- Siamese Cat Size: Medium size, 25cm shoulder height, 70cm head-tail length
- Classification: Short-haired cat
- Color: Brown, Cream, Lilac, Seal-Point
- Body care: Easy-care
- Character: Communicative, idiosyncratic, strong personalities
- Origin: Thailand
- Weight: Up to 5kg (Female), up to 6kg (Male)
- Eyes: Deep blue.
- Life expectancy: 18 to 20 years
Siamese Cat origin and history
The Siamese cat comes from Thailand and is named that because the country used to be called “Siam”. The cat has been around for over 500 years , but the real Siamese boom only broke out in the 1950s . However, breeders in the USA in particular were pushing for an increasingly extreme look, which is why the boom declined.
The Siamese cat is easily recognizable by its deep blue eyes . But the point pattern is particularly important: the paws, tail and ears are a different, much darker color than the rest of the body. The mask is also clearly visible on the face. The Siamese cat is also extremely slim and has a tapered “marten face”, which clearly does not appeal to everyone.
Character and nature
The Siamese cat is often called a “dog cat” , and of course not without reason. It has an extremely stubborn nature and its highly sensitive character makes it definitely not suitable for beginners . The cats are extremely affectionate and want to be the boss in the house . This is why their mood can change from one moment to the next: initially still in cuddly mode, the Siamese cat suddenly sulks in the corner.
It is also extremely talkative and often chatters away all day. Siamese cats are not at all shy and can almost seem intrusive to visitors. You also have to be careful that the cat does not become jealous. Neither of other cats nor of people.
Siamese cats often suffer from what is known as Pica Syndrome . This is a behavioral disorder in which the cat particularly likes to eat indigestible substances, such as wool. This can lead to constipation and general problems with the digestive tract.
Siamese Cat Attitude
Even if you only need to plan a small amount of time for grooming the Siamese cat, the situation is completely different when it comes to keeping it busy. The Siamese cat has a strong hunting instinct that it wants to live out, and leisurely ball games are obviously not enough. These pedigree cats need sturdy scratching posts and climbing opportunities, and not too few of them. Siamese cats can also be accustomed to walking on a leash , and this works best with clicker training. Siamese cats are intelligent and can even learn to retrieve – it is not for nothing that they are called “dog cats”.
When keeping them, you should also remember that the Siamese cat should never be kept alone and needs a companion.
Care and health
A Siamese cat is uncomplicated and occasional brushing is sufficient. However, you should bear in mind, especially if the Siamese cat is allowed to run around freely, that it has little to no undercoat and can therefore get cold. This should be taken into account in any case.
Due to the boom in the 1950s, Siamese cats had to contend with many health problems. Many Siamese had kinked tails and a poor immune system. Even though Siamese cats are now very robust and can live to a very old age, they still suffer from some hereditary diseases. These include, for example, diseases of the eye system such as squinting and eye tremors, but also progressive retinal atrophy. So-called endocardial fibroelastosis, a thickening of the inner heart wall, is also an inherited disease among Siamese cats. This can even lead to heart failure. Persistent ductus arteriosus, a failure to close the fetal short-circuit connection between the aorta and the pulmonary vascular trunk, also causes problems for Siamese cats.
Siamese cats can also suffer from the hereditary metabolic disease porphyria. This can lead to anemia, photosensitivity and other forms of disease. Metabolic disorders, hereditary storage diseases and breed-specific cancers such as mammary tumors and adenocarcinomas can also occur in Siamese cats.
