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 Siamese breed in the UK in the 1930s.

This was done by crossing pure-bred seal point Siamese with red tabby or tortoiseshell British shorthair cats carrying orange genes.

The orange genes are important! Remember them …

Red point Siamese cats are also recognised as 'Siamese' by some 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 also have brilliant, intensely blue eyes, as you can see from the picture below.

Red points - brilliant blue eyes, with pink noses and eye rims

photo: © iStockphoto | David Gilder

Red, apricot and cream are all very 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 can all look very alike. They are also very similar to the red, apricot and cream tabby (lynx) varieties.

Guidelines are produced by the GCCF but even then, without having one of each variety in front of you, it can be hard 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 is 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.


How the GCCF classifies them

The Red Point Siamese

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.

The Apricot Siamese

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.

The Cream Point Siamese

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.



Oh, and then there's the …

Tortie Point Siamese

This is where things get rather complicated! Remember those orange genes? Tortoiseshell or tortie point Siamese (who are always female) carry one orange gene.

You can read more about the tortie point Siamese cat here, but as an easy guideline, tortie point Siamese carry 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)

Chocolate Point Siamese

Lilac Point Siamese

Seal Point Siamese

Lynx Point Siamese