What Is a Colourpoint Siberian? Blue Eyes & Rarity
Colourpoint Siberians are one of the most striking sights in the cat world: a fluffy, long-coated cat with a pale body, darker face, ears, legs and tail, and bright blue eyes. At Siberian Legacy Cats I raise both traditional and colourpoint Siberians, and I get a lot of questions about them.
What does colourpoint mean?
Colourpoint is a pattern. The cat has a lighter body with "points" of colour on the cooler parts of the body: the face mask, ears, legs and tail. It comes from a temperature-sensitive gene, the same one found in Siamese cats. The points can be seal, blue, lynx (tabby), silver and many other colours.
In the Siberian world, colourpoints are sometimes called "Neva Masquerade" cats in other associations. In TICA they are simply Siberians in the colourpoint pattern.
Are colourpoints the same as white Siberians?
Many people look for "white Siberian kittens" and are looking for colourpoints. Colourpoint kittens are born nearly white. The points slowly appear as the kitten grows, and the body darkens a little with age. True solid white is a different colour. Technically, the white kittens people see are colourpoints, and they are a rarer variant, often born in smaller numbers per litter. Reserve in advance.
Blue eyes
All colourpoint cats have blue eyes. This is part of the pattern, and the shade is usually fixed by the time the cat is an adult. If you fall in love with a vivid blue, adopting an older cat means you can see the permanent colour right away.
How do kittens change?
- Newborns: nearly white, with pale ears and tail
- Weeks 2 to 4: faint points appear on the nose and ears
- 2 to 3 months: points are clearer
- 1 year and after: the body may darken slightly, and the coat thickens
Because of this, it can be hard to predict an adult's final shading. I can send you photos of the parents and previous litters to show what to expect.
Do colourpoints have a different personality?
No. They have the same intelligent, affectionate, dog-like Siberian nature as traditional colours. They bond deeply, greet you at the door and follow you around.
Allergies and colour
There is no proof that colour makes a cat more or less allergenic. Our guide to Siberian cat allergies explains more about what matters.
Our colourpoints
Our cats include Simba, a blue silverpoint with low-allergen lines, and Schnee, a blue lynxpoint. Meet them on the Our Cats page.
Price and wait times
Colourpoint kittens are produced in smaller numbers, so waits can be longer. Our range is $2,300 to $2,500, depending on lineage, pattern, colour and gender. See the price guide.
Which should I choose?
Choose the cat that suits your household. Both traditional and colourpoint Siberians are loving, athletic and playful. If you want something rarer, and love the blue-eyed look, go for a colourpoint, and get on the waitlist early.
To reserve, join the waitlist or contact us.
Colourpoint colours you may see
The points can come in several colours. Seal points are dark brown, blue points are a cool grey, and lynx points show tabby stripes on the face and legs. Silver varieties add a pale, frosted look to the coat. Each colour has its own charm, and you can read more about individual cats on our Our Cats page.
Care differences
Colourpoint care is the same as for any Siberian: regular brushing, good food, play and vet check-ups. Their pale coat may show dirt more easily, so occasional baths can keep them looking bright. Keep them out of strong sun if the points are very dark, as heat can affect the shade slightly.
How to reserve one
Because colourpoints are produced in smaller numbers, the best approach is to join the waitlist early, tell me your colour preferences and stay flexible about gender. I will update you as litters are born, and send photos of each kitten as the points develop.
Questions to ask any breeder
Ask to see photos of both parents and of earlier kittens at different ages. Ask about health testing for both parents. Make sure the breeder explains the colour genetics clearly, and that the kitten is registered.
Quick answers
Do colourpoint Siberians shed?
Yes, like all Siberians they shed seasonally, and brushing keeps it under control.
Will my colourpoint kitten stay white?
No. The body will usually darken slightly with age, and the points get clearer.
Are colourpoints more fragile?
No, they are just as sturdy and healthy as other Siberians when well bred and cared for.
Can colourpoint and traditional kittens be in the same litter?
It depends on the genes both parents carry, so I can only tell you what is likely once I know the pairing.
Yes, it depends on the genes carried by both parents.
Ready to talk?
Visit our kitten adoption page, join the waitlist or contact us.