MyCatBreeds
Both Snowshoe and American Longhair are originated from United States. Both Snowshoe and American Longhair are having almost same weight. Snowshoe may live 3 years less than American Longhair. Both Snowshoe and American Longhair has same litter size. Snowshoe requires Low maintenance. But American Longhair requires Moderate maintenance
The Snowshoe is a short-haired, natural breed of cat. It is a bit similar in looks to the Siamese cat.
It was in the late 1960's that Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty from the USA devoted her time to developing a breed which was a mix of Siamese cat and American Shorthair. There was much enthusiasm for the new breed – the mesmerizing blue eyes and the lean, lithe, athletic body, .
This rare cat has been approved for championship status. In 1982 the Snowshoe was approved for championship status by the CFF and later by the American Cat Fanciers Association in 1990.
This beautiful cat has strict standards laid down for breeding.
The handsome American Longhair cat is thought to be the result of attempts by breeders to have a cat that portrayed some Persian varieties.
American shorthairs have characteristics and looks from both breeds. The American Longhair, although it comes from champion bloodlines, isn’t actually recognized by larger cat organizations.
The Snowshoe is a medium-sized cat, with the body being longer than many other cat breeds.
A distinctive feature with him is the white paws.
The cat can weigh between 5 to 7 kg. The legs of the cat are long and strong and the medium-length tail gradually tapers to a tip. The ears are fairly large with rounded tips. The smooth, short coat is white, brown, tan, and black and without an undercoat. He reminds you of a sweet treat - hints of chocolate and coffee shades with vanilla or light cream. He is pure white at birth, but after a few weeks, the coat undergoes a significant color change.
The face, ears, tail, and legs are darker in color than the rest of the body. The eyes of all Snowshoe cats are a sky blue.
Snowshoes are friendly, docile, and affectionate. They lap up the company of their human family, getting on well with children and other pets. They tend to be shy of strangers.
The Snowshoe is a fairly vocal cat and will let you know when he is hungry or he just wants to talk to you.
These cats are intelligent too and he can be taught a few tricks. He is very sociable and doesn’t like to be left on his own for long periods of time. Ideally, these cats should have a constant companion. They are active cats and like to be busy. You’ll need to spend some time with your Snowshoe as these cats love fun and games.
You’ll find that there are quite a few American Longhairs that have the snub nose of the Persian cat which is part of its ancestry.
This is a well-muscled, medium to large sized athletic cat with a thick double coat of many colors and patterns that sheds fairly heavily.
This isn’t a particularly vocal cat, but in true cat-fashion, it is independent and doesn’t require a lot of attention.
This cat will make a nice companion for older people and it is calm enough to enjoy a leisurely stroll outdoors with a harness on. They’re adaptable to different situations, but the American Longhair isn’t the ideal choice for children as it isn’t your playful, lover of noise and games type of cat, preferring the attention of other animals.
They love going into barns and being buffeted and licked by the cows and other barnyard animals.
People who have already owned Snowshoes will tell you that they make splendid pets. They’re loyal and devoted to their human family, usually choosing a favorite person.
The fact that the Snowshoe is social and becomes so attached to people, makes him an awesome pet but just because he is fairly docile and amicable doesn’t mean he should be left alone for hours at a time. You’ll hear him voicing his displeasure at this.
He is certainly not a solitary cat, but an affectionate and most extraordinary cat.
Your American Longhair is an easy-going, friendly social cat that doesn’t demand a lot from his human owners.
These cats are intelligent too and you can even teach them a trick or two. They enjoy the company of their humans and will even follow you around.
Bringing one into your home promises to be a rewarding pet-ownership experience.
Your Snowshoe may well be a healthy breed, but every cat is prone to some illnesses. We look at some cat diseases you need to be aware of -
This is a feline disease found more often in Siamese cat breeds. The cat develops this protein disease between 1 TO 5 years of age. Amyloidosis is when there is an abnormal deposit of the protein complex amyloid into the liver, spleen and kidneys, resulting in bacterial infections, inflammation, and cancer.
Your Snowshoe’s teeth are particularly prone to gingivitis which is inflammation of the gums. It can lead to more serious conditions if left unattended. Other dental problems to watch for are bleeding gums, broken teeth, and swelling of the gums.
Have your Snowshoe spayed or neutered. Spaying or neutering decreases the likelihood of some cancers. Both males and females are less likely to roam too, making them more domesticated. The cat is less likely to spray urine as a territorial gesture too. Spaying or neutering is imperative if you want to avoid your cats being parents.
The American Longhair doesn’t have many health concerns and you can expect him to live up to 18, 19 or 20 years of age with good care.
There are some American Longhairs that come with that shortened face of the Persian, and this may mean him battling with breathing problems.
Also, be aware of Polycystic kidney disease where you get cysts that form in the kidneys and which can become larger over time and eventually affect kidney function, leading to kidney failure.
Provide your Snowshoe with the best cat food that there is. Always be aware of excess weight with your cat and avoid it at all costs. Extra weight is an influential factor in the development of diseases such as diabetes and arthritis.
A proper diet for your Snowshoe will ensure that your vet expenses are less. The nutritional needs of your Snowshoe will be protein, minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, and enzymes. Your cat is a carnivore and his food needs to be high in meat and protein. He isn't going to require any carbohydrates. Speak to your vet about the best food for your feline friend.
Provide your Snowshoe with a constant supply of fresh, cool water.
Your Snowshoe will appreciate some cooked meat once in a while. Some tasty tuna now and then which is rich in omega-3s will also go down well.
Cats are fastidious about cleanliness so ensure his litter box is always clean. Scoop out the feces every day.
The Snowshoe has a low maintenance short coat, and a weekly brush will keep his coat shiny and glossy and he’ll love the attention this brushing session provides.
Cats like to scratch, so provide your Snowshoe with a scratching post as this will save your furniture from being used as a scratching post.
The Snowshoe cat is regarded as a low maintenance cat in terms of his short coat which needs to be brushed once a week. Brushing the hair will remove dead, loose hair and distribute skin oils to keep the coat in tip-top condition.
The long coat of the American Longhair will require some brushing to keep it shiny and smooth and free from dust but also to remove all those loose hairs.
Make sure your cat’s food and water dishes are in an appropriate spot and keep them separate from your cat’s litter box. House train your cat immediately on how to use a litter box. Keep the litter box clean and rake up your cat's droppings regularly and dispose of them.
Before you get a cat, know that they scratch. It is normal for a cat. Provide your cat with a scratching post as well as climbing equipment such as a cat climbing tree.
Always feed your cat a meat-based diet, after all, cats in the wild are carnivores. There are some ingredients that a cat must have and they require certain amino acids found in meat-based proteins or else they could become ill.
The top quality cat foods provide cats with all the nutrients they need to keep them healthy. There are some cat owners who opt to feed their cats home-prepared meals because then they know exactly what’s going into their beloved pets food.
There are other cat owners who choose to provide their pet with a raw diet because they believe that this comes close to the cat's natural diet in the wild.
Always speak to your vet if you are in any way uncertain about the best foods for your cat. He should always have access to fresh cool water.
Check your cat for problems such as parasites such as ticks and fleas. You will also need to have your cat checked for worms. Your vet can diagnose worms with a physical exam. If it is discovered that your cat does have worms, the vet will recommend some safe, effective medications for your pet.
If you are able to, get your cat regular veterinary examinations to ensure he is always in tip-top condition.
Have your cat spayed or neutered to prevent unwelcome kittens in a world where there are just too many unwanted kittens. These procedures can have health benefits for your cat as well.
American Longhairs are lively playful cats so give your cat toys to play with to ensure mental stimulation.