The least we can say is that the Siamese cat is a unique breed! Yummypets tells you why.
Origin of the Siamese
The origin of the Siamese cat was very long ago as it dates back to the 14th century. It was very popular among the kings of Siam, the former name of the Kingdom of Thailand. It had the status of sacred animal and was reserved for members of the royal family.
Siamese cats weren’t seen outside of Asia before 1871. It was at the London Exhibition that Siamese cats were observed for the first time by Europeans. In 1884, the British consul in Bangkok brought his sister, Mrs. Veley, a pair of Siamese cats: Pho and Mia. The club of Siamese cats was established in 1901. The following year, travelers brought back a few Siamese which formed the basis of the breed in Europe.
In the 50s, Siamese cats became very popular. It is also from this point that the breed began to change physically: their body, legs and tail lengthened and became more refined while their ears widened. In order to preserve the characteristics of the original Siamese, fans mobilized to present breeders a cat physically near to the one of the kings of Siam. These cats are called « Traditional Siamese » or « Thai ». The cat with the physical changes from the 50s are called « Oriental Siamese ».
Traits of the Siamese Cat
The Oriental Siamese cat is characterized by the triangular shape of the head, a long, straight muzzle and pointed ears. The eyes are usually blue and almond shaped. The traditional Siamese looks more like the European cat with a less elongated head and a coarser body than its eastern cousin.
The coat is smooth and shiny. The color is darker at the end of the legs, ears, tail and muzzle At birth, all kittens Siamese are entirely white. It takes a few days to see the first coloration.
The Siamese is often referred to as « cat – dog ». Indeed, it is a very loving and loyal cat. This cat is able to establish strong relationships with members of the household and can make distinctions between them. The Siamese cat can be jealous and be very demonstrative with particular people. In this case, this cat may even become aggressive if they feel that their protégé is threatened!
Temperament of the Siamese
This is an impatient cat, nervous and talkative. Some owners have real «conversations» with their cat! They tend to follow their owners everywhere. They willingly accept the leash (if used early enough), car trips and traveling. This last point is rather rare in miniature cats because, unlike others, the Siamese is closer to their owner than their territory.
This cat, though very invasive and sometimes hypersensitive, will be perfect for a large family where they can establish a different relationship with each of its members. This cat needs a lot of attention and loves to play!
