Siamese Cats
Facts About Color Point Cats

History

Siamese cats originated in Thailand, previously known as Siam. The breed dates back many centuries with manuscripts containing references and images dating back to 1350, but most experts believe that the Siamese existed long before this time.

The Siamese is often referred to as the Royal Cat of Siam, and the reason for this is that the breed was originally reserved for the Royal Family only. Siamese were believed to be 'keepers' of Buddhist temples resulting in this cat being closely guarded and highly revered and certainly not a cat for the 'commoner'.

Many tales and myths surround this ancient cat, however, one unmistakable truth is that it is one of the oldest, easily recognized and most popular shorthaired Oriental cat breeds. It also has the distinction of being a natural breed which means that man played no part in its development.

The Royal Cat's Journey to the West

• 1871 - Two Siamese were shown in London, but their origin was unknown
• 1878 - The wife of President Hayes of the USA was sent a Siamese as a gift, but regrettably, the cat did not survive.
• 1884 - Sir Owen Gould, the British Consul to Thailand brought back a pair of Siamese, Pho and Mia to Britain. The cats were given to his sister Ms Velvey who started a breeding program. She continued to import cats from a cattery in Bangkok, which Sir Gould had established during his time in Thailand.
• 1884 - A French Diplomat, August Pavie, brought two cats back from Thailand to France.
• 1890 - The first Siamese arrived in the United States and the rest is history! This beautiful and popular cat is now found in almost every country around the globe.

The Siamese cat has also influenced and inspired the development of many other cat breeds. The Snowshoe, Tonkinese, Balinese (Javanese) and even the Himalayan (or color point Persian) have the Siamese as their genetic source. The Havana, Ocicat and Burmese owe their development and maintenance to the Siamese.

Features and Characteristics

In the chapter on types of Siamese cats we cover the differences between the Old Style / Apple-Head / Traditional Siamese and the Modern or Extreme Siamese. The Siamese cat has, over time become ultra-typed - a very slender, long and svelte cat so do take a look at how the cat has evolved.

A Coat that Inspires

The Siamese cat breed coat is a defining feature which is universally recognized. Their coat has inspired the development of different cat breeds around the world.

The coat is short, fine in texture, silky, shiny and lies close to the body. All Siamese have a color point pattern meaning that all the extremities (points) of the body i.e. face (or mask), ears, legs, paws and tail are pigmented with a darker color. The points of color must be even and be in clear contrast to the rest of the body. The background color must also have an even color, with shading that is subtle on the back and sides.

Interestingly, Siamese cats are not born with color points. Siamese kittens are born white, it's only around the 5th or 6th day that the points begin to appear and the coloration is only complete at around 12 - 15 months.

Another truly fascinating feature is that points are created by a temperature-sensitive enzyme that restricts darker colors to the coolest parts of the body or those farthermost from the heart i.e. tail, feet, ears and mask. Cats living indoors during winter will therefore be lighter than those living outside.

Their coats darken with age and this is something that needs to be taken into account with show cats.

Siamese Coat Colors

In some governing bodies (e.g. Cat Fanciers' Association - CFA) only the four original colors are accepted as Siamese coloring; and color point or point restricted, the only accepted pattern. The four original colors are:

Seal Point: pale fawn to cream background; deep seal brown points

Chocolate Point: ivory background; milk-chocolate brown points

Blue Point: bluish-white background; deep slate-blue points

Lilac Point: glacial white background; frosty-gray pinkish points

Other governing bodies (e.g. Governing Council of the Cat Fancy - GCCF) recognize the following additional colors as Siamese too, whilst others consider these colors and patterns as belonging to the Color Point Shorthair Cat:

Red Point: apricot-shaded background; reddish-golden points

Cream Point: cream-shaded background; cream points

Tortie Point: - seal, blue, chocolate tortoiseshell points

Tabby Point: stripes around the tail, legs and mask (can be seal, blue, chocolate, red, cream and cinnamon)

Parti-Color: pure white spots on part of the legs, body and mask (can be blue, chocolate, fawn, caramel and cinnamon)

Temperament

The Siamese is an active, playful, affectionate, outgoing, extrovert, certainly not a peaceful or calm cat.

This cat has a strong personality and is a cat that hates to be ignored or left alone. They adore company and will follow their owners around just to have company. These cats have a true presence and are warm, sociable and people-orientated lap cats. They prefer humans - Siamese cats don't really appreciate other cats. They do tolerate cat-friendly dogs. They prefer a home where they have companionship a great deal of the time. They make wonderful family pets and tolerate older children provided there is not too much rough play.

If you're looking for a quiet cat, then the Siamese is not for you. They are extremely vocal cats, with loud, raspy and raucous voices. Some people love these chatty, talkative cats that provide wonderful companionship, whilst others find this constant attention-seeking less favorable. It's really about choice. The Siamese has been described as the conversationalist of the cat kingdom.

Siamese Cat Information

Indoor or Outdoor Cats

These cats do adapt well to apartment living. They have thin coats which means they are sensitive to cold. Like all cats, they do love the freedom of a garden. If they are permitted to go outside it should be into a kitty enclosure or an escape-proof garden.

Cat Care and Cat Grooming

The Siamese has a very short coat and only subtle grooming is required. Use a grooming glove or a rubber brush once or twice a week to remove all dead hair without harming the coat. Bathing is not often required. A show cat should be bathed a week before show day to allow the coat to recover its natural oils.

Cat Health Concerns

Siamese cats are healthy cats, but some cats are prone to:

• Dystocia (abnormal and difficult birth);
• Familial hyperlipaemia (high level of fat in the blood),
• Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums),
• Nystagmus (uncontrollable eye movement),
• Porphyria and Mucopolysaccharidosis

Do consider cat health insurance for your cat and vaccinate your cat against all the common infectious feline diseases.

Cat Diet and Nutrition

No special diet is required, but they do need to be fed a well balanced diet. The choice of cat food is up to you, but do buy a good quality, well balanced pet food. The breeder will normally provide you with guidelines on cat nutrition and the best cat food for your new Siamese kitten. You also need to provide your cat with fresh drinking water every day.

There are loads of options when it comes to cat food - kibbles, moist or raw. Raw cat food should only be prepared by experts but it is a healthy alternative, to commercial dry cat foods.

The Average Weight

These cats have an average weight of 2.5 - 5.5 kg (5.5 - 12 lbs). Male cats are larger than the females.

Life Expectancy

A well cared for Siamese cat has a long life span of 15 - 20 years.

Related Cat Pages:

Siamese Kittens for Sale - international cat breeder directory

Siamese Kitty Names - names for Oriental cats

Pictures of Cat Breeds - Photos of the Royal Cats of Siam

We Are Siamese is a resource dedicated to the Siamese cat. With its distinct color point pattern it is one of the most popular breeds of domesticated cats in the world.

Cat Photos Courtesy of :

© Theresa Fouche Photography

Blue Point Siamese - LaMaska Delilla Lord of the Ring, Owner: Karen Labuschagne, Breeder: Mariette Burger

Top Group of 4:

Seal Point Siamese - Michelle's Maslow Owner: Sue Eddey, Breeder: Michelle Fleischman

Chocolate Point Siamese - Mai-Thai's Brown Sugar Owner: Dawn Enslin

Blue Point Siamese - LaMaska Delilla Lord of the Ring, Owner: Karen Labuschagne, Breeder: Mariette Burger

Lilac Point - Michelle's Manifesto, Owner: Johan Groenewald - ©Sarah Thexton of Sarah Thexton Photography

Bottom Group of 4:

Red Point Siamese - Owner/Breeder: Michele Fleischman

Seal Tortie - Catkin Montana of Siamlove, Owner: Elizabeth van Renen Breeder: Kathy Hoole

Seal Tabbypoint Siamese - Siamlove Vincent, Owner: G Palmer, Breeder: Elizabeth van Renen

Seal Tortie Point Siamese - Catkin Lindiwe of Siamlove ; Owner: Elizabeth van Renen, Breeder: Kathy Hoole