One of the oldest breeds in the world, Siamese cats are lively and affectionate. They love being entertained and will try to join in the conversation with their distinctly ‘chatty’ vocals.
Personality and temperament
Highly intelligent and active, Siamese cats are able to communicate with their humans through body language or their regular ‘chatty’ sounds. They constantly seek warmth and attention, so you’ll often find them on your lap or asking (loudly) for a game of ‘fetch’ or feather catching. One of the most sociable cat breeds, Siamese are playful little furballs and they’re known to get along well with other cats, kiddos and even friendly dogs. However, if unsupervised for too long, they’ll look for distractions, so are best for humans with time to spare.
Size and appearance
These slinky cats are long and lean, with a slender body and distinct wedge-shaped head. All Siamese cats have large, almond-shaped blue eyes, and short fur that is darker around their face, paws, ears and tail. The most common colourings are chocolate, liliac, seal and blue, though the darker patches will only develop once your adorable Siamese kitten is at least four weeks old. A delicate cat, males weight between 4 and 5.5kg, and females weight just 2.5 to 4.5kg.
History
Talk about a cat with history! Siamese are originally from Thailand (previously known as Siam) and date back centuries. Treasured by royalty, these slinky cats were often found living in temples and in the homes of noble families, where they were valued for their beauty and intelligence. Siamese kittens were gifted to Western diplomats in the late 1800s, which led to the breed being formally recognised in the West in 1906. The first Siamese turned up in Australia and New Zealand around the turn of the century but only became popular in the 1950s. Known for their delicate features, many other breeds – including Balinese and Tonkinese – have been derived from Siamese cats.
Health conditions that can affect this breed
Siamese cats are a pretty healthy breed that can live up to 20-25 years, however they are prone to some breed-specific conditions.
- Respiratory issues (their slender head shape makes them prone to sinus or breathing issues)
- Inherited eye diseases, including progressive vision loss
- Amyloidosis, a liver condition seen occasionally in Siamese cats
- Heart disease, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
- Feline stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth and gums)
- Dental disease
Regular vet check-ups and care can help manage these conditions and keep your Siamese healthy.
Food and exercise
Being a slim athletic cat, Siamese do best with a good quality, balanced meal that won’t add excess weight to their light frame. Make sure they have access to fresh water, especially on hot days, and keep treats to a minimum – though it is hard to ignore their big blue eyes.
As they are intelligent felines, Siamese cats love being entertained and challenged. Daily playtime is essential (think puzzle feeders, feather toys and teaser wands), as is time and interactions with their humans. They love a good climbing tree and will gravitate to the highest part to observe the goings on.
Grooming and maintenance
Siamese cats are extremely low maintenance in their grooming needs. Their short, fine coat rarely mats or tangles. A quick weekly brush with a soft grooming mitt or rubber brush will control any lose fur.
How to groom your Siamese
- Coat type: short, fine, single coat
- Fur: brush weekly
- Nails: trim every 3-4 weeks
- Ears: clean weekly for dirt and wax build-ups
- Eyes: wipe gently with a damp cloth when needed
Training and space requirements
Smart and people-focused, Siamese cats are great fun to train. They crave attention from their humans and will respond to positive reinforcement when it comes to basic commands and even walking on a leash. Short daily sessions with treat rewards work best and will keep them engaged.
This slinky breed doesn’t need a lot of space to thrive. They can live happy, healthy lives in small apartments as long as there is enough space to climb and explore, sun patches to doze in and ample attention from their humans.
Best suited for…
Chatty and sociable, Siamese cats suit owners who can spend a lot of time at home and who can play with them on a daily basis. They love affection and being a part of the action – either on your lap or watching from a high perch – and in return they’ll fast become your best mate.
