Snowshoe
Siamese coloring with white feet and Siamese vocal personalities.
Snowshoes combine the color-pointed Siamese pattern with white feet ("snowshoes") and often a white facial blaze. They are affectionate, vocal, and bond strongly with one chosen person. Highly intelligent, many learn to fetch, walk on leashes, and even open doors.
Key facts
| Origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Weight | 7–12 lbs |
| Lifespan | 14–20 years |
| Energy | Medium |
| Vocality | High |
| Grooming | Brush weekly |
| Shedding | Low |
| With children | ●●●●○ |
|---|---|
| With other pets | ●●●●○ |
| For beginners | ●●●●○ |
| Apartment life | ●●●●● |
Pros & cons
✓ What's great
- Striking unique markings
- Intelligent and trainable
- Long-lived
- Affectionate
✗ Things to know
- Vocal demands
- Each cat's markings are unpredictable
- Less common
Ideal owner
A Snowshoe may suit you well if you:
- Are a first-time cat owner looking for a forgiving, adaptable breed
- Have children or a busy, sociable household
- Already have dogs or other cats at home
- Live in an apartment or smaller home
A Snowshoe may not suit you if you:
- Have significant cat allergies
Health considerations
Snowshoes 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 Snowshoe right for you?
The best way to find out if a Snowshoe 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 Snowshoe a good cat for first-time owners?
Yes — Snowshoes are an excellent choice for first-time cat owners. They are adaptable and forgiving, with a temperament described as: affectionate, vocal, and intensely bonded.
Are Snowshoes good for apartments?
Yes — Snowshoes adapt well to apartment living. They don't require a large territory and are content indoors provided they have adequate enrichment and attention.
Are Snowshoes good with children?
Snowshoes 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 Snowshoes hypoallergenic?
Snowshoes 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 Snowshoe 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: Snowshoe on Wikipedia