Snowshoe Cat: Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care

The snowshoe cat is a medium-large hybrid of the Siamese and American shorthair breeds that originated in the United States. The name "snowshoe" refers to the cat's four distinctive white paws. Their other colorpoint markings resemble those of a Siamese, and their personality is similar, too.

Many cats have four white paws, but the snowshoe is a very rare breed that almost went extinct. These friendly, loving, and devoted cats make great family pets because they get along with everyone, including children and other animals. 

Learn more about the snowshoe cat, including the breed’s history, care needs, and temperament.

Snowshoe Cat Characteristics

Snowshoes are known for having a similar personality to the Siamese, which is half of their ancestry. They are generally affectionate and bond strongly with their humans. Confident, intelligent, and sociable, they tend to use their loud voices to demand attention and "talk" with their family.

These cats also have some personality traits that are similar to those of a dog. They prefer being near you, usually pick one person to bond deeply with, and don’t like to be left alone.

Known for their willingness to make friends with other cats and friendly dogs, snowshoe cats can thrive in a multi-pet household, but they will likely "speak up" to get the playtime or cuddles they deserve.

History of the Snowshoe Cat

The snowshoe cat breed began in the 1960s when Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty, an American breeder of Siamese cats, discovered three kittens in one of her litters that each had four white paws. The paws, combined with the striking Siamese colorpoint pattern, delighted Hinds-Daugherty. She decided to cross these Siamese kittens with American shorthair cats with tuxedo markings in an attempt to develop the snowshoe breed.

Vikki Olander eventually took over the Snowshoe breeding program, and was the only breeder in the U.S. by the late 1970s. The breed nearly went extinct at that time, but other breeders showed interest and they were able to keep it going.

The breed has since grown in popularity. It was recognized in 1982 by the Cat Fanciers' Association and in 1994 by The International Cat Association.

Public interest in the breed was piqued by the late Grumpy Cat, a snowshoe cross, who gained celebrity status as a social media star in 2012. While she had distinct snowshoe colors and markings, Grumpy Cat's glum-looking features were considered a result of dwarfism and were not characteristic of the breed.

Snowshoe Cat Care

Snowshoe cats are easy to care for when it comes to grooming, but these are smart and active pets who require a lot of attention and playtime. Provide a variety of toys for mental and physical exercise, high perches for climbing, and, of course, soft places for your cat to nap in between all the action.

Grooming

The snowshoe cat breed requires minimal maintenance when it comes to grooming. They are a short-haired variety and are known for being very clean. They will shed somewhat, but a once-weekly rub-over with a rubber grooming brush should be enough to keep any dead hairs at bay.

In addition to brushing your cat’s fur, trim their claws regularly to keep them healthy and prevent scratches, and brush their teeth to help keep their teeth and gums as healthy as possible.

Exercise

Snowshoes, like their Siamese relatives, are clever and curious. They enjoy surveying their territory from high vantage points, such as the tops of cat trees, to spy an opportunity for adventure or someone ready to play. Your snowshoe will appreciate an environment with plenty of toys and willing game participants to avoid boredom.

Snowshoe cats also love water. You might find your cat pawing at the water in their fountain or bowl, or asking you to turn the faucet on so they can play with the water that way. Beyond that, however, these cats also like to actually be in the water, so you can let them play in a shallow amount of water in your bathtub.

Since they are so smart, snowshoes are relatively easy to train, whether they’re taught to play fetch, walk on a leash, or even open doors. Teaching simple tricks and commands to your cat using positive reinforcement training methods can increase the bond between you and help to keep your cat stimulated—both mentally and physically.

Common Health Problems

So far, in their brief breed history, snowshoes have proven to be pretty healthy cats. However, they might be prone to the following:

• Dental disease: This is one of the most common health problems for cats of any breed, and it is a perfectly preventable issue. Feed a high-quality diet and, if your cat is tolerant enough, add teeth brushing into their weekly grooming schedule. Getting them used to having their mouth examined from an early age and having them associate it with good things can help.
• Back problems: Cats with back problems might hide their symptoms, so you might not know there’s an issue. If your cat isn’t as active as they used to be, is having trouble getting around or jumping, or vocalizes when you touch their back, they may be experiencing pain that should be addressed by a vet.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): This is a form of heart disease that causes thickening of the left ventricle of the heart. Symptoms, when they occur, include weakness, trouble breathing, irregular heartbeat, pale or blue gums, hind limb paralysis, and collapse. Some cats die suddenly. Treatments can help slow the progression, but there’s no cure.

Due to their Siamese genetics, crossed eyes and kinked tails will occasionally crop up in a litter, but these traits are not painful or debilitating.

Appearance

Snowshoes are medium to large cats with a soft, robust appearance. Their heads tend to be rather round with large eyes and slightly rounded ears. Between their eyes, they can have white fur that forms an upside-down V.

The ideal snowshoe breed standard calls for distinctly darker pointing on the ears, tails, legs, and top of the face. The chest, paws, and lower part of the face should be white, and the eyes a bright shade of blue.

Coat shade and markings vary across the breed. The pattern is determined by a recessive gene, so it can be difficult to achieve consistency. Interestingly, the breed is born white, and their darker pointing only begins to develop as they mature. It’s also normal for the coat to darken as they get older.

Diet and Nutrition

Snowshoes, like all cats, fare well on a high-quality meat-based diet as they are obligate carnivores. The food must contain a sufficient quantity of the amino acid taurine, which is found in animal-based proteins. If your cat becomes deficient in taurine, which can happen from eating dog food or plant-based foods, they can suffer potentially life-threatening eye and heart problems.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Snowshoe Cat

Because snowshoe cats are rare, they are expensive. A snowshoe cat might cost $1,500 or more.

You should always do your research when you are thinking about welcoming a new kitten into your home. Seek out a reputable breeder who is raising the kittens alongside their mother in a home environment where they are receiving the right socialization and care.

Also because the breed is rare, there are not so many breeders to choose from, and you may need to travel farther or go on a waiting list.

Snowshoe Cat Overview

While snowshoe cats may be a little aloof with strangers, they develop strong attachments to people they get to know. They enjoy being with their human family as much as possible and can become depressed if left alone for long.

They happily adapt to homes with other cats, respectful children, and gentle dogs (providing introductions are performed properly). Despite their soft and cuddly appearance, though, snowshoe cats can be a bit bossy with other pets—usually all in good fun.

If you enjoy quiet tranquility, think twice before bringing home a snowshoe cat. Like their Siamese relatives, they are particularly vocal and like to be heard. They communicate with a variety of meows. Their volume levels are softer and less jarring than the Siamese, some even call it a mellow or melodious sound, but they are notorious noise-makers nonetheless.

Pros of Snowshoe Cats

• Affectionate family cat
• Smart and trainable
• Low-maintenance and healthy
  

Cons of Snowshoe Cats

• Very vocal
• Can't tolerate being alone for long
• Needs a lot of enrichment and stimulation
  

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More Cat Breeds and Further Research

If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:

• Siamese
• Domestic Mixed Breed (Moggie)
• Devon Rex

Otherwise, check out all of our other cat breed profiles.