The Siamese is a long, elegant cat. The body is long, the neck is long, the legs and tail are long.
The breed is medium-sized, but well-muscled.
The Siamese is a cat of extremes. The head is a long triangle. High ears are placed on the head to be a continuation of this triangle. The nose is long and straight. The legs are long and slender. The tail is long and tapers to the tip. The eyes are almond shaped and bright blue.
The Siamese coat is short, shiny and close to the body. The beauty of the Siamese cat is to look at the slender body, blue eyes and the contrast between the color on the body and the darker color of the limbs. This contrast is called color restriction or, more commonly, showing. The color of the fur on the ears, tail and paws is different from the color of the body, and this darker color gradually turns into a lighter body color. The face also displays a mask of the same deeper spot color. The mask covers the face, surrounds the eyes and covers the beard pads. The mask is smaller in the kitten and gradually increases in size as it grows.
Living With
With her long, muscular body, the Siamese will put on weight quickly. The Siamese shows off her belly after indulging in a day of overeating. Nutrition must be carefully controlled. Long, slender legs are not made to support a fat body.
Siamese are great jumpers and love heights, so perches and cat trees should be provided. Siamese love to play and appreciate toys around the house for their enjoyment. While the coat needs little grooming, Siamese tend to associate brushing with affection and enjoy spending time combing.
The Siamese, as elegant as it looks, can be quite the lap cat. She is extremely cuddly and will sleep next to her parent.
Personality
The Siamese cat is not only beautiful, but also highly intelligent. You can learn to walk on a leash. However, this intelligence does not mean that it can be trained to do anything you wish. Like most other highly intelligent breeds, the Siamese has its own desires.
The Siamese is a loving cat and requires her parent to be as devoted to her as she is to her parent. Her parent must be affectionate with the Siamese and make time to play with her.
What Do Siamese Cats Eat?
Siamese cats eat typical cat food just like other breeds. As obligate carnivores, they prefer meat and some of their favorites are cooked turkey and ham. Some of them may also prefer human foods, but care should always be taken as some human foods are unsuitable or even toxic to cats. Like most cats, Siamese cats should be encouraged to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
History
Beautiful Siamese is the legendary temple cat of the King of Siam. The king valued cats not only for their exquisite beauty, but also used them as guard cats. The Siamese would sit on tall pillars around the royal throne. If someone threatened the king, the cats would jump from the pillars onto the individual. Between the size of the Siamese, their strength and ability to jump down from a height, they would knock a person to the floor. If necessary, they would scratch the face of a person who they thought might harm the King of Siam.
No one knows if this legend is true, but the cat seen by German naturalist and explorer Peter Simon Pallas may have been a Siamese cat. This cat was recorded in Pallas’s reports of explorations of the Caspian Sea in 1700. Pallas described it as having “ears, paws, and tail…quite black. It is of medium size, with somewhat smaller legs than the common cat, and a head longer than the nose. “
The first Siamese cats in Europe were a gift from the King of Siam to the English Consulate General in Bangkok in the late 19th century. The first Siamese cats in the western cat were named Pho and Mia. It was a breeding pair brought to England in 1884 by Owen Gould. Kittens from Pho and Mia were exhibited by Mr. Gould’s sister at the London Exhibition held at the Crystal Palace in 1885. The first Siamese cat in the United States was also a gift from the King of Siam to a friend. In the late 1890s and early 1800s, Siamese cats were imported to North America from Britain, France, Japan, and Siam. Siamese remained somewhat rare until after World War II, when they quickly became number one in registrations.
Common Health Issues of Siamese cats
- According to the Harligen Veterinary Clinic, Siamese cats are prone to many health problems. Like any cat breed, Siamese cats can become obese, which can lead to health problems such as arthritis. Your Siamese can also develop dental disease, which involves infection of the gums and roots of your cat’s teeth. Brushing your cat’s teeth can help prevent this.
- Siamese cats are also prone to several hereditary diseases. Amyloidosis occurs as a result of a build-up of protein, often in abdominal organs such as the kidneys and liver. This buildup can cause organ failure. Unfortunately, there is no cure, but dietary changes and medication can help manage the condition.
- The Siamese is also prone to several cancers, including lymphoma, mast cell and thymoma. Depending on the cancer and when it is detected, your vet may be able to remove the tumor and treat the disease. However, it is important to catch cancer early, so make sure your cat sees the vet at least once a year, if not twice a year.
- The Siamese breed is prone to developing feline hyperesthesia syndrome, which is a condition that causes your cat’s skin and nerves to be extra sensitive. Your cat might be uncomfortable when you touch him, and he might try to chew at the area that you’ve touched to get the pain to stop. Medication can help reduce some of the unwanted sensations.