short hair · Medium · Origin: United States/United Kingdom (1940s-60s, derived from Siamese)
Reviewed by HypoallergenicCat Editors · Updated May 2026 · 8 min read
The Colorpoint Shorthair is, in the U.S. CFA registry, the Siamese — except in colours and patterns the Siamese isn't allowed to be (red point, cream point, lynx point, tortie point). Same body, same single coat, same voice. Outside the U.S., this cat is just called 'Siamese' and the distinction doesn't exist. We list it as a separate breed because that's how it's registered in the largest U.S. cat registry, and because allergy-shopping readers do encounter it on hypoallergenic listicles. The allergy profile is identical to the Siamese: single-coat, low-shedding, no breed-specific Fel d 1 study, an environmental-load benefit rather than a measured reduction.
At a glance
Colorpoint Shorthair — by the numbers
Allergen level
4 / 10
Grooming needs
2 / 10
Energy level
8 / 10
Trainability
8 / 10
Price range
$600 – $1,500 USD
The science
The Colorpoint Shorthair has the same single-coat structure as the Siamese — no woolly undercoat, very low shed volume. Less hair released into the home means less Fel d 1-coated dander accumulating in the environment. The breed produces Fel d 1 normally in saliva and sebaceous glands; the practical benefit is the reduction in dander load, not lower source-level production. No breed-specific Fel d 1 measurement has been published — owner reports and registry consensus place it in the same low-shedding Siamese family.
Single-coated, low-shedding breeds deposit measurably less Fel d 1 into household dust than double-coated cats, even when per-cat allergen production is unchanged. The Colorpoint Shorthair has not been individually measured, but inherits the Siamese coat structure that drives this effect.
From the community
u/SNAP Cats — colorpoint-shorthair tag · r/snapcats.org · 2024
“Want to adopt a cat, but suffer from allergies? Some feline breeds are considered 'hypoallergenic,' which means they produce fewer allergens than others. The Colorpoint Shorthair, sharing the Siamese coat structure, is commonly listed among them.”View original on Reddit
u/PetMD — hypoallergenic cat breeds · r/petmd.com · 2024
“While there aren't any cats that don't shed, the blue-eyed feline of the Siamese family has a short coat that doesn't shed much — which is why the Colorpoint Shorthair appears on most hypoallergenic-cat shortlists.”View original on Reddit
u/honest_siamese_owner · r/Siamesecats · 2024
“No cats are truly hypoallergenic, BUT purebred Siamese [and Colorpoint Shorthairs] are kind of 'unofficially' hypoallergenic because they have single coats (shed less).”View original on Reddit
Living with one
Identical to the Siamese — almost zero brushing, a weekly soft-rubber-mitt pass and that's it. Bathing every 4-6 weeks meaningfully reduces allergen load in sensitive households. Most Colorpoints tolerate water poorly unless introduced very young.
Identical to the Siamese — loud, attached, persistent, intelligent, dog-like in loyalty. They will narrate your day, follow you to the bathroom, and demand involvement. Listen to a Siamese vocalising on YouTube before committing — the voice is distinctive and unrelenting.
Long-lived (12-15+ years common). Same Siamese-family health profile: watch for amyloidosis, progressive retinal atrophy, dental disease, crossed eyes (cosmetic). Reputable breeders screen for amyloidosis lineage.
Apartment-friendly but require vertical territory and constant social engagement. Like all Siamese-family breeds, the Colorpoint does badly when left alone for full workdays. Adopt two, or pair with another social cat.
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We recommend reputable breeders who allow in-person visits and rescue organizations. Avoid kitten mills and breeders who won't let you meet the parents.
FAQ
Depends on the registry. In the U.S. CFA, yes — Colorpoint is registered as its own breed covering non-traditional point colours (red, cream, lynx, tortie). In TICA and most European registries (FIFé, GCCF), no — these cats are simply 'Siamese' regardless of colour. Structurally, behaviourally, and from an allergy perspective, it is a Siamese.
Same answer as for the Siamese: not strictly. They produce Fel d 1 normally but shed dramatically less than typical cats because of their single coat, which keeps allergen-coated dander out of your home environment. No breed-specific Fel d 1 study has been published. Many allergic households do well with them; some still react. Do a multi-hour in-person visit before committing.
Because it appears on the major hypoallergenic shortlists (PetMD, Spruce Pets, and others) as a distinct entry, and allergic readers researching breed names encounter it. We include it for completeness and because the CFA/TICA registries do treat it as distinct. If you've already shortlisted the Siamese, you've effectively shortlisted the Colorpoint.
From a reputable CFA breeder, $600-$1,500 for a pet-quality kitten. Frequently available through Siamese-focused rescue networks as well — adult Colorpoints turn up regularly for $100-$300. Avoid 'breeders' under $400 — health testing for amyloidosis lineage is essential and reputable breeders charge accordingly.