Siamese

What you Need to Know about the Siamese Cat

The tales about Siamese origins are many, murky, and mostly made up, but they were most probably born in Thailand, then known as Siam, where they are called "Wichian Mat," which translates to "Moon Diamond." 

As you clearly agree, otherwise why be here, the Siamese is one of the most beautiful and popular breeds of cats. And in Europe and North America, they consistently rank among the top ten.

It's not just their looks but their conversational skills and intelligence which make them very sought after.

But let's delve a little deeper so you can know a bit more before you decide whether to choose a Siamese kitten for your home.

Appearance Matters. What does a Siamese look like?

The traditional Siamese has a graceful yet well-built body, with elongated high legs, and a wedge-shaped head, with lovely rounded cheeks. It has bigger ears than the average cat, but not rabbit-sized either! 

Perhaps most striking of all is the vivid and vivacious blue eyes, with the full, almond shape.

The modern Siamese has the same stunning eyes, but it is slimmer and more elegant, while still muscular. The fur is on the shorter side, and fine, soft, and glossy. There is no undercoat. 

This is no such thing as a long-haired Siamese, that would be the Balinese you are thinking of.

What colors do the Siamese cats come in?

The Siamese is very distinguishable by its pointed color scheme.

Born pure white or cream, the Siamese kitten is a perfect snowball. But over the first few months, they develop their ‘points’, or in layman's terms, a darker color on their tails and legs, while retaining the light color on the rest of their body.

There is a veritable variety of point colors, all wonderful, and these are the main ones...

• Seal 
• Blue
• Chocolate
• Lilac
• Flame
• Lynx
• Tortoise Shell

But U.S cat lovers, ready to show your cats, be warned. Only the first 4 colors are generally accepted!

It's all Personal. The Siamese Character

Are Siamese cats aggressive?

This is a question that gets asked a lot! It seems like people do think the Siamese is mean!

In reality, the answer is NO, a Siamese is not particularly aggressive.

But they can be domineering and demanding of attention. So if you are looking for a laidback, lazy kitty, you might want to look elsewhere.

Are Siamese cats affectionate?

The Siamese cat is an ‘in your face’ style of a cat. They bond very closely with their human and want to be by their side a lot. Often they attach themselves to one person. So for someone living by themselves they are an ideal choice.

While more on the playful side than the cuddly, most Siamese cats are affectionate and will like to snuggle with you.

While we said above that the Siamese is ideal for a 1 person home, conversely they are also grand family cats. 

They have a high demand for attention, which can be better alleviated with multiple family members, including children who can match their playfulness. 

Do Siamese cats make a lot of noise?

Want a cat with a character that keeps you entertained with its funny sounds, then you really have been looking for a Siamese!

This is very much a vividly vocal feline. They have a loud, low pitched voice, that their fanciers just love, though perhaps not all would agree.

Caring for your Siamese Cat

The Siamese has that rare combination of brains and beauty! They can be very bouncy and active, but usually learn quickly, and come when called. 

We have said previously that this breed does demand your attention, especially wanting to play with you a lot. But that's hardly a bad thing right?!

And apart from that, the Siamese is not particularly high maintenance, and when it comes to grooming is actually undemanding if anything. A weekly brushing routine is fine to keep their coat nice and healthy. 

Can Siamese cats be left alone?

Being a very curious, and easily bored breed, the Siamese is not a cat for being lonesome.

If you are a workaholic, out all day, you can expect your Siamese to play with anything they can get hold of. And the resulting destruction of said items that follow!

In all seriousness, this is a cat that needs to be pampered and will be pleased to get as much attention as possible.  

The Health and Happiness of your Siamese kitty

What diseases are Siamese cats prone to?

While a healthy breed in general there are a few health issues any responsible cat owner should be aware of.

Mammary tumors and stomach issues are slightly more common in the Siamese than in other breeds. But otherwise, they are not particularly prone to troubles.

Looking at us humans, the Siamese is a better breed for those poor souls that suffer from allergies. While not hypoallergenic, the Siamese produces less of the protein that causes allergies in some humans.

How many years do Siamese cats live?

While anywhere up to 20 years is possible for the Siamese, around 12 to 13 is more typical.

Feline History. Where does the Siamese come from?

The Siamese is present in the renowned "Tamra Maew" (a series of cat poems that are very famous, unless you have never heard about them), written hundreds of years ago. 

Early myths said that they held off evil spirits and brought good luck to their owners. So if you want to keep the mother-in-law away, this may be the cat for you!

The Siamese first appeared outside of native Thailand in 1878, and in Britain, they gained a big following.

Eventually, two distinct types of Siamese developed: the "modern show cat," and the "traditional cat". The International Cat Association now accepts both the modern Siamese, as well as the older breed called "Thai" where the cats have a less extreme body type.