Do you like spending a lot of time with your feline companion? Then, let me introduce you to the Snowshoe Siamese – a very affectionate and intelligent cat that will surely captivate your heart.
Snowshoe Siamese cats have been around for more than 50 years but they are exceptionally rare to find because of the challenges of reproducing their beautiful white coat markings on their paws and faces.
In this article, we will find out about their history, their physical and temperamental qualities, as well as, finding the right breeders in your area. You may also be interested in knowing about the Ragdoll Snowshoe Cat which is another colorpoint breed but with a more luscious coat.
Contents
- Snowshoe Siamese: Breed overview
- What is a Snowshoe Siamese?
- Are Snowshoe cats Siamese?
- Snowshoe vs Siamese
- Are Snowshoe Siamese mix recognized by cat registries?
- Are Snowshoe Siamese cats rare?
- Is a Snowshoe Siamese purebred?
- What does a Snowshoe Siamese look like?
- Siamese Snowshoe size, height, and weight
- Various Siamese Snowshoe cat coat colors and types
- Snowshoe Siamese personality and temperament
- Do Snowshoe Siamese cats make great family pets?
- Siamese Snowshoe mix training
- Snowshoe point Siamese exercise requirement
- Snow Shoe Siamese grooming and cleaning
- Are Snowshoe Siamese cats hypoallergenic?
- Do Snowshoe Siamese shed?
- Siamese and Snowshoe mix food and diet
- Snowshoe and Siamese mix common health issues
- Snowshoe Siamese life expectancy
- Snowshoe Siamese breeders
- Snowshoe Siamese kittens
- Snowshoe Siamese cat price
- Snowshoe Siamese kittens price
- Snowshoe Siamese for adoption
- Snowshoe Siamese rescue
- Places to find Snowshoe Siamese kittens for sale
- Finding a healthy Snowshoe Siamese for sale
- Snowshoe Siamese grumpy cat
- Mixed breeds similar to Snowshoe Siamese Cat
- Snowshoe Siamese: Pros and Cons
- Is the Snowshoe Siamese cat right for me?
- Related Questions
Snowshoe Siamese: Breed overview
| Facts about Snowshoe Siamese Cats | |
| Other names | Snowshoe, Silver Lilac |
| Size | Medium |
| Weight | 7 – 12 pounds |
| Height | 8 – 13 inches |
| Coat Colors | Black, Brown, Tan, White, Blue |
| Child Friendliness | High |
| Feline Friendliness | High |
| Training Difficulty | Moderate |
| Grooming Upkeep | Easy |
| Exercise Needs | Moderate |
| Health | High |
| Lifespan | 14 – 18 years |
| Kitten Cost | $600 – $1,200 |
RELATED: Siamese Ragdoll Cat (Ragamese Complete Guide)
What is a Snowshoe Siamese?
Siamese Snowshoe cats are medium to large cats that first developed in the United States during the early 1960s. Snowshoe mix cat is characterized by two features – the white markings on all their paws and the white inverted ‘V’ shape marking on their face.
Snowshoe cat history
The Snowshoe cat mix was developed by a Siamese cat breeder named Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty during the 1960s in Philadelphia.
She crossed seal point Siamese cats with bi-color American Shorthair hoping to replicate the white paw markings she first saw in some Siamese cats she bred.
These did not produce the desired results, but crossing them back to the Siamese brought about the paw markings.
Hinds-Daugherty initially named them ‘Silver Laces’ and later on changed it into Snowshoe. She went on with the breeding program and introduced the new breed in many cat shows, but later abandoned it.
It was continued by Vikki Olander and other Snowshoe enthusiasts and succeeded in making the breed achieve champion status from the American Cat Fanciers Association and The International Cat Association (TICA) in the 1990s, but not from the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) due to lack of breed requirements.
Siamese cat history
The Siamese cat originated from Thailand and first appeared in the ancient manuscripts written during the Ayutthaya Kingdom during the 14th century.
The breed was later introduced in the US and Europe in the 19th century where they became popular due to their colorpoint markings.
Modern-day Siamese cats differ in look from the larger traditional ones when breeders in the 1950s favored a much slender look.
Today, the World Cat Federation (WCF) and TICA accept the breed standard as being long and lean with slender legs and triangular faces as opposed to the Thai cat which is heavier and taller.
Are Snowshoe cats Siamese?
Many may wonder “is a Snowshoe cat a Siamese?” because of their almost similar appearance. While it is true that the Snowshoe is related to the Siamese, the two are completely different breeds and have their own physical and temperamental qualities.
Snowshoe vs Siamese
The main difference between Snowshoe Cat and Siamese is that Snowshoe Cat has a stockier body while Siamese is more of the lean and long type.
Are Snowshoe Siamese mix recognized by cat registries?
Yes, the Siamese Snowshoe mix cat is recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA), the Cat Fanciers’ Federation, and the American Cat Fanciers’ Association which made the breed eligible to compete for championship titles.
The Siamese Snowshoe cat, however, is still not recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) which is the largest cat registry in the world due to a lack of requirements for the breed to be accepted.
Are Snowshoe Siamese cats rare?
Yes, Snowshoe Siamese cats are rare. So, how are Snowshoe Siamese rare?
Well, to have a ‘perfect’ Snowshoe, he must have the right amount of white markings on his paws and face with a definite line between the white and colored parts. This would entail the offspring having two copies of the recessive genes from both parents.
One gene that controls the ‘white boots’ pattern, called the piebald gene, is challenging to control making some Snowshoe offspring have white markings that could extend too far up the leg or too little and irregular.
The other gene that controls the white inverted ‘V’ pattern on the face is also difficult to predict how it would turn out since the presence of a dominant gene will cause the marking to be larger in size.
Is a Snowshoe Siamese purebred?
The Snowshoe cat is considered a distinct breed, but because of the difficulties in producing the desired physical traits, particularly the coat markings, they are at times bred back to their related parent breeds.
So, some breeders would have a Snowshoe cat mixed with Siamese or Oriental Shorthairs to achieve the perfect Snowshoe markings.
What does a Snowshoe Siamese look like?
Snowshoe Siamese cat mix typically has a triangular head shape, but applehead Snowshoe Siamese is also possible with rounder heads.
Their body is stockier and well-muscled than the Siamese with medium-length legs and tail.
The eyes are colored blue and the ears are medium in size with slightly rounded tips.
Siamese Snowshoe size, height, and weight
Snowshoe Siamese mix kittens would grow into medium-sized cats with the males being slightly heavier than the females. They are also longer in length compared to other cat breeds.
| Gender | Height | Weight |
| Male | 10 – 13 inches | 9 – 12 pounds |
| Female | 8 – 11 inches | 7 – 10 pounds |
Various Siamese Snowshoe cat coat colors and types
Snowshoe Siamese mix cat has a smooth, short-haired, single-layered coat with white and colored patterns. The points on the ears, face mask, tail, and legs are black-based colors and the body coat is lighter in color.
All Snowshoe Siamese are born white and will develop point coloration after 1 to 3 weeks with the distinct white paws and white inverted ‘V’ shape on the face showing.
The colorpoints can come in solid colors of seal, blue, chocolate, black, red, cream, and fawn, and also in patterns of tabby and tortoiseshell.
Snowshoe lynx point Siamese
Lynx point Snowshoe Siamese presents with a tabby pattern within the colorpoints in the extremities.
The tabby points in lynx point Siamese Snowshoe appear as stripes of alternating dark and light colors which can come in several shades such as seal, blue, red, or cream. Snowshoe lynx Siamese also has distinctive ‘M’ shape markings on their forehead.
Lynx point Snowshoe Siamese cats are born white and would develop the point coloration as they mature.
Snowshoe blue lynx point Siamese
Snowshoe blue lynx point Siamese has a light gray point coloration with tabby markings.
Snowshoe seal point Siamese
Seal point Snowshoe Siamese cat presents with dark brown colorpoints in the ears, face, tail, and legs with a body coat that is cream or fawn in color.
As with all Snowshoes, the seal point Snowshoe Siamese will have white markings on the paws and a white inverted ‘V’ marking on the face.
Seal point Snowshoe Siamese kittens are born white and will develop the seal colorpoints within 3 weeks.
Blue point Snowshoe Siamese
Snowshoe blue point Siamese or blue Snowshoe Siamese presents dark gray points in the ears, head, tail, and around the legs. The body coat of a blue point Snowshoe Siamese cat has a light gray to white shade of color.
Snowshoe chocolate point Siamese
Chocolate point Snowshoe Siamese presents with chocolate colorpoints and a cream-colored body coat with white paws and a white inverted ‘V’ marking on the face.
Snowshoe Siamese calico mix
Snowshoe Siamese calico mix has irregular black and orange patches on its body coat and colorpoints. The paws have white markings and the face has a white inverted ‘V’ markings. The chest area and some parts of the body may also appear white.
Flame point Snowshoe Siamese
Flame point Snowshoe Siamese presents with red colorpoints and a light orange body coat.
Lilac Snowshoe Siamese
Lilac point Snowshoe Siamese presents with silvery gray colorpoints and a creamy white body coat.
Long haired Snowshoe Siamese
Snowshoe Siamese have short-length hair. Snowshoe Siamese long hair would probably have a Balinese heritage which looks similar to a Siamese cat but with a medium-length silky coat.
Snowshoe Siamese personality and temperament
The Snowshoe Siamese cat personality is affectionate, sociable, and sweet-mannered. Snowshoe and Siamese mix loves getting the attention of their family and would often bond with one person in the household.
They are also quite vocal cats and may express their displeasure or happiness through meowing although they are not as talkative as their Siamese cousins.
Do Snowshoe Siamese cats make great family pets?
Yes, Siamese cat Snowshoe do make great family pets because they get along with pretty much everyone in the family.
They show great sociability and interact well with children and other pets.
They may have a tendency to have separation anxiety, so this breed is not compatible with cat owners who are away most of the time.
Siamese Snowshoe mix training
Siamese Snowshoe cats are intelligent and can be taught basic commands and new tricks but be patient because they tend to be stubborn at times.
Siamese Snowshoe kittens can start litter training at 4 weeks of age and basic commands between 3 and 6 months old.
They should also be taught their boundaries within your home on where they can scratch or where they are not allowed to enter.
Good behavior can be reinforced by using cat treats, petting, and praise.
DON’T MISS: Cat Scratching Litter Box Excessively: 10 Reasons Why & What To Do!
Snowshoe point Siamese exercise requirement
Snowshoe Siamese cat breed can have enough physical activity for 15 minutes a day. A game of fetch is one activity they enjoy, and also swimming since they are one of those breeds that enjoy splashing in the water.
Snow Shoe Siamese grooming and cleaning
If there’s one thing you’d love most about Snow Shoe Siamese (aside from its friendliness, of course) that is its short hair.
This means less work on your part to maintain a tangle-free and beautiful coat. But, weekly hair brushing is still a must to get rid of any loose fur. You can choose a bristle brush, a slicker brush, or a double-sided brush, all of these are known to deliver good results in keeping the coat sleek and shiny.
Bathe your Snow Shoe Siamese only when necessary, that is when the coat is really dirty already.
When bathing them, use a feline-friendly shampoo that contains all-natural ingredients. In between bath times, there is a waterless shampoo option that you can use for a quick freshen-up.
To avoid your cat from scratching your furniture and even you, trim his nails every 10 to 14 days. Use a sharp cat clipper and be sure to avoid cutting the quick – the pink portion at the base of the nails; otherwise, it will result in bleeding.
Don’t skip teeth brushing because unhealthy oral health causes teeth and gum problems. Train your cat to get accustomed to getting his teeth cleaned as early as possible. A gauze or a soft kitty toothbrush with an enzymatic toothpaste should be massaged around the gums and teeth.
Lastly, make it a habit to check the ears and eyes of your cat. Wipe off any debris or earwax with moist cotton balls or you can purchase kitty wipes that are paraben and odor-free.
| Grooming Needs | Grooming Frequency |
| Hair Brushing | 2x per week |
| Nail Trimming | 2x per month |
| Teeth Brushing | 2x per week |
| Bathing | 1x per month |
| Eye Care | Check weekly |
| Ear Care | Check weekly |
Are Snowshoe Siamese cats hypoallergenic?
No, Snowshoe Siamese cats are not hypoallergenic. All cats, regardless of breed produce the Fel d1 protein found in their saliva, urine, and dander. Thus, it’s safe to say that Snowshoe Siamese hypoallergenic simply isn’t possible.
Do Snowshoe Siamese shed?
Yes, Snowshoe Siamese do shed. Even if the Snowshoe Siamese cat wears an extremely short coat, they still shed regularly like other cat breeds.
Siamese and Snowshoe mix food and diet
Siamese and Snowshoe Mix cats are obligate carnivores, meaning, their diet should primarily consist of meat such as fish and chicken. Otherwise, they will suffer from a deficiency in taurine.
Wet food or a mix of wet and dry is advisable for higher water content.
Plus, Siamese Snowshoe kitten should be given food with higher levels of calcium while adults need a good amount of Omega fatty acids in their diet for healthy skin and joints.
Snowshoe and Siamese mix common health issues
Snowshoe and Siamese Mix can also be prone to gene-specific health problems such as these five (5:
1. Amyloidosis
Amyloid proteins accumulate in body organs like the kidneys, heart, or the intestines causing a disruption in the normal functioning of these organs. This will eventually lead to organ failure.
2. Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome
A congenital disease that causes severe skin sensitivity. Though not fatal, it causes itching usually at the back and on the tail area. Some cats may even act aggressively when touched by their owners.
3. Progressive Retinal Atrophy
An eye problem caused by a recessive gene, this causes night blindness followed by total blindness in about 2 to 4 years after the onset of the disease.
4. Polycystic Kidney Disease
Some kittens are born with small & multiple cysts in their kidneys that will grow as they age. Over time, these fluid-filled cysts will affect the way their kidneys function.
5. Vestibular Disease
Another genetic condition affecting the inner ears. This disease has no serious consequences other than dizziness and loss of balance.
Snowshoe Siamese life expectancy
How long do Snowshoe Siamese cats live? On average, the Snowshoe Siamese cat lifespan is 14 to 18 years.
Snowshoe Siamese breeders
When looking for Snowshoe x Siamese cat, go to registered Snowshoe Siamese cat breeders. This is the best route to healthy and socialized kittens.
It’s possible that their prices may be higher but you know what you are getting into, which we think is priceless.
Registered Snowshoe Siamese cat breeders show proof of the health of the parents and the negative tests of kittens against congenital diseases like polycystic kidney disease.
Some of them neuter or spay their kittens and microchip them as well.
It’s best to ask questions and if you’re unhappy and do not feel right, walk away and begin the search anew.
Snowshoe Siamese kittens
Before buying a Snowshoe Siamese kitten, decide on the gender. Some owners claim that male Snowshoe Siamese are sweeter than females. The male kittens tend to be more playful while the females are more reserved.
Then, make sure that the Snowshoe Siamese kitten is 12 weeks old before bringing home. This gives you a guarantee that the kitty is not only healthy physically but socially, as well.
Snowshoe Siamese cat price
How much are Snowshoe Siamese cats?
Surprisingly, an adult Siamese Snowshoe price that is 2 years old or above still commands a high price.
The Snowshoe Siamese price depends on a lot of factors such as color, pedigree, and even the breeder’s popularity.
An adult Snowshoe Siamese cost could range from $500 to $1,000.
Snowshoe Siamese kittens price
The average price of buying a Snowshoe Siamese kitten is from $600 to $1,200.
Snowshoe Siamese for adoption
If you want to adopt Snowshoe Siamese, here are 2 places to look for Snowshoe Siamese cats for adoption. But we can’t give you guarantees that these places have Snowshoe Siamese kittens for adoption because these cats can be considered rare.
Harmony House of Cats (hhforcats.org) in Chicago is home to different cat breeds that are ready for adoption. If you’re lucky, you may be able to adopt a Snowshoe Siamese cat.
Check also the FB page of Siamese, Oriental and Snowshoe – SOS Cat Rescue and Rehoming for available Snowshoe Siamese adoption available.
Snowshoe Siamese rescue
We also listed 2 places of Siamese Oriental and Snowshoe cat rescue. One is from the UK, Strawberry Persian + Pedigree (strawberrypersianpedigreecatrescue.co.uk) where all cats for adoption have been neutered and microchipped.
Another Snowshoe Siamese cat rescue is in the USA called Snowshoe Cat Rescue Network (snrescue.tripod.com/index.html).
Places to find Snowshoe Siamese kittens for sale
While Siamese cats are easy to find, such is not the case with Snowshoe. That said, finding Snowshoe Siamese mix kittens for sale may not be as easy as 1-2-3.
Nevertheless, you can try if the breeders below can help you connect with responsible breeders that may have Siamese Snowshoe kittens for sale.
Snowshoe Siamese kittens for sale in Wisconsin
Are you from Wisconsin and still haven’t found Snowshoe Siamese kittens for sale near me yet? Let’s try Ohana Skye Siamese (angelfire.com/wi/ohanaskye/home.html).
You can count on us when we say that the breeders only produce high-quality kittens as they are members of a number of cat associations in the USA.
Snowshoe Siamese kittens for sale in Ohio
B & D Siamese Cattery (bdsiamese.com) is a veterinary-approved cattery in Ohio where all kittens are from registered bloodlines.
Snowshoe Siamese kittens for sale in PA
Elegant Illusions Cattery (elegantillusions.weebly.com) is the place to go in Pennsylvania for healthy and socialized Snowshoe Siamese kittens for sale.
Snowshoe Siamese kittens for sale in Illinois
Visit Siamese Royalty (siameseroyalty.com) where all kittens for sale are tested negative against feline immunodeficiency virus or FIV and feline leukemia virus or FelV.
Snowshoe Siamese kittens for sale Oregon
Looking for Snowshoe Siamese kittens near me? Check the FB page of Pacific Northwest Snowshoe Cats.
Finding a healthy Snowshoe Siamese for sale
What about adult cats, are you interested in finding an adult Siamese Snowshoe cat for sale?
Hopefully, you will find a Snowshoe Siamese cat for sale in these 2 places we looked for you.
Snowshoe Siamese for sale in Michigan could be available at Vanscholten Siamese (siamesevanscholten.com). Interested buyers are welcome to visit them to see if they have Siamese Snowshoe for sale.
There’s also a nice place in Maryland called Blue Eyes Cattery (marylandsiamese.com) and there might be available Snowshoe Siamese cats for sale.
Snowshoe Siamese grumpy cat
One of the most famous cats in history is Tardar Sauce or lovingly nicknamed Snowshoe Siamese grumpy.
Grumpy ‘sashayed into the red carpet’ in 2012 after her photo appeared on Reddit. Due to her resemblance to Siamese cats, a lot of people thought that she was a true-blooded Siamese but grumpy cat breed Snowshoe Siamese is actually a domestic shorthair cat breed.
Tardar Sauce got the moniker “grumpy” because her face looked like she was frowning all the time. The reasons behind this unique facial feature are a disease called feline dwarfism as well as a skeletal abnormality resulting in a pronounced underbite.
Sadly, Grumpy cat died in 2019 at the age of 7 due to a urinary tract infection.
Mixed breeds similar to Snowshoe Siamese Cat
Snowshoe Siamese cat is such a joy to have and this is why some breeders also crossbred this cat to another purebred to produce an outstanding designer cat such as a Ragdoll Siamese Snowshoe.
Ragdoll Snowshoe Siamese
A Ragdoll Siamese Snowshoe cat is a sight to behold, with its sharp and beautiful eyes and a coat that is very soft to the touch. The whole family will enjoy the company of a friendly and kind Snowshoe Siamese Ragdoll, a great pet for kids and can do well with other pet companions in the house.
Snowshoe Siamese: Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| People-oriented | Talkative |
| Cuddly | Can’t be left alone for more than 8 hours or else, expect ‘home-disaster’ |
| Loves to snuggle | Clingy & demanding |
| Easy to groom | A bit challenging to train |
| Clean freak | Not hypoallergenic |
| Good with other pets | Sheds moderately |
Is the Snowshoe Siamese cat right for me?
A Snowshoe Siamese is one of the sweetest and adorable cats around. He can get along very well with everyone.
The only problem is this breed’s penchant for having a companion all the time.
So, if there’s no one home all the time, you might as well get a cat with no separation anxiety issue, unless, you’d get another pet to accompany him and keep him happy.
Related Questions
Yes, Snowshoe cats are related to Siamese cats because Snowshoe cats are a cross between a Siamese and an American Shorthair.
It is called Snowshoe because of his cute white paws that pretty much look like snow-white colored boots.
DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Resources:
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/breed/snowshoe
https://www.britannica.com/animal/Siamese-breed-of-cat
With over five years of specialized experience as an animal writer, my expertise lies in cat nutrition, health, behavior, grooming, and training. I am dedicated to delivering helpful and informative content that caters to the well-being of our feline friends. My primary goal is to empower pet owners with knowledge and ensure our feline companions thrive in health and happiness. In my free time, I love volunteering at local cat rescue centers.
