The Siamese cat is the oldest domestic feline and has been around for over 10 centuries. They are originally from Thailand (formerly known as Siam), where they were bred as an aristocratic cat. They were seen as sacred and only Buddhist monks and royal families were allowed to have them. The Siamese cat was also used to guard the temples. During the eighteen hundreds, Siamese royalty started to give the cats as gifts to visiting European dignitaries and the world became enchanted with this magnificent feline. Many people dream of owning a Siamese cat because of their captivating eyes, striking looks and elegance.
The Siamese cat is incredibly intelligent and not at all like your normal placid, easygoing and like-to-sleep-all-day cat. In many ways, a Siamese is more like owning a dog. They love to play, are very strong-willed, energetic and VERY vocal. They don’t like to be ignored and will demand attention. When a Siamese wants to do something, they will do it regardless of obstacles or consequences. The Siamese cat is known to be affectionate and loves to have a nap on laps or to even climb in bed with you at night. Siamese cats are ideal family cats and are known to enjoy children more than adults, but of course, you should always supervise young children to ensure the safety of both the child and the pet.
The Siamese cat is a creamy, short-haired cat with dark points on the tip of their ears, legs, tail and snout. They have incredibly long skinny bodies. The Siamese is also known for their enchanting almond-shaped, icy blue eyes. You get two types of Siamese breeds: traditional and modern. The traditional Siamese has a more robust built (rounder body) with an apple-shaped head. On the other hand, the more modern Siamese cat has a wedge-shaped head and a sleeker body. If you don’t know the breed that well, you will never notice it, even though they differ greatly. Siamese kittens are born completely white and only get their point marking at a later stage, just like Dalmatians. There are many variations of the Siamese cat: seal point, blue point, chocolate point, lilac point, red point, tortie point and lynx point. But in general, the Siamese is a very beautiful, healthy breed with a very long lifespan. They are ideal for being indoors but should play games and receive a lot of affection on a daily basis.
Breed | Siamese Cat |
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Country | Thailand |
Average Adult height | 53 – 58 cm |
Average Adult weight | 2.5 – 4.5 kg |
Life Expectancy | 14 – 20 years |
Exercise requirements | Daily games in the house |
Similar Breeds | Balinese cat and Oriental cat |
Rescues in South Africa | www.siamese.rescueme.org/za |