Snowshoe and ragdoll cats are two of the most popular breeds of cats in the world, but what are they? What characteristics do they have? How should you take care of them? This guide will give you all the answers you need about snowshoes and ragdoll cats to decide if either of these breeds would suit your home and lifestyle. You’ll learn everything from personality to appearance, so let’s start.
About snowshoe cat
Snowshoe cats are a relatively new breed, having only been around since the 1960s. They mix several breeds, including the Siamese, American Shorthair, and Himalayan. Snowshoes are known for their striking blue eyes and dark points. They’re also quite large for a domestic cat, with males weighing around 15 pounds. And despite their name, not all snowshoes have white feet – some have mostly white coats with dark points.
Ragdoll Vs. Snowshoe Cat: What do they look like?
Colorpoint breeds of cats like the Ragdoll and Snowshoe have a light body color with darker ears, faces, tails, and legs. With an inverted V marking on its face, the Snowshoe’s traditional facial marking is comparable to that of the Bicolor Ragdoll.
The Ragdoll features oval eyes, a triangle-shaped face, and medium-sized ears.
A Snowshoe’s head may be triangular or rounded, with eyes that resemble walnuts. They have pointed, wide-set ears. The white feet give the impression that they are coated with snow.
Both cats have beautiful blue eyes that are widely known.
Snowshoe and Ragdoll kittens are born completely white, with coloration only appearing on their extremities in the first few weeks of life.
Ragdolls are one of the largest domesticated cat breeds, with males typically weighing in at 20 pounds or more. They have long, thick fur that is soft to the touch and come in various colors and patterns. Snowshoe cats are a relatively new breed, developed in the 1960s in the United States. They get their name from their distinctive white feet, which resemble snowshoes. The two breeds share many characteristics, including their friendly personalities. The difference lies in size; on average, ragdolls weigh about twice as much as snowshoe cats. Snowshoe cats also tend to be more active than ragdolls.
About ragdoll cat
Ragdoll cats are one of the most popular cat breeds, known for their docile and laid-back personalities. They’re also known for being lap cats – they love to cuddle! Ragdolls come in a variety of colors and patterns, but all have blue eyes.
Temperament and behavior
If you’re looking for a laid-back lap cat, the Ragdoll is the clear winner. However, the Snowshoe may be a better fit if you’re looking for a kitty with a bit more grit. Both breeds are affectionate and devoted to their families, but the Ragdoll is typically more easygoing while the Snowshoe is more active. Snowshoes have a high prey drive, so they’ll chase anything that moves.
Grooming
Snowshoe cats have average grooming needs, requiring brushing or combing once or twice a week. A disadvantage of this breed is that they tend to mark their territory by spraying indoors. The Ragdoll requires less grooming than the Snowshoe but has similar activity levels as well as a higher level of prey drive.
Where are they found?
The Snowshoe is a mixed breed cat–a combination of the Siamese and American Shorthair. The Ragdoll is a pointed breed of domestic cat, meaning their body is lighter colored with darker points on the face, ears, legs, and tail.
Health Issues
The Ragdoll and Snowshoe cat breeds are relatively new, with the first Ragdolls appearing in the 1960s and the Snowshoes in the 1970s. Because of their relative newness, there isn’t a lot of scientific data on health issues for either breed. However, we know that both breeds are generally healthy, with a life expectancy of around 15 years.
Ragdoll Health Issues
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Polycystic Kidney Disease
- Gum Disease
- Urinary Tract infections
Snowshoe Health Issues
- Amyloidosis
- Gum Disease
- Urinary Tract infections
Cost
Ragdolls are substantially more expensive than Snowshoe Cats. A Snowshoe typically costs between $600 and $1200, while a Ragdoll costs between $800 and $2000.
So are Snowshoe cats and Ragdoll cats the same? The two breeds share some characteristics, but they also differ significantly. If you’re thinking about getting one, research the breeds of cats that best suit your lifestyle and personality.
Read about Munchkin Ragdoll Cat which is considered as one of the The Most Adorable Cat Breed
Vocalness
In contrast to a loud cat breed like the Siamese, the Ragdoll breed is typically thought of as a quiet breed. Their meows are lovely and sweet. But certain Ragdolls do have a tendency for meowing more than others.
Snowshoes can express their emotions and grievances because they are linked to Siamese Cats, albeit their meows are not as loud as those of the Siamese.
Intelligence
Animals like snowshoe cats are sensitive, curious, and intelligent. They enjoy exploring and investigating their surroundings and are frequently seen playing with toys. Some owners claim that their Snowshoe cat has mastered the art of door opening.
Ragdolls are extremely intelligent animals. They perform best in terms of communication, adaptability, and training capacity. Their intelligence isn’t as good as that of other cat breeds, though, regarding their survival and hunting instincts. They are typically indoor-only cats as a result.
Both breeds may be taught to use a harness and leash to walk outside.
Playfulness
Although the Ragdoll is more energetic than the Snowshoe, both cats are lively. The Ragdoll is pleased to lie around all day, whereas the Snowshoe is sporty and fast and prefers perching in high areas.
Suitability
In general, Snowshoe and Ragdoll cats are accepting of different animals and pets. Children, other animals, pets, and people typically exhibit a calm and peaceful demeanor.
Colors
The only breed standard colors recognized by the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) are Seal and Blue. The Ragdoll, however, has a wider range of colors, including Seal, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Flame, and Cream.
Size
Ragdolls have a much larger body size than Snowshoes, with Ragdolls typically weighing in at around 15-20 pounds while a Snowshoe may weigh only 6-12 pounds.
Coat
A cat breed with medium-to-long fur is the Ragdoll. It features a non-mating coat that resembles rabbit fur in texture and appearance, silky and shiny. Ragdoll cats are distinguished by the thick mane of fluffy fur that surrounds their necks and thickens with age.
Like the Ragdoll, a Snowshoe Cat’s coat is short to medium, silky, and non-mating.
Because neither cat has an undercoat, less shedding and less grooming is necessary. It is a similarity between the two cats.