Siamese cat breed profile. Photo: Vororn Ratanakorn/Shutterstock
Siamese cat classification
The Siamese is classed as Group 2 (SIA) by the Australian Cat Federation (ACF).
Siamese cat history
The Siamese cat is one of the first distinctly recognized breeds of Asian cat. Derived from the Wichianmat landrace, one of several varieties of cat native to Thailand (formerly known as Siam), the Siamese became one of the most popular breeds in Europe and North America in the 19th century.
The breed was first seen outside their Asian home in 1884 when King Rama V of Siam presented the departing British Consul General of Bangkok Mr Owen Gould a pair of breeding Siamese cats called Pho and Mia. This was a great honour, as at one time it was forbidden to export Siamese cats from Siam.
It is believed that the first Siamese cat appeared in Australia between 1890 and 1903.
Siamese cat physical characteristics
Male Siamese Cats weigh between 4 and 6 kg and stand 29 – 31 cm tall, while females weigh around 2.5 – 4.5 kg and stand between 27 and 31 cm tall.
The ideal Siamese is a medium-sized, svelte, refined cat with long tapering lines. It is very lithe but muscular. Balance and refinement are the essence of the breed, where all parts come together harmoniously with neither too much nor too little consideration given to any one feature.
The carefully refined modern Siamese is characterized by blue almond-shaped eyes (all Siamese cats have blue eyes); a triangular head shape; large ears; an elongated, slender, and muscular body; and point colouration. (Aside from the colouration, it bears little resemblance to the original stock, and the more moderate, traditional or “old-style” Siamese, with a much rounder head and body, has been re-established by multiple registries as the Thai cat.)
Siamese cat personality traits
Vocal, affectionate, active; can be insistent and The International Cat Association describes the modern Siamese as social, intelligent, and playful into adulthood, often enjoying a game of fetch. Siamese tend to seek human interaction and also like companionship from other cats.
Indeed, Siamese cats, due to their desire to be near people or other cats, occasionally suffer from depression if left alone for long periods of time, and it is for this reason that Siamese cats are often bought in pairs so that they can keep each other company
Note: All cats are individuals. While there is a great difference between cat breeds there is also a difference in temperament within breeds. Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and socialisation.
Siamese cat care
Diet – Siamese cats are able to enjoy a healthy diet of a mix of dry and wet food. Siamese kittens require feed with lots of fats and protein to promote growth. There are many dry feeds specifically for kittens, so you should always check the labels. Calcium and vitamins should also be present in its feed.
When Siamese cats are adults they should eat a well-balanced feed, composed of around 25% protein, 40% fat, plus different percentages of fiber, vitamins and Omega-3 and 6.
The quality of cat food you buy also makes a difference–the better the cat food, the further it will go toward nourishing your cat and increase your cat’s longevity.
Discuss with your veterinarian and a responsible breeder about the best diet that is appropriate for a Siamese cats life stage from kitten to adult to senior.
Grooming – Brushing can actually damage the color and texture of a Siamese cat’s coat. A better alternative is to use “finger brushing” to remove loose hair. Simply wet your hands and run them smoothly over your cat’s coat. The loose hairs will collect on your fingers, and can be removed with a paper towel before washing.
Bathing is rarely needed. If you aren’t comfortable giving your cat a water bath, try using corn starch instead. Sprinkle it all over your cat, being careful to keep it out of its face, and gently work it in with your fingers. You can gently brush it out with a soft bristle brush, or wipe it away with a chamois.
Shedding – Their hair is very short, and while they do shed it’s not as noticeable as with some breeds.
Exercise and Games – There is a range of games that all cats should enjoy both inside and outside. Such games involve waving feather wand toys or other cat toys that require the cat to leap in the air and try to capture the flying object; hide and seek, pouncing, jumping and scrunching soft toys and paper are all worthwhile activities, remembering that cats have more energy to play at the beginning and end of each day.
Play with your cat twice a day for 15 minutes around the same time each day. Here are some further ideas to entertain your cat and 10 tips to keep your cat happy.
Siamese cat health issues
The Siamese cat breed luckily possesses a long typical life span. Their lifespan is around 15 – 20 years, though some have been known to surpass this. However, some Siamese cats pass away well before 15 years, as in all cat breeds.
Health problems reported with Siamese cats include:
- Bladder stones
- Eye problems like glaucoma and progressive retinal atrophy
- Heart problems
- Certain types of cancer.
The Siamese doesn’t tolerate anaesthetic very well which vets are aware of and they know that spaying and neutering Siamese cats can sometimes be problematic for this reason.
Siamese cat suitability
Siamese cats love attention and company so if you’re looking for a cat bill integrate itself into your life and the lives of your family members then certainly consider a Siamese cat. They require much of your time and attention if they are to be happy such is spent a lot of time away from your home either consider a more independent breed or otherwise get to cats so they can entertain each other whilst you are away.
Always supervise interaction between a young child or other animals and your new kitten! Find out more about creating smooth introductions in our Paw Perfect Introductions podcast with renowned animal behaviourist Dr Joanne Righetti.
More details on the Siamese cat breed
Siamese cat adoption in Australia
www.siamesecatsociety.com/rescue.html
