The Red Point Siamese Cat and Related Colors

The Red Point Siamese cat (also known, more romantically, but not quite correctly, as the Flame Point Siamese) and other related colors - Apricot, Cream and Tortie Points - were introduced into the breed in the UK in the 1930s.

This was done by crossing pure-bred Seal Points with red tabby or tortoiseshell British shorthair cats carrying orange genes. These orange genes are important! Remember them ...

Red Point Classification

The UK's Governing Council of the Cat Fancy has recognised Red Point Siamese cats as officially part of the breed since the mid 1960s.

Red Points are also recognised as Siamese by some of the American cat registries, although the CFA puts them in the Colorpoint Shorthair category.

All variations of the Red Point Siamese cat, whether Red, Apricot, Cream or Tortie should have creamy-white bodies and warm, reddish-orange points.

They nearly all have brilliant, intensely blue eyes, as you can see from the picture below.

Red, Apricot, or Cream Point? They’re All So Similar!

It can be difficult to correctly identify an individual Red, Apricot, or Cream Point Siamese (especially Red and Apricot) without knowing the cat's bloodlines and genetic history.

They all look very alike. They're also all very similar to the Red, Apricot and Cream Tabby/Lynx varieties.

Guidelines are produced by the GCCF (see below) but even then, without having one of each variety in front of you, it can be difficult to tell what kind of cat you have.

Most Red Cats Are Stripy, Too

Originally, the Show Standard for the Siamese Red Point series of cats specified that the stripes you find in tabby cats, which are produced by the agouti gene, should not be allowed in Red, Apricot or Cream Points.

However, it's very difficult to breed these cats without some striping, so stripes on the mask, legs, and tail are now allowed, although they should be as unobtrusive as possible.

Members of the Red Point Siamese cat family may also have freckles on the nose, paw pads, lips, eyelids and ears.

GCCF Classification

Red Point

• Points: Mask, ears and tail rich bright reddish gold. Legs and feet paler in colour but the bright colour should show at the rear of the hind legs below the hock.
• Body: Warm white. Shading to tone with the points.
• Nose, Eye Rims, Paw Pads: Pink

Apricot Point

• Points: Mask, ears and tail hot cream with a soft metallic sheen. Legs and feet slightly paler in colour but definite colour should show at the rear of the hind legs below the hock.
• Body: Warm creamy white. Shading to tone with the points.
• Nose, Eye Rims, Paw Pads: Pink

Cream Point

• Points: Mask, ears and tail cool toned cream with a powdery look. A dark but cool toned cream is permissible but a hot cream is incorrect. The legs and feet will be slightly paler in colour but definite colour should show at the rear of the hind legs below the hock.
• Body: Creamy white. Shading to tone with the points.
• Nose, Eye Rims, Paw Pads: Pink

And Then We Have the Tortie Point

This is where things get rather complicated. Remember those orange genes? Tortoiseshell or Tortie Point Siamese (who are very nearly always female) carry one orange gene.

You can find out more about the Tortie Point Siamese cat, but as an easy guideline, Tortie Points can be found in these colors:

• Seal Tortie (seal/red)
• Blue Tortie (blue/cream)
• Chocolate Tortie (chocolate/red)
• Lilac Tortie (lilac/cream)
• Cinnamon Tortie (cinnamon/red)
• Caramel Tortie (caramel/apricot)
• Fawn Tortie (fawn/cream)
  

More About The Red Point Colors

• Flame Point Siamese cats
  
• Tortie Point Siamese cats

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