Siamese cats are loving, loyal, intuitive, demanding and sociable. They thrive on attention. The Siamese breed are very intelligent and playful cats who are able to entertain themselves for hours.
These cats have their favourite toys and never tire of playing throughout their lives. They love warm places and will find the most comfortable, warm spot in their home to settle for a nap.
Read on to learn more Siamese facts and discover what makes this breed unique.
Siamese facts
- Country of origin: Thailand
- Siamese size category: Medium
- Coat length: Short
- Average life expectancy: 15 – 20 years
Siamese key characteristics:
- Needs little grooming
- Happiest in pairs
- Very vocal
The Siamese – history & origin
The exact origins of the Siamese are not known, but there are a number of legends and stories about the Siamese’s history.
Once known as the Royal Cat of Siam, these cats were already recorded in manuscripts of the 14th century.
In the 19th century, the German naturalist Pallas also described white cats with dark extremities that he had seen in central Asia.
Siamese breeds were exported to England and were first seen there at London’s Crystal Palace show in 1871.
They were totally unlike any other breed that had been seen at that time and got a mixed reception. The first standard was established in the U.K. in 1892.
Life story
Find out how to care for the Siamese cat in each stage of its life.
Siamese kittens
These lively kittens are very sociable and unsuited to life on their own. If they will often be in the home without their owners, its recommended to adopt them in pairs.
Siamese cats make wonderful pets for people who spend a lot of time at home. As kittens they quickly form strong bonds with their owners and thrive on as much attention as they can get.
This can make them a relatively demanding breed that need owners who are willing to put a lot of time into their care.
Their sociable personalities don’t end with human contact, however, as they are also known to be incredibly patient with other family pets. They are natural fetchers and kittens will happily learn to retrieve toys as long as someone is there to throw them.
Perfect kitten food: ROYAL CANIN®’s Feline Health Nutrition Kitten
Siamese adults 
The Siamese breed is well known for their classic appearance, striking blue eyes and loud personalities. They are one of the most vocal breeds and will frequently communicate with their owners loudly.
Adult cat weight:
Male weight: 4 – 7kg
Female weight: 3 – 5kg
Their short, sleek coat, and distinctive colour points on their mask, feet, and tail require little grooming – an occasional brush will be enough to keep their coat healthy and free of loose hairs.
Lively, sleek and muscular, these cats are often heavier than you expect. The Siamese’s size, long slender limbs, and straight tail all complete the picture of the iconic Siamese cat.
Perfect adult food: ROYAL CANIN®’s Feline Breed Nutrition Siamese Adult
Health and sensitivities
It’s important to know how to properly care for this breed of cat in order to support your Siamese’s health.
Read on to find out more about this breed’s sensitivities and discover how they can affect it.
Reflux/Regurgitation
The Siamese cat is predisposed to reflux and regurgitation. Their narrow angular muzzle encourages them to pick up their food with a pincer like grip and they often swallow it whole without crunching.
When it comes to The Siamese’s food habits, they can be greedy and the ingestion of large volumes in one go can also encourage them to regurgitate their food. That’s why it is recommended to introduce puzzle feeders and toys to encourage them to graze, and a larger kibble which requires them to slow down and crunch their food before swallowing.
Digestive Sensitivity
Many Siamese cats live an indoor lifestyle and as such their owners are well aware of what is happening in the litter tray. This breed is known for their sensitive digestion which can lead to loose, large volume of stools with a strong odour.
Feeding a consistent diet with highly digestible proteins and prebiotics helps to promote a balance in the intestinal flora and improve stool quality.
Ageing
The Siamese breed are known for their long life expectancy and kitten-like energy which lasts well into old age. That being said, their health and nutritional needs will change as they grow older. It is a good idea to arrange regular check-ups with a vet at this stage, as they will be able to advise on any nutritional changes or health problems that ageing may bring. Your vet can also offer other helpful Siamese information and advice.
Ideal food for older cats: ROYAL CANIN®’s Feline Health Nutrition Senior Ageing 12+ or Senior Ageing Sterilised 12+