Siamese Cat Breed

History

The Siamese cat originated in Siam, now called Thailand, and has been around for hundreds of years. The breed was first documented in the Thai manuscript called Tamra Maew (The Cat Book Poems), found in the Ayutthaya Kingdom some time between 1351 to 1767 AD. As the legend goes, Siamese cats were identified as sacred and guardians of Buddhist temples.

In the 1880s, Siamese cats were brought into Britain. Their original colour was the classic seal brown points with a warm cream coloured body. However, cat breeders in the west developed and produced more colours by introducing other cat breeds into the breeding process. The original Siamese cat had eye squints and tail kinks that today are considered severe flaws. 

Personality

Like many other cat breeds, Siamese cats like routine, and they are not happy when this changes for any reason. Because of this, they appreciate being fed at the same time of the day and are not less than pleased when any furniture gets moved around their home.

Siamese cats are well-known for being very vocal by nature and will enthusiastically hold a long chat with their owners. Many Siamese cat owners claim this breed is extra loud when they want to let you know they are not content about a situation.

Siamese cats tend to demand attention and do not appreciate being left on their own. Because of this, they are best suited in households where at least one person can stay at home. They are friendly and enjoy socialising. Aside from human attention, they like having the company of another Siamese cat, especially if they have grown up together in the same household.

Siamese cats are very intelligent, agile, and athletic, with tons of energy. This means they need to be kept busy when they are not resting. Keep your Siamese cat's brain active with interactive puzzle toys. It's essential to invest in high-quality toys and scratching posts when living with a Siamese cat.

Moreover, it's also necessary to have ample time to spend with them because Siamese cats love all the attention they can get. A cat tree is a good idea as they love to climb and it can be a good source of exercise. Remember not to leave a Siamese cat without any form of entertainment as they will find ways to entertain themselves like going to the bathroom to pull out tissue rolls.

If you choose a Siamese cat for a pet companion, make sure that you are committed to their care and will enjoy spending lots of quality time with your cat. They adore interaction and affection and will thrive for years if given the right care.

This cat breed can be your best friend who will keep you company from day to night. However, if having a clingy and chatty feline companion drives you nuts, a Siamese cat is not a good idea. Moreover, if you work during the day and need to leave your pet home alone for long periods of time, this cat breed will not be happy about it. In this situation they will likely do something naughty to amuse themselves throughout the day. 

Coat & Care

The Siamese's short glossy coat does not need much grooming as like most shorthair cat breeds, they look after their beautiful coats very well on their own. That being said, these kitties enjoy the attention they get from being groomed.

A Siamese's short coat is low maintenance so it is super easy to groom and maintain. Using a stainless comb, you can comb their short coat on a weekly basis. To remove loose hair, you can damp your hands with water and stroke down their body from head to tail.

If you decide to groom your Siamese, get them used to combs and brushes from an early age. There's a wide variety of cat combs and brushes available. Start with a very soft brush that does not pull at fine kitten fur or damage their skin. Each time you have finished brushing, give a small treat. If regular coat care does not cause any issues for you or your cat, try more effective combs and brushes when they reach adult age.

Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is sufficient to prevent periodontal disease. Trim their nails twice a month or when needed. Wipe the corners of their eyes with a soft, damp cloth to eliminate any discharge.

Check their ears weekly and if they look dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball or soft cloth moistened with a vet-approved ear cleaner. If the ear has a foul odour, it is best to contact your vet for treatment.

Their litter boxes should always be clean as they are precise about bathroom hygiene. If it is left unclean, they tend to use other places in the house.

The most preferred method of feeding is canned foods. They are higher in protein and have lower carbohydrates than dry food. Moreover, the high-water content of canned foods increases your Siamese cat's overall intake of fluid – which keeps their bladder and kidneys healthy. And because canned foods have easily digested ingredients, it produces less solid waste in their litter boxes. 

Children & Other Pets

Siamese cats are an excellent choice for families with children because of their friendly, outgoing, loving personalities. Like many cat breeds, they are fast and smart enough to know when to get out of the reach of smaller children, such as when they get too rowdy or loud. Still, it’s best to facilitate interactions between your child and Siamese cat to ensure no one gets injured or hurt.

A Siamese can also make an ideal companion to a single person who works from home and seeks company. They also get on well with other dogs and smaller pets, particularly if they have grown up together in the same household and were properly socialised at an early age.