Siamese cat: features of the breed and how to properly care

 One of the ancient breeds appeared in Thailand. These cats could only belong to royalty. In the article we talk about the origin and character of the noble Siamese.

Siamese cat: breed history and photos

The Siamese breed originates from Thailand (formerly called "Siam"). In their homeland they are called "vichien-maat", translated as "moon diamond". Thais believe that when a family member dies, his soul enters the body of this breed. Animals were highly respected among the royal families and are still very popular today.

It is difficult to say exactly when Siamese breeding began. The Thai manuscript "Tamra Maew" ("Book of Cat Poems") depicts the Siamese as we know them today. This book was written sometime between the 14th and 18th centuries.

It is believed that they first appeared in the kingdom of Ayutthaya (1351-1767 AD). However, during the Burmese-Siamese War, the capital city of Ayutthaya was sacked by the Burmese army tasked with recovering the treasures of the Siamese nation.

Fun Fact: When Hsinbyushin, King of Burma, found and read Tamra Mau, he took to heart passages that described Siamese cats as "more valuable than gold" and stated that "those who have such an animal will be rich. As a result, he ordered his men to return the suphalaka cats with other treasures of Siam.

Until the 1800s, these animals were seen exclusively in Asia. The Siamese breed was first introduced to America in the 1870s when the American consul in Bangkok gave it to Lucy Hayes, wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes. Mrs. Hayes's cat, Siam, was an immediate success in America. Other celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Michael London, Elizabeth Taylor and John Lennon loved these beautiful cats.

Their appearance in Europe did not have such a resounding success. The first breeding pair Fo and Mia were brought to England by British Consul General Edward Blancow Gould. He gave these cats to his sister Lillian (later founded the Siamese Cat Club in 1901), who bred them, the couple successfully gave birth to three kittens.

While kittens named Duen Ngai, Haloch and Chromata brought to England attracted a lot of attention at shows. In addition, all three kittens died after the show in which they debuted. The cause of death was not documented.

The second breeding pair was imported to the UK by Eva Forestier Walker. But the breed was not successful, they were called "unnatural nightmarish" because they were longer with a wedge-shaped muzzle. In the UK, notable breeds were the British Shorthair and Persian , which had a shorter, denser body and flatter muzzles.

But, despite a difficult start, they have become fashionable all over the world, consistently being in the top 10 cat breeds in the West.

What does a Siamese cat look like?

The Siamese has a light body with dark limbs (ears, tail, paws and muzzle). However, all Siamese cats are born with a completely white coat, with spots appearing after a few weeks. The color is different: lilac, blue and chocolate. More recent variations include tabby, red-cream, and smoke-colored animals. They also have piercing blue eyes of a unique almond shape that are not often found in other breeds. The triangular shape of the head can also be recognized as traditional Siamese. More modern breed variations and crossbreeds tend to have a rounder head shape than the traditional breed standard.

Siamese cat: character description

Some owners describe the pets as "dog-like" in nature, as Siamese are more friendly and affectionate than most cats. Many representatives of this breed like to play fetch, walk on a leash, get along well with dogs and other cats. Siamese enjoy any company and become strongly attached to other people. They follow their owners wherever they go. 

Siamese can also be described as outgoing, extroverted or energetic. They love to interact and play with people or animals. But be prepared - Siamese are very smart, they need to be constantly entertained. They do not like to be ignored, so it is worth taking the time to actively play with your pet. Not only do these cats crave human companionship, but they can become depressed if left alone for too long.

We should mention that Siamese are also known to be demanding animals who often speak their minds loudly using a wide range of meows and chirps. As the Association of Cat Fanciers notes, the Siamese voice is legendary - these animals speak with both voice and body.

In general, these cats are very loving, talkative, funny and social and make excellent pets.

The Siamese cat craves company and affection, so a person interested in this breed only because of its beauty should think twice before getting a pet. If you're the type of person who travels frequently and is away from home all day, you should get at least two pets so that these active creatures can entertain each other. It is important to note again that Siamese are high-energy cats that bond strongly with each other. They enjoy interacting with people and other animals. Of course, each animal has its own personality.

In general, Siamese cats:

• They get along well with children and other animals.

• Wool does not require special care.

• They need daily play sessions that stimulate their natural desire to bond and explore.

Shedding and allergies

They hardly shed, they do it only twice a year, but the Siamese likes to be combed. Siamese are a good choice for those who are usually allergic to wool. While no breed is truly hypoallergenic , Siamese shed less, producing less of the allergen that causes problems. 

Nutrition

They have a good appetite. They enjoy an active lifestyle and are best suited for high quality food recommended by a veterinarian or breeder. As with all other cats, overweight can occur, so overfeeding should be avoided.

Castration

Most Siamese reach puberty at an early age, so it is recommended that they be neutered after 6 months. The average litter size is around six kittens, but larger litters are not uncommon.

Lifespan

They live on average for about 13 years, but can live up to 20. They are believed to have a higher mortality rate because, like other purebred breeds, there are genetic predispositions. For example, they are at higher risk for gastrointestinal problems, lung infections, feline OCD, vestibular disease, and feline hyperesthesia syndrome. It is advisable to visit the veterinarian regularly after reaching the age of 8 years.

Name for a Siamese cat

7 steps to learn to respond to the name:

1. In a calm, quiet place where no one will disturb you, get up with your cat, put a small cup of food nearby. 
2. Say the name if she looks at you, say yes in a positive, happy voice, quickly give her some food.
3. If you look away, repeat the second step again to further strengthen the positive association with the name.
4. If the first workout was successful, repeat over the next few days. Try not to use the cat's name outside of class as it can confuse them.
5. As soon as the animal gets used to it, repeat the exercises, but stand further away. This will help you learn how to respond to your name in other contexts. 
6. When he reacts in each workout, you can start to change the reward. Try offering a toy instead.
7. Reduce the reward to every second time, and then every third time the pet has successfully responded to its name. 

Names of mythical origin are suitable for a noble breed, for example: 

• Apollo
• Athena
• Hermes
• Mercury
• Cleopatra
• Aries
• Aphrodite
• Jellyfish
• Saffron
• Olympia
• Loki
• Hera
• Pandora
• Adonis
• Zeus