Siamese Cat Facts

Siamese cats are known for their striking features and affectionate nature. If you’re looking for a constant companion, the Siamese could be a great match for you. These fashionable felines love to play and spend time with their families, and they always have something to say.

History

Siamese cats originated from Thailand. The breed’s name was actually derived from the word “Siam,” the former name of Thailand. In ancient times, Siamese cats were a favorite of royal families due to their appearance. It was believed that when a member of the royal family died, their Siamese cat would receive their soul. The cat would then spend the rest of their days living luxuriously in a temple with monks and priests as their servants.

Siamese cats were not seen in the U.S. until the late nineteenth century. One of the first known owners of a Siamese cat was First Lady Lucy Hayes, wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes, who was in office from 1877-1881. She received the cat as a gift from a U.S. diplomat working in Thailand.

Physical Attributes

The Siamese’s crystal-blue eyes are one of their distinct features. The breed is also known for their unusually large, pointy ears, sleek tails and bodies, and color points that may be seen on their face, ears, paws, and tail.

The Siamese is a natural breed, which means their coat pattern was the result of a genetic mutation. There are four different Siamese cat types– seal point, chocolate point, blue point, and lilac point. Each of these types is generally identical in personality—they are simply four different color variations. Many other breeds have come from the Siamese, like the Oriental, Balinese, Tonkinese, and Havana Brown.

Seal Point

A seal point Siamese may have a pale fawn to cream-colored body with seal-brown (dark brown) color points on their face that spread out from their nose, ears, paws, and tail. Their paw pads and nose leather are also dark brown.

Chocolate Point

Chocolate point Siamese cats have ivory bodies with milk chocolate color points on their nose, ears, paws, and tail. Their nose leather and paw pads are cinnamon-pink.

Blue Point

The blue point Siamese has a bluish-white body with deep-blue points. Their nose and paw pads are slate-colored.

Lilac Point

This type of Siamese cat has a white body with pinkish-gray points, a cinnamon-pink nose, and cinnamon-pink paw pads to match.

Personality

Generally speaking, the Siamese cat personality can easily be described as outgoing, leaning towards melodramatic, so it shouldn’t come to anyone’s surprise that these cats can be very talkative, and they crave attention.

They typically love their family so much that they always want a member of the family to be around them. When they don’t get the interaction they desire, they’re known to seem pouty and sad. So, if you’re thinking of getting a Siamese, but are away at work during the day, you might consider getting two. That way, they’ll each have a buddy at all times.

If you’re thinking of getting a Siamese and already have other pets, you probably won’t have to worry about your new furry family member getting along with the others. Siamese cats generally get along well with other cats, dogs, and children, as long as they play nice.

Since Siamese cats are very intelligent and athletic, active and stimulating games can be great for them. Here are some you can try:

Ping Pong Play

Ping pong balls can be tons of fun for your Siamese to bat around. Try bouncing one off the floor, wall, or a piece of furniture for them to chase. It can also be very entertaining to bounce a ping pong ball around the bathtub. But make sure there is nothing in or around the tub that might hurt your cat if they land on it.

Shadow Games

With the lights out, move a string or cat toy around in front of a flashlight near a wall. The shadow your hand and string make should fascinate your feline. Watch as they try to catch the obscure shapes!

Bubble Bursting

Catnip-scented bubbles can make an energetic and tasty activity for these agile cats. They’ll likely love popping the flavorful bubbles with their mouth and paws. You can join the fun by using a bubble wand to create the bubbles. This game can also be a way to keep your kitty entertained while you’re occupied by the bubble machine.

Basic Care

Siamese cats have short, fine coats, so a weekly brushing should do just fine to keep them shiny and healthy. Combing will remove dead hairs and distribute skin oils.

It’s a good idea to brush your Siamese’s teeth every day or, at the very least, once a week, to help prevent periodontal disease. Most cats have evidence of periodontal disease by age three due to neglected dental hygiene.

It’s recommended that your cat gets professional teeth cleanings every year in addition to having their pearly whites brushed regularly at home. Regular teeth cleanings can help reduce the risk of various dental diseases, and they can help improve the overall health of your cat. Not to mention, the more often you include teeth brushings into your cat’s routine, the faster they will become acclimated to this new hygiene practice.

Siamese Cat Name Ideas

In case you’re about to adopt a Siamese and still haven’t found the right name for them, here are some that might fit their strong personality and unique coat pattern:

_{The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.}