9 Best Siamese Cat Traits (Supreme Analysis)


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Siamese cats are elegant creatures with fine features and dramatic lines. Hollywood has featured the breed itself as memorably mischievous characters in many films. Even those not well-versed in cat breeds can often recognize and name this breed based on its distinct traits and features.

Siamese cats have a great deal going for them, often making for great pets and companions. But, while their piercing blue eyes are sure to captivate you as they wind their way into your heart and home, there is much more to them. Continue reading to learn more about the traits of these fine felines.

The 9 best Siamese cat traits are:

  1. Siamese Point Colors
  2. Newborn Siamese Kittens Born White
  3. Siamese Coat Colors
  4. Siamese Cat Intelligence
  5. Friendly Siamese Cat
  6. Siamese Cat Talking
  7. Siamese Cat Size
  8. Siamese Cat Eyesight
  9. Siamese Cat Health Issues

If you wonder what the best products are for your cat, check out this article that will break down all my recommendations for you: Things To Buy For A Cat Right Now!

Siamese Point Colors

The term “pointed color” means that color pigments in the fur of these cats are most dominant on the outer extremities of the body. Siamese cats showcase the dark colors on their legs, tails, ears, and the middle of their regal faces. Their unique coloring is perhaps one of the most iconic features of this breed of cat.

Siamese cat coats range in color due to a mutation in their DNA that affects their melanin production. Melanin is a dark pigment producer. The more melanin that is produced, the darker the fur in that area will be. The less that is created, the lighter the fur will be. It is much the same as human hair.

In Siamese cats, this DNA mutation allows more melanin production in areas where the body temperature is cooler, like cat legs and tail, while the warm trunk of their body produces less melanin and stays light in color.

Newborn Siamese Kittens Born White

Siamese Kitten

Siamese kittens are born virtually white and develop their color as they get older. However, because fur color is one of the most desirable traits in potential buyers, it means they have to wait to bring home their new furry friend.

While most kittens are typically ready to go to their new homes at around eight weeks old, Siamese kittens are ready at 10 weeks old or later. Not only does this give kittens ample time to develop their color, but it allows them to become socially stable. After all, Siamese cats love friends.

Siamese Coat Colors

An iconic, identifying feature of a Siamese cat is its coat. These coats come in a variety of colors. However, some types are more common than most, including:

  • Seal Point: This is the traditional coat color and what most people think of when they think of a Siamese cat. The dark coloring on the coat is known as a seal brown or almost black. The body of this coat is the darkest, with a brown-like shading.
  • Chocolate Point: The body of this coat is more ivory in color with shading, while the points are brown or cinnamon.
  • Blue Point: The points on this coat lean more towards a gray or slate color while the body is white with an almost blue hue.
  • Lilac Point: This is the lightest of coat colors. The body of the coat will be an almost bright white, while the points are a light grey and almost pink.

Siamese Cat Intelligence

These sleek cats are brilliant and thrive in an interactive environment. Siamese cats can be trained to perform tricks, such as fetch or walk on a leash, and they enjoy agility courses. Because they are so active, they should be provided with stimulation in their environment.

Scratching posts and toys are a must with this cat breed. These cats are easily susceptible to boredom, leading to destructive habits, like paper shredding or pica (a condition of eating strange, non-edible things).

If you are gone at work all day, it is better to either bring this cat home as a friend to a pet you already have or be prepared to bring home two.

Friendly Siamese Cat

Siamese cats will form powerful bonds with their people and want to be involved in everything. They are amiable animals and are capable of getting along with everyone in the household, including:

  • Children
  • The dog
  • Other cats

What these cats love more than a good round of fetch is snuggling with their humans. They are fiercely loyal to their family and are easily jealous of any attention not directed at them. Do not worry, because they will tell you if they are unhappy with you.

Siamese Cat Talking

If you are looking for a chatty friend to keep you company during the day, these guys are it! Known for their conversation abilities, these cats seem to have opinions on everything, from what they see out the window to what is served for dinner.

Siamese cats will use this voice to demand your attention or talk to you about their displeasure if you do not pay enough attention to them.

Siamese Cat Size

Siamese is a registered breed of show cats and one of the oldest registered breeds. However, because of desired breeding, the features of these beautiful cats can vary.

  • Show cats are typically long in body and features. They have larger ears that appear too large for their long, triangular head. In addition, their lean bodies are dramatically slim.
  • Household Siamese can come in all sorts of sizes, including slim bodies or thicker bodies, larger ears, or smaller ears.

Early lines of this breed were known for their crossed eyes and kinked tails. Legend says this is from when these cats were guardians. Their eyes crossed from watching these sacred items so closely, and their tails were kinked from being curled tightly. Now, these traits are no longer desirable and have since been bred out.

Siamese Cat Eyesight

Most cats are known for their superior eyesight, especially in the dark. However, this is not the case with Siamese cats. The genes that cause the distinct, bright blue eye color in Siamese cats also cause problems with vision, including difficulty seeing and distinguishing different objects in the dark.

Not only do Siamese cats have a unique eye color compared to other cats, but they also lack what is known as tapetum lucidum. This part of the eye is found in other cats that allow for higher amounts of light to the retina, making it easier for them to see in the dark.

Problems with eyesight in Siamese cats are relatively common, though their unique genetics most significantly reduce their vision at night. For most cats, clear objects and features can be seen relatively easily in low light, whereas Siamese cats can only see basic shapes or outlines in the dark.

Siamese Cat Health Issues

Bringing home a Siamese cat means bringing home a long-term roommate. These cats live well into their late teens, and some owners are able to track this age as some coat colors can change and darken with age. In addition, some health issues can arise but are more breeding-dependent.

  • Some may be at risk for lung or intestinal tumors.
  • The Siamese breed, in general, seems to have more respiratory issues or suffer from asthma more than other cat breeds. Because of this, some cats may cough a bit more than usual or tend to throw up more than average.
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) has been found in the breed. Atrophy is when a body part begins to waste away, so PRA is when a part of what enables vision begins to deteriorate. PRA can cause eventual blindness.
  • Siamese cats can be at risk for hip dysplasia later in life, which is essentially a partial hip dislocation and will cause decreased mobility.

What are Siamese Cats Known For?

Siamese cats are well-known for their appearance and being talkative.  If you chat with anyone with a Siamese cat, I am sure they will tell you how much their Siamese cat talks back to them. Sometimes Siamese cats are known for eye issues, being cross-eyed (occasionally) or having kinked tails.

Do Siamese Cats Like to Cuddle?

Siamese cats are known to be loving, affectionate, and social.  This type of behavior likely means that your Siamese cat will cuddle with you. However, Siamese cats are also quite talkative, so when they are cuddling with you, don’t be surprised if they are talking to you the whole time.

Are Siamese Cats Aggressive?

Siamese cats are known to have strong bonds with their humans, so you may see what you perceive to be aggressive behavior.  It is essential to understand this type of behavior if you are thinking about owning a Siamese cat so you can learn how to manage it the right way.

What is Wrong with Siamese Cats?

Siamese cats have health issues that cat owners should educate themselves about.  These health issues include cross-eyes, relatively poor eyesight, respiratory problems, retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, and tumors.

Conclusion

Siamese cats are fantastic, and hopefully, you feel the same way, not that you’ve read about the 9 best Siamese cat traits.  There is good reason why these cats are one of the most popular.  If you are thinking about getting a new cat, a Siamese is a good choice.

If you enjoyed this article, check these out:

  • 3 Best Places to Find a Siamese Cat (Complete Analysis):  Click Here.
  • Are Siamese Cats Easy to Train? Essential Knowledge:  Click Here.
  • Why Siamese Cats Appear Cross-Eyed:  Its Great Info:  Click Here.

Here are some of my favorite cat products

In addition to checking out some other More Meows articles, I hope you’ll check out some of my favorite cat products as well.  These are affiliate links, so if you end up using them, I’ll get a commission at no extra cost to you.  These are the products I really do find most helpful.

Litter Box:  I started out with normal, traditional litter boxes for my cat.  Then, I tried this automatic litter box on Amazon (affiliate link), which helped reduce the litter upkeep.  Finally, I am now a believer in the Litter-Robot 3 Connect on Amazon (affiliate link).  This robotic litter box is not for everyone based on the price tag, but for me the benefits (very little upkeep, works efficiently, clean, mobile app) far outweighed the cost. 

My Cat’s Litter-Robot 3 Connect (with night light on) – See the link above the photo!

Cat Tree:  I have purchased a couple of this Amazon Basics Cat Tree on Amazon (affiliate link).  My cat spends a lot of time on and around this cat tree, which I position near my sofa.  She uses the scratching posts on this cat tree multiple times a day, which means she is not scratching the sofa instead.

Cat Water Fountain:  I love this cat water fountain on Amazon (affiliate link).  There are three main benefits to having a water fountain like this for your cat.  The first benefit is that it keeps water running so that your cat doesn’t need to drink still water.  The second benefit is that it filters the water.  The third benefit is that it will keep your cat hydrated!

Christopher Carlson

I have an Domestic Shorthair Tabby named Charlotte. She is full of energy when she isn't sleeping most of the day. I share what I learn about cats on this site.

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