When Do Siamese Cats Stop Changing Color? (Find Out Now)


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Siamese cats are some of the most interesting pets in the world. One of the things that stick out about them is their ability to change colors. Other animals across the animal kingdom change colors but none so strikingly as the Siamese cat. When do Siamese cats stop changing color?

Siamese cats usually stop changing color by the end of their first year. They maintain their color depending on how warm their skin temperature is. There are a number of factors that can cause Siamese cats to change color, including genetics, seasons, illness, and food.

Choosing what color the kitten is will depend on the colors of both parents. For the first year, they will have a white tinge to their fur until their body adapts to their surroundings’ temperatures. Nature is a crazy and wonderful thing that can leave your head spinning.

Read on and learn everything you need to know about a Siamese cat and its color-changing abilities.

Why Do Siamese Cats Change Color?

Siamese cats change their colors because of changes in their body temperature. This is the first significant change in coat color as they can be affected by several other factors.

You should research your cat’s breeding to see if there are distinct color patterns or shade shifts. Also, check for albino cats in the litter, as they may be sprinkled in amongst all the others.

The most important reason for a cat’s coat color is its genes. There are illnesses and other things that can make their coats change shades, but the color will always be determined by the cat’s family genetics.

If you have a registered animal, it shouldn’t be hard to research their line and make an educated guess about what color they will be as adults.

Some of the reasons your cat might change color are:

ReasonExplanation
GeneticsA gene, called the Himalayan gene, in Siamese cats makes them all white their entire lives. The gene isn’t dominant in most cats, but there will be white patches around their face and mouth that show the gene’s presence. Genes determine shades more than coloration. Cats will get greyer each year, regardless of genetics.
Seasonal ChangesIf you have an indoor or outdoor feline, they could begin to darken the coat as the seasons change. When the skin stays warm, the fur will be lighter colored and dark when colder.
IllnessIf a cat has a severe disease or a high fever, its coat could change colors. Diseases that affect color are infrequent, and your breeder should know within the first few weeks and be able to alert you before you purchase the animal. Vets are a great resource if you have questions about sudden cat illness.
FoodYou should always take the time to study what your pet needs to eat. If you give your Siamese a new kind of food or drop something vital from their diet, they could exhibit discoloration, which is a sign of malnutrition. Another thing to look for is bitten leaves and plants. Cats could ingest plant leaves that make them sick.
Chart: Reasons Your Cat Might Change Color

Siamese Cat Color Change Timeline

Within days of the kitten’s birth, the skin will begin to change colors. While they may never be snow-white all over, there will be spots where they can maintain a dusky white color that matches their black feet and faces well. The eyes will never change color and always be an icy blue in the middle of a pinched face.

As cats age, you will notice that their mood can change from playful to sedate. Their coat will also grow and need constant brushing to make the colors look healthy. When the cats reach adulthood, around two years, their fur will have a steady, beautiful coloration. These cats never stop learning and will let loose with some fantastic yowls.

Speaking of yowls, to learn more about why a Siamese cat yowls, check out our article: Click Here.

Siamese Newborn Kitten Colors

Siamese kittens are some of the most adorable pets around. They have some pretty amazing color schemes that range from bright white to darker colors like grey and black around the edges. The coloring around the edges will give you a heads up about what colors the cat will be when it grows up.

Siamese Kitten 8 Weeks Colors

At around eight weeks old, the kitten will begin to have color coming in around the extremities. They will also be coming into their age and will be a ball of energy with training and socialization with other animals. As time passes, the cat will begin to develop the black or gray shading in the legs that will dominate the body.

Siamese Kitten Color Change: 10 Months Old to 2 Years Old

After the first year, there will be a traditional color scheme on the kitten. The face and legs should be black with a slow drift towards a grey or white. They will also be considered kittens until they reach age two, so be prepared for them to be still exploring and learning each and every day.

The late kitten/early adulthood time for Siamese is an excellent indicator of how their coat color will look for the rest of their lives. By this stage, they have lost all-white pieces in their extremities and will have a light-colored grey or white main coat.

Adult Siamese Cats: Are Siamese Cats Loving?

Yes, adult Siamese cats are quite loving.  When the cat reaches adulthood, it will love to spend time with you, lay around and nap, and be a great communicator. One place that cats sometimes lay is on blankets, to read if cats actually like blankets: Click Here.

As adults, Siamese cat color will be the tinges they have always had. As the weather changes around, you may notice their shade has become a bit darker, but there will be no distinct color changes like when they were a kitten.

Senior Siamese Cats: Are Siamese Cats Lazy?

Senior Siamese cats aren’t lazy, but they are definitely not as energetic as they used to be. When a cat reaches the late stages of adulthood, they are just like any other older animal.

Older Siamese cats will move much less, and there could begin to be greying from old age around the eyes and mouth. Keep a close watch on their health from this point forward as they could begin to show signs of hearing loss or sight.

When cats reach age fifteen, they will be showing their old age with spots of grey hairs. They will also be much less active and even more vocal. Once again, you can expect to have more hours around the animal as it will need extra comfort.

At senior ages, Siamese cats should be closely watched and provided with as much exercise as they can handle.

To read more about when cats start having less energy and becoming less playful, check out our article: Click Here.

Conclusion

Video: Siamese Cats and Their Color

Siamese cats have some of the most impressive coats in the animal kingdom. They undergo a dramatic color change from birth, lasting until they are around a year old. Their color scheme will remain, but there will be a darkening of the coat that will be seasonal depending on your cat’s access to the outside weather.

Cold weather will bring the coat to its darkest shade while being inside will keep it close to normal. As they age, the grey will begin to become more prominent and darken areas covered with grey. Keep an eye out for discoloration patches as they could be signs of illness or lack of dietary needs.

If you enjoyed reading about the Siamese cat, please check out two of our head-to-head comparisons of the Siamese cat to another cat breed, such as:

  • Siamese vs Burmese (the Unbelievably Gigantic Review): Click Here.
  • American Shorthair vs Siamese (New Popular Cat Comparison): Click Here.

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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