surprised when you find your intelligent cat playing with running water they turned on in your kitchen. They love to run through puddles, too. If you ever take a bath, you’ll find that they’ll want to join you every now and then.

These active cats also enjoy climbing. So, don’t be too surprised if you find them perched on top of your refrigerator, a bookcase, or any high shelves. And while they may be a bit talkative, their voices are very soft and low, but they love to voice their opinions anyway. They’ll try to join in on conversations, and that’s how they’ll get you to pay attention to them.

But the nice thing about them is that they’re pretty easy to care for.   So, they do not require any special grooming or extensive daily brushing; they’ll need a loving owner who enjoys spending time with them.

Potential Health Concerns

While some cats struggle with specific hereditary diseases, the Snowshoe cat has none. Due to genetics, they may have kinked tails and crossed eyes, but those don’t cause any significant health problems. Still, just like any other cat, these guys can become sick or injured over time, which is why we here at IndulgeYourPet always recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and consider possibly buying a pet insurance policy while their pet is young and healthy.

This way…

If anything happens to your pet later on, you won’t be on the “hook” for 100% of those medical bills. Ask any “experienced” pet owner, and they’ll tell you that veterinarian bills can get expensive, especially if your pet requires extensive treatment.

For more information on who we “feel” currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies in the industry, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Companies article.