Siamese/Tabby vs Colorpoint Shorthair - Breed Comparison

The Colorpoint Shorthair is a Siamese cat that came about when the Siamese cat was used with the red American Shorthair to bring about new colors.

The actual name is given by the CFA or Cat Fanciers’ Association to refer to pointed cats that have Siamese parents and that have many colors other than the usual 4 Siamese colors which are blue, lilac, seal, and chocolate.

It was in the 1940s and 1950s that cat breeders in the UK and the USA wanted to develop a Siamese cat with red points as opposed to the traditional Siamese colors. It was in 1964 that these red and cream Colorpoint Shorthairs were awarded championship status with the Cat Fanciers’ Association.

Today, different cat registries recognize the Colorpoint Shorthair as a separate breed while others see it as a variation of the Siamese.

Lynx point Siamese cats are believed to also be known as Tabby point Siamese in the UK. Breeding of these cats began in about the 1940s and the first kitten born was crossed with a purebred Seal Point cat. That was the start of the seal tabby point Siamese cat.

After the first kitten was born, many people were intrigued with it and it got plenty of attention, and breeders knew that to please cat lovers everywhere they would have to start producing these wonderful tabby Siamese points.

The Colorpoint Shorthair is a medium-size cat that typically weighs between 2 to 4kg and is nicely muscled. This is a long cat with legs that are long and slender too.

The coat is short and glossy, light-colored with darker extremities. Colors can be Cream Point, Red Point, Cinnamon Point, Seal Point, Blue-, Lilic- and Chocolate Point among others. The cat is well known for its mesmerizing almond-shaped blue eyes.

Temperament:

This sweet agile, athletic cat will be a delight in your home as he is highly intelligent and can easily learn a few basic commands but he is also friendly, playful, and loving. They’re social, outgoing cats too and when he’s not amusing himself, he will happily come and lounge about close to where his beloved human companions are.

On the other side of the coin, these cats can also be somewhat nervous and sensitive and they won’t adapt easily to a change in environment and lifestyle. It is why you have to choose your pet carefully and understand that owning a pet is a commitment of some 15 years or so.

Like the Siamese cat, these felines can be very vocal and they let you know when they want your attention.

The Tabby pointed Siamese cat is medium-sized and can weigh between 3 and 5kg. He has some stripes, mostly around the legs, and the tail is also striped. These cats are available in many different colors – blue, lilac, apricot, seal, and chocolate. The ears are triangular-shaped and there is an ‘M’ shaped mark on the forehead of the cat. All these markings make the cat most distinctive.

Temperament:

The Siamese and Siamese Tabby cats share many similarities in character. They are social cats, loving the interaction with their human families. They’re loyal, intelligent cats and they love to play.

They can live to be about 15 to 20 years of age and throughout this time they will provide you with love, companionship, entertainment, and joy.

In fact, they thrive so much on your company, that they can easily become lonely and run-down when left alone for too long.

Choose the wonderful Colorpoint if you want a cat that isn’t cold and independent. With this cat you have one that is more like a companion and looks forward to being around you.

This is a loyal and loving cat who wants to be part of the human family and he wants to be involved in your life.

He suits first-time cat owners, those with children and pets in the home as well as being an excellent pet for seniors – anyone in fact, who is willing to bestow on him the love and affection he craves.

These cats are people-loving cats – they just crave the companionship of their human family although they’re not particularly fond of strangers.

They make wonderful pets as they actually want to be involved in everything that theur human owners are busy with. They truly are companionable.

They’re intelligent and playful and he will even love to go on a walk with you but then it is best to have him on a leash. Bring one of these awesome cats into your home and you’re guaranteed to have a friend for life.

When it comes to the health of these beautiful cats, you may well find similar health issues as what affects the Siamese, some of which are asthma or bronchial disease, congenital heart defects and lymphoma among others.

Lymphoma is cancer in the lymphocyte cells. Your cat will be lethargic and you will need to get him to the vet and provide the vet with a medical history of your cat. Lymphoma is believed to be associated with exposure to feline leukemia virus as well as the feline immunodeficiency virus.

When you look at your cat, you want to see that his eyes are bright and clear, his fur is shiny, he is of a good weight and that he is energetic and content. Not looking like this could indicate health problems for your feline friend. He will need to get to the vet for his vaccines and the vet will check him over to so as to make sure he is in tip-top health.

Make sure to check him over for parasites and these can cause diarrhea as can other issues such as bacteria, viruses, and the wrong food.

Frequent vomiting is also not normal as well as straining to urinate. These are all instances when you want to get your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

Rember that your Colorpoint Shorthair is a long, lean, musculac cat and for health purposes, you want to ensure a good diet of the best cat food there is. There are some excellent commercially manufactured cat goods available and it is wise to get to know the ingredients as meat and protein is high on the list. Cats are carnivoes and it is imperative to feed your cat high quality protein. When in any kind of doubt, speak to your vet about the best cat food available for your special feline friend.

The short coat requires brushing once a week.

Check your cat over for any unusual lumps. Look at his eyes, check inside his ears for signs of redness and infection and check inside his mouth for signs of bad teeth as this can cause him terrible pain.

Provide a litter box and keep it scrupulously clean.

Have the claws cut.

Have your cat spayed or neutered to avoid unwanted kittens and to also promote better health for your cat.

Provide your cat with a warm bed, food and water bowls, and stimulating toys.

Before you commit to bringing a Siamese/Tabby into your home you must have everything ready for him.

He will need food and water bowls, commercial cat food, grooming brush, a soft warm bed, collar and tag, litter box, a carrying container to get him to the vet safely, climbing tree, and scratching post.

The fine, silky coat doesn’t shed much and can easily be maintained with a weekly brush.

You will need to trim your cat’s paws. Trimming the claws can be difficult with a squirming cat and you can easily hurt him because of that. Rather get him to the vet who will do it for you.

Make sure to feed your Siamese/Tabby the very best cat food there is as poor quality food can contribute to poor health.

A cat is a carnivore and you therefore have to ensure that his food is made up essentially of meat. The commercial cat foods of today are formulated as dry, semi-moist, and canned and they offer a wonderfully convenient way for you to feed your cat. When you choose the best ones, they are palatable and digestible for your cat.

You just have to remember that your cat’s nutritional requirements change with his different stages of life. A kitten can’t possibly eat the same food as an adult cat. The nutritional claim on the cat food label will be a guide for you as to what your cat should be eating. Always ensure a constant supply of fresh, cool water.