Siamese Cats

Did you know that Siamese cats are one of the oldest, if not the oldest known breed of cats?

Learn about varieties of Siamese cats...

Siamese cats take their name from their country of origin, Siam, better known these days as Thailand.

The breed today, according to the CFA show standard, looks quite different from the traditional type pictured above. Show Siamese are very long and sleek in design, with decidedly Oriental-looking, almond-shaped eyes. The head shape itself is quite flat, flowing smoothly into a wedge-shaped muzzle. The ears of the Siamese are quite large, and align with the sides of the head in a perfect extension of the wedge. You can get a kitten from a breeder or check into Siamese rescue organizations.

A true Siamese coat is very short, and should feel quite silky to the touch.

The real glory of the Siamese coat lies in its coloring. The base coat color comes in various shades of white, cream and bluish-silver, but it is always lighter than the "points", those shaded areas on the extremities such as the legs, tail, ears and face.

• Seal points have a warm fawn colored base coat with dark, seal brown points.
• Chocolate points have lovely cocoa brown colored points on a creamy base.
• Blue points have a bluish white base coat with deep blue-gray points.
• Lilac points have a strikingly white base coat color, overlayed with pinkish-gray points.
• Red point Siamese do exist, but the color is not accepted by many breed clubs because it isn't considered traditional.

Now for a couple of interesting facts.

• All Siamese kittens are pure white at birth, with the points gradually developing later. Most Siamese won't achieve their true depth of color until they are more than a year old.
• Siamese cats always have deep blue eyes, regardless of their coat coloring.

The extreme look of this breed might lead one to believe that they would be quite stand-offish in temperament, but actually quite the opposite is true. Siamese cats are generally people lovers, and are more likely to show great interest in whatever you're doing, loving to cuddle up and be caressed.

In addition to being rather affectionate, this breed can also be quite vocal, almost giving you the impression that you're being spoken to in "cat". If your Siamese wants something, you can be sure it will find a way to make you understand.

When compared to the needs of such long-haired breeds as Himalayans, Persians, and Maine Coon Cats, the Siamese requires very little in the way of grooming.

Here are a few tips.

• Brushing can actually damage the color and texture of a Siamese cat's coat. A better alternative is to use "finger brushing" to remove loose hair. Simply wet your hands and run them smoothly over your cat's coat. The loose hairs will collect on your fingers, and can be removed with a paper towel before washing.
• Bathing is rarely needed. If you aren't comfortable giving your cat a water bath, try using corn starch instead. Sprinkle it all over your cat, being careful to keep it out of its face, and gently work it in with your fingers. You can gently brush it out with a soft bristle brush, or wipe it away with a chamois.
• The ears of this breed are meant to be show stoppers. If you would like to enhance their width, try trimming away the longer hairs just inside the base line. This will give the illusion of greater width, and also allow for better air circulation.

In general, Siamese cats are a healthy breed, however there are a few things to watch for.

• 'Respiratory infections are more frequent in kittens, so make sure to keep your pet away from drafty areas.
• Cardiomyopathy is another concern, although not rampant in the breed.
• Siamese seem to be more sensitive to anesthesia, making spaying/neutering, and other treatments slightly more complicated.

This breed is known to become very attached to its human companions, so unless you have plenty of time to spend with one, you might consider looking into a different breed.

These cats are also quite energetic, so consider whether you'd prefer a cat who sleeps all afternoon, or one that is always ready for a good game of chase-the-mouse.

Siamese cats are both lively and affectionate, and are often said to behave more like dogs than cats. If you are looking for a cat that's low in maintenance, but high in personality, then this breed just might fit the bill.

• Siamese Cat Breeders Webring, buy or rescue cats and kittens.
• Cat Fanciers Association, offering info on Siamese and other breeds.
• SiameseRescue.org, a network of rescue shelters across the USA.

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