Siamese

The Siamese cat got its name after the country they come from - Thailand. Thailand was called Siam, so the cats got the name Siamese. Cats in the Siamese-type were known in that area for more than 700 years but were rarely seen outside Siam. The first major “migration” happened after the Burmese-Thailand war. The Burmese won and took Thai royalty and noblemen as captives. One of the things they also took was Siamese cats. However, the Siamese were still unknown in Europe and the US. These cats’ first significant breakthrough was at the London’s Crystal Palace Cat Show in the late 19th century. They weren’t immediately accepted due to their unusual looks. However, they became pretty fashionable and wanted family pets. The first Siamese that came to the US were President Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881), and his wife Lucy received a Siamese as a gift from the US ambassador to Thailand. American cat lovers noticed the new breed and wanted it for themselves. The Siamese soon took over as one of the most popular family pets out there.

There are so many things that will catch your eye when you look at a Siamese. These cats have a triangular head perfectly paired with an elongated, muscular body. Their eyes are almond-shaped and light blue. Here are some of the most noticeable characteristics you will surely notice about the Siamese.

Coat

Most cat lovers immediately notice a cat’s coat. The Siamese has a short, fine coat that has a silky texture. Their coat is very soft, making them fantastic cuddling partners. Since these cats developed in a warm climate, they haven’t developed an undercoat.

Coat color

One of the most dominant features of this breed is its color. Depending on the registry, there are different colors these cats come in. However, the CFA allows four coat colors - seal point, chocolate point, blue point, and lilac point. However, other registries allow colors like red points, cream points, tabby points, silver tabby points, smoke points, and particolor points.

Size

Another thing you will surely notice is the cat’s size. Plus, that is very important for future owners. The Siamese is considered a medium-sized cat. Most adult cats weigh 6 - 14 pounds and reach 15 - 20 inches.

Temperament

The Siamese has an interesting temperament. These cats are highly intelligent, and they need their minds engaged. They need to be entertained, and you shouldn’t leave them alone for long periods without any company. They can get destructive if they’re bored. They are also very social. These cats follow their humans everywhere and supervise their every move. They will gladly tell you how they’re feeling. If you don’t want a chatty cat, the Siamese is not the right choice for you. These cats are also fairly active, so make sure they have plenty of playtime, cat trees, and teaser toys that will help them spend their energy.

Health

The Siamese is a pureblooded cat breed, which means there is quite a bit of selective breeding involved. The good news is that selective breeding helped eradicate many hereditary diseases. However, some breed-specific health issues remain. For the Siamese, these potential health issues are;

• Congenital heart disease - Diseases like aortic stenosis or cardiomyopathy are seen in this breed.
• Crossed eyes and kinked tails - This is primarily an aesthetic issue and shouldn’t impact the cat’s overall health.
• Respiratory issues - Conditions like asthma and other bronchial problems are noticed in the Siamese.
• Progressive retinal atrophy - This is a hereditary eye condition that can cause blindness.
• Amyloidosis - This disease causes the amyloid protein to deposit in the cat’s organs, mainly in the liver and kidneys.

World Cat Finder Team