The Siamese: an original for all cat lovers!

The Siamese cat is undoubtedly the best known of house cats; its elegance and unique character make it a companion with many qualities. Provided that we know how to respect his strong personality and his sometimes whimsical desires, the Siamese never disappoints his master, to whom he is very close, and devotes endless affection to his family. Known for being very communicative with humans, he is sometimes a little too talkative: this is his only fault! Discover everything you need to know about this sophisticated prince of cats, who will not fail to surprise you with his intelligence, his beauty, and his lively temperament!

• Size:                     medium (30 cm)
• Weight:                2 to 6 kg
• Hair:                    short, fine texture
• Colour:                colorpoint and variants
• Life expectancy: 11 to 15 years
• Gestation period: 65 days

Description and characteristics of the Siamese cat

The Siamese has a very specific physique and coat that allows it to be recognized at first glance; her sapphire blue eyes give her a deep and unique gaze. It is a cat with the physiognomy of the oriental type, that is to say, all in length and with a fine bone structure. Its head is triangular, with a long muzzle, and also has triangular ears, wide at the base. The eyes, almond-shaped, are tapered in shape and inclined towards the nose.

The coat, characteristic, admits all variants of colorpoint; the extremities – ears, nose, legs – are darker in color than the rest of the body. The base color can range from cream to grey, sometimes tending towards brown with chocolate ends (chocolate point). The legs are small and oval in shape, the tail thin, long, and pointed. The hair is very fine, flattened to the body.

Origins and history of the Siamese breed

Cats with all the characteristics of the Siamese – light coat, black mask, blue eyes – have been known for centuries in Thailand (formerly the Kingdom of Siam). Very old manuscripts mention these cats, but they were not introduced to the West until the end of the nineteenth century. The first appearance of the breed dates from a cat show held at the Crystal Palace in London; they were quickly exported and popular in the United States. The Siamese contributed to the creation of many other breeds that appeared previously: Balinese, Himalayan, Havana... Its ancestor the Wichienmaat (known as the Thai cat) is widespread in Thailand, where many myths recount the birth of the breed. In Great Britain, the breed was officially recognized in 1936 under the action of the Siamese Cat Club.

Character and behavior of the Siamese cat

The Siamese is very demanding of its master, it is a possessive cat that needs to receive a lot of attention. He likes his owner to show him his presence and his attachment. For this reason, it is often described as a "cat-dog". Endearing and playful, he is a good companion for single people or families with children, provided that they know how to play without heckling him.

The Siamese can be shy with strangers: it is important to provide him with small hiding places in the house where he will have the possibility of isolating himself during visits. It adapts well to apartment life, loving comfort, but a garden is still recommended because it is full of energy. Otherwise, it will be necessary to devote moments of play to him, offer him a cat tree, and brush him regularly to strengthen the links with him.

How to take care of your Siamese cat

The maintenance of the Siamese does not pose any particular problem: only regular brushing is necessary, at least once a month, at best, every one to two weeks. If he does not come out, it is important to trim his claws from time to time with a suitable tool (cat nail clippers that can be obtained in pet stores and grooming salons). The Siamese can sometimes suffer from urinary disorders, or will therefore make sure to provide him with fresh, clean water at all times. It is also essential to clean his litter box daily so that he does not hesitate to use it. Some individuals may suffer from lung disease (asthma) and liver or heart disease for genetic reasons. To limit the formation of tartar,

Siamese food

The Siamese, like all cats, needs a regular food rhythm and a diet adapted to its nutritional needs; if he is sterilized and spends little, it will be necessary to limit the quantities so that he does not become overweight. We will avoid giving him only mash: it is better to supplement with suitable kibble if possible recommended by the veterinarian – avoid supermarket products because purebred cats have fragile stomachs.

Beware of milk and cream-based products, which they love, but which are difficult for him to digest. As for treats, we will prefer products designed for this purpose that have the advantage of making him chew and therefore strengthen his teeth; we can also give him small bits of cartilage, chicken, or other poultry, but avoid at all costs anything that contains bones and limit human food.