Siamese cat: a loving pet with legendary beauty

The well-known Siamese cat is one of the most beautiful breeds in the feline world, its blue eyes and coat pattern make it unmistakable.

Despite being one of the oldest domestic cat breeds on the planet, many people are relatively uninformed about these felines, but with this guide we'll help you sort that out.

Origin of Siamese cats

Siamese cats were mainly found in temples and among the high royal families of the Far East, who revered them.

They are an ancient breed; the first reference to their existence dates back to the 14th century AD. The ancestors of the Siamese cat came from the ancient kingdom of Siam, now Thailand.

There are many legends about them, such as that these cats were highly appreciated by the king, who used them as guardian cats, or that they were venerated by Buddhist monks in temples.

They were considered a sacred animal because of the white color that characterizes them at birth, an amulet that attracts good luck.

They arrived in Europe in 1880, specifically in England, a pair of Siamese named Pho and Mia as a gift for the King of Siam to the British Consul General.

In 1892 the first breed standard was written. They arrived in the United States 10 years later.

They were known as Oriental cats, but their appearance and variants have changed over time. Since 1920, Siamese cats are only called Siamese, those that keep a classic blue-eyed, pointed type pattern.

The Siamese cat was accepted as an official breed in 1945 by The International Cat Association (TICA).

Oriental or Modern Siamese Cat

The traditional Siamese cat or Thai cat has a rounded body and head, with a shorter muzzle.

While the Siamese we know today, known as the modern Siamese, has a sleek, elongated body, known to be more streamlined and flexible, large ears, angular head, slender muzzle and a muscular demeanor.

Siamese cats were imported to North America in the late 1890's and early 1900's, although they were still uncommon until after World War II, when they gained popularity and became the most registered cat breed.

Physical characteristics of the Siamese cat

Size: reaches a height of 20 and 25 cm.

Weight: Males weigh between 4.5 to 7 kg and females between 3.5 to 5.5 kg.

Eyes: their eyes are one of the most significant features, they are almond-shaped, separated and inclined towards the nose, they are of a very particular intense blue.

Ears: large and pointed.

Coat: short, soft, abundant and silky, close to the body. Depending on the color of the coat we can find different varieties of this breed such as Seal point, Chocolate point, Blue point, Lilac point, Red point, Cream point, Tabby point, Tortie point.

Body: its body is slender, its head is triangular with a slender muzzle, and its tail is long and pointed at the tip.

Life Span: between 12 and 15 years, but with a good quality of life can live up to 20 years.

Character of the Siamese cat

It is one of the most sociable breeds among cats. They are really affectionate, they will welcome you with joy and don't be surprised if they follow you around the house, many even compare them as the "lap dog" among cats, in fact, they are usually more dependent than other cats.

They are extremely playful but also possess a high level of intelligence, making them ideal for taming and companionship, they can learn tricks and be trained to walk on a leash.

They love open spaces to explore and expend energy, in case of living in an apartment it will be necessary to dedicate more time to play with them.

They are very communicative, Siamese cats are very talkative with their owners and have a wide meow register to interact with humans.

Siamese cat care

Siamese cats are usually very clean and meticulous with their daily hygiene. So you won't have so much work.

• Due to their short coat, they only need to be brushed once a week. Use a short bristle brush and a damp cloth afterwards to enhance its shine.
• In the cold months they tend to shed a layer of hair that they lose with the arrival of spring. This period will require more frequent brushing.
• It is necessary to keep their litter box clean, otherwise they will not use it.
• They will need to be kept in pleasant temperatures since due to their undercoat they do not feel comfortable in cold and humid environments.
• They will need toys and scratching posts to keep them active and exercised.
• Educate them with kind words, they do not understand with shouting and could become depressed if they do not feel loved.

Feeding

Siamese cats are not picky eaters, however a combination of dry and wet food is recommended and enriched with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to take care of their coat.

There are many specific feeds for Siamese cats such as the Royal Canin Siamese Adult.

Establish proper eating habits to keep your cat satiated and well fed. Once you establish his routine meals, he will get used to eating on that schedule, so you must always comply with the stipulated time if you do not want a hungry and sullen cat.

Finally, remember to always have a drinking bowl with fresh water available, especially if they are fed on food.

Siamese cat health

Eye problems

They may suffer from eye problems such as strabismus. There are several studies on the genetic reasons why Siamese cats are highly prone to be cross-eyed.

And that is why there is a high percentage of cross-eyed cats in their breed.

This breed also suffers from nystagmus, which is the rapid and involuntary movement of the eyes, another disorder very present in strabismus Siamese.

They may also suffer from convergent strabismus (eyes turned inward), which is a condition caused by an abnormal development of the structure responsible for receiving visual information coming through the retina.

They are also prone to suffer from breast cancer. Adult Siamese cats often suffer from mammary cysts, which, although most are benign, some can become cancerous.

Psychogenic alopecia, Siamese do not like to be alone and tend to be nervous by nature, excessive loneliness can damage them psychologically and make them obsessive-compulsive. You must give a lot of attention to your cat and keep him active to take care of his mental health.

The Siamese cat, a very loving cat

The Siamese is the legendary temple cat of the King of Siam. An extremely beautiful cat, it is very affectionate and requires dedication and attention from its owner.

If you feel you meet the requirements and can attend to all their needs, the Siamese cat will be a perfect companion for you.