Facts & advice

Siamese

Classic markings and a friendly personality make Siamese cats an iconic breed

Siamese cats are an affectionate, loving breed of cat. They’re known for their vocal manner, often ‘chatting’ with their owners and meowing for food, play and affection. Despite their seemingly aloof attitude, Siamese cats can be quite sociable, so it’s common to adopt or buy them in pairs.

Their slim stature, distinctive colouring and their beautiful blue eyes make them an instantly recognisable cat.

Vital stats

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Size:	Small to medium
Coat:	Short-haired
Life span:	15 – 20 years
Temperament:	Chatty, intelligent, affectionate, social

Siamese personality & temperament

As well as being one of the most intelligent cat breeds, Siamese cats love affection and they’re particularly chatty with quite a distinctive sound to their voice.

Welcoming a new Siamese cat into your home is a wonderful experience. Despite their perceived ‘regal’ appearance, their playfulness means they love to ‘chat’ with their owners. They’ll meow, purr, chirrup and make any noises they can to get your attention.
Due to their intelligence, energy and loyal temperaments, Siamese cats are often likened to dogs. However, despite their affectionate nature, Siamese cats, like other felines, need plenty of space and are much more independent than their canine counterparts.
Siamese cats require a lot of interactive cat toys, cat games and human interaction to keep them happy. They’re so smart that they can get a little depressed and may exhibit unwanted behaviours, such as destructiveness, if they’re alone with nothing to play with. Ensure that you utilise puzzle feeders and rotate toys regularly, so they do not get bored.
Many people may buy Siamese cats for their markings and colouring, but they fall in love with their personality. Siamese bond strongly with their owners, thrive on lots of physical affection and they love to interact with their family members if they are socialised early on, and their space is respected.

Siamese food & diet

a siamese cat eating out of a silver pet food bowl

The best food for a Siamese cat is protein rich, and meat heavy. As with all cats, they are obligate carnivores. However, there are a few additional considerations when choosing the right diet for your pet.

Siamese cats are naturally very energetic and muscular. They often have big appetites and can ask for food multiple times a day. Choosing a complete, balanced diet which is based on the appropriate life stage of your Siamese cat is important.
Their natural chattiness can be perceived as them asking for more food. Resist the temptation to overfeed your Siamese cat. Keep their food bowl away from their water bowl to encourage them to drink and always feed the recommended amount on the food packaging.
A Siamese cat’s naturally slender and elongated frame and their sleek coats mean they can be wrongly seen as ‘skinny’ and needing to be fed more. If you are worried about your cat's weight, or have noticed a change in their frame, it's important to seek advice from your vet.

Siamese grooming & coat care

a siamese cat sitting looking over its shoulder

Siamese cats are mostly able to maintain their coat, but they do need a little attention from you to keep their coats in top condition.

This breed’s short fur means they don’t need daily grooming. You should still comb their coat, brush their teeth and check their ears weekly. Use this opportunity to generally check your Siamese cat’s health and bond with them.
Traditionally, the coat colours of a Siamese cat are biscuit colours with dark brown paws, head and tail. This is called a ‘seal point’ pattern. Other coat colour combinations for a Siamese cats include:

Chocolate point, which is a pale cream torso with dark brown points
Blue point, which is the lightest grey torso with grey-blue points
Lilac point, sometimes called a Lavender point, which is a fawn torso with pale pinkish-grey point

Most Siamese cats are born with totally white fur and their pointed markings develop as they mature. However, their iconic eyes stay bright blue throughout their lives. Due to their genetics, Siamese cats’ eyes can sometimes be crossed but this does not affect their field of vision.
Due to their smooth, short-haired coat shedding so little, this breed is seen as a good option for allergy sufferers. However, no cat is 100% hypoallergenic as they do still shed dander, so it's wise to spend some time with a new cat before bringing them home to confirm no one is allergic.

Siamese training & behaviour

a siamese cat sitting amongst wildflowers

Siamese cats can be easily trained because they’re so intelligent and energetic. There are a few tips to keep in mind before starting training.

Clever Siamese cats love to interact with their humans. Training them using positive reinforcement techniques is a great way to develop your bond and to burn off a little of their energy reserves. They can be trained to perform tricks and play fetch.
Your Siamese will respond best to gentle praise, positive reinforcement, consistency and patience, especially when it comes to training your cat to use a litter tray.
This breed bonds strongly to their human owners and love interacting with them, but it’s good for your cat to have their own space when they need it, whether it’s on top of a cat tree or a special spot on the sofa.
If you spend a lot of time away from home, Siamese cats may not be for you. To avoid anxiety and frustration it’s a good idea to spend time playing games with your pet to keep them mentally stimulated, and perhaps consider getting a second Siamese cat (ideally from the same litter) as they may benefit from the company.

Common Siamese health conditions

As a cat owner you will want what’s best for your pet’s health so they can live a long, happy life. Like all breeds, Siameses are prone to certain health conditions. To help you be more aware and prepared for these potential ailments if they should arise, we have put together information on the health issues that we see the most in Siameses.

1. Mouth and gum disease

Like most breeds, Siamese may suffer from gum and dental disease during their lifetime. Gum disease occurs when some (or all) of a tooth’s deep supporting structures become inflamed. This begins when food, bacteria and minerals accumulate along the gum line, leading to the build-up of a brown scale known as tartar. When this undermines the gum the condition is called gingivitis. Eventually, small spaces can form between the gums and the teeth creating pockets of space for bacteria to grow, resulting in what is known as periodontal disease. The bacteria from infected gums can spread around the body and damage the liver and kidneys. This condition can be prevented with basic routine care such as feeding cats dry food and brushing their teeth, helping them to lead a normal, pain-free life.

2. Heart disease

Heart disease in cats refers to when the heart’s structures aren’t working as they should be. There are two categories of heart disease: congenital (meaning the cat is born with it) and acquired (meaning the disease develops later in life). Congenital heart diseases include defects in the wall of the heart, abnormal valves and blood vessels. Siamese are prone to a disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure. Whilst this condition is not curable, it can be treated with lifelong medication.

3. Liver disease and pancreatitis

Liver disease can affect all cat breeds and Siamese are particularly prone to it. It can arise because of various infections that directly affect the liver, or can occur if a cat is also suffering from an inflammation of the gall bladder or kidney tissue, or inflammatory bowel disease. In Siamese cats it frequently coincides with pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas caused by trauma, parasites, infection, or drug reactions. Treatment for liver disease and pancreatitis involves various medicines depending on the cause, and is likely to include antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, vitamins, fluids and pain relief.

4. Gastrointestinal disorders

The Siamese, like all cats, can suffer from problems affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract is a long, winding tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus, with various twists and turns along the way. Conditions such as gastroenteritis caused by infections (like feline enteritis), poisoning or an obstruction within the bowel (due to the cat eating string for example) commonly cause vomiting and/or diarrhoea. Treatment depends on the exact cause, but prompt intervention usually results in a full recovery.

5. Kidney disease

Cats’ kidneys are responsible for filtering the waste products from their blood into their urine. Siamese may be affected by kidney disease caused by infections, blockages, tumours or toxins (especially licking anti-freeze) as well as age related changes. Chronic kidney disease occurs when the kidney function deteriorates gradually over a period of time. Treatment depends on the cause and the extent of damage, but usually begins by flushing the kidneys using intravenous fluids, followed by special diets and medications. Unfortunately kidney disease is irreversible, but with the right support many cats can enjoy a reasonably normal life.

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What to know before you buy or rehome a Siamese cat

a siamese kitten lying in a blanket in a wicker pet bed

Siamese cats are loving, intelligent and sociable, and they make wonderful family pets and loyal companions.

In our experience, Siamese cats are slightly more prone to certain health conditions than other cat breeds, including conditions of the heart, kidney and liver. There are also a number of common illnesses which can affect all cats. If you’re concerned about anything at all, speak to your vet immediately.
If you’ve never owned a cat before it’s important to do lots of research before committing to bringing your Siamese cat home. The more preparation you do, the better you can meet your pet’s needs.
Siamese cats have a long life-expectancy. Some have been known to live up to 25 years old, so it’s a good idea to take out reliable cat insurance for your Siamese cat while they’re young to help you get your pet the best care should they need it.

Siamese cats make good family pets, and they tolerate dogs and children well if they’re introduced carefully at a young age.
Consider buying or adopting two Siamese cats at the same time, ideally from the same litter.
Siamese cats’ beauty and their financial cost mean they are a target for thieves. However, they don’t really like being inside and need a lot of exercise so some owners may prefer to offer supervised outdoor access or an enclosed cat-safe garden.
They love to explore their strong instinct for hunting and climbing, and they are prone to be depressed and lethargic without stimulation.

Siamese frequently asked questions

Where does the Siamese cat breed come from?

Siamese cats originally came from Thailand – formerly called Siam, hence their name. It’s believed they were kept by royalty, and when they were imported to Victorian England they were exhibited as "Royal Cats of Siam".

Is the Siamese an old breed of cat?

The exact origins of the Siamese cat are unknown, but they were introduced to Europe in the nineteenth century.

Can Siamese cats be trained?

Siamese cats can be trained because of their huge intelligence, but as with all animals, patience is needed!

Do Siamese cats have a friendly temperament?

As with lots of other cats, it can take a Siamese cat time to warm up to strangers. As they warm up to you, they’re goofy, friendly, energetic and loving.

Do Siamese cats have another name?

Siamese cats are sometimes known as Thai cats or Wichien Maat.

Help and support page

Siamese insurance considerations

Siamese cats sometimes suffer with certain health conditions and may require treatment. Petplan cat insurance offers peace of mind that they will always be protected.

We always offer these things as standard:

Physiotherapy

Dental illness & injury

Cancer treatments

Diagnostic tests

Hereditary conditions

Physical & online consultations

Prescription medicine

Behavioural conditions

Surgery & specialised care

Congenital conditions

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