Lynx Point Siamese: Cat Facts And Fun

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Siamese cats have become one of the most popular breeds across Europe and North America, but have you heard of a Lynx Point Siamese? If you're wondering what people mean when they mention "Lynx Colorpoint" or "Lynx Siamese" then you've come to the right page. We've done the research and have some answers for you.

The Lynx Point is a term used to describe a colorpoint cat (such as a Siamese) where the darker areas on the cat's coat also show a tabby pattern. Lynx Points are also nick-named Color Point Short Hairs or Tabby Points. 

Read on as we discuss the types of Lynx Points out there - not all of them Lynx Point Siamese! - and what makes them so unique.

What exactly is a pointed lynx cat

The term "Lynx points" refers to a tabby pattern within the darker areas on a colorpoint cat. To understand "lynx" you have to be familiar both with the colorpoint and the tabby coat patterns. Many people refer to these as "Lynx Point Siamese", although these cats aren't necessarily Siamese cats.

The Colorpoint Pattern

As the name suggests, color-pointed cats are generally light in color with a distinctly darker coat showing up along the body extremities: the face, paws, and tail. Colorpoint cats almost always have blue eyes. Here's an illustration:

Here's a fascinating tidbit. The colorpoint pattern is controlled by the cat's body heat. The darker hairs grow only where the skin temperature is cool enough. That's usually the "tips" of the body: the paws, tail, ears, and muzzle.

In fact, colorpoint kittens are born with no dark fur. Having spent their first weeks inside the womb, their tiny feet, tail, and face were always warm and therefore light in color.

The Tabby Pattern

The typical tabby coat pattern is made of two colors, one lighter than the other. Tabbies can be red, gray, brown, blue, or cream and in each case, you'll have two varieties of the color at play. One darker than the other.

While there are several variations to the tabby pattern, the body's extremities are typically striped. Tabby cats will have stripes at least on their paws, tail, and face.

The tabby's facial pattern includes a unique famous feature: The Tabby M across the forehead.

Tabby cats rarely have blue eyes, and there is no distinct difference between the color of their main body and the extremities.

Read more about color points and more in this article: Cat Coat Colors And Patterns

The Lynx: mixing the colorpoint with tabby

Back to the colorpoint lynx. It's time to mix the two patterns!

A colorpoint lynx is basically a colorpoint cat, with darker body extremities. On those darker extremities, you should be able to note a tabby pattern of stripes. The face of the colorpoint lynx also shows the tabby M mask. The eyes are typically blue.

Are all lynx cats Siamese?

The Colorpoint pattern can be found in many breeds. Some breeds that can have a lynx point include Ragdoll, Himalayan, British shorthair, and Javanese, to mention just a few.

This unique coat pattern can also be found in domestic shorthair and domestic longhair cats (otherwise known as our common pet cats of no particular breed).

So, no, just because a cat is showing the colorpoint pattern or the lynx variety of that colorpoint pattern, does not mean they are necessarily a Siamese cat.

In fact, according to some cat fancy associations, the lynx pattern isn't allowed in real Siamese cats. The largest cat breeding and showing association in the US is the CFA - Cats Fanciers Association. The CFA Siamese breed standard only allows for four colors where it comes to a Siamese cat's points: Seal, chocolate, blue, and lilac.

According to the CFA Siamese breed council -

Patterns such as lynx or tortie, or solids such as red or cinnamon, are evidence of hybridization, and are thus not accepted.

So, for this association, there is no such thing as a Lynx Siamese.

The other large cat fanciers association is TICA (The International Cat Association). When it comes to the coat pattern of Siamese cats, TICA is looking for distinct points that are well separate from the rest of the lighter body. However, they allow the points to be in any color or pattern, including lynx. In other words, TICA allows for Lynx Point Siamese.

Gallery of Lynx Point Cats

Let's take a look at some pictures of lynx point cats.

Here's a unique flame-point lynx cat. You can distinctly see the M mark on the forehead. This is a variety of the flame-point pattern. Read more: What Are Siamese Flame-Point Cats? [FAQ & Pictures]

Note the tufts on this beautiful lynx kitty's ears:

The video below showcases "Marshmellow," a Lilac Lynx Point Siamese.

Lynx points Siamese cats

Going back to actual Siamese cats. Modern Siamese cats that you're likely to see in cat shows have a typical svelte body type and wedge-shaped face. Some breeders still opt for the less-extreme form of Siamese, also known as applehead Siamese.

These two Siamese cats have the typical modern Siamese head shape. Can you tell which one is a lynx Siamese?

Siamese cats, affectionately known as Meezers, are one of the breeds that came to be hundreds, possibly thousands of years ago, in the Far East.

The physical characteristics are the main difference between modern Siamese and Applehead Siamese. Modern Siamese have triangular heads, slender bodies, and large ears, while Applehead Siamese have thick, short bodies and round heads.

Read more: Siamese Cats breed guide

Are Lynx Point Siamese Cats Hypoallergenic?

While Siamese cats may shed less than your average cat, the breed is not considered hypoallergenic. That goes for Lynx Point Siamese cats as well.

Dander, shedding fur, urine and the saliva of these Tabby Points all contain a specific protein. This protein is the cause of respiratory issues, irritated eyes, or rashes that those with cat allergies may experience.

To lower the impact of this protein, you can keep up with routine grooming, washing your hands after handling your cat, and keeping the environment clean and as fur-free as possible. Just how much these steps might help will depend on the person's allergy.

Do all Siamese Cats Have Blue Eyes?

All Siamese cats have blue eyes. Their blue eyes are the result of a recessive gene that breeders have maintained over several decades. This recessive gene comes from a temperature-sensitive albino mutation, resulting in blue eyes and lighter parts of the Siamese coat.

There are slight variations with the blue eyes. Some Siamese will have a deep blue shade of color, and others may show a gray, pale shade of blue.

The blue color and all the variations come from a lack of melanin in the Siamese eye. With no melanin, there is nothing to interfere with or reflect the white light that is bouncing off the iris of your cat's eye. This process means our human eyes can only perceive a color with the shortest wavelength, which happens to be blue.

How Much Do Lynx Point Siamese Cats Cost?

If you are looking into getting a Lynx Point Siamese cat, it is best to go through a breeder. Not just any breeder, but one who takes extra care of the kitten and provides them a healthy and safe life while in their care.

Such breeders are known as ethical breeders. Read more on ethical breeding here: Breeding Cats: What Cat Owners Need to Know

A Siamese kitten or cat from a reputable ethical breeder will cost you anything from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. The price depends on the cat's pedigree. The offspring of medal-awarded winners of cat shows are likely to be more expensive.

The good news is that if it's a lynx colorpoint you're after, you can sometimes find those in cat shelters and rescues. They may not be pedigreed Siamese - or purebred cats - but they will be just as gorgeous and make a wonderful pet.