Last Updated on August 5, 2023 by Pets Feed
The Siamese cat is probably one of the best-known animals in the whole of the feline kingdom. This breed has been part of the homes of human beings since its origins, although it is not easy to define exactly where it comes from. What is clear about the birth of the Siamese cat breed is that it appeared in the kingdom of Siam, from which it takes its name.

Siamese cat photos
Physical characteristics
The breed is distinguished by a flexible, slender, long but muscular body. It has an average height and its weight varies from 3 to 6 kilograms. A distinctive feature of the Siamese cat is an unusual color, in which the body is light, and the muzzle, tail, paws and ears are dark brown, and sometimes black. Chocolate, bluish-gray, cream, pink-brown shades of wool are allowed.

Distinctive features
- Body. Elongated and elegant proportions. Little. Lean and muscular.
- Head. In the shape of a wedge. The wedge starts at the tip of the nose, then widens in straight lines to the ears.
- Muzzle. Narrow.
- Neck. Thin and long.
- Eyes. Almond shaped. Saturated blue color. Located at a slight angle.
- Ears. Arranged in the extension of the corner of the head. Very large. Wide at the base and tapered at the tips.
- Members. Thin and long. The back ones are longer than the front ones.
- Paws. Oval and graceful shape.
- Tail. Fine at the base and over the entire length, very flexible and long. The tip of the tail is pointed.
- Coat. Short without undercoat. Shiny and silky. Adheres tightly to the body.
- Color. There are about 20 color varieties. A prerequisite is the presence of “points” – darker than the main color of the spots on the muzzle, ears, legs and tail.
Character and behavior
The Siamese is probably as well known for his direct vocal personality as for his classical appearance. The breed is generally open, outgoing and sometimes very noisy.
The Siamese cat is mainly distinguished by its high energy level. It even becomes hyperactive in many cases, so it requires a family able to stimulate you physically and intellectually on a daily basis, because otherwise you will be easily frustrated.
For the rest, it is a very affectionate and happy animal, playful and sociable. Unlike other breeds, it is generally not hostile to strangers, it is curious by nature and tends to get along with everyone. Although it can also be a little scary if you don’t receive proper education as a baby Siamese cat.
It is also remarkable in this very expressive cat, who has the ease of being understood through his meows and his gestures. This requires a lot of attention on a daily basis. So if you spend a lot of time away from home, the Siamese cat may not be right for you. In any case, remember that the Siamese cat has an exceptional temperament, and that some care is enough to obtain an excellent travel companion at all levels.
Siamese cats are very intelligent and need to stay entertained. It is convenient to leave toys and scrape items close at hand to keep him entertained. You can also teach them to pick up toys that you throw.
Health
Siamese are a living breed (they can even be over twenty). However, there are a number of disorders associated with this cat breed.
- Vestibular disease;
- Hepatic amyloidosis;
- Aortic stenosis;
- Progressive retinal atrophy.
Life expectancy
Care
Siamese cats have short, close-cropped, shiny coats, so they don’t require as much grooming as long-haired cats like Maine Coons or Persians.
A weekly brushing and wiping with suede leather is enough to keep their coat looking good with a good shine. They love the very process of caring for them and love when they are cleaned up, if they were used to it even as a kitten.
Siamese cats tend to shed in the spring and fall like other cat breeds, so more frequent brushing may be necessary during this time.
It is very important to regularly check the cat’s ears and clean them if necessary. If a large amount of sulfur accumulates, it can lead to an infection that is difficult to cure.
Your Siamese cat’s claws may need regular trimming every 10 to 14 days. Also get them a scratching post to save upholstery or woodwork.
Pay attention to dental hygiene, too, and start training your cat with regular dental cleanings from an early age at the vet.
Fun facts
- If you are wondering how long a Siamese cat lives, you will be happy to know that it is one of the breeds with the longest life expectancy. These animals can live on average 20 years, more than in most feline breeds. However, for their quality of life to be good and last a long time, you need to provide them with adequate care at all levels.
- The cat has been regularly regarded as an animal linked to the afterlife. In the case of the Siamese cat, this connection reached such a point that when a person died, one of these animals was placed close to the body. According to popular belief, the spirit of the deceased would go to the body of the cat, so that it would be its guardian forever.
- An interesting fact – Siamese kittens are born completely white, with pink noses and pads on their paws. Dark marks begin to appear from about two weeks of age. This color is called acromelanism. That is, the warmest parts of the body are painted in lighter colors, and where the thermal conductivity is less (limbs, tail, muzzle and ears), the color is much darker.
History of the breed
More specifically, it was from the year 1880 that the specimens began to be considered as part of the human families of Siam, a region known today as Thailand.
In a short time, they spread to other countries of the world through merchants, first in the United Kingdom, then in the United States. From these countries, they continued to develop due to their beauty and characteristics, and they also began to be considered as part of cat shows in various parts of the world.
The most famous Siamese cat is the traditional Siamese cat, also known as the Thai Siamese cat. The usual image of this breed corresponds to the traditional Siamese, although it is not the only variety that exists. In 2001, the so-called modern Siamese cat appeared, whose lines are much more oriental and elongated.
The characteristics of this variety are more pronounced and marked, and this is what we currently see in feline exhibitions, even above the traditional one. Despite their differences, the truth is that the two varieties of Siamese cat are pure and have very similar characteristics.
And it is that the Siamese cat breed has a unique origin despite the fact that over time, the two above-mentioned varieties have developed. At the moment it is possible to find specimens of the two varieties of the breed in all corners of the world, although in some places one or the other is more common.
What they both have in common is that they have served as the basis for many other breeds, which means that it is easy to find feline specimens that are not necessarily Siamese despite the fact that their appearance has many similarities with this breed.