Colorpoint Shorthair Cat Breed Characteristics

‌Length‌: 12 – 16 inches

‌Weight‌: Females: 5 – 8 pounds, Males 8 – 12 pounds

‌Lifespan‌: 12 – 16 years

‌Coat length‌: Short

‌Coloring‌: Colorpoint coat pattern with blue eyes

‌Grooming needs‌: Low

‌Friendliness‌: Breed alone is not an accurate predictor of individual cats' personalities. However, colorpoint shorthair cats are generally regarded as affectionate and loyal.

The colorpoint shorthair is only distinguishable from the Siamese cat by their coloring. The breed comes in 16 different colors and patterns including lynx point and parti-color point. If you are looking for a beautiful, talkative cat that is both social and affectionate, the colorpoint shorthair may be a perfect choice. Be prepared to wait for a kitten, though, especially if you have your heart set on a certain coat color. Carefully consider the breed's care requirements and personality before committing to bringing a colorpoint shorthair into your home.

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The colorpoint shorthair cat breed was developed by breeding seal point Siamese with a red tabby American shorthair cat. The intention was to create a Siamese cat with red coloring. The match was successful and the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) granted championship status to red and cream points colorpoint shorthairs.

While the Siamese cat comes in four basic colors, including seal point, chocolate point, blue point, or lilac point, there are 16 different colors and patterns currently recognized by the Association for the colorpoint shorthair breed. These include:

• ‌solid point colors:‌ cream point and red point
• ‌lynx point colors:‌ blue, chocolate, cream, lilac, red, seal, blue cream, chocolate-tortoiseshell, lilac-cream, and seal-tortie
• ‌parti-color point colors:‌ seal-tortie point, chocolate-tortie point, blue-cream point, and lilac-cream point

The ways different cat registries classify these cats vary. The Cat Fanciers' Association recognizes the colorpoint shorthair as a separate breed. Other registries, such as the International Cat Association (TICA), group these cats into the Siamese breed of cat.

Due to their close relationship with Siamese cats, colorpoint shorthairs share much of the cat breed information. The cats have the same physical characteristics as the Siamese including a muscular body, wedge-shaped head, and almond-shaped eyes.

The colorpoint shorthair shares some personality traits with their Siamese cousins. The breed tends to be talkative. They often meow and tend to have a voice that is a bit raspy. The cats are devoted to their family and may follow you around the home. They may even settle on your lap or by your side.

They also enjoy playing and can easily be enticed into a game of fetch. The cats are also very intelligent and can be trained to do tricks or walk on a leash. Colorpoint shorthair cats enjoy warm environments and when they aren't snuggling up to you, they can often be found basking in the sun.

The breed enjoys company and is very loyal. Therefore they shouldn't be left alone for long periods of time. If you live alone, work long hours, or travel frequently, this may not be the best breed of cat for you.

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A healthy colorpoint shorthair has a long expected lifespan and can live 12 to 16 years. There are some genetic health problems that affect the breed. Like Siamese cats, colorpoint shorthairs may have crossed eyes or develop other types of eye disease such as progressive retinal atrophy or feline glaucoma.

Some other hereditary conditions include:

• amyloidosis
• asthma
• congenital heart defects
• dental problems

Responsible cat breeders will have their cats tested and examined regularly and avoid breeding cats with health problems that may be passed on to their kittens.

Colorpoint shorthair cats have short coats that are very low maintenance. They don't shed much, so weekly brushing is generally plenty to keep their coat healthy. While these cats shed less than some other breeds, they are not hypoallergenic.

Make sure to also check and clean their eyes and ears and trim their nails regularly. As the breed may be more susceptible to dental problems, it is important to brush their teeth regularly with veterinarian-approved toothpaste.

Feed them high-quality commercial cat food as recommended by your veterinarian. Obesity is a concern for colorpoint shorthair cats. Avoid free feeding and take time to play with your cat each day to keep them active. Provide fresh drinking water at all times.

Take your cat in for regular veterinary checkups. These are important to make sure your cat isn't suffering from any undiagnosed health conditions and that they are maintaining a healthy weight. Make sure they get their recommended vaccinations as well.

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When bringing home a new colorpoint shorthair kitten or adult cat, it is important to take some time to set up your home to make sure it is safe for your new pet. Some cat-proofing steps include:

• removing any toxic plants
• locking up mothballs and any toxic cleaning supplies
• securing fragile items that a curious cat may break

Set up a room where you can welcome your cat when they first arrive. The smaller space gives your cat the opportunity to adjust to the new environment. Set up the room with everything they need including food, water, and a litterbox. Make sure there is also a cat tree and scratching post so that they can scratch and climb without damaging your furniture.

Colorpoint shorthairs are a social breed, so spend plenty of time in the room with your new cat. Don't rush them into exploring or bonding with you. Instead, offer to play, allow them to come to you when they are ready, and use plenty of positive reinforcement.

This is a good time to introduce the new cat to children and any other pets you have in the household. Supervise the interactions and take a break if your cat becomes overwhelmed. When your cat is comfortable, you can open the door and allow your cat to have access to the rest of the house. With a bit of patience, your new colorpoint shorthair will be following you around the home — and telling you about their day.