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Getting a Cat or Kitten
17 min read
| Family-friendly: | 2/5 |
| Playfulness: | 4/5 |
| Intelligence: | 5/5 |
| Tendency to Vocalise: | 5/5 |
| Likes Other Pets: | 4/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 2/5 |
| Shedding: | 2/5 |
Siamese
Long and lithe, words like elegant and graceful were invented for the Siamese cat. This is a striking breed, recognisable as the Siamese cat even by those who know nothing about cats or even dislike cats. They are affectionate and social and can easily adapt to family life but can also be very curious and energetic so be prepared to keep them entertained with games of fetch or long walks around the neighbourhood.
Lifespan
8 - 15 years
Weight
5 - 6.5kg
Colours
Siamese cats come in a wide range of colours, all featuring a pale body and shaded points. The eye colour on all coat colours is a bright, intense blue.
The need-to-know
- Benefits from an experienced owner
- Needs high-level of enrichment including simulated hunting games and interactive play
- Highly active and inquisitive cat
- Sociable and dependent cat
- Very talkative cat
- Lean and elegant cat
- Requires grooming once a week
- Needs extensive outdoor space
- Not ideal for family homes
- Can be regularly left for a few hours
- Needs a calm environment
Generally healthy breed
The Siamese breed is generally robust, however they can be prone to developing:
- Progressive retinal atrophy which is an inherited disorder where part of the eye degenerates and wastes away which can result in blindness.
- Feline asthma¹ which is a disease of the lower airways which is caused by an allergic reaction.
- Mucopolysaccharidosis which is a storage disease that can cause growth retardation and other deformities as well as paralysis.
- Niemann-Pick disease which is another type of lysosomal storage disease that causes nerve problems and also affects organs such as the liver and spleen.
- Gangliosidosis GM2 which is a storage disease that affects the nervous system, although it is worth noting there is a low prevalence of this disease in the Siamese population.
- Intestinal adenocarcinoma² which is a cancer that arises in the cells of the intestines.
- Mediastinal lymphoma³ which is a cancer which arises in one of the cells that makes up the immune system.
- Amyloidosis where proteins are deposited in the organs and tissues which can lead to organ failure.
- Pica which is where a cat craves and/or eats non-food items.
Testing available:
- DNA testing for progressive retinal atrophy, mucopolysaccharidosis and gangliosidosis which tests whether or not a cat has the potential to be affected by these conditions.
¹B. M. Corcoran et al, 'Feline asthma syndrome: a retrospective study of the clinical presentation in 29 cats', 1995, Journal of Small Animal Practice
²K. Rissetto et al, 'Recent Trends in Feline Intestinal Neoplasia: an Epidemiologic Study of 1,129 Cases in the Veterinary Medical Database from 1964 to 2004', 2011, Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
³M. Louwerens et al, 'Feline Lymphoma in the Post–Feline Leukaemia Virus Era', 2005, Journal of Internal Veterinary Medicine
Siamese Cat Appearance
The Siamese is built on long athletic lines, standing tall on slender legs with neat oval paws. Ears are large, pricked and give an intelligent expression, following the lines of the triangular shaped head. Eyes are almond shape and slant inwards towards the nose, and the tail is long, tapering, and straight. The coat is short and fine, lying close against the body and the Siamese colours are pale, with darker shaded ‘points’, i.e., the face, ears, legs and tail.
In terms of appearance, there are two Siamese cat types, the traditional one who is plumper and has an apple-shaped head and the modern one who is very slender and whose head is more wedge-shaped.
Siamese Cat Personality
Incredibly intelligent, affectionate and opinionated, they are considered the extroverts of the feline world. Inclined to bond strongly to one person, and often very vocal with a loud, low-pitched voice (known as a ‘meezer’), the Siamese is very much a ‘Marmite’ type of cat, appealing to a very specific sort of person!
Due to their rather dependent nature and attachment to their person, Siamese often suffer from separation anxiety and may be better in pairs, or better still, in homes where someone is around most of the time.
One of the first distinctly recognised breeds of Asian cat, the Siamese originates from Thailand, then called Siam, and in the 19th Century, was one of the most popular breeds across both Europe and North America. In 1884 the British Consul-General in Bangkok brought a pair of cats, Pho and Mia, back to Britain as a gift for his sister Lilian Gould, who went on to co-found the Siamese Cat Club in 1901.
Recognised for their distinctive markings, the term Siamese is now used to refer to a variety of cats of the same colour pattern. The Siamese cat is known as the ‘pointed pattern’ and is caused by a mutation in the enzyme involved in melanin production. The mutated enzyme is heat-sensitive - in that it doesn’t work at normal body temperatures but becomes active at the lower temperatures on the extremities of the body. This means the fur on those cooler areas is much darker than the fur on the warmer parts. Siamese kittens are born pure white or cream and as the fur grows and is affected by the enzyme, the coloured points develop.
Although fit and athletic, the Siamese cat’s nosey nature, loud cry, and striking appearance mean they are at risk of theft, and at risk of making themselves a nuisance to neighbours, so a secure garden or cat run is vital. If kept indoors, expect to provide a lot of toys and cat trees to keep your Siamese amused and entertained.
Intelligent and excellent problem solvers, with a strong attachment to one person and a desire to be with that person, the Siamese is not always an easy cat to live with unless you are prepared to give a lot of ‘cattention’. Lots of cat trees and opportunities to climb, food puzzles to solve, and interactive play with their owner will be necessary to keep them satisfied and content. This breed is not suited to busy homes or where everyone is out for long periods, and it may be better to get two to keep each other company, on the understanding that both will still need to be entertained and amused daily!
Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle, and overall health, so it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in her diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes.
Easily groomed, the Siamese cat is a clean and tidy animal — a simple brush through with a bristle brush and a wipe down with a damp cloth from time to time will keep them in top condition and give you an opportunity to check for parasites or small injuries.
As with all breeds, Siamese cats benefit from protection against disease through vaccination and need regular parasite control and annual veterinary health checks.
Suited to those who love a rather extreme cat, with a strong personality, loud nature, and sensitive temperament. Also, the Siamese cat personality is outgoing so they need someone home most of the day, and experienced in the breed’s foibles and quirks — or prepared to learn quickly! Not particularly suited to homes with small children, they are really too demanding and opinionated to get along well with anyone who competes for their owner’s attention.
Siamese Cat Fun Facts
- Notable Siamese cat owners include public figures like Elizabeth Taylor, John Lennon, Marilyn Monroe, and even two presidents: Jimmy Carter and Rutherford B. Hayes.
- A Siamese cat starred in the 1965 Disney film ‘That Darn Cat!’, playing a mischievous secret agent cat named D.C. who helped solve crimes together with the FBI.
- The name for the Siamese cat in Thailand is ‘wichien-matt’ which means ‘Moon Diamond’.
- In Thailand there was this common belief among royalty that they could reincarnate in a Siamese cat and would be able to spend long and lavish lives living in temples and being spoiled by priests and monks.
FAQs
The Siamese cat personality is very similar to that of a dog, in the sense that they are sociable and highly intelligent, meaning that they make excellent pets who enjoy spending time and playing with their owners.
Yes, given that they have very short coats, they don’t shed as much as other cat breeds, saving you plenty of time and effort when it comes to grooming.
The Siamese lifespan is fairly long as they can live for up to 15 years, provided that they have access to proper care and nutrition.
If you’re planning on getting Siamese kittens as pets, know that they can be very vocal by nature so expect a lot of noises, either when they want to get your attention or simply when they are bored and need entertainment.
It’s recommended not to leave a Siamese cat alone for long periods of time as they’re prone to anxiety and need lots of social interaction and entertainment.
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