Snowshoe cats are among the most adorable cat breeds in the world, but we’re willing to bet you don’t know all that much about them. We’ve highlighted 10 interesting facts about Snowshoe cats for you below. Whether you’re interested in getting one for yourself or just want to learn a little more about the history of the breed, you’ve come to the right place!
The 10 Facts About Snowshoe Cats
1. They’re Born White
While adult Snowshoe cats have various points of different colors, that’s not the case when they’re kittens. Snowshoe cats all come out completely white, and their patterns will start to show by about 3 weeks of age. Over their first year of life their points start to darken and you get to see their real colors.
This means that when you bring a Snowshoe kitten home, you don’t know what they’ll look like when they’re an adult cat. You can get some idea by looking at their markings so far, and by looking at their parents, but which parent they’ll take after more and what they’ll look like remains a mystery until they reach full adulthood.
2. They Have Blue Eyes
Snowshoe cats are far from the only cat breed to exclusively have blue eyes, but it is one of their signature traits. When you pair this with their bright white fur when they’re born, it’s a pretty stunning combination.
While they’ll lose their pure white fur as they age, they keep their blue eyes for life. Although it’s possible to see a “Snowshoe” without blue eyes, it means they don’t meet breed standards and won’t be recognised by the governing bodies as purebreds.
3. Snowshoe Cats Are a Newer Cat Breed
While some cat breeds date back centuries or millennia, that’s not the case with the Snowshoe cat. The first Snowshoe cat appeared in Philadelphia in the late 1960s, but it took another 30 years for The International Cat Association (TICA) and the American Cat Fanciers’ Association to give the breed full recognition.
4. They All Have White Paws
The signature trait of the Snowshoe cat is their all-white paws. In fact, this is how they get their name! While the rest of their body is light-cream coloured with seal and blue points (most commonly), their paws never change. This is a signature trait of the Snowshoe, and it’s part of the reason they look so adorable! Just keep in mind that just because a cat has white paws that doesn’t mean they’re a Snowshoe.
5. Snowshoes Are Intelligent
We all like to pretend our pets are the smartest around, but if you have a Snowshoe, the truth is that they are actually pretty smart! They might not be the smartest cat breed around, but they’re certainly no slouch in the intelligence department.
Don’t expect to train them to the same extent you would train a dog, but a Snowshoe is an excellent choice if you want to have a well-trained cat.
6. They Form Primary Attachments
Much like a dog forms a primary attachment with one owner more than another, the same is often true with Snowshoe cats. They tend to form a strong attachment with one owner, which means when that person is around, they’ll be more likely to go to them.
That doesn’t mean they won’t attach to other people and want to hang out with them, it just means it’s likely that you’ll notice that they have a favorite.
7. They’re Great Family Pets
Whether you already have other pets in the home or you have smaller kids, a Snowshoe cat is a great choice. Most Snowshoe cats get along great with everyone, but you’ll still need to socialize them and ensure the other animals and kids treat them the right way too.
8. Snowshoe Cats Love Water
While most cats hate water, the truth is that some Snowshoe cats can’t get enough of it. They love baths, and the more you can get them around water, the better. Keep in mind, however, that each cat has its own personality so while most Snowshoe cats love water, that doesn’t mean every cat will. A good pet water fountain should keep them happy, too!
9. They Come From Philadelphia
While it took a long time for the Snowshoe cat to gain formal recognition, the first recorded instance of a Snowshoe cat comes from a breeder in Philadelphia. This makes the Snowshoe cat uniquely American, and even as they struggled to gain formal recognition for years, they kept working at the process in the United States.
10. Snowshoe Cats Have Points
Similar to that of a Siamese, Snowshoe cats have point coloration which means their body is a lighter color than their ears, legs, face and tail. The most common colors are blue point (light cream body with blue/slate gray points) and seal point (a slightly darker body and dark brown points).
To meet the standards required by the breed associations, a Snowshoe must have an upside-down “V” between their eyes, white paws, and signature blue eyes. If a Snowshoe doesn’t meet these standards, they technically aren’t classified as purebred Snowshoe cats!
Conclusion
There’s no denying that Snowshoe cats are adorable and loving, but now that you know a bit more about them, you can also appreciate them a bit more! They’re super loyal and friendly, and they make great family pets. They are extremely rare, though, so they’re not always the easiest to track down if you want one. And when you find a reputable breeder, it can cost you quite a bit to bring one home.
Also see:
- Ragdoll vs. Snowshoe Cat: The Differences (With Pictures)
- How Big Will My Snowshoe Cat Get? Vet-Verified Average Size & Weight
Featured Image Credit: Kokhanchikov, Shutterstock
