Colorpoint Shorthair
Siamese in non-traditional colors — same vocal personality.
Colorpoint Shorthairs share the slim Oriental build and color-pointed pattern of the Siamese, but in colors that fall outside the traditional four (seal, blue, chocolate, lilac). They are vocal, intelligent, and fiercely devoted — needing constant interaction to be content.
Key facts
| Origin | United States, United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Weight | 6–14 lbs |
| Lifespan | 12–18 years |
| Energy | High |
| Vocality | High |
| Grooming | Brush weekly |
| Shedding | Low |
| With children | ●●●●○ |
|---|---|
| With other pets | ●●●●○ |
| For beginners | ●●●○○ |
| Apartment life | ●●●●● |
Pros & cons
✓ What's great
- Long-lived
- Highly intelligent
- Low grooming
- Strikingly colored coats
✗ Things to know
- Very vocal
- Demanding social needs
- Not for quiet households
Ideal owner
A Colorpoint Shorthair may suit you well if you:
- Have children or a busy, sociable household
- Already have dogs or other cats at home
- Live in an apartment or smaller home
- Enjoy interactive play and can dedicate daily activity time
A Colorpoint Shorthair may not suit you if you:
- Have a busy schedule with little time for interactive play
- Have significant cat allergies
Health considerations
Colorpoint Shorthairs are generally considered a robust, healthy breed with no well-documented breed-specific conditions at this time. As with all cats, annual vet check-ups, a balanced diet, and keeping them up to date on vaccinations and parasite prevention are the best health investments you can make.
Is a Colorpoint Shorthair right for you?
The best way to find out if a Colorpoint Shorthair suits your lifestyle is to take the What Cat? breed quiz — it weighs your living space, schedule, household, and preferences against all 68 breeds in our encyclopedia.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Colorpoint Shorthair a good cat for first-time owners?
Colorpoint Shorthairs can suit first-time owners who do their research. Vocal, demanding, and intensely social. Make sure you can meet their specific care needs before committing.
Are Colorpoint Shorthairs good for apartments?
Yes — Colorpoint Shorthairs adapt well to apartment living. They don't require a large territory and are content indoors provided they have adequate enrichment and attention.
Are Colorpoint Shorthairs good with children?
Colorpoint Shorthairs are generally excellent with children. They are patient, tolerant of handling, and social enough to enjoy the energy of family life including young children.
Are Colorpoint Shorthairs hypoallergenic?
Colorpoint Shorthairs are not specifically hypoallergenic and produce standard levels of Fel d 1, the main cat allergen. If allergies are a concern, consider breeds like the Siberian, Balinese, or Devon Rex.
Does a Colorpoint Shorthair suit your lifestyle?
Take the free 18-question What Cat? quiz to find out — and get a full ranked list of breeds matched to your real life.
Take the free quiz →Further reading: Colorpoint Shorthair on Wikipedia