Siamese cats are medium-sized, slender, and refined. They are flexible and muscular. The most striking characteristic of the Siamese cat is its "dots", which are darker colored patterns on the ears, face (mask), tail and paws.
Siamese cats are popular among those who want a purebred pet. Officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association in 1906, the Siamese cat is one of the most original breeds.
Characteristics of the Siamese cat
Attachment level | High |
Friendliness | High |
Suitable for children | High |
Loyalty to other pets | High |
Exercise needs | High |
Playfulness | High |
Energy level | High |
Intelligence | High |
Tendency to meow | High |
Shedding intensity | Short |
History of the Siamese cat
Siamese cats come from Thailand. In 1880, the King of Siam presented the English Consul General in Bangkok with two pairs of Siamese cats. He brought them home to England.
Their popularity quickly grew as people began to strive to own one of these beautiful "oriental" cats. The first Siamese cat to win a champion title was Vanki in 1898 and since then the breed has developed rapidly.
It is unclear whether Siamese breeders followed judges' standards in official Siamese show competitions or vice versa, but for one reason or another, Siamese cats gradually developed a more slender appearance with a more wedge-shaped head. As history shows, this modern breed of Siamese cats was more like the original Egyptian cats.
In 1987, a group of breeders, concerned about the dramatic changes in the modern breed's appearance and potential health problems, came together to form the International Registry of Traditional and Classical Cats. One of the organization's goals was to "bring back and preserve the 'old style' appearance of every breed."
People often confuse the terms "traditional" and "classic" as they refer to Siamese cats. Founder of the Traditional Siamese Cat Association Sheila Le Coq explains that the classic Siamese cat is a cross between the traditional and modern versions, without going to the extremes. She describes the classical era as the period between 1945 and 1970.
How to choose a name for a Siamese kitten
What is my name?
These cats have an exotic and extraordinary appearance, so it is advisable to choose a name for your pet that will highlight its characteristic features or temperamental features.
Oriental names are most suitable for blue-eyed creatures.
- For example, a female kitten is often called Aishe, Mulan, Iris, Rosie or Jinnah.
- A male kitten can be given the name Siam, Onyx, Solomon, Ayhan or Amir.
Caring for Siamese cats
The Siamese cat has short hair that requires only standard grooming. Brush your cat weekly to reduce the risk of matting.
Their characteristic dotted pattern comes from recessive genes that cause the dark pigment melatonin to be produced only in certain, cooler areas of the skin. This is why you see dark color on the legs and ears, as well as on the face where breathing cools the skin.
Nail care
Your cat's nails may require regular trimming, as often as every 10 to 14 days. Provide a scratching post to save your upholstery and woodwork.
Oral cavity and teeth
Pay attention to oral hygiene, start brushing your cat's teeth regularly at an early age, and schedule regular dental cleanings with your veterinarian.
Personality of the Siamese cat
Siamese cats have a distinctive character, they are active, playful and curious, but they can be trained. They enjoy climbing and need to have a cat tree or other structure to do so. They also enjoy puzzle toys and teasing toys.
You don't want this cat to get bored when you're away from home, do you?
Otherwise, you may come back and find that she made a mess for fun. Siamese cats are not at all reserved towards people. They bond with people in the same way dogs do and will follow you around the house seeking attention. You will find your cat on your lap as soon as you sit down.
They want constant companionship and will become depressed if you leave them alone for a long time. Therefore, they are best suited for those who spend a lot of time at home.
Siamese cats are one of the loudest breeds.
You will find that they will often chat with you, scold you if you do not pay attention to them and talk to you as if you understand their language.
Siamese cats fit well into families with children and are friendly towards other cats and dogs. Young children will need to be taught how to properly handle a cat so as not to provoke a defensive reaction in it.
Cats live longer when kept indoors only. This prevents infections from other animals and the environment, as well as injury from fights and accidents.
A securely fenced yard can keep predators away, but Siamese cats can climb over any fence and escape. Spaying or neutering is also beneficial for any pet that is not intended to be bred.
Reviews about the breed
Siamese cats are very sociable, and this is true. Mikas accompanied any of his actions with purring, meowing and other sounds, but, unfortunately, after castration he practically stopped communicating with his voice, mainly with facial expressions and sounds only occasionally. But his facial expressions are very rich, such amazing intelligence allows him to communicate in such a way that I see that he really understands me. He loves guests, he loves people in general, he happily climbs into the arms of guests and purrs. He loves my husband and me, and basically agrees to sit on our hands of his own free will. But sometimes you can “persuad” someone to sit. He loves to sleep in bed and under the blanket, purrs endlessly for any reason, sometimes even comes purring. Loves to sit on his stomach and wiggle his paws. He loves to crush everything soft with his paws and for some reason doesn’t touch my clothes, but doesn’t touch my husband’s clothes. Generally good health and temperament, slightly vindictive if not neutered, can be very aggressive. It is allergic and you need to brush your teeth, it can darken for various reasons. Very affectionate little cat angel. My most favorite cat in the world.
Maria Frolova
https://irecommend.ru/content/laskovyi-i-simpatichnyi-vsegda-derzhitsya-s-dostoinstvom
Frankly, the breed has few advantages, except for its incredibly beautiful blue eyes and charming black and fawn color. At the tender age of a kitten, my Laura was an exemplary lapula. She looked at the world with her round eyes in surprise and sweetly washed her black ears with her white fluffy paw. Well, purely an angel. Innate neatness and good manners distinguish all purebred cats, so we had no problems with digging up soil in flower pots and turning over a decorated Christmas tree. Only once, for some unknown reason, did she try to chew the tinsel.
Rozellis
https://irecommend.ru/content/vnimanie-esli-lyubite-tishinu-i-pokoi-ne-zavodite-siamskuyu-koshku-foto-moego-uzhasa
My Sima can, purely out of sporting interest, go through the shelf with shoes without any harm. And getting into a rustling bag is sacred. When I come home from work, he runs into the corridor to meet me, rubs his legs and paws at me - take me in his arms. Any activity that involves a sitting position: drawing, sitting at a laptop - cannot be done without a cat, sometimes it brazenly climbs onto your lap without invitation) In general, I can only note the positive aspects. In addition to their affectionate disposition, Siamese are cultured, mine immediately started going to the litter box, doesn’t jump on tables, and doesn’t beg for food from the table. In the morning the truth jumps on the bed - get up and feed me. But it’s probably impossible without this.
Savvannah
https://irecommend.ru/content/mify-o-siamskikh-koshkakh-ili-malenkoe-pushistoe-chudo
General health problems
The most common health problem in Siamese cats is eye disease. Cross-eyed Siamese cats were common decades ago. The same gene that gave them colored dots also led to their vision impairment.
Because of this, Siamese eyesight is less acute than other cats and they are more at risk of being hit by vehicles when going outside after dark.
Other major health problems that this breed is prone to include:
- Respiratory Diseases: Siamese cats with wedge-shaped heads are more prone to respiratory diseases, including asthma and bronchial disease.
- Liver problems due to amyloidosis, which is caused by an abnormal protein that gets deposited in the organs of the body.
- Renal amyloidosis, a buildup of the same abnormal protein in the kidneys that can interfere with normal kidney function.
- Congenital heart defects such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a common heart disease in cats that can lead to heart failure.
You should receive all routine pet cat vaccinations, preventative veterinary treatments, and examinations.
Origin, description and appearance
The historical homeland of the Siamese is Ancient Siam (Thailand). Cats with light fur, dark limbs, tail and muzzle were mentioned in ancient manuscripts.
Animals appeared in the West in the second half of the 19th century. At the next exhibition in London's Crystal Palace, the Siamese were immediately noticed; their unusual appearance caused a storm of emotions among reserved Europeans.
Siamese cat
Despite the divided opinion regarding the aesthetic qualities of cats, the animals quickly became fashionable. Just a few years later, the Siamese breed was recognized by the Americans.
The modern classification of colors includes the following variations:
- seal point (light base and dark brown limbs, muzzle, ears and tail);
- blue point (small islands of blue-gray markings are visible on the snow-white body, which are also observed on the stomach);
- lilac (light base with gray-pink markings, but unlike the blue color, does not appear on the belly);
- chocolate (markings similar to seal point, but the shade is much lighter);
- red point (white body, apricot spots);
- tabby (markings appear as stripes on a white base);
- tortie (the muzzle is distinguished by the presence of a colored mask; there are marks on the ears, limbs, and tail).
Reference! Siamese kittens are born completely white. By the age of one week, the Point's coat begins to darken. In the period from 6 to 10 months, the color of the animal is fully formed.
The pet's physique is slender, the body is flexible, thanks to which the animal moves easily and confidently. The body is elongated, the tail and limbs are thin.
Many people often confuse the Siamese with Thai cats.
The head is wedge-shaped, the ears are large with pointed tips. The coat is short, there is no undercoat.
Many people often confuse the Siamese with Thai cats, and there is a simple explanation for this - both breeds have a common ancestry. The Thais were developed a little later from the Siamese-Oriental group.
They can be distinguished by the following characteristics:
- more muscular physique;
- head with rounded contours;
- limbs of medium length;
- the tail is more compact and thicker than that of the Siamese.
How and what to feed a Siamese
Dry cat food can help keep your cat's teeth and gums healthy, while wet food provides fluids for cats that may not be drinking enough water. Make sure you have fresh, clean water so your cat doesn't avoid it.
While many cats limit what they naturally eat, some will overeat if they have free access to food. If you see your cat gaining weight, you can feed her twice a day and remove any uneaten portions.
As your cat ages, he or she may require a modified diet. Discuss your cat's nutritional needs with your veterinarian. Avoiding obesity is the best way to allow your cat to live to a healthy older age.
Care and maintenance
Siamese cats are easy to care for. The absence of undercoat reduces the frequency of combing the animal to once a week.
Regular brushing of teeth (2-3 times a month) prevents the development of dental diseases.
Thanks to its strong immunity, your pet rarely gets sick, especially when kept in apartment conditions.
If the animal has free access to the street, a special collar is put on its neck for prevention purposes. The cat gets used to it quickly if it is taught to wear it from childhood.
If the animal has free access to the street, a special collar is put on its neck for preventive purposes.
To organize the toilet, the owners allocate a separate corner where the tray is installed. Some cats, being smart, relieve themselves directly into the toilet or bathtub. You need to learn to use a litter tray from an early age (from 1-1.5 months).
Hygiene
One of the rules of hygiene involves periodically bathing the animal.
Cats do not like to take water treatments. There is no need to resort to frequent washing; Siamese are very clean; one bath every six months is enough.
To maintain a healthy appearance and cleanliness, it is recommended to check the ears once a week. You need to remove wax with a soft cotton swab without going deep into the ear.
Diet and feeding
Veterinarians advise feeding Siamese cats only high-quality food.
Due to low-grade or unbalanced nutrition, the animal’s fur becomes dull and its color changes (marks become lighter or most of the body darkens).
Super-premium or holistic food can provide a complete diet.
Recommended feed:
- Applaws;
- Acana;
- Schesir et al.
Education and training
Representatives of the Siamese breed have high intelligence, so breeders do not have problems with education. It’s quite easy to train a kitten to use the litter box and develop the habit of grinding its claws down on the scratching post.
Veterinarians advise feeding Siamese cats only high-quality food
The pet surprises with its ability to carry objects in its teeth. It is not difficult to wean him from bad habits. But you cannot hit an animal or shout at it.
Siamese are very touchy.
You can learn the simplest commands with your pet: “Sit”, “Stand”, “Lie down”, “Come”, etc.
Be sure to read:
Devon Rex cat breed: description and character of pets from the UK
Life expectancy and typical diseases
Siamese are considered long-livers. At home they live 15-20 years.
The historical record listed in the Guinness Book of Records is 38 years.
Siamese have a strong immune system, but there is a genetic predisposition to amyloidosis, bronchial asthma, and congenital heart defects.
Regular examination by a veterinarian and proper care of your pet will prevent the development of diseases and infections.
Pros and cons of the Siamese cat
pros
- Strongly attached to her human family
- Expressive exotic image with blue almond-shaped eyes.
- Must get along with other cats and is friendly to dogs and children.
- Active, energetic and trainable
Minuses
- More prone to eye, respiratory, kidney, liver and heart problems.
- May become depressed if left alone for long periods of time
- Gets bored quickly, requires constant attention and activity
- Tends to be very loud
Where to buy a Siamese cat
You can buy a Siamese cat on ad sites or by searching for breeders on the Internet.
Be careful, there are a lot of scammers profiting from the pet market and the scheme is usually simple - they charge you an advance payment for non-existent Siamese kittens with fake photos and then the sellers disappear.
It often happens that unscrupulous sellers can sell you an ordinary mixed-breed yard cat, just similar, under the guise of a Siamese cat.
Therefore, if you want to buy a truly purebred Siamese cat, then you need to study many offers and take your time with the purchase - your kitten will not leave you.
How much does a Siamese cat cost, price?
The price of a longhaired Oriental cat varies depending on the presence or absence of documents and pedigree.
Even a brief review of advertisements for the sale of Siamese cats in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities gave us a huge range in prices from “free placement in good hands” to 5,000 rubles and much higher.
Naturally, the price depends on what you need a cat for - for the soul without documents - the price is lower, for exhibitions and breeding - the price increases two to three times.
If you have any other information about the prices of Siamese cats or you know where to buy a purebred Siamese, please write in the comments.
Preventing a conspiracy
Everyone can envy the instincts of representatives of this breed. This is confirmed by 30 spy microphones hidden in the wall , which were discovered thanks to the suspicious behavior of two Siamese cats. It all happened in 1960 in the building of the Dutch embassy in Moscow.
The staff found it strange that these animals were scratching the walls and arching their backs for no reason. It later turned out that in this way they demonstrated their excitement by the noise emanating from the spy devices, inaccessible to human hearing.
More cat breeds and further research
Before you decide if a Siamese cat is right for you, research the breed further by talking to other Siamese cat owners, reputable breeders and volunteer organizations.
If you are interested in beautiful cat breeds, compare them:
- Bombay cat
- Tonkinese cat
- Toyger
- Burmese cat breed
There are many different cat breeds that you will need to research before you decide which one is right for your home.
Broken tail and squint
Previously, the vast majority of Siamese cats had a curved tail and severe squint . Having identified such features as undesirable, breeders hastened to eliminate them. And they succeeded. But there is still a legend according to which a Siamese cat was tasked with guarding the royal cup. She squeezed him so hard with her tail that the latter inevitably became curved. Changes also followed the pupils, which were no longer healthy due to prolonged and persistent focusing on the object she was protecting.