MyCatBreeds
Ussuri is originated from Russia but Snowshoe is originated from United States. Both Ussuri and Snowshoe are having almost same weight. Both Ussuri and Snowshoe has almost same life span. Both Ussuri and Snowshoe has same litter size. Both Ussuri and Snowshoe requires Low maintenance.
Not much is known about the Ussuri cat but it does seem to be a rare natural cat breed. The cat originates from Russia but is rare even in that country.
A breed standard for this cat was published in the 1990s, but nothing has been heard since and its breed status isn't clear. It does seem that the Ussuri's numbers are dwindling due to interbreeding with local domestic cats. Also, the cat doesn't have a breeding program and it is expected that the cat will just quietly disappear.
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 Ussuri cat can be described as a medium-sized cat that weighs between 3 and 6kg.
The ears often have those tufts, similar to that of a lynx. The body of the Ussuri cat is muscular. The neck is firm, the legs medium length and muscular with rounded paws. The tail has a rounded tip. The coat is short and glossy and there is a thick undercoat.
It has a mix of spots with lines around the face.There are also line on the legs and the tail is ringed. It definitely lives up to looking like a wild cat.
The Ussuri has a wild heritage, and domesticated, they are smart and intelligent. Of course, being on the wild side, they like to hunt and will present you with mice, rats, and birds. They are quite capable of forming strong bonds with their human owners, and tend to gravitate particularly to one member of the family.
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.
Ussuri Cats are very smart cats and they are able to adapt fairly quickly to their surroundings. Think twice before you invest in a Ussuri as they have different needs to your regular domestic cat.
These are cats that won't slot easily into indoor life and that is why you need to think carefully before you bring such a cat home as a pet.
While they can be affectionate to their human family, they are restless cats, wanting to get away to that wild life they once knew.
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.
These are strong, robust cats, but even so, for your own peace of mind, a visit to the vet every now and them can be a good thing to make sure everything is aright with your cat.
Healthy they may be, but they can still pick up any one of the many common cat diseases there are.
With a good diet, plenty of exercise and a caring environment, they can reach 16 years of age or older.
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 short coat of Ussuri cats is glossy and close-lying, and a brush once a week will be fine for this cat.
Provide your pet with an outside enclosure. These are cats with a wild side, and to ensure you don't get frustrated with him, an enclosure with climbing equipment will be a good idea.
Ensure the cat gets plenty of exercise. You will need to invest in interactive toys that encourage this intelligent cat to think things out.
Only the very highest quality meat-diet will be good enough for this cat. Ensure he has a constant supply of fresh cool water.
In his outside enclosure, you can include a paddling pool, and in the wilds, cats like to paw at water and wade in.
Provide your pet with a comfortable sleeping area.
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.