Thai cat and Siamese, differences with photos: what is the difference between these breeds?

Some people believe that Siamese and Thai cats are variations of the name of the same breed. After all, both come from Thailand, which relatively recently was called Siam. In addition, these spectacular furry beauties are indeed quite similar. However, Siamese and Thai cats are different breeds, each with unique traits.

Origin of Thai and Siamese cats

Contrary to popular belief, Siamese and Thai cats are not the same breed. Although both of them originate from Siam - modern Thailand. Initially, cats arose in Siam, which began to be called “Siamese”. Under the same name, the purr began to be exported abroad.

Later, another breed was developed through crossing. It was originally called the same, Siamese. However, there were a number of differences between it and its predecessor. In view of this, they decided to consider Thais and Siamese as two different breeds. The second began to be called “Thai”.

Despite the fact that the history of the formation of these breeds is somewhat confusing, Thai cats are still remembered as “Old Siamese”, that is, traditional Siamese. The exterior of the new breed is robust and corresponds to the concept of a well-built animal. In this way, the animals are very similar to Siamese cats of the 18th century.

An external description of the Thais is found in the “Book of Poems about Cats” of the 14th century. There are also drawings of all the domestic cats living in Thailand at that time. Thai cats were kept in the palaces of kings and in Buddhist stupas. They were officially recognized as a breed only in 1990. The standard turned out to be developed even later.

The history of the Siamese cat breed goes back more than 600 years. In Thailand, they were considered nothing less than sacred: they enjoyed universal respect, were present at ceremonies and rituals, and were even officially protected at the legislative level. It was prohibited to export Siamese cats outside the country.

They began their journey around the world only at the end of the 19th century. The Siamese were very fond of Europeans. They began to be presented at exhibitions, the first of which was held in London in 1871. The breed standard was developed in 1892.

Over time, the appearance of Siamese cats has undergone changes. Today they do not look like round, squat beauties, which greatly facilitates the process of distinguishing them from the Thai breed.

Health and life expectancy

The Siamese and Thai breeds are distinguished by good health and long life expectancy. Thai cats live 10-14 years, but it is not uncommon for them to live up to 20 years with good care. Siamese cats live 13-18 years.

The Guinness Book of Records records a Siamese cat that lived to be 38 years old.

Diseases to which representatives of breeds are predisposed

Thai cat and Siamese cat: external differences

As a rule, Thai and Siamese cats are confused due to the same color. However, in other respects these are completely different animals:

• Thai cats have a small and harmoniously built body. Siamese, on the other hand, have a more elongated and flexible shape that borders on thinness;
• Compared to the Siamese, the Thais are real giants. Their weight can reach 8 kilograms due to their dense muscles. Siamese cats are more graceful. Usually their weight does not exceed 3-4 kilograms;
• the paws of Thai cats are medium in size, while those of Siamese cats are longer and thinner;
• The Siamese's tail looks like a whip. It is thin and long. The Thais have a shorter and thicker tail;
• The face of Siamese cats is similar to a wedge. If you visually draw a line from the tips of your ears to the tip of your nose, you will get an equilateral triangle. Thais, on the other hand, have round heads. The difference is noticeable even if you look at the animals in profile. Among the Siamese it is almost straight, while among the Thais it has a depression at eye level;
• The shape of the eyes itself is also different. Siamese cats have almond-shaped, slanted eyes, Thai cats have huge and round eyes;
• Thais have small ears with rounded tips, Siamese have large, wide and pointed ears.

Thai cat

Siamese cat
Despite the visible differences, both breeds have, in addition to color, other common features. First of all, this concerns eye color. Both Thais and Siamese have irises of a rich blue color. The type of coat is also the same: the coat of these cats is short, silky and has no undercoat.

This is interesting! The color-point color of Thai and Siamese cats has subspecies:

• seal point (black on a light fawn background);
• blue point (blue on cream);
• chocolate point (light brown on almost white);
• red point (red on white and apricot);
• torti (tortoiseshell color).

What does a Siamese cat look like?

What does a Siamese cat look like? The cat is certainly larger and heavier than the cat. The cat's weight is 5-6 kg, its movements and gait are rougher, although male Siamese cats are also endowed with grace by nature.

Both cats and cats quickly get used to the name and living conditions: they remember the location of the house, bowl of food and toilet.

Siamese have large, almond-shaped eyes set at a 45-degree angle to the nose. The darker the color of the animal, the more beautiful and expressive the eyes. According to the standard, the eye color of Siamese is bright blue.

The paws are long, the front ones are slightly shorter than the hind ones. The tail of the Siamese is long and thin, the tip of the tail has a pointed shape.

The muzzle of cats is sharper than that of cats. Although angular features can be seen in representatives of both sexes.

By nature, Siamese can be willful. With proper upbringing, they become obedient and affectionate pets from early childhood. Siamese become attached to their owners and love to spend time in human company.

However, natural independence will not allow the Siamese to completely submit to humans. The animal will not do what it does not want to do.

Differences in the character of Siamese and Thai cats

Thais and Siamese differ not only externally, but also internally. Of course, talking about the character traits of a cat should be done with caution. After all, each animal is individual, and therefore may have its own inclinations and traits, which often depend on the influence of the external environment (place of residence, upbringing in the family, etc.).

Thai cats are great individualists. As a rule, they are calm and fairly balanced. However, this does not negate their curiosity and interest in little things. They are intelligent animals that are highly trainable and can learn even unusual commands.

Thai cats quickly get used to their owners, love family members, and are not jealous. They get along well with other pets and children. You shouldn't leave Thais alone for a long time. If they stay alone for a long time, their mental health may deteriorate.

Playing with these cats is pure pleasure. They are cheerful, active and protect their partner, almost without releasing their claws.

Thai cat

Important! Thai cats are quite talkative. They love to make a variety of sounds when communicating with members of their household. In addition, they have pronounced facial expressions: just by their muzzle alone, it is quite possible to determine the pet’s mood.

Siamese cats also adore their family. However, they are very jealous and often vindictive. If they are often scolded or treated poorly, character damage is guaranteed.

What distinguishes them from the Thais is the way they express emotions. Siamese cats scream rather than meow. Moreover, they can make such sounds exactly until they receive what they need.

Siamese need human attention. They love active games. If the owner does not give all this to the pet, it will wither and become apathetic. However, Siamese cats are willful and independent. You shouldn’t expect them to do what is required without question.

Siamese cats

Important! It is possible to train Siamese only if there is an individual approach to the animal. They understand only affection and care. Punishments are completely unacceptable for them.

Similarities

We'll talk about the differences between Siamese and Thai cats a little later, but for now let's figure out what common characteristics these animals have. Both breeds are intelligent, curious and very playful. They become obligatory participants in all family affairs; the animals are extremely sociable and “talkative.”

They have almost the same, or at least very similar color, which on the paws, tail and face can be brown, gray, black or purple. The fur on the body is light. Cats have a characteristic eye color for these breeds - blue or blue. That's all the similarities. If you look at photos of representatives of one and another breed, you will never confuse them again.

The attitude of Siamese and Thais towards other pets and children

Breeds have varying degrees of livability. Thai cats do not tend to conflict with other animals. They will not bully those who are smaller or weaker than them. If you offend them, purrs will not take revenge.

In addition, Thai cats love babies and treat them with trepidation. They will not release their claws when playing with a child and will never show aggression.

Siamese can be quite friendly towards their relatives. However, if a new animal becomes a pet, it is difficult to predict how their relationship will develop: after all, Siamese cats are very jealous.

They love to play with children, but you shouldn't leave your baby alone with this purr. Siamese can sometimes be aggressive.

This is interesting! In popular opinion, the difference between Siamese and Thai cats comes down to one thing: the former are considered harmful, and the latter are considered to be willing to please the owner.

Origin of rocks

The Siamese cat is a favorite of many around the world. This breed was first bred in Siam. At the same time, not everyone knows that this is a Thai cat, and not a Siamese. Many people confuse the breed, which is due to the double name of the state where the first babies were born. Today Siam is as familiar to everyone as Thailand. It was from this country that four-legged animals were brought to the USA and European countries.

Siamese cat

First, a Thai cat, born in Siam, appeared in the world. To make things easier for themselves, many people began to call the breed based on its place of origin, that is, Siamese. Much later, breeders developed a breed that today everyone knows as Thai.

Siamese and Thai: who is smarter?

It is impossible to say for sure which of these animals is smarter. Both Thai and Siamese beauties stand out in the cat world for their intelligence and curiosity. The only difference is that the former are more accommodating, while the latter are much more independent.

Representatives of each breed can be taught order or trained. However, they require a different approach to themselves. A Siamese cat cannot be forced to do anything against its will. But one should not consider her more stupid because of her tendency to be stubborn.

Animal care

High-quality and complete care allows your pet to live a long, happy life, as well as show its best traits. For all representatives of the two breeds, care can be combined into a number of rules:

1. Siamese and Thais do not like the cold, as they have almost no undercoat. Pets need to live in a warm place, preferably in a place where there are no drafts.
2. It will be better if your pets have a horizontal and vertical scratching post for convenience, since cats of this breed like to sharpen not only their front paws, but also their hind paws.
3. You should provide your pet with a large variety of toys, climbing shelves and other entertainment, which will allow the pet not to get bored in the absence of the owner.

A playful cat will benefit from a variety of toys and multi-level loopholes

• It is not recommended to bathe your pets; brushing them with a furminator once every two weeks is enough.
• Once a week you need to brush your teeth with a silicone brush and wipe your eyes and ears with a damp cloth.
• You should make it a habit to visit the veterinarian once every six months. This approach will allow you to monitor your pet’s health status, detect and prevent the development of diseases in a timely manner.
• A balanced diet consists of a combination of premium dry food and natural food, which makes up at least 20% of the total diet. Vitamin supplements are welcome and are prescribed by a veterinarian, taking into account the individual characteristics of the pet.

Siamese and Thais are born clean people; they will be the first to let you know about pollution on their territory with dissatisfied meows.

• Thai and Siamese cats are very clean. For this reason, their equipment should be kept clean: the tray and wet food bowls should be cleaned when they become dirty.
• A prerequisite is scheduled vaccinations and regular treatments against fleas, worms and other parasites.

What is the difference between Thai and Siamese kittens?

The difference between these breeds is very obvious in adulthood. But in kittens it is much more difficult to find distinctive features.

The dissimilarity between young Thais and Siamese becomes visible at the age of 2-3 months. First of all, the shape of the skull attracts attention. In Thai kittens it is round and compact, in Siamese it is wedge-shaped, plus there are large ears.

The tail is also a definite indicator of the breed. For the Thais it is pointed at the end, but for the Siamese it is long relative to the body and the same in thickness even at the tip.

In addition, there is a characteristic dissimilarity in physique. Thai kittens are plump, while Siamese kittens, which differ from them, are thinner and elongated, with legs that are long relative to the body.

Thai kitten

Siamese kitten

How to recognize a kitten

You need to distinguish a Siamese cat from a Thai cat especially when you buy a kitten. This is not so easy to do, since key external characteristics are not yet expressed as clearly as in mature representatives of these breeds. However, there are some things you can take into account. For example, from an early age it is noticeable what shape the kitten’s head has: if it’s wedge-shaped, it’s a Siamese cat, and if it’s round, it’s a Thai cat.

As for the tail, in the Thai pet it tapers to the tip, while in the Siamese it has the same thickness along the entire length. Even by the physique of the kittens it is already clear who is in front of you. Siamese are always thin, while Thais are stronger and stockier.

Take into account the key features and you will immediately understand how the cats of these two related and very similar breeds differ, which means you will not be mistaken in the process of choosing a small fluffy kitten.

Character of Siamese

Many consider them the most evil of all tailed creatures, and this is partly a true statement. However, this is due to special character traits - they have an excellent memory and record all grievances in it.

If you often scold them or don’t pay enough attention, they will respond in kind, but if the owner really loves the pet and takes care of it, only reprimanding it for business, then it will purr and caress itself at the sight of “their” person.

Males and females do not differ in their disposition, although many people think that the latter is more angry. This is not true, they just have more reasons to be aggressive if they are worried about their offspring.

Both boys and girls are very jealous; they will not tolerate a same-sex neighbor, but they are tolerant of each other. They are proud and calmly tolerate loneliness, so you don’t have to worry about the furniture.

Animals have a loud voice; they will not just say “meow”, but scream, demanding attention. This behavior usually occurs when they are hungry, their toilet is not cleaned, or the door to the room they are interested in is closed. They have a lot of energy and are ready to play and run for a long time. They love to communicate and can tell a person something in their purring dialect. They are easy to train and protect their owners if they think they are in danger.

Choosing a mixed-breed cat

Every cat is unique. But experts believe that by external signs - the shape of the skull, body structure, color and length of fur - it is possible to predict the character traits of a pet from a very young age. And even a predisposition to disease. Mixed breeds of elite cats inherit from their parents the appearance and behavior pattern characteristic of a particular breed. When choosing a mestizo, you should pay attention to the main phenotypes. Try to determine from them what character the cat will have and its future health problems.

"Marquise" phenotype

Short, black fur with white spots. The body constitution of cats is dense, while that of cats is thin. This phenotype is characteristic of short-haired European breeds. These pets have a stable, predictable character. They demonstrate their desires quite clearly. They try to manage the house and achieve their goal with affection or perseverance. They have good health. With poor nutrition, urolithiasis can develop.

Phenotype "Siberian cat"

The color is gray-striped. The coat is long with a thick undercoat. The body is loose or dense. The head is large, round, with a protruding muzzle. Confident, independent character. These animals are “on their own.” They skillfully put the owners in the desired place and show who is boss in the house. Affections are accepted solely of one's own free will.

They don't like it when they are bothered with attention. May experience digestive problems

Suffer from obesity, diabetes, urolithiasis,

Angora cat phenotype

Long or semi-long light coat. Dry, tender body. Elegant, light head. Having an independent disposition, they show miracles of devotion and trust in the owner. Sensing the weakness of the owner, they can show “savagery” and aggressiveness, defending themselves and protecting the territory. They need daily human contact. The owner is expected to be predictable and stable. Health is good. Problems with respiratory function and infections are possible.

"British" phenotype

The coat is dense and short. The head is round, large, with erect ears. The body structure is rough and dense. Tabby and blue-gray color. The tail is thick, with transverse stripes. Independent character. Showing displeasure, they can be stubborn and aggressive. These cats are not easy to handle. Touching is allowed, guided solely by one’s own mood. They often become “masters of masters.” Like all cats with a rough constitution, they have a tendency to chronic kidney diseases and obesity. And also, endocrine system disorders and chronic pancreatitis.

Phenotype "Persian cat"

The coat is long, silky, without coarse guard hairs. The head is round, the nose is flattened. The body constitution is rough or loose. They have an independent character and position themselves as a decoration for the home. They can be capricious and demanding. Persians and mestizos are often cut like a lion. Since long hair needs to be combed, and Persians do not like this procedure. Predisposed to diseases of the genitourinary system and upper respiratory tract.

Phenotype "oriental cat"

A cat with short, delicate fur. Thin, dense skeleton with developed muscles. The body is elongated. Quite heavy with an elegant appearance. Light, graceful head. Large or medium movable ears. The color is varied: spotted, solid, striped, color-point, tabby and others. Due to their focus on the owner and the need for constant communication, they are called “cat-dogs”. Orientals have irrepressible energy. Need active games. If energy is not used, obesity may begin. They strive to restore order in the house. Health is quite good. They may have digestive problems and infections.

Phenotype "Thai cat"

Semi-long or short coat of characteristic colors: blue point, seal point, lilac tabby point, lilac point. The head is round. Eye color is blue. Strong, graceful cats with a dense, but not coarse constitution. The character is even, non-conflicting. The behavior model is close to that of a dog. They need constant contact with the owner. They are acutely aware of his mood swings. Empathizing with the problems of the owners, they can get sick. They are very persistent in achieving their goals. They achieve their goals not through arrogance and aggression, but through persistence and affection. Health is quite good, but they are susceptible to urolithiasis and slow infections.

Taking into account the external signs of the pet, it is possible to predict the future character and behavioral model. Take measures for proper education and prevent possible diseases.

Thai character

These four-legged animals are distinguished by devotion and fidelity; previously they were kept only in noble families; they were the privilege of the aristocracy. Their description first appeared in the nineteenth century; such celebrities as Alekhine or Vivien Leigh had representatives of the breed.

If you get such a cat, he will follow you everywhere, watch what you do, and participate in it. Four-legged animals are sociable and affectionate, they especially caress immediately after waking up - they need to get their morning dose of love. Every morning they come to their owner to be petted. If he doesn't pay attention, they will put their paws on him and then jump.

Such kitties meow briefly, look into people's faces, and touch them. They are smart and intelligent - they will not meow loudly, demanding their own, unlike the Siamese.

To read: Yorkshire Terrier: everything about the breed, to what age does it grow and what diseases does it cause?

They are active, love to play, are well trained, and can also walk safely on a leash in a harness. You can often see them walking sedately along the sidewalk, not chasing small rodents or reacting to birds - natural restraint and good upbringing make themselves felt. But it’s better not to let them go for walks alone - firstly, they have weak immunity, and secondly, such a charmer can be stolen by those who are not ready to spend several thousand, or even tens of thousands of rubles on buying a kitten with documents.

Choosing the gender of the kitten

Siamese cats and cats are well trained in the intricacies of going to the litter box and other rules. But they spend more effort on “training” their owner so that he unquestioningly fulfills all the wishes of the pet. Pets of this breed are great manipulators and their impressive loud voice, produced with different intonations, helps them in this.

The Siamese male has excellent patience and gets along well with children. Long hugs are alien to him, but a kitten of this breed will not refuse to play. Cats are also friendly towards other animals, even dogs. The Siamese cat has a smart look and a good character. And the variety of colors, the sophistication of color and manners, the radiating sense of self-esteem, combined with a simple and calm temperament, make him an ideal cat.

Although the male Siamese cat is a large and strong animal, he is not able to fend for himself on the street. For this reason, you should not let him walk on his own. An animal can also become infected with the disease from outdoor cats.

Care and maintenance

Siamese kitten
Caring for a Thai cat is not at all burdensome. Like a kitten of any breed, the little Thai must first of all be taught to use a litter box and a scratching post. Kids are very smart and quickly understand what's what. Take a closer look at exactly where the kitten sharpens its claws most often, and place there either a store-bought device or a hand-made device made from thick fabric.

Curtains on the windows are very attractive to Thai babies, so for the first time tie them to a height inaccessible to the little prankster. Over time, they will become uninteresting to him, and the animal will direct its curiosity and activity in a different direction.

Your pet is unlikely to like the bathing procedure, but he will endure it with truly royal endurance. Make sure that water does not get into your ears during bathing procedures. Do not use “human” shampoos - there are enough specialized cosmetics on sale.

Caring for the fur of a Thai cat is extremely simple. It is enough to simply stroke your pet with a damp hand once a week to collect lost hairs. You can use a brush made of soft natural bristles or a special mitten - cats love massage, which, in addition to being cosmetic, also has a healing effect. A characteristic feature of the acromelanic color is its temperature dependence. The cooler the room where a Thai cat lives, the more active the age-related darkening of the coat occurs, which can negatively affect the exhibition career. The most problematic colors in this sense are seal point and blue point. The process can be slowed down if the animal is kept at an air temperature of +23 to +25 °C.

Only cats kept exclusively inside the house need to have their nails trimmed. This is done 2 times a month using a nail clipper or sharp nail scissors. Be careful not to damage living tissue with blood vessels.

Oral care involves periodically brushing your teeth and checking the condition of your gums. Performing this procedure periodically is advisable if you feed your Thai cat natural food.

Ears and eyes are cleaned as needed.

Feeding the cat

The two main rules are balance and sufficiency.

Kittens are fed 6-8 times a day in small portions, an adult animal receives food twice a day. Food should always be fresh, not cold or hot. Having a bowl of constantly clean water is a must.

I found my place in this house

Each owner decides the issue of balance independently. If at first you should follow the diet that the breeder followed, then in the future you can gradually transfer your Thai cat to a diet that will be more convenient for you.

There will be less hassle with ready-made feed. There is one “but” here - the widely advertised options from supermarkets are not suitable, otherwise health problems will arise. Use only specially developed premium and super-premium grades.

Supporters of a natural diet should remember that food from our table is not suitable for Thai cats. Your pet will have to cook separately. The menu must include raw meat, cut in such a way that the cat does not immediately swallow the piece, but chews it for some time. But be sure to cook the fish. Contrary to popular belief, it should not be made the dominant food product. Moreover, do not feed fish to a pregnant animal. Pamper your cat with a chicken egg once a week. Cottage cheese is welcome in the diet, but low-fat varieties are better. Hot and spicy dishes are excluded from the diet of Thai cats.

Vegetables and fruits can be given without restrictions - the cat will choose what she wants to eat at the moment.

If your Thai does not leave the house, make sure that her diet includes fresh grass or green cereals (seeds can be bought at a pet store and grown in ordinary flower pots).

When creating a menu, be sure to take into account the age of your pet - this will help avoid many problems. You can cook for cats only from fresh and high-quality products.

Where's my food?

Differences

In terms of appearance, Thais have smoother and more harmonious body contours, while Siamese look long and thin. The former have rounded ears, a medium-length fluffy and thick tail, while the latter have pointed ears and a thin long tail resembling a whip. The former have round eyes, the latter have slanted eyes, and the Thais are an open breed, unlike their opponents.

You could understand how pets differ in character from the descriptions above. Thai cats are friendly and sweet, very affectionate and peaceful, they get along easily with other animals and will definitely get along with children, but their relatives are jealous, more proud and independent, but also faithful and devoted, even protecting their owners, like dogs.

Now you know about the differences between these breeds and can choose the one you like best. We can definitely say that if you dream of a friendly and sociable furry friend, you should choose a Thai - he will always be with you, will purr and tell you something in his own language. There is never a dull moment with him - he either plays, is tender and purrs, or actively talks about how he spent his time. Children will also adore him - he will never offend them or scratch them too much.

If you work a lot and plan to leave him alone for a long time, it is better to give preference to the second type. Its representatives will calmly sit alone all day; they do not need company to feel good.

They will be faithful to you, but will not chase you at every step and come running to caress you every second. In addition, they will not approve if you already have some other favorite. They will quarrel with a dog or someone else and compete for the love of their owner, and their revenge will be sophisticated.

To read: Life expectancy of Siamese cats with proper care