History
Rumours have it that the Siamese cat was once a valued member of the royal family in Siam, in what is present-day Thailand. The cats were tasked with guarding Buddhist temples and taking or harming one was punishable by death. While there is little evidence to support this, this wonderfully loving and intelligent cat is definitely worth the fierce loyalty hinted at in these stories.
Appearance
The Siamese cat is one sharp dresser, and its unique appearance will be familiar to cat lovers and Disney fans alike. The breed has a long, slender and muscular body and a slim, triangular face to match. Its beautiful blue eyes slant towards its nose and we absolutely forgive you for getting lost in them. The Siamese is a real dreamboat if we ever saw one.
This breed is the original source of the pointed colouration now found in many other breeds. Interestingly, it is a result of heat-sensitive enzymes found in the hair follicles, so the darkest points are also the coldest - the nose, paws, tail and its large, wide-set ears. This also means that, thanks to our wonderful climate, Australian Siamese cats will generally be lighter than those found elsewhere. The points can be a brown, blue, chocolate, cinnamon, caramel, fawn, red or cream, and can also come in a variety of patterns.
My Siamese isn’t skinny at all! You’ve been fooled! No, we’re just kidding. The thin frame found in most Siamese today is the result of selective breeding, but a more ‘normal’-framed breed still exists, particularly in Asia. This breed is sometimes called the Thai cat, and other than being a little stockier than the Siamese, it shares many of the same traits.Temperament
The Siamese cat is famous for its intelligence. Make sure to buy toys that challenge its mind as well as its body! This breed picks up tricks, including fetch, very quickly and is just as capable of training its human companions. Don’t worry, the Siamese means well! This cat is extremely social and affectionate, and will form a strong attachment to its family. We don’t think you’ll be able to help but return the love. The Siamese cat isn’t just after your affection, however, it also likes conversation, and will often talk to you in its characteristic, low-pitched voice.
As extroverted and active as your cat is, it can become depressed if left alone for long periods. For this reason, they are often bought in pairs, and you’ll find it becomes fast friends with other energetic felines, as well as friendly dogs. However, it will be less friendly with lazybones like the Persian or Ragdoll - talk about boring!
Care
The Siamese cat needs weekly combing to keep its coat looking good and feeling better. Combine this with a grooming routine to keep your cat happy and healthy - you’ll both appreciate the bonding experience.
Siamese cats generally have worse night vision than other cats. While this does make them less of a threat to our native wildlife, it does mean that they are at greater risk from cars. We recommend buying this active feline an outdoor enclosure so that it can climb and play in safety.
This breed is, by and large, an exceptionally healthy cat. In fact, at the time of writing, the oldest cat in the world was a 30 year-old Siamese named Scooter. However, they are occasionally affected by polycistic kidney disease, and retinal atrophy; both of which can be screened for.
Allergies
This cat sheds less than some, but if your allergies are of the extreme variety the Siamese will still have you in tears. We recommend checking out a different breed.
Suggested names
We were impressed by this brainy feline, and we hope it won’t mind being named after our inferior, human geniuses. Here are our suggestions, but proceed with caution:
- Newton
- Curie
- Tesla
- Florence
- Tycho
If you still need convincing, let us help you fall in love with the Siamese cat; or maybe you want a less vocal kitty? It’s okay, we won’t judge. Find the cat that’s right for you here.
