Siamese cats: everything you need to know

Known for their striking good looks and winning personalities, Siamese cats are highly intelligent, highly affectionate, and the social butterflies of the feline world - with a loyal fanbase of feline enthusiasts to match.

From their days brushing (furry) shoulders with the likes of royalty in ancient Siam to their popularity in the present day, here we paw into the history of the adorable Siamese cat - and explore their breed characteristics, appearance, personality traits, care needs and more... 

Siamese cat characteristics

Origin: These cuties originated from Thailand, and descended from the sacred temple cats of Siam. 

Size: They are medium-sized cats that typically weigh between 8 - 12 pounds. 

Character: Intelligent, loving, social - and opinionated! They tend to form strong attachments with one particular pet parent, and can be prone to separation anxiety.

Grooming: Overall, these kitties are easy to groom. A weekly brush is all they need (although your Siamese certainly won't say no to an extra grooming sesh!), alongside regular ear cleaning and nail trimming.

Health needs: In general, Siamese are pretty healthy kitties. Health issues to be aware of include amyloidosis, feline asthma, retinal atrophy, and certain types of cancer.

Intelligence: These kitties are highly intelligent, and Siamese are considered to be one of the most intelligent breeds of cats. Einstein, eat your heart out.

Lifespan: On average, Siamese cats live 15 years. 

Siamese cat looks & appearance

The Siamese is almost instantly recognizable - and definitely known for their good looks! They have a lean, muscular body with long legs and tails. Their striking, piercing blue eyes are almond shaped and encased in a long, wedge-shaped head. Occasionally, their eyes may appear a little cross-eyed.

When it comes to all things ‘furry’, Siamese cats typically have a short, low-shedding coat that sits close against the body. Most tend to be light in color, with darker shaded 'points' across the face, ears, legs and tail. There are four main types of Siamese cats, including: 

• Seal point (fawn or cream body with brown points)
• Chocolate point (ivory body with dark brown points)
• Blue point (silver bodies with deep gray/blue points)
• Lilac point (cream bodies with a pink/gray point)

Siamese cat personality

These kitties are the social butterflies of the feline world, and are considered to be one of the friendliest cat breeds. They simply love to be around humans - they've even been described as being 'dog-like' in nature by enthusiasts of the breed. 

Generally, these cats tend to form strong bonds with their pet parents (often, one pet parent in particular) and tend to be open and trusting of humans. That said, their deeply affectionate disposition means they do require a lot of TLC and attention - they thrive on human company and require a pet parent who can give them just as much attention as they’ll give back in return. They can be prone to separation anxiety, so if you do welcome a Siamese into your home, consider an in-home cat sitter if you’re going to be away for long periods of time.

As well as being real “people cats”, Siamese tend to be extremely chatty! They are known to be vocal felines and will happily 'chat' away to you as you potter about your day.

What's the ideal home for a Siamese cat?

Siamese make good family pets, but they do best in quiet homes and are better suited to families without small children (after all, they don't want to be competing for your attention!). When introduced gradually, they tend to get along well with other cats (famously, in fact - another playmate? Yes please!).

What's the ideal human for a Siamese cat?

The strong bonds they form with their humans (and their need for attention) means the Siamese is best suited to a pet parent who can dedicate the time and attention needed to keep these lovable kitties happy. Ideally, this will be someone who is home a lot of the time and can spend lots of time playing, snuggling, and hanging out with their Siamese - as well as someone who is familiar with the breed and all of their (wonderful) quirks!

As highly intelligent and playful felines, Siamese cats will need quite a bit of mental and physical stimulation to thrive - interesting cat trees, food puzzles, and interactive toys will help to keep their noggins healthy and active.

Grooming Siamese cats

Good news - these kitties are easy to groom. Like most felines, Siamese take pride in their appearance and are generally clean and tidy pets. They have short coats that tend not to shed as much as other cat breeds, and a weekly brush is usually more than enough to keep them looking tip-top. That said, Siamese adore being fussed over by their humans, and certainly won't turn down an extra grooming sesh or two! Other than a weekly brush, they will need to have their ears cleaned and nails trimmed regularly. 

Siamese cat history

Siamese cats are considered to be one of the first recognized breeds of Asian cats. They originated in Thailand, descending from the sacred temple cats of Siam (as it was then known), and were much-loved by royalty and the wealthy. Not only were these fancy felines revered for their sheer good looks, they were also used as guard cats and were believed to be spirit guardians whose bodies became the final resting place for the souls of royalty.

In 1884, the British Consul General in Bangkok gifted a pair of Siamese cats, a breeding pair named Pho and Mia, to his sister, Lilian Gould, back in Britain. (Understandably) besotted with the breed, Lilian later went on to co-found the Siamese Cat Club in 1901. They quickly gained popularity throughout the 19th century across Europe and North America, and eventually, these much-loved kitties made their way into North America sometime in the late 1890s and early 1900s. In 1906, they were officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA). 

These days, Siamese regularly rank amongst the most popular breeds of cats in the United States and often pop up in popular culture and on the big screen, such as on the TV series, Charmed and the animated series, Sagwa the Chinese Siamese Cat. And who could forget the famously mischievous Lady and the Tramp Siamese cats? 

Getting a Siamese cat

If you’re considering welcoming home of these blue-eyed beauties, you can be sure you’ll have a dedicated friend for life. That said, you'll need to be sure your lifestyle is the right fit for the breed and that you'll be able to give your new feline friend all the time and attention they require (and demand!).

Whenever considering welcoming home a new furry friend, it’s always a good idea to consider costs. Siamese are popular cats, meaning it's possible to find them in shelters and in rescue centers, so it’s certainly worth registering your interest with your local organizations. If buying from a breeder, be prepared that the cost for a Siamese could set you back anywhere between $400 - $1200 - and be sure to only buy from a reputable breeder only. Other costs to consider include food, toys, pet insurance, and of course, any unexpected veterinary bills.

Siamese cat quick-fire facts

Cram your kitty-loving brain with these fun Siamese cat facts.

1. Kinked tails and crossed eyes were once a common breed characteristic. Legend has it that a pair of Siamese cats were tasked with the important job of guarding a royal goblet. These dedicated kitties protected said goblet with such fervor that their eyes crossed and their tails (which were wrapped around the goblet for extra protection) became permanently kinked.
2. From one legend to another: not only were Siamese loved by Thailand's royalty, but they were also believed to be spirit guardians who were to receive the souls of their royal family members when they died.  
3. They are A+ students. It’s true - they are considered one of the smartest cat breeds, and can even learn tricks, play fetch, and walk on a lead! If you fancy taking your Siamese out for a stroll, check out our top picks of the best cat harnesses here.
4. They can change color. Wait, what? No, really - while a Siamese's markings are determined by the genes they inherit, they can also change based on temperature. The genetic material - known as the “Himalayan Gene” - means their coat can change depending on the temperature of their skin. The colder it is, the darker it will go. Mood rings, who?
5. When the Siamese was first shown at the Crystal Palace cat show in London in 1871, they didn't exactly win hearts... In fact, one reporter described the kitty as an "unnatural, nightmare kind of cat". We know, can you believe it?! We're striking his name straight off our Christmas card list…

Searching for Siamese cat names? 

Recently welcomed home your own little Siamese sidekick? For a moniker that’s just as magical as they are, check out these mystical Siamese cat names or give them one of these royal cat names as a nod to their noble history.