Siamese cats are known for their unique coloring and piercing blue eyes. They are incredibly affectionate and social companions who want nothing more than to spend time with their families, making them loving and loyal pets. If you are considering bringing a Siamese into your family, it is important to understand their unique personalities, potential health concerns, and grooming and activity needs.
Siamese cat history
As their name suggests, Siamese cats are descended from the sacred temple cats in Siam, now called Thailand. Although no one is certain when Siamese cats were first bred and domesticated, it’s commonly believed that they originated in Thailand around the 14th century. In fact, they are considered one of the oldest existing Asian cat breeds, according to the National Siamese Cat Club. Serving as temple cats of the King of Siam, these felines were used as guard cats and highly prized by royal families for their distinctive and beautiful appearances.
The first Siamese cats in Europe were a gift from the King of Siam to the English consulate general in Bangkok in the late 1800s. It was around this time that the breed also made its way over to the United States. In 1906, the Cat Fanciers’ Association officially recognized the breed. Siamese cats remained fairly rare in the U.S. until after World War II but are consistently ranked as one of the most popular cats breeds in the country now.
Famous Siamese cat owners include James Dean, President Rutherford B. Hayes, Marilyn Monroe, President Jimmy Carter, Andy Warhol, Elizabeth Taylor, and John Lennon.
Size and appearance
Siamese cats are known for their sleek lines, striking color contrast, sharp features, deep blue almond eyes, and short silky coats. They have large ears set on their head in a way that gives their head a triangular shape. Siamese cats’ bodies are elegant and elongated, yet muscular, and they can grow up to 24 inches long.
These medium-sized cats can weigh between 8 and 12 pounds, with smaller females occasionally weighing less than 8 pounds. Their distinctive coat is short and fine and has a pale body color with darker coloring around their “points” (i.e., face, ears, legs, and tails). This colorpoint pattern can come in a variety of color combinations, including chocolate, seal, lilac, and blue.
Siamese kittens are born completely white or cream colored and later develop the dark points characteristic of the breed. The face mask pattern, for example, gradually grows to cover most of the cat’s face by the time they reach adulthood. The recessive gene responsible for this pattern causes the production of melanin (dark pigment) only in cooler extremities of the body.
