We are here to describe a snowshoe cat. We will change your life if, like some unfortunate people, you’ve never seen one of these mischievous cats. While it is true that this particular kind of cat has white paws, that description wouldn’t do this unique breed credit. One of the rarest varieties of cats available, snowshoe cats almost went extinct at one point, as we’ll describe later. Of course, what distinguishes them most are their amazing white feet, which give the impression that they are wearing the aptly named snowshoes.
Originally named Silver Laces, the Snowshoe is a relatively late addition to the cat world. It is an exceptionally bright cat that dislikes being left alone if it can avoid it. It’s a breed that gets along well with kids and other animals and loves to curl up in your lap for cuddling, so it’s a pleasant addition to any home.
History of Snowshoe Cat
The snowshoe cat was an accidental breed when it first emerged. According to PetMD, a Philadelphia-based breeder of Siamese cats, three kittens in a litter bearing the typical Siamese pattern but with peculiar white “socks” and feet astonished the breeder in the late 1960s. After a sluggish beginning, the mother was enchanted with the fur babies and sought and got support from another breeder. This resulted in the breeding of Siamese cats with American shorthairs, according to PetMD. However, during the past few decades, Oriental shorthairs and older, stockier Siamese cats have been the preferred pairing for snowshoes, creating the modern species.
Snowshoe Cat: Recognition
The Snowshoe follows such a strict, favored pattern, the markings of which are mentioned above, which has hindered the breed’s ability to receive recognition from many of the top cat organizations in the world. This is another element in the breed’s sluggish development and scarcity. Because these patterns are the product of recessive genes, they are incredibly difficult to replicate.
In addition, the breed’s documented history is fragmentary and uneven. TICA states that it is challenging to determine the Snowshoe’s genealogy because a large portion of its history was lost over time as a result of shoddy record keeping. The 1970s saw a low point for interest in the Snowshoe, but by the 1980s, the breed was experiencing a surge in popularity, and in the 1990s, the American Cat Fanciers’ Association (ACFA) and TICA recognized it fully.
Snowshoe Cat and Owner’s View
Though her owners claim she’s a mixed breed, Grumpy Cat, one of pop culture’s most well-known cats (actual name Tardar Sauce), resembles a Snowshoe in several ways. It is said that she appears to have Persian, Ragdoll, or Snowshoe ancestry. However, Tardar Sauce’s parents are not Siamese or sprung directly from an Asian family.
Interestingly, the ACFA points out that despite being a new breed, Snowshoe cat characteristics have been around since before the 1960s: evidence of their existence can be found in an old Japanese silk screen depicting one looking around a corner at a spider and in an old Victorian photograph of a purebred litter of Siamese cats, in which the front kitten has four white feet. The fascination with the white-footed Siamese abnormality has captivated cat enthusiasts for a considerable amount of time, as seen in these two instances.
The Amazing Coincidence of Snowshoe Cats
Snowshoe cats were not purposefully created, in contrast to many other breeds. According to legend, in a typical litter of Siamese kittens born in Philadelphia in the 1960s, breeder Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty discovered three unusual kittens.
These were kittens with white feet and points, and Hinds-Daugherty could not get enough of the artistic mishaps. Although Hinds-Daugherty attempted to mix Siamese cats with bicolor American Shorthairs to make the same sort of cat, it was only via pairing these offspring with other Siamese cats that she was able to produce Snowshoes once more (the white shoes are a difficult recessive feature to engineer.) After her retirement, the responsibility of continuing the Snowshoe legacy fell to another breeder, Vicki Olander. As more breeders became aware of how beautiful the cat was over the following ten years, the Snowshoe cat breed flourished in both quantity and renown.
White, Snowshoe Cats
Snowshoe cats come in an enormous variety of colors: cinnamon, fawn, chocolate, blue, cream, you name it. However, a Snowshoe is born white and progressively acquires its color over a few weeks, even though it may be, for example, brown as an adult. As such, you may not know at all when a Snowshoe kitten is born what color it will eventually turn into as an adult.
Snowshoe Cats Enjoy Water
You may already be aware that cats aren’t generally known for their affinity for water if you’ve ever unintentionally splashed some on your cat’s head while cleaning your hands. On the other hand, snowshoe cats are the complete opposite and enjoy playing in the damp material. While it’s unlikely that your cat would like to have a bucket of water thrown over its head, don’t be alarmed if it occasionally paddles around in a puddle.
They are Loudly Cats
Due to their Siamese ancestry, Snowshoes are talkative pets who enjoy sharing their opinions with others. Although they might not be as noisy as Siamese cats, they can meow at their food and aren’t the greatest option for someone seeking quiet time. Giving cats high-quality cat food is one way to maybe prevent them from meowing excessively loudly. Our friends at Cat Food Advisor are dedicated to providing you with assistance in that area and will do their best to keep your cat content and quiet for a few minutes each day.
Blue Eyes are a Hallmark of Snowshoe Cats
A Snowshoe will provide you with a few things, one of which is that their eyes will be the most exquisite shade of ocean blue. The fact that a Snowshoe cat will gaze up at you with large blue irises, regardless of its age or origin, is just one of the many lovely qualities you will grow to adore about them. Blue eyes are somewhat uncommon in the world of cats. Additionally, it is slightly different from the Snowshoe.
Train the Cat
The Snowshoe is an extremely intelligent cat, even among intelligent cats. Like a dog, it can learn orders and has an abundance of brains. It is trainable to walk on a leash, retrieve a ball, and return it to you. All in all, the Snowshoe is probably capable of doing anything a dog can save from barking.
The Snowshoe Became Extinct
It could have been a completely different history. Although devoted cat breeder Vicki Olander played a key role in sustaining the Snowshoe dream, by the late 1970s the breed was on the verge of extinction – and not for the first time.
Snowshoes were fortunately too cute to ignore, and a sort of rescue effort began in the 1980s. Additionally, even though there were reportedly just six Snowshoes worldwide at one point in the 1990s, the breed’s prospects were improved in 1993 when the International Cat Association recognized it. Nonetheless, some claim that this breed is virtually extinct even now, and it is still incredibly unusual. For this reason, the few remaining snowshoes must be preserved.
Snowshoe Cat’s Character
The snowshoe cat has a lively nature and is a clever, compassionate animal. She’ll attempt anything to grab your attention, such as leaping on your lap while you’re trying to work or watching you closely from a distance.
She needs company and isn’t content to be left alone for extended periods, therefore her personality is not that of a hermit cat. These cats will only stay with one pet parent; if you’re the fortunate one, you’ll quickly realize that you have a lifelong friend, much like a dog. They enjoy being close to you, but unlike dogs, they would rather take the lead rather than follow, says TICA. After you have “owned,” you’ll probably never want to be without one again.
Necessities of Life
Snowshoes are often athletic, energetic cats that enjoy games and other activities that keep them moving, according to Bonk. A multi-tiered cat tree or even a running wheel will be a valued present. Although they like playing with toys, they could get bored if you’re not around to play with them. Stock up on a range of items to keep your cunning snowshoe occupied.
Snowshoes get along well with dogs, cats, and children, so finding homes for them with big families or several pets should be simple. The snowshoe has a low threshold for loneliness, therefore it’s encouraged to have fuzzy buddies.
Care of Snowshoe Cat
Your snowshoe’s single coat and short hair will be relatively easy to maintain, according to Bonk. All these cats need to stay sleek, content, and well-groomed in a weekly brushing.
Since snowshoes don’t shed much, you won’t need to take out the lint roller each time you leave the house. But be aware that these cats are not necessarily hypoallergenic just because they belong to a low-shedding breed—no dog or cat is entirely hypoallergenic. Spend some time with this breed before taking a Snowshoe kitten home if you frequently sneeze or sniffle around cats. Like any cat, snowshoes require frequent nail trims to prevent pain when your furry friend starts nibbling on your lap, as well as regular cleaning of their litter box.
Health
The snowshoe breed has shown to be exceptionally robust and well-bred. “This is a breed that can easily reach the late teens or even 20 [years old],” Bonk states. “They tend to be very healthy, but may have some Siamese issues such as crossed eyes and kinked tails.” However, the cats’ health is unaffected by these only aesthetic problems.
Interesting Factual Information
According to TICA, snowshoes are all white at birth. During the first few years of their existence, their distinctive coloring emerges.
- It’s no surprise that Dusty the Klepto Kitty, a snowshoe, became notorious for his history of cat theft. When Dusty made an appearance on ‘The Late Show with David Letterman’ in February 2011, he had taken sixteen car wash mitts, seven sponges, two hundred and thirty-three dish towels, seven washcloths, five towels, eighteen shoes, seventy-three socks, one hundred gloves, a pair of mittens, three aprons, forty balls, four pairs of pants, one dog collar, six rubber toys, one blanket, three leg warmers, two Frisbees, one golf club head cover, one safety mask, two mesh bags, one bag of water ballo
- Based on her millions of Instagram followers, it seems that the most renowned person in the world wasn’t a snowshoe after all. Memes featuring the hilariously pessimistic scowl of the late Tardar Sauce, better known online as Grumpy Cat, are still popular. Tardar Sauce passed away in 2019.
Conclusion
Snowshoe cat can be your best friend as she is lovely. Make sure you purchase pet insurance if you want to contribute to your Snowshoe cat’s happy, long, and healthy life. With our online tool, you can examine a choice of prices from top pet insurance providers and compare plans; it only takes a few seconds. Another option is an annual wellness plan that includes yearly immunizations and routine veterinarian visits.
FAQs
The Snowshoe cat is renowned for its striking appearance, which includes a distinctive white “snowshoe” marking on its paws, as well as its beautiful blue eyes and a color-pointed coat.
Snowshoe cats are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are typically social, and affectionate, and enjoy spending time with their human companions.
