Get To Know The Charming Siamese Cat

Siamese cats are one of the world’s oldest, most beautiful, and most endearing cat breeds with a rich history and unique personality. Some people might adopt a Siamese for the beauty of their long, slender bodies or mesmerizing blue eyes, but there is much more to know about them than just their looks! If you’re looking for an intelligent and loving pal that stands out from other cats – read on to learn more about the delightful charm of a Siamese cat!

History Of The Siamese Cat

The Siamese cat is an ancient breed that originated in Siam, now known as Thailand. They have been the beloved companions of Thai royalty and Buddhist monks for hundreds of years. There are records showing temple cats as early as the 1300s.

Related Post: Learn more about Cats of Royalty

The unique appearance of the Siamese cat was noted by travelers in the 1800s who brought them back to Europe. The breed was not well received at the first London cat show where they were exhibited. They were described as an “unnatural, nightmare sort of cat” by the public used to the cobby-bodied, fluffy Persians.

The first Siamese cat arrived in the US in 1878 as a gift to President Rutherford B. Hayes from the ambassador to Bangkok. They gained a strong following in the United States in the years around World War II. They were one of the first breeds recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) and remain one of the most popular breeds today.  

The unique and appealing characteristics, intelligence, and personality traits of the Siamese cat have been used to form many modern cat breeds including the Ocicat, Himalayan, Burmese, Tonkinese, Korat, Snowshoe, Thai, Birman, Havana Brown, and the myriad Oriental breeds (Oriental Shorthair, Oriental Longhair, Colorpoint Shorthair, Colorpoint Longhair, Balinese, and Javanese). 

The Siamese Breed Standard

The modern Siamese cat is defined by angularity. Nothing about a well-bred Siamese is round. They have a long, slim, tubular body, long legs with hips slightly higher than their shoulders, and a long, tapering tail with no kinks. Siamese are unmistakable with their wedge-shaped head, distinct blue, almond-shaped eyes, and large, triangular ears set wide apart. In contrast to all the breed’s long physical features, a Siamese cat’s coat is very short, shiny, finely textured, and lies close to the body. 

Siamese cats are a medium-sized breed. They grow to 14 inches in length and weigh 10-14 pounds. They should be well-balanced. The Siamese and related breeds need that classic show hall stretch by the judges to assess that the balanced tubular body is not heavier on one end than the other. 

Colors and Patterns

Siamese kittens are born white and develop their distinctive coloring as they grow. They have a genetic mutation that results in a form of albinism that only affects the fur above 100 degrees. The pigment deposits in the cat’s extremities where the temperature is cooler. The result is a cat with a light body color and dark legs, tail, and face mask. The standard allows for some shading on the body, especially as the cat ages. They must have a clearly defined mask, ears, legs, feet, and tail. The mask should cover the entire face including whisker pads but should not extend over the top of the head. There should be no white in his fur. Now things get a little complicated. 

Related Post: Everything You Wanted to Know About Pointed Cat Colors

CFA accepts only the original 4 pointed colors- seal, chocolate, blue, and lilac- as Siamese cats. The other pointed colors-flame, cream, fawn, cinnamon, silver and smoke-as well as tabby/lynx points and tortie points as Colorpoint Shorthairs. The Colorpoint Shorthair has the same standard as the Siamese except for their color. The Balinese breed follows the same standard as the Siamese in all ways except for their longhaired coat. Likewise, the Javanese Breed is the longhaired version of the Colorpoint. The Oriental Shorthair and Oriental Longhair are the final part of the puzzle. They have a similar standard to the Siamese but they come in solid, shaded, smoke, parti-color, bi-color, and tabby patterns.

The International Cat Association (TICA), on the other hand, combines the Siamese, Balinese, Javanese, Colorpoints, and Orientals into one Siamese Breed Group. Other than colors and coat length their standards are the same.

Apples vs.Wedges

The Wedge look became popular in the 1980s and is the accepted show standard. There are Siamese cats with rounder faces, heavier bodies, thicker paws, and shorter tails. This style is referred to as old style, traditional style, or “applehead” Siamese. Traditional-style Siamese breeders argue that their cats are closer to the original Siamese cats found in Thailand and argued to bring back the applehead style. TICA has accepted these cats, not as Siamese cats but as the Thai breed. CFA does not accept the applehead style at all.

Personality, Traits, And Temperament Of The Siamese Cat

The Siamese cat is intelligent and highly trainable. They are curious, active, and assertive. Often described as “dog-like”, these cats are friendly, outgoing, demanding, affectionate, and loyal. Meezers love their humans passionately, crave their attention, and want to be involved in whatever they are doing. This is not a hands-off breed. 

Siamese cats aren’t going to be happy if they are left alone all day while you’re working. They need social interaction. If you have a busy life, this might not be the breed for you. Adopting a pair can help. These cats are prone to developing separation anxiety. They can become depressed or destructive.

Your active, intelligent Meezer can get into a lot of trouble if left to her own devices. She needs to occupy her busy mind and release her energy. These cats need puzzle feeders, interactive toys, and environmental enrichment. They are prime candidates for clicker training. She’ll quickly learn to fetch toys for you. Plan to spend a lot of time playing with your Siamese cat.

Ask someone what comes to mind when they think of the Siamese cat. If it isn’t their pretty pointed coloring it will probably be their voice. These cats can be extremely noisy. Meezers are quite vocal. They want to converse with you and express their opinions often. 

What Health Problems Plague The Meezer?

The Siamese cat, like most cat breeds, is prone to several health concerns. Siamese easily become obese which can lead to diabetes and arthritis. They also need to be carefully watched for dental diseases like most cats. Their wedge heads make the Siamese cats more prone to asthma.

The sensitive Siamese can have feline hyperesthesia syndrome, which is a condition that causes your cat’s skin and nerves to be extra sensitive. Your cat might be uncomfortable when you touch him.

Siamese cats are more prone to a progressive liver condition called Amyloidosis which creates a buildup of protein in the kidneys and liver. This buildup can cause organ failure. The prognosis for affected cats is not good.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is an inherited condition that affects the retina of the eye. It causes loss of vision and blindness.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a congenital heart defect that causes the heart muscles to thicken, weaken the heart, and eventually lead to heart failure. HCM is something that other breeds are prone to as well. It is something that your breeder can, and should, test for.

Hip dysplasia: This is a painful condition that occurs when the ball and socket joints of the hip fail to develop normally. It’s very painful and causes lameness.

How Long Do Siamese Cats Live?

On average, Siamese cats have a lifespan of 10-15 years like most domestic cats. They can live up to 20 or more years with the proper care. 

Care and Grooming Needs Of the Siamese Cat

This exotic breed is easy to groom due to its low shedding, and single-layer coat. Brushing, cleaning their ears and eyes, and brushing their teeth are all their grooming routine requires. They should also have their nails clipped regularly as they tend to be climbers. Gently brushing your cat with a soft bristle brush and wiping with a soft cloth or chamois will remove excess fur and dander and make Kitty’s coat shine. Take advantage of your Meezer’s desire for attention and easy trainability. Grooming time will soon be a positive experience for both of you.

Do Siamese Cats Make Good Pets

The ease of grooming is one reason Siamese cats make good pets. If you have time to spend with them and are willing to give them the attention and love they crave, a Siamese cat can be a great addition to your family. 

Siamese cats make wonderful pets for the family that wants an outgoing, active cat. They need a lot of interaction, attention, and playtime. The Siamese can be quite demanding of their people. These cats form tight bonds with their owners. They can be one-person cats. They are good with children and can make great family pets.

Their intelligence and curiosity are unparalleled, making them incredibly entertaining pets. The downside of that intelligence is that if you don’t keep them engaged and entertained they will find their own entertainment in ways you might not like. 

The biggest downside to living with a Siamese cat is the noise. These cats are loud! If you’ve ever been to a cat show you can always tell where the oriental breed cats are. They are very vocal and love to talk to you. They have a unique meow, somewhat between a meow and a howl. 

How Much Does a Siamese Cat Cost

Siamese cats are considered one of the most beloved and charismatic breeds in the world. If you’re looking for a companion animal, their personality and exotic beauty make them an irresistible option. But they don’t come cheap. The price will depend on factors such as the cat’s pedigree, coloring, quality, and any breeding rights conferred. A show-quality Meezer can run you up to $3,000. A pet will cost about a third to half of that. If you just like the look and don’t need the papers and pedigree, you can likely find a pointed cat in rescue.

Want to learn about other breeds? Visit our Meet the Breeds page.

Summary

An ancient breed with ties to royalty, Siamese cats are one of the most popular cats in the cat fancy. Not only favored in the show hall, the medium-sized, angular pointed Siamese cats also make excellent companions. They have a charming personality, are sociable and loving towards their owners, and are good with children. They require minimal grooming. Furthermore, they are easy to train and can learn tricks. They need playtime and enrichment. With proper care and attention, they will provide years of faithful companionship and bring joy to your home.