Find out more about the elegant, loving and surprisingly talkative Siamese cat, and whether this cat breed is right for you
Siamese cats are one of the most ancient breeds of cats, and have lived side-by-side with humans for many hundreds of years. It’s no wonder they make great pets; not only are they beautiful to look at, they’re also very loving companions who like nothing more than a good natter with their human friends.
Appearance
Siamese cats are one of the most famous cat breeds – with good reason. They have beautiful blue eyes and sleek, elegant bodies with long legs and a fine, glossy coat. Siamese cats come in a variety of colours, the four basic ones being seal (dark brown), chocolate, blue and lilac. They are ‘pointed’, meaning that their coat is darker at the points, i.e. the paws, tail, ears and face.
Personality
Siamese cats are almost as famous for their personality as they are for their looks. They are among the most vocal of cats, enjoying long ‘conversations’ with their human friends. They are loving, loyal and crave human companionship, making them excellent family pets. Their high intelligence allows them to learn things quickly which, coupled with a natural curiosity, means they’re likely to work out how to open your drawers and cupboards and have a good rummage.
Although they love a good snuggle on a warm lap, they also have high energy levels, which means it’s important to interact with them (they easily learn to ‘fetch’), and ensure they have plenty of fun toys. Siamese cats have a good tolerance for children – as long as they’re taught how to interact with cats – and will also form firm friendships with the family dog.
Siamese cats make great companions – but they need companionship in return! They do not like to be alone for long periods, so are best suited to households where someone is home most of the time (this could include the family dog or another Siamese!). They are also not very streetwise, and should not be allowed to roam outside unsupervised.
Siamese vital statistics
Siamese cats are lithe and athletic cats of medium size; males can weigh 3.8-4.8kgs, and females 2-4.2kgs. Properly cared for and fed a good diet that meets their nutritional needs, Siamese cats can expect to live for 15-20 years.
Siamese health problems
Like many breeds, Siamese cats can suffer from hereditary conditions, including intestinal tumours and other cancers such as mediastinal lymphoma. They can also suffer from the eye condition progressive retinal atrophy, which may lead to loss of vision and even blindness. Siamese cats are also known to have sensitive stomachs and are prone to vomiting, which can be helped by avoiding rich cat foods.
Siamese grooming
Siamese cats have beautiful glossy coats, which like many shorthaired breeds, they take excellent care of themselves. Their grooming needs are therefore quite light – a good brush once a week should be sufficient to keep them looking at their best. As Siamese cats crave love and attention, you may find yourself cajoled into more frequent brushing sessions!
Siamese kittens
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Siamese kittens are incredibly cute. Newborns are almost completely white and it can take up to a year for their full colours to develop, although they will start to show their points as early as three weeks. Kittens are high energy and can be quite boisterous, demanding attention and playtime. This is the period when they develop their personalities, so it’s vital to ensure they get all the care and attention they need when they’re very young so that they grow into fully socialised, family cats.
Is a Siamese cat right for you?
Siamese cats make great pets – they’re gorgeous and elegant to look at, and they really want to be fully involved in family life. However, this desire for companionship means that they suffer when left alone, so may not be right for a home that is often empty of people or other pets. They also like a stable, predictable environment, and will be disturbed by changes to their routine or habitat.
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