MyCatBreeds
Both Snowshoe and Jaguarundi Curl are originated from United States. Both Snowshoe and Jaguarundi Curl are having almost same weight. Snowshoe may live 5 years less than Jaguarundi Curl. Both Snowshoe and Jaguarundi Curl has same litter size. Both Snowshoe and Jaguarundi Curl requires Low 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.
Found mostly in Central and South America, the Jaguarundi Curl has been bred to look like a wild cat. - the Jaguarundi.
It was in the 1940s that the cat was also found in Florida. It is a result of a crossing between the Hyland Lynx with Munchkins and possibly other short-legged domestic cats.
The Munchkin cat is a medium-sized cat and it also has very short legs – the result of a genetic mutation.
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.
This is a medium-sized, strong, muscular wild cat with short legs, a large head and small ears that are curled and set wide apart.
The eyes are wide-set and are large and expressive. The eyes can be gold, green or even blue.
The cat can weigh anything between 6 and 10kg. They can take up to years to reach their weight. The tail of the cat is long and thick, the body long and muscular.
The short coat is a ticked or a spotted pattern and can come in various colors. In most cats, the coats are tawny or solid like the Jaguarundi. In ideal specimens, coats will be tawny or solid like the Jaguarundi.
Maybe it’s the cat’s wild side but the Jaguarundi Curl cat is a shy, elusive and somewhat solitary cat. In the wild these cats only socialize to mate.
It is, however, a very vocal cat. The cat is also a good climber and swimmer and you will need to invest in climbing equipment.
If your Jaguarundi Curl has more Munchkin in him, you may find him far more sociable and actually seeking out the company of his human family.
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.
The wild Jaguarundi is smallish cat that is a little bit larger than a house cat.
Some people like keeping these mixed-breed, hybrid cats, and they can make good pets, but they do tend to be reclusive. You have to remember that with these cats, part of their genetic makeup is a wild cat, and this just means that you can’t really be sure how they will turn out.
Think twice before you buy a cute little Jaguarunndi Curl kitten. Cat Rescue shelters are seeing a massive escalation in the number of hybrid cats who are just abandoned by their owners.
They wanted a ‘wild-type’ cat and ended up with behavior from the cat that they couldn’t handle. How cruel is that. Its the human's fault, not the cat.
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.
Hybrid cats do have some health issues because of their breeding. Cat owners who choose these cat breeds need to know that they have special needs.
You should speak to your vet about the health of your cat. Domestic cats and wild cats have a different number of chromosomes. These cats wouldn’t normally mate so that when they are crossed during breeding, an abnormal genetic makeup is a result.
Reproductive problems in cats like the Jaguarundi Curl become a common occurrence and stillbirths can be the norm. Often you’ll find that some of the cats are infertile, whether male or female.
You've also got to be aware of vaccines as sometimes they don't work with these hybrid cats. Many times a cat like this is exposed to rabies and you'll find that the vaccine was ineffective.
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.
Be prepared for the new arrival of your cat. Have food and water bowls, warm bedding, toys, litter box, and food all available and waiting.
Your Jaguarundi Curl doesn’t require a specialized diet. You can feed him much the same as your other domestic cats.
The food needs to be high-quality and can be wet or dry food, so long as it makes sure that meat is the top ingredient. Your cat is a carnivore and will require meaty meals to remain healthy. Dietary supplements or vitamins can only do your Jaguarundi Curl good.
You can brush the coat once each week to remove loose hair and to keep the coat shiny.
You want to provide your cat with a litter box and keep it clean too. These hybrid cats don’t easily learn to use the litter box as they should, and they may do their business around your home as opposed to using the litter box.
Get your pet a collar and tag to identify your cat in case he gets away.