The thing with cats though is that there have been so many breeds and versions of cats, we can sometimes get lost with them all! This is no exception when it comes to the Siamese breeds.
These cat breeds have many kinds and the one we’re looking at today is the tortie point. In this guide, we’ll be examining what they are, their history, their appearance, their likes and dislikes and how they are with people – among other handy kitty cat facts.
So, join us as we explore the tortie point Siamese cat.
What Is A Tortie Point Siamese Cat?
Torties are within the Siamese cat category. They’re especially known for their blue eyes, elegant attitude, beautiful appearance and laid-back personality.
It is perhaps the least known type of Siamese cat. The usual Siamese breeds you’ve probably heard of are the blue point, chocolate and lilac point.
Although they’re not a separate breed, they were not considered part of the Siamese family for many years. It was only in the mid-1960s that they were categorized as a purebred Siamese, and they have since received full recognition.
The name tortie comes from tortoiseshell and the reason for this is because of the cat’s markings that resemble that of a shell of a tortoise. They have mottled points shown on their bodies as opposed to solid points, and you can certainly understand and see the resemblance.
They are a happy mix of black and red point Siamese cats and share the same breeding process that the red-point Siamese cats went through.
Appearance Of The Tortie Point
Siamese colors come in all different ways, which you can probably tell already through some of their relatives that we’ve mentioned (red point, blue point, cream point etc.).
Unlike these other Siamese or traditional Siamese colors, torties do not have a solid color. Instead, they have a well recognized to mottled pattern to its own colored areas.
This is where tortoiseshell patterns come to life, but they do have similar appearances to other Siamese cats such as bright blue eyes, a long and pointed shaped tail and ears that are shaped into a triangle.
It’s an incredibly beautiful breed whose color points exist on its ears, mittens, paws, tail and the lower areas of its legs.
Interestingly, these tortie point cats will begin as a Siamese kitten that is entirely white but as they develop, their colors begin to bloom and show up over their body.
Personality Traits Of The Tortie Point
Since they are a type of Siamese cat, they share many of the same personality traits that you can expect with this breed of cat. We’ll take you through each of these main areas:
Social
These cats are very social and love nothing more than to be around their humans and other pets. They’re extremely affectionate and enjoy cuddles, strokes and petting.
They are excellent with strangers and are not shy to come and say hello to newbies in their household or in the yard. They rarely get into conflict and their favorite environment is one that has a lot of people and pets.
They’re even great with smaller humans, so if you’ve got young kids – these cats are an ideal pet to have! Unfortunately, this level of socialization means they cannot be left alone. They need people or animals around to remain happy, and they can quickly get sad if they’re isolated.
If you’re looking at perhaps getting your own – you should take this point seriously and ensure you have another cat or someone else in the house, if you have to go out to work every day.
Chatty
This little fur-baby loves to chat with its humans and other pets and will tell you when they’re happy. Their voices sound like a child, and they usually vocalize themselves to show affection and love.
Playful
These cats love playtime! If you’re going to get a tortie point, you should be aware that you’re going to get involved in many games because they will keep chatting to you until you play with them.
They enjoy playing with cat-toys, but they can also be right at home with basic things like sticks, your hands, boxes and trees. They’re difficult to tire out because they have a lot of energy – so be sure you’re ready for a long play session!
They Want Attention… Always!
Due to their playful and affectionate nature, they always want their human to tend to them – and if their human isn’t doing what they want, they’ll use their vocal traits to make sure of it!
Having said that, there does come a time that they want to be alone, but that’s very little of their time, and normally when they want to eat or sleep. But even then, they’ll prefer it if you were around.
They do hunt alone too, and they’ll normally do this alone, but quickly bring their human back a gift. Thoughtful, right?
Typical Health Of A Tortie
Much like other Siamese cats, the tortie has a typical lifespan of around 15 or 16 years, which is not too dissimilar from other traditional house cats.
They usually have a healthy life due to their energetic play, if they are fed a healthy diet. Unfortunately though, torties can have a genetic eye problem which can slowly lead to blindness. But your vet will be able to assist you if this does occur.
In much rarer situations, torties can also develop a lung issue, which is something you should certainly see a vet about if this happens with your tortie, or you suspect it.
Taking care of your tortie is pretty simple. They do not shed too much because they have shorter hair than other cats. You do not need to bathe them much, and you do not need to take them for grooming services.
Instead, simply stroke them with your fingers and brush them that way, allowing for double the success! Happy cat and happy fur!
Always remember to feed a tortie a good diet with protein and plenty of water which will further benefit their coats.
Final Thoughts
Torties are loving and adorable Siamese cats, and they’re always up for new friends! If you’re ready for a new furry friend, you should certainly consider one of these for your home.
I’m Courtney Trent and I hope that I can answer some burning questions that you have about cats, as well as some questions that you’d never have thought to ask before.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
So, stay a while and learn more about domestic and wild cats from Windhaven Ocicats.
