Snowshoe vs Ojos Azules - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

This is a fairly new cat breed that was discovered in New Mexico and its a rare cat. It was in 1984 that the cat was identified.

There was a feral colony of cats and one particular, a tortoise-shell female was selected to be mated with male cats of no particular description. Her kittens were born with deep-blue eyes, showing that the gene was dominant.

The unusual cat breed was named Ojos Azules which means ‘Blue Eyes’ in Spanish.

The Ojos Azules comes with both short and long hair. The cat was accepted for registration by TICA in 1991.

Only cats with the recognizable deep blue eye gene have been called Ojos Azules.

There was a time when it was discovered that cranial defects could be linked to the gene, and while breeding was temporarily suspended, it is back on track.

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 beautiful Ojos Azules is a medium-sized cat and weighs in at between 3 and 5kg.

The cat’s most amazing round blue eyes are one of its most extraordinary features.

The gene in this cat isn’t linked to any particular fur color or pattern, so that means some of these cats will have a black coat but still have the blue eyes. The coat of the cat comes in many colors and is short and silky. Sometimes you’ll find some white markings on the paws and tail.

Temperament:

Not much is known of this cat breed because it is such a rare cat. Very few have owned this cat, but it seems as if, according to the people who have owned them, they are loving, friendly cats.

The small number that have been owned as domestic pets are said to have had balanced, loving temperaments, with the ability to show affection for their human owners.

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.

Temperament:

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.

The Ojos Azules cat, apart from its amazing eyes, is a regular cat that requires the same devotion from his human family that other cats enjoy.

Because this cat is so rare it is unlikely that you have one, but whatever furry feline friend you have, treat it with love and attention. The worst thing humans can do is to buy a pet, become bored with it, and then discard it.

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.

There don’t seem to be too many breed-specific health conditions associated with the Ojos Azules.

Having your cat spayed or neutered is beneficial to the cat long-term. Not only that, but it prevents unwanted pregnancies. Thousands of unwanted cats land up in animal shelters or are euthanized every year.

When you bring a new Ojos Azules kitten into the home, you will need to ensure the kitten is vaccinated, but also ensure he is tested for- and free of parasites.

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 -

Amyloidosis:

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.

Dental problems:

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.

Spaying and neutering:

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.

There are no particular requirements when caring for the Ojos Azules. Like other cat breeds, this cat also needs to be loved and well looked after.

Contrary to what many people think, a cat isn’t a non-maintenance creature that can look after itself. There are many cat breeds that crave the companionship of their human owners and they need to be looked after carefully.

Ensure the best quality cat foods there are. There are many commercial cat foods and you want the high-quality ones with meat listed as the top ingredient.

A cat is a carnivore and meat is imperative for your cat to be healthy. If you feed your cat one of the commercially manufactured cat foods there are, you’ll find the food comes as dry, semi-moist, and canned.

The food you choose will come down to you and your cat’s preferences. If in any kind of doubt, speak to your local vet for recommendations. Remember, that an old cat, a pregnant cat or an ill cat will require a certain type of food.

You’ll need to coax your cat to use a litter box. The litter box should be in a quiet place where he can do his business in peace. Make sure you have the tools to scoop out your cat’s feces every single day. Cats like a clean litter box.

Provide the cat with a scratching post. If you have a cat as a pet, you must know it will scratch. You can’t change your cat’s behavior but you can do something about it to deter your cat scratching your furniture. You can buy him a scratching post so that he can scratch the way all cats do.

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.