Snowshoe Cat - Complete Breed Profile and Facts

Snowshoe Cat History

It is a relatively new breed that first appeared by accident in the United States. In the 1960s, a Siamese cat breeder Dorothy Hinds Daugherty noticed three kittens in a litter have a common Siamese pattern. But they had completely white feet and socks.

She found them extremely attractive and thus, sought and received assistance from another breeder. It led to the cross-breeding of Siamese cats with American shorthairs. As a result, she was able to introduce the white tuxedo markings on the Snowshoe.

However, it was difficult to reproduce these V-shaped markings because they are the result of recessive genes. It mainly came from domesticated oriental shorthair cats and was later accepted as a unique feature of the breed.

Similarly, in the 1980s, the Snowshoe was also accepted as ‘experimental.’ It further got full status recognition from TICA and American Cat Fanciers Federation in the 90s. At this time, the Europeans also started to breed this international cat and noticed some other genes.

They have now gained much popularity owing to their kind companionship. It is also considered rare and one of the prettiest cats because of the white markings on the fur and blue eyes.

The internet celebrity Grumpy Cat is a mixed-breed cat with possible traces of Snowshoe cat. Other common Snowshoe Cat names include Symba, Kitkat, Harley, Armani, and Chloe.

Snowshoe Cat Physical Attributes

Snowshoe kittens are born pure white and start developing their coloring after a few weeks. The following are some significant physical attributes of this cat breed.

Snowshoe Cat Personality and Temperament

The Snowshoe cat breed has standard characteristics when it comes to personality and temperament. They do not like to deal with any change in their daily routine. Thus, many owners usually feed their cats at the same time of the day every day. Furthermore, do not try to move any furniture around within the home unless it is necessary.

Other than that, this breed is considered a wonderful pet because of its easy-going and sociable nature. They also get involved with every family member but bestow more affection and care to the person that feeds them.

Moreover, Snowshoe is known for its talkative and chatty personality along with a kind and soft voice tone. However, they are not as independent as others and may suffer separation anxiety when left alone for a long time.

Some other unique characteristics of their personality include being the bossy, entertaining, active, and needy best friend. Similarly, they are smart enough to learn swimming, opening doors, and performing tricks.

As it is an intelligent creature, they like to play fetch, enjoy dabbling in running water, and may walk on a leash. On the other hand, this breed considers them as people instead of a cat.

Snowshoe Cat Care and Grooming

Snowshoes are low-maintenance cats and do not require much attention except being fed good quality food. The most care they need is when it is a kitten or senior cat. They can also go well with children and other cat and dog breeds.

Apart from this, they are easy to train, and you can teach them simple tricks by using positive reinforcement training methods. It can strengthen the bond between you and your cat.

This breed is usually known for being clean and requires minimal care when it comes to their short coat. All it needs is to brush once a week and rub with a leather cloth. This brushing session is important to get rid of any dead hair.

However, during spring and autumn, long-haired Snowshoe cats start to prepare their coat for warmer weather. It requires the owners to brush their cats even more regularly as it keeps the home clean. This is not much of a problem with the short-haired cats. Also, this breed has healthy teeth so that you can brush them at least twice a week.

Additionally, the ears of this breed should be checked regularly. You can do this while brushing them every week. It is a good routine to ensure that there is not too much wax build-up that can lead to a bigger health problem. For any blockages in the cat’s ears, you can use ear drops to prevent any painful infection.

Lastly, Snowshoe is not hypoallergenic as they have a short and smooth coat and do not have any known illnesses. Nevertheless, they do shed moderately, but it can be minimized with proper nutrition and regular grooming.

Diet and Nutrition

When adopting or buying a Snowshoe cat, it is recommended to stick to the routine of the original breeder. For this, try to keep the same kitten food for their meals to avoid any stomach upsets.

Snowshoes are carnivores, so they need a high-quality meat-based diet. Similarly, they have a different balance of vitamins and minerals than other breeds and are not prone to obesity.

They also require amino acids called Taurine in a higher quantity. It is found in animal-based proteins, and in case of any Taurine deficiency, cats can lead to eye and heart problems.

Being a cat owner, you need to be careful about your budget. It is because cat foods are costly. However, by giving them high-quality food, you will be ensuring they grow up healthy.

Snowshoe Cat Health Problems

As Snowshoe is a new breed, there is not much detail about the hereditary health conditions. They are generally considered healthy pets. However, the cats are prone to suffer from kinked tails and cross eyes. These are genetic traits that the Siamese cats are known for.

Here are the major health problems that this cat breed can suffer from:

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)

This disease can affect the cat’s bladder and urethra. The common symptoms are pain and difficulty urinating. Similarly, the disease also causes the cats to urine more often, and blood can also be visible in the urine.

It leads this breed to lick its genital area excessively. Therefore, it is better to discuss with a vet as the symptoms can reappear throughout the cat’s life.

Vomiting

Cats usually vomit for different reasons. It can be due to overeating or eating a bit too quickly. However, acute or sudden vomiting can be a result of the following reasons.

• Liver or kidney failure
• Bacterial infection
• Pancreatitis or viral infection
• Gastric or intestinal issues

If your Snowshoe is vomiting regularly, it is recommended to get it checked as soon as possible.

Feline Rhinotracheitis Virus Infection (Coryza)

It is a respiratory infection mainly caused by the feline herpes virus. The symptoms include sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes. Mostly, kittens get infected with this disease, and they may also carry it with them all their lives.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

This disease is an eye condition that causes the retina’s gradual deterioration. Night vision is lost in the early stages of the disorder, while day vision is lost as the health condition progresses. Some cats adapt to this loss of vision as long as they stay in the same environment.

It is recommended to keep the vaccinations and parasite treatments up to date. A check-up after every six months must be done to diagnose any health issue at the early stages.

Apart from this, the owners can protect these cats from diseases by keeping them indoors. If Snowshoes go outdoors, they also run the risk of being stolen by someone who wants a beautiful cat without paying for it.

Snowshoe Cat Price Range

Because of their increasing popularity, there are a large number of Snowshoe breeders. However, if you are planning to adopt one, it is always recommended to conduct a careful investigation.

You can check the credibility of a reputable breeder through email, telephone, or in person. There are also a lot of cats waiting to be adopted in Snowshoe rescue organizations. Keep in mind; underpriced cats may be a warning sign of an unregistered and unvaccinated kitten.

“Are snowshoe cats expensive?”

In terms of price, a new and well-bred Snowshoe cost around $300. Other costs may include the food bill or the costs of the vaccinations.

The price range of this cat breed is categorized into two different groups.

1.  Snowshoes with Limited Registration

   Snowshoe cats for sale with limited registration are not expensive and the prices range from $300 – $500.

2.  Snowshoes with full registration

   Snowshoe cat breeds with full registration have much higher prices. However, the cost varies based on the breeder’s location, pedigree, and lineage.

   • Cats with less known breeders cost from $500 – $800. They are mainly raised as pets.
   • In contrast, the Snowshoes with well-known breeders cost from $800 – $1200. They are specifically raised for breeding purposes.

Snowshoe Cat Interesting Facts

Below-given are some interesting facts about the Snowshoe cat breed.

Snowshoe Cat as an Emotional Support Animal

When choosing a cat as your ESA, you may have asked yourself, ‘what cat breed is the best for me’?

A Snowshoe is a perfect breed for cat lovers and is suitable for households. Many people say that they can’t imagine their life without them. These cats make great emotional support animals for those who struggle with anxiety and depression.

Their unique personality also provides comfort along with hours of entertainment and laughter. Similarly, this breed has a long life expectancy, so you don’t have to worry about them leaving you soon.

Keep in mind, do not consider a Snowshoe as your pet or ESA unless you give them proper time and attention. It is not a breed for busy people who work for long hours or travel often.

To officially quality your Snowshoe as an emotional support cat, you need to get an ESA letter. It is a prescription from a licensed mental health professional that states your need for an ESA.

Furthermore, it also allows you to live and travel with your support animal without paying any extra charges. You can also fill out the online questionnaires to know if you qualify for them.

Thus, don’t waste time and contact RealESALetter.com to get a valid letter. We are a legitimate website that you can trust to get an authentic and professionally written emotional support animal letter within 24 hours.