Standard purebred Siamese cats have color points of seal, chocolate, blue, or lilac. Over the years other colors have begun to emerge including one of vibrant red.
A cat with a Siamese appearance and vibrant red color points is known as a flame point Siamese. This particular Siamese variation originated from the crossbreeding of a Siamese cat and a red tabby American shorthair. It is sometimes referred to as a red point Siamese.
The US official cat body, The Cat Fanciers’ Association, does not acknowledge the Flame Point Siamese as a purebred cat so they are simply classified as Colorpoint Shorthairs along with other similar non-standard Siamese cats such as the Lynx Point Siamese.
Are Flame Point Siamese cats classed as purebred?
Flame Point Siamese cats are not purebred. They were created by cross-breeding a Siamese and a red tabby American shorthair, and the result was a cat that shares the best characteristics of both along with stunning red colorpoints.
Red is not a standard Siamese cat point color but lovers of Siamese and red Shorthairs thought the mix of the two colors would make a pretty cat.
Both Siamese and Shorthair cats have good temperaments and the resulting Flame Point Siamese has acquired the best elements of their traits.
Like the Siamese, the Flame Point has a white or cream body and bright blue eyes.
Unlike the Siamese which has seal, chocolate, blue, or lilac-colored points, the Flame Point Siamese has varying shades of red on its face, paws, and tail tip.
How much is a Flame Point Siamese cat worth?
Though they are not classed as purebred, Siamese Flame Point cats can be expensive. Prices vary from $400 to $2000 or more. A registered breeder charges a higher price and it is worth paying it for peace of mnd.
If you are going to spend a lot of money on a Flame Point Siamese kitten, ask for proof that the parents as well as the kittens are healthy. Expect your kitten to be vaccinated, health checked and free of genetically transmitted conditions.
People often assume crossbred kittens aren’t worth as much as purebred kittens, but in reality all kittens should be correctly bred and this is well worth paying extra for. In the long run, it should save you money on future vet bills.
More importantly, a well-bred kitten has a better chance of living a long and healthy life, meaning less heartache for you too.
Are Flame Point Siamese cats rare
Amongst crossbred Siamese color points, Flame Point Siamese cats are rare. The main reason for their scarcity is that Siamese breeders tend to breed purebred Siamese more often than mixed-breed Flame Points. This results in the low availability of Flame Point cats.
Add to this the fact that female Flame Points are also quite rare because of the complex genetics responsible for the red coloring which means there are fewer females born.
The Flame Point Siamese cat has a perfect personality
When it comes to personality, the Flame Point Siamese is known to be playful, affectionate, intelligent, and to love the company of humans.
Like the Siamese, it’s a cat that doesn’t like to be alone so if at all possible always get a second cat as they will naturally entertain each other which in turn has a positive effect on their well-being.
The Flame Point is a cat lover’s cat, perfect for anyone who has plenty of time to devote to it. It’s a cat that laps up attention and really needs human interaction.
Like the traditional Siamese, boy can these cats talk! You can almost hold a conversation with a Flame Point. It has the same distinctive voice as a traditional Siamese cat.
Expect to hear loud meows, chirps, chirrups and a variety of squeaks – often at high volume. These cats have powerful voices!
An easy way to keep a Flame Point happy and healthy is to play with it regularly with a toy that satisfies its natural instincts to stalk and pounce.
Our cats’ all-time favorite is the Go Cat Da Bird. It’s hand-made with real feathers and is perfect for encouraging them to leap and chase. If you haven’t seen one, it’s conveniently available on Amazon. Here’s a link to see all the details and the current price.
Flame Point Siamese cats are not mean
Flame Point Siamese cats do not exhibit mean personalities. In fact, they are popular for their affectionate and sociable natures.
They are known to behave confidently in the presence of other cats but rarely behave meanly toward them.
Owners of Flame Point cats always say the main reason they love them so much is because of their gentle natures and lack of aggression.
How to buy Flame Point Siamese cats
The best place to buy a Flame Point Siamese is from a breeder who specializes in producing them. Make sure they are registered and can prove they have healthy breeding cats.
Any good breeder will be more than happy to introduce you to the mother and kittens, show you around the premises, and will clearly care about their breeding cats and babies.
It’s always worth registering with local cat rescue centers and expressing the type of cat you are interested in, especially if you don’t mind adopting an older cat.
What you might pay for a Flame Point Siamese cat
The price of a Flame Point Siamese can vary between $400 and $2000 plus. A lot depends on current availability and demand, both of which are constantly fluctuating.
Flame Point Siamese cats are more expensive from registered breeders because the cost of keeping breeding cats in good health and producing quality kittens is high.
Beware of buying cheap unregistered kittens and those that do not appear healthy and well-socialized. A cheap kitten is often a false economy because it might need extra health care.
If you have ever wondered why good breeders have long waiting lists and expensive Flame Point Siamese kittens, here’s a quick summary of why:
- Breeding cats are scanned to prove they are free of genetic conditions
- All breeding cats have annual health checks
- Breeders use high-quality food to ensure their cats are in prime condition
- Kittens are vaccinated twice and checked by a vet
- Good quality kittens are always in high demand
Backyard breeders are renowned for not adhering to the first four points above. Yes, you may get a kitten more quickly and yes, it will probably be a lot cheaper.
You might even be lucky and find your kitten lives a long and healthy life. But there is a huge chance that your kitten will be sickly and have inherent health issues.
Do Flame Point Siamese cats have health issues
As they are crossbred, Flame Point Siamese cats are fairly robust as far as their health is concerned. That said, there are several health issues that occasionally crop up.
These include:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS) – also known as twitching skin syndrome
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Arthritis
- Pica Syndrome – eating inedible objects
- Dental problems
Can Siamese cats be orange
A purebred Siamese cat does not have orange points but a Flame Point Siamese cat does. Obviously, only the color points of a Flame Point are orange – a color that is also known as ginger but is officially called red.
The orange color of a flame point Siamese is inherited from the red tabby American shorthair that is bred with a Siamese to create this stunning cat.
There is no such cat as an orange Siamese but a Flame Point Siamese is a Siamese orange tabby mix.
The Flame Point Siamese: Conclusion
In some areas, the Flame Point Siamese is a recognized breed but in others, it is classed as a Siamese crossbreed and known as a Colorpoint Shorthair.
Either way, it is a beautiful and sought-after cat with red color points and striking blue eyes.
If you desire one of these cats you might have to be patient as they are often in high demand and short supply. But all Flame Point Siamese owners will tell you this strikingly beautiful cat is definitely worth the wait.