The Siamese cat is one of the most popular breeds in the world. Which is understandable - beautiful, sophisticated, healthy, and cheerful, they have long ceased to be exotic, but at the same time, they retain all the advantages listed above. It is not surprising that many people would like to acquire such a pet. But before doing this, it will be useful to study the breed in more detail in order to make an informed choice and subsequently not regret it.
Characteristics of the Siamese cat - character and habits
There is a myth among animal lovers that all Siamese cats are evil and capable of unmotivated aggression. In fact, this is not the case. They are funny, agile animals, attached to their owners and loving them with all their hearts. They are not at all averse to soaking up their knees, and some even love to be squeezed, which many other breeds of cats do not allow.
Siamese cats are extroverted by temperament. Unlike most breeds, they find it difficult to survive loneliness. Even when left alone for several hours, the cat begins to get bored. And if such loneliness becomes a daily norm, then the unfortunate animal may become embittered - it will definitely not bring anything good to those around it. Therefore, experienced breeders prefer to keep several animals at the same time - they will play together when the owners are not at home.
Also, many representatives of the breed are "talkative" - being in a room with a person, they are able to give out a whole series of "meows", changing the pitch and tone of the voice to communicate what they need.
Once you have a Siamese cat and take care of it, you will never regret your decision.
Description of the breed
We talked about the character, now let's go over the appearance.
Varieties of Siamese cats
Today there are several varieties of the Siamese cat:
- The Siamese is a classic breed that has nevertheless been enslaved by breeders. It is the most popular, so we will talk about it a little later and in more detail.
- Thai (she is an Old Siamese cat) - remind Siamese before breeders worked on them. Having the same color, they are distinguished by a stronger physique and smoother body lines.
- Oriental Siamese - physically reminiscent of Siamese cats. But at the same time, the color is different - spotted or solid, mainly shades of dark gray.
- The Siamese Sphynx (aka Peterbald) is a copy of the Siamese oriental (which, by the way, was used to breed a new breed), but completely devoid of wool.
- Lop-eared - basically almost does not differ from the Thai, but as a result of the work of breeders, the representatives of the breed acquired bent ears. Well, this gives them additional originality and the breed has a lot of fans.
Now let's take a closer look at the appearance of the Siamese cat.
Appearance - what a Siamese cat looks like
The appearance of the representatives of the breed is memorable. The body is flexible, slightly elongated, and at the same time tubular. The head resembles an elongated wedge, the eyes are large, almond-shaped, obliquely set. Of course, all representatives of the breed must be with blue eyes, this is one of the main distinguishing features.
The ears are large, wide at the base, and the tips are pointed. They are arranged so that if you draw an imaginary line from the nose to the tips of the ears, you get an equilateral triangle.
The coat is short and close to the body. There is no undercoat. The tail is long, whip-like, thin throughout, and the tip is pointed. Some breeders believe that the Siamese must have a broken tail - a deformed tip. In fact, this is not the case. Similar defects are found in representatives of many breeds, while not all Siamese cats have them.
The size
Especially large representatives of the breed cannot be called. In most cases, the height at the withers ranges from 23 to 25 cm, but there may be exceptions in any direction. True, large deviations can be perceived by the judges as a defect.
Weight
A purebred Siamese cat, who feeds fully and balanced, and at the same time has enough physical activity, weighs about 4-5 kg. Cats are usually slightly lighter - 3 to 4 kg. But there were several cases when after castration the cats became less active, due to which the weight reached 7 kg.
Wool
The coat is smooth, shiny, but not too fluffy. Short, soft, silky.
Colors
The classic color of Siamese cats is called seal point. In the minds of many breeders, he is so attached to the Siamese that they no longer pay attention to the physique, coat type, and other important features of the breed, calling them all Siamese cats.
Indeed, the color is very characteristic. The color is light gray with dark (dark brown to black) ears, paws, muzzles, and tails. If in front of you is a cat with a characteristic color, but white paws, this is definitely not a Siamese.
Do not confuse seal point, red point, and color point. Red-point is characterized by white and red color (paws, ears, muzzle). A color-point is a collective name for several colors, in which most of the body has one color (from white to gray), and specific parts of the body are different (black, gray, brown, red).
Life expectancy - how long do Siamese cats live?
Owners of Siamese cats will surely be pleased to know that their pet belongs to the breed of long-livers. On average, they live from 12 to 14 years - not bad by cat standards. In addition, many cases are known when, with decent care, they exceeded 15 years and even reached 20.
Is the Siamese cat breed hypoallergenic or not? How often do they shed?
Often, animal lovers, listing the advantages of Siamese cats, mention that they are hypoallergenic and can be turned on even by people who are allergic to animals. Unfortunately, this is not so. If there are allergy sufferers in the family, you should not start a Siamese.
But there are no special problems with molting. It sheds only twice a year - in spring and autumn, changing its coat from summer to winter and vice versa. At this time, it is advisable to comb your pet more often - at least 3-4 times a week. Then the wool will be smooth, even, and beautiful, and the shreds will not cover the whole apartment.
Is the Siamese cat a friendly breed?
Another common and enduring myth is the increased aggressiveness and even viciousness of Siamese cats. This is not true. In most cases, cats are spoiled by the owners themselves, at first they allow too much, and then, trying to correct their own mistakes by screaming and beating, they embitter the unfortunate animal. He has no choice but to fear and hate his own masters.
Also, in some cases, Siamese cats can show aggression if they are sick or caring for small kittens. The rest of the time they are cute purrs, affectionate and sociable.
Attitude towards children
Especially often people who have children in their families think about the possible aggressiveness of the Siamese. Like, what if the cat scratches the child or bites him?
In fact, there is no particular reason for such experiences. Representatives of the breed treat children favorably, and sometimes even protect them, calm them down if they cry.
But this does not apply to all children. Do not forget that the Siamese cat is a royal favorite. He is not used to overly familiar communication. Therefore, if a child thinks that a fluffy pet is a fun toy with which you can freely play, roughly grabbing, tugging at the tailor biting on the ears, then the Siamese will probably get angry. And in this state, he is able to use both teeth and claws. However, this is a feature of all cats - their genus is not distinguished by restraint. But against the background of the rest, Siamese cats stand out with a special craving for independence and self-respect.
The correct formulation of the question, in this case, would be: "will the children be able to respect the cat?" If so, then for sure nothing will darken their relationship, which will stretch for many years.
Relationship to other animals
The question is also relevant - how well the Siamese cat gets along with other animals. It depends on many factors.
If there are hamsters, guinea pigs, or rats at home, then there is a high probability that the cat will regard them exclusively as prey. She is able to sit for hours and, almost without blinking, study a potential victim rustling in a cage or aquarium. Of course, this is a serious stress for a rodent. Well, if by some miracle he can get out of the cage, and the cat is there, then the further fate of the small pet will be unenviable.
Relations with dogs are more complicated. It all depends on the breed and temperament. If a small dog appears in the house, which will annoy the Siamese, or a hunting dog, accustomed to perceiving other animals as prey, then the likelihood of conflicts is high. Given the reaction and character of the native of Siam, it's easy to assume that everything will end at best with a badly scratched dog nose. But with large dogs that will ignore the Siamese, problems will certainly not arise. Peaceful neutrality will be restored to them, and both sides will be satisfied with such a neighborhood.
Finally, cats. Interestingly, Siamese calmly reacts to close relatives - Thai or Siamese cats. But relations with representatives of other breeds are worse. So, if you decide to get another Siamese, then there will almost certainly be no conflict. It is more difficult with other breeds - if you get an adult Sphynx or Siberian cat, then most likely, you will not be able to avoid a fight. Moreover, they will be constantly repeated. The only way to avoid conflicts is to have a kitten, not an adult cat. Then there is a chance that the Siamese cat (or cat) will take the baby into care. Well, when he grows up, they will already get used to each other.
Playfulness
This is another interesting feature of the breed. The Siamese cat loves to play. And not alone with a suitable ball or toy mouse, but with people. At least several times a week, try to take a little time for your pet to run after a bow - even elderly and sedate cats at such moments seem to return to childhood and are happy to rush for a rustling piece of paper.
If it is not possible to spend a lot of time with your pet, then make him a friend - preferably of the same breed. True, there is a chance that they will play together both during the day and at night, making a real banging in the apartment. But in this case, you can rest assured that they will be happy.
How does loneliness endure
Most representatives of the feline family are calm about loneliness. They happily sleep in a cozy corner, waiting for the owners to return.
But this does not apply to Siamese cats. Without owners, the animal quickly begins to get bored and even suffer. Running through the rooms, Siamese cats call out loudly for their owners and almost cry, thanks to the developed vocal cords. And if cats spend a lot of time alone, this can ruin their character - they become withdrawn, aggressive, and even angry. It is definitely not worth bringing them to such a state. If you live alone and spend a lot of time outside the house, leaving your pet alone, then it is better to start not a Siamese cat, but some other, calmer breed.
Potential health problems
As mentioned above, Siamese cats live longer than representatives of other breeds. And they do not have any special health problems. But this does not mean that they never get sick.
- Amyloidosis is a consequence of a prolonged inflammatory process. It cannot be cured, but with timely diagnosis, the disease can be seriously slowed down.
- Bronchial asthma - develops due to allergens (dust, pollen, cigarette smoke, household chemicals). If you do not take appropriate measures with a prolonged cough, the pet may even die.
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system are congenital pathology that occurs infrequently. Such animals are not allowed to further reproduce. In general, if a cat does not receive unnecessary physical exertion and does not experience stress on a regular basis, then it is able to live a long and happy life without even knowing about its illness.
Siamese cats are not prone to obesity. But still, you should feed in moderation, monitoring the condition of the pet.
Kittens cost
The range of prices here is great - a lot depends on the appearance of the kitten, its parents, membership in a particular club. The price in rubles varies from 20 to 50 thousand rubles, depending on the class of the pet (pet, breed, or show).
Siamese cattery
Siamese cat catteries can be found in almost all major cities of Russia. In order not to be unfounded, it is worth listing several suitable options:
- in Moscow, these are Deity, Boston, Marsiori, Sharess-Ori, Mi Ra Cat, Orientville,
- in St. Petersburg: SIOMAR, Suriyothai * RU, De Fides,
- in Yekaterinburg: Bersia, Bastet Ural,
- in Smolensk: Asiatic Island,
- in Krasnodar: Bellatrix,
- in Samara: Samarskiy Pride, Samarskaya Fortuna,
- in Omsk: Gelaxi Cat, Lamis,
- in Chelyabinsk: FLOWER,
- in Orenburg: Express Hope.
You can buy a purebred Siamese kitten anywhere in Russia.
Need for care
This is not to say that Siamese cats are easy to care for and maintain. Yes, they are playful, cheerful and friendly, open-minded and curious. But at the same time, they have a certain craving for dominance, which is not typical for most cats. If one day gives up the slack, this can result in serious problems in the future. Allowed your pet to sleep on a pillow? Not punished if the kitten climbed onto the table in search of something tasty? Did you ignore his attempt to scratch his claws on the upholstered furniture? Rest assured - it will quickly become a habit that is extremely difficult to get rid of.
Maintenance cost
Acquiring a Siamese cat by spending a decent amount is half the battle. He also needs to provide decent care - in this case, the pet will always look great, live a happy and long life. And in some cases, this is associated with serious financial costs. Let's take a closer look at them.
Nutrition
The simplest solution, if you don't know what to feed your pet, is to use dry food. It doesn't need to be cooked, cats love it, and the dry and hard granules are great for cleaning plaque from animal teeth. True, it is important to ensure that there is always fresh water in the bowl, otherwise, the cat will get serious kidney problems.
Also, make sure that at least 40% of the feed comes from natural proteins: dried fish, meat, and offal. Nothing complicated, it seems. But the high-quality feed is not cheap - you will have to pay at least 500-700 rubles per kilogram. Fortunately, the Siamese are not particularly gluttonous. They eat from 30 to 55 grams of feed per day - the specific indicator depends on the weight of the pet itself. About 400-1200 rubles will be released per month.
If you have to feed a kitten, make sure that the "drying" is suitable not only in composition but also in the size of the granules - small jaws may not cope with large particles of food. It is advisable to take a special food for kittens or soak the usual one in water, turning it into a tasty, easily digestible porridge.
If you can waste time cooking, it is better to use natural products. It will cost less and you will be sure that your pet is getting the best quality food. It is best to choose lean meat: poultry, rabbit meat, beef, sea fish. You can also give your pet offal - not always, in about 30% of cases. This allows, on the one hand, to save money, and on the other hand, to provide the pet with a balanced diet. The liver, heart, and kidneys contain vitamins and minerals that are not found in pure meat. Sometimes it is permissible to feed freshwater fish as well. But it is advisable to boil it in order to destroy the eggs of parasites.
Veterinary
It was already mentioned above that Siamese are not prone to disease. However, one should not forget about gelatinization and compulsory vaccinations. In addition, regular visits to the veterinary clinic will help prevent the disease or detect it at an early stage.
The initial examination at the veterinary clinic will cost approximately 600 rubles, the repeated one - about 400. Although, of course, a lot here depends on the status of the clinic and its location.
Grooming
Many grooming procedures (combing, washing, trimming the nails) can be done at home. However, if you will soon go to a prestigious exhibition and expect to take a prize, then it makes sense to go to the salon. The craftsmen have at their disposal specialized preparations and tools, thanks to which they will bring your pet to perfect condition. This service costs an average of 2-2.5 thousand rubles.
Exhibitions
To participate in exhibitions, you must pay the appropriate fee. Its cost can amount to both hundreds of rubles and thousands - it all depends on many factors, for example, on the basis of which club it is held, which experts are invited as judges.
Pros and cons of the breed
Of course, before you buy a kitten or take it from a shelter, you should carefully study the advantages and disadvantages of the breed. Otherwise, there is a risk of seriously regretting the decision to have such a pet in the future.
The advantages of the Siamese breed include:
- ease of care,
- good health,
- life expectancy,
- sharp mind,
- the ability to get along with dogs.
Unfortunately, it also has some drawbacks. This category includes a peculiar character - not always simple and flexible enough. Cats often refuse to adapt to their environment - even to their owners, not to mention other pets. Alas, nothing can be done about it - blue blood flows in their veins and the favorites of Asian kings are not always ready to make concessions. It is also undesirable to leave them alone for a long time.
History of the breed
Surely many readers and admirers of the breed are interested in the origin of the Siamese cat. Thailand (its old name is Siam) is the birthplace of this lovely pet.
Theories about exactly when the breed was bred vary widely. Experts call the range from the 14th to the 18th century. They lived exclusively in palaces - ordinary people were forbidden to keep aristocratic animals. The Siamese king could present those close to him with these kittens.
Representatives of the breed came to Europe already in the nineteenth century - the traveler managed to take out one. The new breed presented at the exhibition received mixed reviews - from "charming" to "nightmarish". Alas, it was not possible to get offspring for a long time, since there was only one cat. A few years later, the British ambassador received a couple more animals as a gift from the Siamese king, which in many ways became the progenitors of the European branch and material for further selection.
Already in the 60s of the last century, a single standard for the breed was established. Well, today lovers of Siamese cats can be found in any country in the world - the breed has long become one of the most popular and widespread.
Interesting facts about Siamese cats
So, here are some interesting and little-known facts about this breed:
the fattest cat in the world belonged to the Siamese breed - she lived in the city of Asbestos, in the Urals, and weighed 23 kg;
in 1970, a Siamese cat in the UK gave birth to 19 kittens at a time - an officially registered record;
in their homeland they are called the "moon diamond";
initially, many of the breeds showed squint and curvature of the tail. But breeders have managed to rid the animals of these defects.
Owner reviews
By studying reviews from the owners, you can learn a lot of interesting things about Siamese cats. For example, many breeders value a cheerful disposition, dedication, a sharp mind, and ease of grooming. A more controversial attitude towards the habit of meowing a lot - the cat accompanies the owner everywhere and tries to tell him something, skillfully changing the timbre of his voice. In addition, some people like the high attachment of the animal to people, while others consider this a minus - it is not recommended to leave them alone for a long time.
Finally, few people are delighted with the challenging nature of the Siamese. Many of them are used to the fact that the owners give in, especially if people cannot immediately put the cat in its place. This can lead to serious communication problems in the future.
Similar breeds
Yes, in nature there are cats similar to Siamese. First of all, these are Thai, also known as Old Siamese. The external similarity is immediately noticeable, however, the latter has a stronger physique, smooth body lines.
Siamese oriental should also be included here - it resembles Siamese in physique, but the coat color is different.
Of course, by seriously approaching the choice of a pet, having carefully studied all the features of the breed, and having made a deliberate choice, you will get not just a cat, but a faithful friend who will give you many bright and happy moments.