Siamese Cats are an ancient breed and are known to be highly vocal cats. Watch the video to discover interesting facts about Siamese cats and see more details about the breed below.
12 Interesting Siamese Cats Facts Video
Siamese Cat Origins
This ancient breed was referred to as “Royal Cat of Siam” and was believed to have been kept by Siamese royalty. This mystical cat originally comes from Thailand (formerly known as Siam until 1939). The Siamese was first exported from Siam to the United States in 1878 and to the United Kingdom in 1884. As for the U.S., the first Siamese cat in America was reportedly given to Mrs. Rutherford B. Hayes (the First Lady to the nineteenth president of the United States) in 1878 by the U.S. Consul, David Stickles. In 1902 the first cat fanciers club devoted to the Siamese cat was established in the United Kingdom. By 1906 the Cat Fanciers’ Association had officially recognized the breed. In 1884, the British Consul-General Edward Blencowe Gould bought a breeding pair of cats from Bangkok as a gift for his sister, Lilian Jane Gould. The pair of cats, Pho and Mia, produced three Siamese kittens — Duen Ngai, Kalohom, and Khromata — who were shown with their parents that same year at London’s Crystal Palace Show. Over the next years, fanciers imported more cats from Thailand, which gradually formed the base breeding pool for the entire Siamese breed in the UK.
The first data about Siamese cats, including their description and depiction, appears in a collection of ancient manuscripts “Tamra Maew” (“The Cat-Book Poems”). It is estimated that the scripts were written from the 14th to the 18th century. These handwritings were preserved in National Library of Thailand, British Library and National Library of Australia. The poem in Tamra Maew describes Thai cats as being as rare as gold and bringing wealth to their owners.
Siamese Cats Personality and Temperament
The International Cat Association describes the modern breed as social, intelligent and playful. The Siamese are very affectionate and smart cats, with an outgoing nature. This breed typically enjoys the companionship of humans and other cats. They will often strongly bond with their favorite human. Siamese are very vocal and will demand your attention with their loud and low-pitched voice. Their vocal characteristics is the source of their common nickname – Meezer.
Due to their strong desire for company, it is not rare for these cats to become lonely and depressed if left alone for long periods of time. Many owners keep Siamese cats in pairs so that the cats can keep each other company.
Siamese Cat Types: Original or Traditional
The shape of the Old Style Siamese head is the most important feature of the cat. Old Style Siamese breeders refer to these cats as Applehead Style where the shape of the head is that of an apple. A round head is preferred but oval is acceptable, with no evidence of a wedge shaped head. The muzzle enhances the roundness of the head. The length and width of the muzzle is wider than long, neither pointy of blunt. In profile, the nose has a gentle dip, located at eye level. The ears are medium in size, broad at the base with rounded tips. They are set as much on the top of the head as on the side and are tilted forward. The top eyelid is slightly slanted. The bottom eyelid is slightly rounded. Eye placement should be an eye width apart.
Siamese Cat Types: Modern
The modern Siamese actually bears very little resemblance to the original Siamese. The modern Siamese cats is extremely elongated and lean body, slim legs, long, thin tail and triangular-shaped head topped with wide-set large ears. The eyes are almond-shaped and come in the most magical, deep baby blue color. The fur is short, glossy and fine.
Siamese Cats Lifespan
Healthy Siamese cats can live anywhere from 10 to 25 years as long as they are kept indoors, fed a nutritious diet, and get routine dental and medical care.
Siamese Cats Size
Siamese Cats are a small to medium sized breed of cat with well-defined slender aristocratic features. Identified by their beautiful contrasting coats and deep blue almond shaped eyes. The typical Siamese Cat has an overall height of 8”-10″ (20-25 cm) and body length of 11.5”-14” (29-36 cm). An average Siamese Cat weighs between 8-10 pounds (3.6 – 4.5 kg).
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