Last Updated: 2 months ago

If you’re curious to learn about the Siamese cat’s personality, stick around.

This popular cat is known to be an intelligent breed that can easily get along with its human family.

Their personality traits make them excellent family pets.

However, there are certain things that you need to know and remember about them before you decide to get one for yourself.

Siamese Cat Breed History

a well-tempered Siamese cat (Siamese cat personality)

The Siamese cat is said to be an ancient breed of cat that originates from oriental breeds in Asia, particularly Thailand.

The former name of Thailand is Siam, hence the name Siamese cat.

In fact, these cats were once named “The Royal Cats of Siam” since they were to be exclusively owned by royal families and members of these royal families.

Therefore, these cats lived a life of luxury and comfort in the shadow of Thai royals and monks. However, cat lovers couldn’t resist the charm of these pretty felines.

As a result, these cats are now adopted by people worldwide. This cat was first reported in the US as the pet of Lucy Hayes, the first lady, from 1877 to 1881.

Today, this cat is a symbol of luxury and classiness. Due to its friendly nature, charming Siamese cat personality, crystal blue eyes, and short-haired luscious cream fur, this is one of the most expensive and gorgeous cat breeds on the market.

There is not much written about when these cats were imported into the West, particularly the US and the UK.

However, the earliest account of their appearance in the UK is in the late 1800s, when they were introduced in a cat show in London’s Crystal Palace.

Siamese Cat Physical Characteristics

super cute young Siamese cat with plain brown background

If you plan to adopt one of these beauties, it will definitely help to familiarize yourself with the Siamese cat’s personality and characteristics in order to know if this is indeed the perfect breed for you and your family.

Of all the breeds of cats in the world, the Siamese cat is probably one of the most famous cat breeds when it comes to physical characteristics.

Their physical traits indeed stand out among all the known cat breeds since their look is quite unique.

Size

Siamese cats are a medium-sized breed of cat with a slim and athletic build.

They typically weigh between 8 and 12 pounds (3.6 and 5.4 kg) for females and 11 and 15 pounds (5 and 6.8 kg) for males.

Siamese cats have a long, lean body with muscular legs and a wedge-shaped head.

They have almond-shaped eyes that are usually blue, and their ears are large and pointed.

Overall, Siamese cats are an elegant and graceful breed with a distinctive appearance.

Colors

The coat colors of Siamese cats come in a wide range of colors.

Although they are usually pictured as having a cream body with dark patches, otherwise known as a seal point, their coats may also come in other beautiful colors.

Other color combinations may be described as follows:

  • ivory body with dark brown patches, also known as chocolate point
  • a body that is light silver in color with dark, gray-blue patches, also known as blue point
  • off-white or cream body with reddish points or extremities, also known as flame point
  • a body that is cream in color with patches that are a bit pinkish gray, also known as lilac point

Lifespan

Normally, a healthy Siamese lives up to 20 years, but the average lifespan of these kitties is 11–15 years.

Newborn Siamese is white. It’s funny that kittens of this charismatic breed look like any other newborn kitten.

Their coats began to show their coloring after 3–4 months. With age, this breed of cat grows darker and darker coats.

To make your cat live longer, set a balanced diet plan, keep it hydrated, exercise regularly, do not skip your visits to the vet, and get all the vaccinations on time.

Provide a happy and clean environment for your Siamese cat to live in.

Main Types Of Siamese Cats

seal point siamese cat breed

The Siamese cat breed is divided into three categories based on their physical attributes.

These are the Applehead Siamese, the Classic Siamese, and the Modern Siamese cat.

Regardless of their differences, it is important to note that due to a genetic mutation, all three classes of Siamese will carry a common trait, and that is the blue eyes that they are known for.

Applehead Siamese Cat

Other Siamese cat names for this type are traditional, original, or old-style Siamese cats.

They are characterized particularly by a rounded head that takes the shape of an apple, hence the name “Applehead.”

Their muzzles are quite broad, giving the head a roundish appearance.

Classic Siamese Cat

The classic Siamese cat has a muzzle that is more pointed and defined as compared to that of the applehead.

It has a more muscular body as well as legs that seem to be slimmer and longer, giving the classic Siamese cat a more athletic body.

The coat of the classic Siamese cat is flat, and it sticks more to the frame of the body as compared to the Applehead Siamese cat.

However, the fur is not as fine as that seen in the modern Siamese cat.

Modern Siamese Cat

Modern Siamese cats are also called show-style, wedgehead, or extreme Siamese cats.

They have elegant bodies that are more svelte as compared to the athletic bodies of the Applehead and classic Siamese cats.

They have a wedge-shaped head because the muzzle is more tapered compared to the applehead. They have a flat skull and eyes that are more almond-shaped compared to the two other types of Siamese cats.

Siamese Cat Breed Personality

an affectionate Siamese cat sitting on her owner's lap

The Siamese cat personality is one that is outgoing, making it an affectionate and most loving cat breed.

They often crave their human’s attention and will make sure that they become a part of their lives.

They make the perfect feline companion since they interact and even talk to their humans whenever they can!

When trained early, they can actually vocalize and use their vocal abilities to communicate with humans. Call it feline language!

They are playful felines that are filled with bundles of energy, but not to the point of showing aggressive behaviors.

It is highly recommended that a lot of physical activity be given to your adopted feline in order to keep her out of trouble.

Positive reinforcement works best when training your new companion so it can learn its boundaries and limits within your household.

Siamese cats exhibit protective behaviors towards humans, which makes them extremely loyal household animals.

Of all the cat breeds, their sense of loyalty makes them closest to dogs in terms of personality.

Siamese Cat Breed Temperament

Siamese cat in a loaf position

The Siamese cat’s temperament is affectionate and playful.

It is because of this that a Siamese cat can be considered an ideal pet for families.

A Siamese cat has high energy levels, so you have to make sure that it has plenty of exercise, lots of toys, and lots of stimulation too.

It is one of the most intelligent breeds as it has a natural curiosity when it comes to its surroundings.

A Siamese cat can be quite clingy too, so it will constantly desire human companionship. (That means you!)

They usually like to be the center of attention, and, in fact, a lack of attention may lead to depression for this affectionate breed.

Siamese Cat Breed Health and Care

Having a Siamese cat in your family means having another family member to care for.

When well taken care of, their long life spans can last up to twenty years!

Health Issues

Siamese cat lying on the bed with a soft blanket

Although generally healthy pets, Siamese cats may suffer from certain health issues. Amyloidosis, which is a disease of the liver, is something to watch out for in Siamese cats.

Periodontal disease, otherwise known as gum disease, is also common in Siamese cats.

Siamese cats are also known to be predisposed to a number of diseases as they age as compared to ordinary household cats, owing to the fact that they have a very limited gene pool, which makes them prone to hereditary conditions.

Examples of these are asthma as well as eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy, which may lead to loss of vision.

Another condition that may affect them is hip dysplasia, which may lead to mobility issues.

These cats may also be more predisposed to certain types of malignancies (a.k.a., cancers), such as mediastinal lymphoma, as well as certain types of intestinal tumors.

A few of the common symptoms of these diseases are fatigue and breathlessness. Siamese is infamous for being overly hyper and excited.

So, if your usually enthusiastic cat is lethargic, know that something is wrong and book an appointment at your vet right away!

If your cat is diagnosed with even one of these health issues, keep track of its diet and daily exercise. A correct diet, adequate exercise, and a happy environment are the best medicine for our pet Siamese cats.

Grooming And Care

a big, fluffy Siamese cat sitting on the couch

Although the coat of Siamese cats isn’t as thick as compared to other breeds, it is still advisable that their weekly combings be done in order to maintain their glossy coat.

Brushing and stroking your cat gets rid of dead hairs and allows for new ones to grow. A soft-bristled brush works best for Siamese cats.

Rest assured that they will surely love the bonding time that you and your feline companion will get during this time. Besides coat maintenance, regular ear cleanings are a must in order to avoid ear infections.

Siamese cats find it hard to reach this area of their body, so they will need your help in making sure that their ears are kept as clean as possible.

Using a wet cotton ball will help in dislodging any dirt or wax that may lodge in the ears of your cat. If you find it too difficult, it would be best to get your friendly pet doctor to help you with this task.

The most challenging part of grooming is the part when you have to trim their claws.

Even professionals can find this quite challenging, but it is a task that must be done if you want to keep all the pieces of furniture in your house unscathed!

You can do this by having your cat sit on your lap while pressing its paw to reveal its claws. You can only trim a bit of it using clippers while filing them after.

Again, if you are quite unsure of what to do, it’s best that you bring them to a professional in order to avoid any injuries (to both you and your lovely Siamese cat) from happening.

FAQ

WHICH IS THE RAREST SIAMESE CAT?

The rarest Siamese cat is the Foreign White Balinese, a pure white kitten. The secret is in their genes. To give birth to a pure foreign white Balinese, two copies of the long-haired gene that can only come from a true Balinese are needed.

It is said that without a true Balinese or Siamese lineage, a foreign white Balinese cannot be born. Moreover, the lineage is not pure enough; any white offspring can be a White Oriental.

WHY DO SIAMESE CATS BITE?

There are several reasons for cats to bite. However, a Siamese is an extremely territorial and independent kitty. It prefers to be admired from a distance.

If your Siamese is constantly aggressive, chances are it’s just protecting its territory. Which includes its personal space, its humans, and its things. If it views the other person or pet as a threat, it might get defensive and bite.

DO SIAMESE CATS CRY A LOT?

Siamese cats do not cry but meow a lot. These are extremely vocal animals. These cats make different meowing sounds to express themselves.

They love human attention; if your pet Siamese is making a lot of noise, it may require a little assistance.

DO SIAMESE CATS GET LONELY?

Yes! Siamese are social cats and, for ages, have been living in the company of humans and other cats. So, if this cat is left alone for extended periods of time, it might get lonely and depressed. These cats thrive on attention and companionship.

It’s best to adopt two Siamese instead of one if you do not have any other pets at home. Also, this cat is best suited for cat parents who prefer to spend most of their day at home.

ARE SIAMESE GOOD INDOOR CATS?

Yes! Siamese cats make great house pets. They prefer being indoor and are famously known as one of the most domesticated cat breeds.

They are friendly, affectionate, and fond of their humans. If you are mostly home, a Siamese is a highly recommended pet for you.

IS IT BETTER TO HAVE ONE OR TWO SIAMESE CATS?

It’s best to adopt a pair of Siamese cats, as these kitties cannot handle being lonely. But if you prefer having another cat, a dog, or any other pet animal, that can also work.

Siamese can be friendly and accommodating. They crave playtime and fun, so it does not bother these kitties with whom they play as long as they have company.

WHY ARE SOME SIAMESE CATS CROSS-EYED?

In some Siamese breeds of cats, it’s genetic to have cross-eyes. However, the legend claims that these cats were formerly only possessed by the Thai royals, who also happen to have a precious golden goblet.

These cats were meant to protect the goblet. To do so, they curled themselves around the golden object and focused intently on it. Which resulted in a cross-eye and crooked tail.

Wrap-Up

These cats are adorable, loving, fun, and intelligent cat breeds that have striking features that may make you want to have them as part of your family.

The Siamese cat personality makes it perfect to keep since it can be a fun companion that can get along with any human, instantly turning them into its human friends.

Just like any other pet or family member, Siamese cats do require a lot of attention and care.

While this may all seem like a lot in terms of responsibility, the payback can be quite awesome!

What is your favorite part of the Siamese cat’s personality? We’d love to hear it in the comments below!

a cute blue-eyed siamese cat: siamese cat personality

Barry Stingmore
Barry Stingmore

Barry Stingmore is a British content creator living in Fuerteventura, Spain. An animal lover at heart, he shares his home with a dog and four rescue cats. Barry works with the island’s animal charities to help manage and care for feral and abandoned animals. Alongside fieldwork, he works to support the charities with fundraising and raising awareness.