Seal point is a common color of the Siamese cat breed. These cats have cream-colored bodies with seal-brown or dark brown color points. These points spread from their face to their ears and nose, and over their paws and tail. The paw pads and nose leather are also dark brown-colored. Read on for some interesting facts about this coloration, which has a genetic origin and a rich history.
Interesting facts about the seal point Siamese
These cats have unique personalities.
Siamese cats with this coloration are notable for their distinct personalities and dignified behavior. They are elegant, aristocratic and independent. Felines with this color point are consistent and do not like to change their ways.
These cats are direct and will communicate their dislike if they do not like something you do. This could be by staring at you, or by attacking your ankles or feet. They are the jealous type and are very possessive and protective over their humans.
They tend to be mistaken for chocolate point Siamese cats.
Because the seal point and chocolate point look similar, most people get the two confused. However, if you look closely, seal points have darker colors than chocolate points. They have darker points at the nose, face, tail and legs, along with a darker coat in the middle section of their body.
Seal points gain weight quickly.
Siamese cats are well-loved for their elegant, slender bodies. However, seal points are more prone to obesity. The record-holder as the world’s fattest cat is a Siamese that weighed 50 pounds. You should monitor your cat’s diet and consult the vet regarding proper diet and health care.
Seal points develop their coloration as they grow from kittens.
Siamese seal point kittens do not have their color point at birth. Their bodies are born cream-ish, while the pads are pink. After a few weeks, you will notice color starting to form. It may take up to a year for the color point to develop and your cat to be recognizable as a seal point.
They have albino origins.
The coat pattern of seal points is down to genetics. Both parents of a seal point cat must carry the gene for a white or cream body with dark points on the ears, face, feet and tail, for kittens to acquire the coloration. Cats won’t be seal points if only one of their parents has the gene.
The darker points of color are situated where the cat’s body is cooler. Interestingly, the alleles related to seal point genes are correlated with albinism.
The color point started with Siamese cats.
Seal points have been in existence for many, many years, and experts attest that such coloration began with Siamese cats. Eventually, the breed was mixed with other American shorthairs and the color point was introduced to other breeds. Experiments with the coloration began in the 1940s and 50s, when breeders bred Siamese cats with American shorthairs.
Seal point is not a breed, but a coloration or color point.
It is not a certain cat breed, but a coat coloration or color point, and it could occur in other breeds such as the Himalayan and Ragdoll. It is usually only found in purebred species.
The seal point gets its name from the color of a seal.
The range of colors under the seal point umbrella range from dark brown to brownish-black, according to the National Siamese Cat Club. This coloration is darker than that of chocolate points, which are lighter and warmer.
The seal point coloration is considered the original founding color point, and the first pair of these cats arrived in England from Thailand around the 1880s. The names of these seal point Siamese cats were Pho and Mia. This period saw the beginning of cat shows and fancy registries in Great Britain, and the pair became instant stars thanks to these shows.
Cat breeds that exhibit the seal point coloration:
- Birman
- British Shorthair
- Balinese
- Himalayan
- Colorpoint Shorthair
- Javanese
- Ragdoll
- Napoleon
- Thai
- Snowshoe
- Tonkinese
Conclusion
Seal point Siamese cats are one of a kind due to their coloration and personality traits. They have distinct personalities with dignified behavior and are very possessive. They have albino origins and tend to gain weight quickly. The seal point coloration develops as kittens grow older, and seal points are often confused with the chocolate point coloration.
Image: istockphoto.com / KrissiLundgren