Snowshoe cats are not often talked about, but they are known for their sight. These small to medium-sized cats weigh between 7 and 12 pounds and exhibit a muscular, agile physique that makes them appear enormous under their coats of hair. These cats enjoy hanging out on countertops, tables, chairs, and couches, especially when their companions are nearby.
They also come in several different colors and patterns. These cats are like Siamese cats in that they have point coloration. This means that their bodies are white, initially, but they have colored markings on their tails, legs, ears, and face. The marks may vary in size and color. The following colors can be seen in a Snowshoe cat:
The 5 Colors of the Snowshoe Cat
1. Stamp Point
Snowshoe cats can be seal-pointed, which means they have light bodies (as they all do) with dark brown legs, ears, and tails. The color is reminiscent of a seal, hence the name of the dye. Instead of white feet and noses, they are dark brown with seal-point Snowshoes.
2. Blue Point
This type of coat shows up as a smoky “grey” due to the diluted black and brown markings on the cat. These darker markings are on the legs, ears, and tail, as in seal point cats.
3. chocolate
As the name suggests, a Snowshoe cat with chocolate markings looks like chocolate. The deep brown score looks good enough to be drunk on a cold winter day or night.
4. Purple
No, a Snowshoe cat will not look purple when they have a lilac coat. However, they will exhibit a light smokey color that can appear slightly purplish in sunlight. Otherwise, the coat markings appear light gray.
5. Red Point
The color of this coat is more orange than red, but the contrast of the orange-tipped hair against the white body base is fiery. Therefore, this coat color is called red point-point blank.
Snowshoe Cat Patterns
According to The International Cat Association, the two recognized patterns for the Snowshoe cat are mitted and bicolor. As the name “mitted” suggests, Snowshoe cats must have white gloves on all four paws. Bicolor means “a cat with sections or stripes of solid white fur on the inside of their coat”.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are Snowshoe Cats the Same as Siamese Cats?
Snowshoe cats are not the same as Siamese cats, although they have similar coats and markings. They are generally smaller and thicker than their Siamese counterparts.
Are Snowshoe Cats Suitable for Snow Living?
Yes, these cats can live in snowy areas, but they shouldn’t live outside in the snow. They prefer warm spaces like we humans do.
Can Snowshoe Cats Have a Dark Base Color?
Snowshoe cats do not have dark bodies. They are white throughout, but they have darker markings on their bodies, as described in our color lists above.
Conclusion
The Snowshoe cat is cute at first glance. They have snow white legs and bodies and show darker markings that give them a dramatic appearance overall. Although they can display one of many different colors, the color varies slightly in tone, so it may not be possible to determine their exact color at a glance. Some inspections may be required.
Featured Image Credit: Anna Krivitskaya, Shutterstock
