According to the Cat Lovers Association (CFA), there are 44 recognized cat breeds in the world today, one of which is the Siamese cat. Siamese cats stand out from other breeds for their elegant appearance, loud meow, talkativeness, and amazing intelligence. This article is the ultimate guide for Siamese cats.
What does Siam mean?
The name Siam stands for moon diamond in Old Thai. These felines are believed to be descendants of an ancient cat that inhabited a Siamese temple. These cats are among the oldest felines in the world and have lived with humans for countless centuries.
These blue-eyed cats first appeared in Thailand. In fact, they are known to have their name inspired by Thailand's old name, Siam.
The cat left the coast of Thailand (probably by fishing boats) and was taken to the West in the 1800s.
According to records, the first Siamese cats to land in the United States were presented by the consulate in Bangkok in 1873 to President Rutherford Hayes' wife.
In Britain, it is also recorded that they entered the British Empire in 1884 through Sir Edward Owen Gould, the British Consul General in Bangkok. He gave his sister a pair of breeding pairs he got from the Thai royal family.
What is special about Siamese cats?
1. Appearance
Perhaps the most unique quality is her appearance. These cats are easily recognizable with features such as blue eyes, large pointed ears, triangular faces, and slender bodies. They have long necks, long legs and long tails.
This breed tends to have shiny fur, which is short and very close to her skin. The fur on Siamese cats does not have only one color like other cats. While the hair on the face, ears, feet, and tail is darker, the rest of the body is lighter in color. In some kittens, the fur on their faces is not all dark. In these cats, the fur covering the middle of the face, around the nose, and around the eyes is darker than the rest of the face.
Siamese cats are usually white at birth, but 10 days after birth, their color spots begin to develop. By the time they are 5 months old, the dots around their faces, legs, and tail become visible, but not completely dark. As they age, the tip area of their fur darkens.
2. Color
The most popular and recognized colors are:
Sealing Point: Seal Point has a yellowish body and dark brown/black dots.
Blue: Cats of this color tend to have a light gray body and steely gray spots.
Chocolate: Chocolate dot kittens have a light cream color on their bodies with lighter brown spots.
Lilacs: These are cats with white bodies and diluted chocolate spots.
That's not to say there aren't other colors. In fact, according to a recent study, they can come in more than 32 different shades.
3. Height
Unlike cats of other breeds, they usually do not exceed their medium size. Siamese cats can grow up to 12 to 15 inches tall.
4. Weight
A healthy adult male weighs 9 – 14 pounds, while a woman weighs about 6 – 10 pounds.
Are Siamese cats good pets?
Yes, Siam is popular because they are good pets. Cats of this breed are usually friendly, human-oriented, and fun-loving animals. Once they connect with you, they will never let you out of their sight. It is normal to see this breed following her human parents around the house. These are sociable cats, since if they start socializing from a young age, there is no problem living with children, other cats and even dogs.
Whatever you do, don't leave this breed of cat alone for too long. These types of cats are best suited for families where someone is at home. If you live alone, you can always hire a pet sitter or ask a friend to take care of and accompany your feline friend while you're away.
What is the character of a Siamese cat?
Friendly, energetic, and intelligent are all adjectives often used to describe this breed. This cat is naturally energetic and very intelligent. They can be trained to walk on a leash and do other magical tricks like taking things and opening cupboards. It is important that the owner provides her with enough stimulation and a large number of interesting toys, because boring felines can be very troublesome.
"If you're bored, you can talk to someone and ask them to respond to you with an amplified cat sound." It may sound strange to you, but Siamese cats are very talkative people.
Do Siamese cats have health problems?
Siamese cats are more likely to have health problems than other breeds of cats. This is because they have purebred bloodlines (purebred cats). To keep her safe and healthy, her master should get up and perform their duty by taking her for regular medical check-ups.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA):
Of all the felines, Siamese cats are the most susceptible to this disease due to their small gene pool. When this disease strikes, it causes the Siamese cat to go blind.
Cat cancer:
Every cat breed is prone to cancer, but only Siamese cat breeds develop one. When buying a cat of this breed, it is important to make sure that no cat in its history has been a victim of this cancer.
Lymphoma or lyphosarcoma is a type of cancer that afflicts Siamese cats more than other breeds. This disease causes the body to form abnormal lymphocytes, which are white blood cells.
Oral and gum diseases:
This is one of the two most common diseases they face. More reasons why owners should be very concerned about the dental health of felines.
Congenital heart defects:
Siamese cats are prone to chronic heart diseases such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. When this happens, it is difficult to fix the problem. Other health issues to watch out for include: asthma/bronchial disease, cough, and pica.
How long does a Siamese cat live on average?
Some cats have an average lifespan of 11 to 15 years, while others have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years. With proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, Siamese cat owners can help their cats live longer.
The average is about 12 years.
Care, just like all other breeds of cats, this cat should be extra careful. A short, shiny coat should be brushed once a week, and the ears and nostrils should also be examined. They need to be cleaned frequently with a damp cloth.
This breed does not like to be in water, so bathing in water may not be an option.
An important aspect that cannot be overlooked is her dental health. Try to take her to regular dental check-ups to get her used to oral health care at home.
In addition to the above, it is also possible to keep your cat healthy by:
It is very necessary to give it a proper diet and provide it with a nutritionally balanced diet if it wants to stay healthy. When feeding your cat, consider giving it a diet rich in high-quality animal protein and fat. These cats love to eat homemade turkey, chicken, salmon, cod, and hake, so don't deprive them of these hearty foods. Whatever you do, make sure your feline eats taurine-rich foods.
Give it enough water to drink, the Siamese cat is agile and energetic. They can be seen running around the house or climbing things. Since they are involved in all these activities, it is normal that they are very thirsty. Cats should have easy access to fresh water at any time of the day. Water is also needed to maintain kidney health.
Conclusion: They are all smart! These cats can be great companions. Just like any other pet, they need care and love. This breed is famous for having a favorite owner.