What Is A Pointed Cat?

A pointed cat, or cats with point coloration, are cats with a particular pattern and color scheme on their coat. Pointed cat coats have light colored bodies with darker colored “points” on their extremities – the paws, tail, ears, and face. The most widely known example of a pointed cat breed is the Siamese. Point coloration is found in several breeds of cats, both pure bred and mixed-breed, but is also found in the coats of some rabbits and horses.

Pointed cats actually have a form of albinism, caused by a gene mutation of the enzyme that produces melanin in the coat. This mutated enzyme is heat sensitive and doesn’t function properly and produce pigment in the coat at normal body temperatures. But, it switches on and starts actively adding pigment to the coat when the temperature drops a bit in the cooler areas of the cat’s body – the extremities, where the points are found.

Color pointed kittens are born with pure white or cream coats, and develop their points over the first few months of growth.

Some well known breeds of cats that have point coloration are Birman, Ragdoll, Exotic Shorthair, and of course, Siamese. Color points are found in a variety of colors, not just the darkest shades. They come in reds, beiges, and pale greys as well. They’re also not limited to solid patterns – it is possible for a pointed cat’s points to be tabby or tortoiseshell patterned.