Snowshoe cat breed: facts, temperament and care
A gentle American pointed cat with white feet, a mellow nature and a short, smooth coat, bred from Siamese and bicolour American Shorthairs.
Also known as Snowshoe cat, Snowshoe Siamese, Silver Laces
Quick facts
| Origin | Philadelphia, United States |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Typical weight | 7-12 lb (3.2-5.4 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short |
| Coat | Short to medium-short, smooth, glossy coat with no noticeable undercoat |
| Colours and patterns | Pointed pattern with white feet; seal and blue points accepted widely, other points in some registries |
Recognition
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Not recognised by the CFA |
|---|---|
| How common | Rare |
Temperament and care (1 low, 5 high)
| Affection | 4 |
|---|---|
| Energy | 3 |
| Playfulness | 4 |
| Talkativeness | 3 |
| Grooming needed | 1 |
| Shedding | 2 |
| Good with children | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 |
| Happy alone | 2 |
| Trainability | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 4 |
Best suited to
| Suits | A household with children or other pets that wants a calm, sociable, pointed cat with little grooming. |
|---|---|
| Less suited to | Anyone out for long periods, because the breed dislikes being alone for long. |
Registries that recognise it
- TICA
- FIFe
- ACFA
About the Snowshoe
The Snowshoe began in Philadelphia in the 1960s. A Siamese breeder, Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty, had a litter in which three kittens had white feet. She bred them with seal-point Siamese and with bicolour American Shorthairs, and the breed took its name from the white paws. It was first called Silver Laces. After she gave up, Vikki Olander took the programme over and wrote the first breed standard.
The Snowshoe has a medium, muscular body, a triangular head and blue eyes. The coat is pointed, as in the Siamese, with a lighter body and darker ears, mask, legs and tail. White boots on the feet and a white inverted V on the face are prized. Registries accept seal and blue points everywhere, and some accept more colours. Recognition is patchy: the breed has been accepted for championship by several American and European associations, while the CFA does not recognise it.
Temperament and living with one
Snowshoes are affectionate, mellow and sociable. They are usually less vocal and less demanding than a Siamese, and they get on well with children and other pets. They are intelligent and can learn tricks, including fetch, and many like water. They dislike being left alone for long stretches and do best in a home where someone is around much of the day.
Care: coat, food and play
The short coat sheds lightly and needs only a weekly brush. Check teeth, ears and nails regularly. A Snowshoe wants interactive play and perches, and a second cat can keep it company. Offer a complete diet in measured meals and keep the cat lean.
Health
No breed-specific condition is well established. A small review of urinary stones found Snowshoes over-represented, but the numbers were tiny and prove little. Ask a breeder what the parents have been tested for, and ask your vet about check-ups, dental care and a diet that supports the urinary tract. If your cat strains in the litter box or passes blood, call a vet at once.
Is it right for you?
A Snowshoe suits a family or a person at home much of the day who wants a gentle pointed cat. Kittens are hard to find and breeders are few, so expect a wait. If you want a more talkative option, choose the Siamese. For a larger, mellower pointed cat, see the Ragdoll or the Birman.
Profile last reviewed November 7, 2026