The lovely Siamese has a long history. Once, they were worshipped; now, they are adored. It’s been consistently a top ten breed for decades, and Siamese fans are as vocal and devoted as their favorite cat. They are very Alpha.

Best of Breed GC, BW, RW ACATAMIAWARD DRAMA QUEEN, Chocolate Point Siamese Female – Photo: © Chanan

Siamese tend to be greatly involved with their people and are happiest with a lot of attention and companionship. There’s no ignoring a Siamese; they are among the most vocal of cats, glad to supply a running commentary on their mood, state of mind, and whatever it is we are doing.

This high engagement level results in the Siamese having the reputation of one person cats, but this often comes about in the household when they find a person who supplies them with the proper adoration.

They will take more.

While they are both playful and intelligent, Siamese tend to not have a strong prey drive. Centuries as companions have emphasized their social qualities. Their “pointed” coats are not as good at camouflage as tabby striping, while their blue eyes lack a tapetum lucidum, which means they are not as good at seeing in dim light. Obviously, Siamese talents lie in other areas, such as getting us to play with them, stopping whatever we are doing for a cuddle, and making sure they are consulted in important matters.

This also means Siamese are prone to loneliness, and should never be left solitary for long. If people will be gone for much of the day, getting two Siamese will ensure these cats have the companionship they must have. As always, cats will get along best when they share interests and outlooks.

The Oriental trait of early sexual maturation is especially common in Siamese. Early altering is a must. Annoying breeding behaviors, such as howling and marking, can get set and be especially difficult to eradicate in this kind of breed. Don’t gamble.

By mid twentieth century the show world began to emphasize and exaggerate the long, delicate lines of the original Siamese, until the show cats we see today are an extreme Oriental type. This also exaggerated the behavioral traits, making today’s typical Siamese even more vocal and insistent on attention. Devotees who liked the older style have continued to breed the traditional Siamese, often now called “Thai Cat” or even “Appleheads” for the broader head and slightly more compact bodies. These are also purebred Siamese, just not as popular in the show ring.

Siamese seekers have even more choices; the modern Balinese, Burmese, Colourpoint and Oriental Shorthairs & Longhairs, Himalayan, Javanese, Ocicat, Snowshoe, and Tonkinese breeds all started with Siamese bloodlines.

To find Siamese traits in a shelter cat we can look for the distinctive pattern; I’ve seen lovely cats with tabby or ticked “points.” The pale coat color is de-activated by cooler temperatures, so noses, ears, and paws is where another color will show up. Siamese popularity has spread their genes far and wide; any long, slender, vocal, and affectionate cat is possibly expressing some kind of Siamese orientation. Pale kittens who darken as they get older is another way Siamese genes can make themselves known.

Siamese were worshipped by the ancient Egyptians, who appreciated how cats guarded their harvests, and their culture from famine. And the Siamese remembers.

Want a Siamese? Find an ethical breeder who cares about their cats, or check out the cats needing homes at Siamese Rescue. Use Petfinder.com to see if there’s one nearby, just waiting for a home.

Love certain breeds?
There’s more about getting the cat you dream of at The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See MORE ABOUT CAT BREEDS.