Quick Facts
- Weight: 9 – 14 pounds | male
6 – 10 pounds | female - Height: about 23 inches | male
about 21 inches | female
The Look of a Siamese
Highly recognizable, the Siamese sports deep blue, almond-shaped eyes, a chiseled, wedge-shaped head, sleek, tubular body and large pointed ears. The body is muscular but delicate.
Its short hair coat contains a mutated enzyme in its pigment that produces its cream-colored torso offset by darker points at the ears, face, and toes. The CFA recognizes four “points” or colors of Siamese: seal (black), chocolate (brown), blue (grey dilution of seal) and lilac (dilution of the chocolate). TICA allows more colors, including lynx and tortoiseshell.
Females weigh between 5 and 6 pounds and males average between 6 and 7 pounds.
Regarded as a healthy breed, the Siamese can be genetically predisposed to problems with gingivitis and a liver-destroying disease called amyloidosis.
Traits
- Very talkative
- Deep blue eyes
- Lean, angular body
- Intelligent and energetic
- People-oriented
Ideal Human Companion
- Busy, active families
- Singles with other pets
- Experienced cat owners
What They Are Like to Live With
You might wish this breed came with a mute button. Siamese are vocal and demanding, capable of conveying its wants in a range from mews to loud raspy calls. Siamese are also curious, affectionate and athletic. Their vocalization sounds like human baby cries. They love to be around their favorite people and tend to share your pillow at bedtime.
Highly intelligent, this breed can be trained to perform commands and tricks and has proven to be a viable competitor in feline agility.
Things You Should Know
Their coats darken with age.
Siamese cats are very vocal.
Responsible breeding practices have bred out the cross-eyed and kinked tail tendencies.
Siamese History
One of the oldest and most recognizable cat breeds in the world, the Siamese traces its royal roots back to the 14th Century in Thailand when it was known as Siam. This elegant breed belonged to members of the Siam royal family who would bestow them to visiting dignitaries.
This breed began showing up in Europe and the United States by the late 1800s. The first known Siamese to reach American shores was a gift to First Lady Lucy Webb Hayes from the American consul in Bangkok in 1884. Siamese also enjoyed time in the White House during the Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter presidencies.
Today, the Siamese ranks fifth in popularity among all breeds recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association, the world’s largest breed registry.
5 thoughts on “Siamese”
I am really confused, just read the article about the Thai cat breed, I am looking at the picture of Siamese cat from the Siamese article, they look the same? I think Catster better up date the article and picture. Especially if the Thai has been around since 2007 and confirmed since 2009.
The Thai cat was originally called “the apple head Siamese “ and is what most people think of when the think Siamese . The two varieties were split, like you said, only a few years ago. I grew up with the applehead, I don’t think my family knew there was a wedged head type, but I now have the wedged head and prefer the look.
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We have a female Siamese and a male, what we have been told is a Links Point Siamese. I am not sure of the proper spelling of the Links point. These tow cats have very different personalities besides being female and male. They both have many of the same characteristics of the Siamese still quite different. The male is a beautiful cat with the blue eyes but a Tabby like coat. I have not found much information about the Links Point Siamese. Would appreciate any information you can forward.
I am new to your web site and just subscribed to Catster Magazine. I am exploring your web site and learning more about cats.
Hey Ron so far this is the best site to sign up for if you want to know ANYTHING about cats!