Once you open your door – and heart – to a Siamese cat your life will never be the same again. This vocal and lovable breed are never short of affection and know exactly how to get it, from cuddling up on a lap to quickly learning new tricks, Siamese cats are determined and at… Read more »
Once you open your door – and heart – to a Siamese cat your life will never be the same again. This vocal and lovable breed are never short of affection and know exactly how to get it, from cuddling up on a lap to quickly learning new tricks, Siamese cats are determined and at times demanding, so should be considered by an owner who can provide a lot of time and attention to them.
Facts
- Temperament: Friendly, devoted, and intelligent
- Social/Attention Needs: High
- Average Life Span: 11 – 15 years
- Coat length: Short
- Grooming required: Frequent
The Look
Siamese are known for their famous blue eyes and large bat-like ears which stand out against their slender agile body. All Siamese cats are ‘pointed’ meaning that they have colour on their tails, legs and faces, while the rest of the body remains a white/cream colour. They come in a variation of colour points, with the most popular being seal-point, other colour points including chocolate, lilac and blue. In total, there is now thought to be over 32 different colour points.
History
Records dating dating back to the 1600s, confirm the first recorded existence of Siamese cats and even then they were very highly prized pets. Only royalty or noblemen were allowed to own them, and they had a special role to play in palace and temple life as spirit guardians. When someone important died, a cat from their household was chosen to receive and house their soul. This lucky cat spent the rest of its life in luxury, pampered and cared for by temple priests.
There are conflicting reports about exactly when the breed first arrived in the Western world, but all records point to the late 1870s. Among the early cats to get to England were a pair brought from Thailand by Sir Edward Blencowe Gould, who was at that time the Consul-General in Bangkok. These cats, named Pho and Mia, and three of their kittens were shown at the Crystal Palace Exhibition (an early cat show) in the mid-1880s.
Health
All have varying incidences of health problems that may be genetic. Problems that may affect the Siamese include the following:
- Asthma/bronchial disease
- Congenital heart defects such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Mouth and Gum disease, according to Pet Plan Insurance, mouth problems are the second most common illnesses they are in Siamese cats.
- Pica (a term used to describe the consumption of non-edible materials)
Fun Fact
Their Thai name means ‘moon diamond’.
