10 Reasons Siamese Cats are Like Dogs


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Siamese cats are frequently discussed as having dog-like qualities. So, this article will explore 10 reasons that Siamese cats are similar to dogs. For all the great reasons, see below!

1.     Are Siamese Cats Good Family Pets?

Dogs may have the bragging rights of man’s best friend, but cats aren’t too far behind. Siamese cats, in particular, love to receive affection. So they’ll be just fine if they can be where you are, on you or playing with you.

A great thing about their personalities is that they are adaptable to whatever situation you might be in; they’ll be happy living with big households or a cozy family of two. The Siamese won’t be annoyed with active families, nor would they mind dozing on the lap of an avid reader.

They’ll make great pets for first-time owners because of their sweet and affectionate natures. They are also relatively low maintenance in the grooming department which is an excellent plus for owners getting used to caring for cats.

While they are even-tempered and enjoy cuddles, Siamese cats – just like overenthusiatic dogs – might not be the perfect fit for seniors who wants a laid-back pet. Although, this gorgeous breed has a lot of energy and would need a good outlet for it, seniors might not be able to handle the breeds boisterous bouts.

2.     Siamese Cats Are Crazy

Siamese Cat

Often, you’ll hear dog owners complain about all the naughty things their pups get up to during the day. While cats are supposed to be more refined than dogs, they can get into a world of mischief when the mood strikes.

Kittens are silly little energetic balls that bounce all over the walls, furniture, the dog, your head. Well, you get the picture; they are utter chaos. Thankfully they outgrow this phase after about a year, and by then, you (should) be the owner of a dignified feline.

Siamese cats are more inclined to have a naughty streak because they are very energetic and playful. The problem is that they take just a bit longer to put their kitten-like behavior to bed.

But don’t let a little mischief put you off; there are many things you can do and games you can play with your Siamese cat to keep their minds busy and force out some of that pent-up energy that manifests out of boredom.

To learn more about the personalities of Siamese cats, check out this article:  9 Best Siamese Cat Traits (Supreme Analysis).

3.     Can Siamese Cats Talk?

Vocal communication differs from species to species. Humans use speech and languages, birds chirp, and pigs grunt. However, when it comes to canines, there is little argument that dogs tend to be noisy creatures. They bark for just about anything, like when they are excited, scared, wanting to play, or asking for food. 

Like a dog, the Siamese cat loves to communicate with humans. In fact, they are deemed to be one of the top feline vocalists. They will meow for attention, from hunger, when they are lonely, and sometimes just because they feel like saying hi.

Siamese owners can write books on the various sounds their cats make for all sorts of reasons. Interestingly, the breed’s chattiness is that they love it when you talk back. The back and forth is sure to make for a bizarre conversation, but just as parents learn what their toddler’s babble means, owners seem to grasp the general needs of their Siamese cats.

If your Siamese is more vocal than usual, keep an eye on them. They might just have a lot to say, but it can also be an attempt to communicate their discomfort or pain. Cats can meow excessively for various reasons:

Check out my article on Siamese cats and meowing:  Why Do Siamese Cats Meow So Much? See The Truth.

4.     Siamese Cats Can Have Separation Anxiety

Siamese Cat

Dogs are not the only domesticated species dependent on human interaction. Felines, and especially the Siamese breed, are considered Velcro pets. Guys, it does what it says on the box; they are clingy and want to be around you constantly.

Sure, this is an adorable characteristic if you are an elderly lady who enjoys staying in with a good book every night. However, Velcro pets can suffer from separation anxiety, and that is no cute matter.

This anxiety disorder is most commonly associated with dogs like Labrador Retrievers, Vizslas, and Golden Retrievers. However, some cats like the Siamese can suffer from it as well. The root of the anxiety does not sprout from being alone so much as their human being away from home.

Velcro pets are fiercely attached to their humans, and sometimes, they bond strongly with a particular family member. When this person leaves – even when the house is still full of other people – the pet will experience anxiety until the person returns.

Siamese cats usually become attached to just one person. Couple that with their social needs, and you have yourself a whiny cat walking around the house looking for that one person they love most in the world.

Separation anxiety can range from mild to severe, and so does the indicators. Severe cases result in unwanted or sometimes even destructive behavior, like knocking things off counters, refusing to eat, or doing their toilet business around the house.

Because Siamese cats are prone to separation anxiety, leaving them alone for hours on end is not ideal. You’ll notice that many owners usually get them in pairs; this way, the Velcro cats always have another warm body close.

Read more about Siamese cats and their attachments:  Do Siamese Cats Attach To One Person? (Bonding Cats).

5.      Siamese Cats Love to Play

Most families usually opt for dogs as pets because they are playful, and in comparison, cats seem to be sleeping all day – only getting up for necessary things like bathroom breaks and eating.

While this might be true for some cat breeds, the Siamese retains its playfulness long after the kitten stage has passed, making them excellent options for families who love to play.

One of the best things about their accomodating personalities is that they’ll make a fantastic edition as a second pet. In a scenario where you feel your dog needs a friend but don’t have the space for another dog, the Siamese might be the answer to your problem.

You might consider getting them a cat tree; just like most cats, they enjoy climbing and jumping and perching themselves on a branch, looking over their kingdom (which is, of course, your living room), and keep a watchful eye over their minions (which is, of course, their owners).

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!

6.     Siamese Cats Can Be Trained

As one of the highly intelligent cat breeds, you can teach your Siamese all sorts of fun tricks. You probably won’t be signing up for any obedience classes soon, but with reward-based training methods, you should be able to teach them some of the basics.

Here are some of the things you can teach your Siamese:

While the Siamese can be trained, keep in mind that cats – as a species – can be exceptionally stubborn when they feel like it. One day you’ll be on top of the world thinking you have the most brilliant cat in history, and the next, they’ll pretend to have forgotten everything you taught them – don’t be offended, it’s not personal.

Check out my article on Siamese cats and training:  Are Siamese Cats Easy To Train? Essential Knowledge.

7.    Siamese Cats Need Stimulation

Siamese cats are whip-smart and have loads of energy, which equals a need for proper mental and physical stimulation. Most dogs that are in the intelligent and energetic categories have the same stimulation needs.

It is usual for cat or dog breeds to become a little destructive or ill-behaved when bored. Because the Siamese have a high play drive, it won’t be too hard to provide them with exercise.

You even can put their training to use by taking them for walks around the neighborhood on a leash or play a tiring game of fetch. There is plenty of mind-stimulating toys and puzzles you can invest in for your Siamese cat.

If your Siamese is an indoor pet, keep in mind that they might require even more attention and action to keep them out of trouble. Cats love to explore, and being cooped up inside all day can increase boredom. But don’t fret; even an indoor cat sleeps most of the day away, making it unlikely that they would beg you for playtime all day long.

8.     Siamese Cats Are Great with Kids

Tying in with the breed’s social and playful characteristics, the Siamese cat is fantastic with households with children and other pets. There are cat and dog breeds that are content with being the only pet; then there are other breeds that thrive on busy and active families.

The Siamese is one of those breeds that enjoy the chaos around them. It is unlikely they’ll scatter and hide when the kids run wild, and you might even find them playing along.

Your kids, cats, or dogs can have the sweetest disposition, and still, there are bound to be some incidents where they bud heads. This behavior is pretty standard and should clear up all by itself.

9.    Siamese Cats Are Protective

A cat would probably be the last animal to cross your mind when you think about protection – and there is a good reason for that. Cats are not known for standing guard at the gate and making sure their humans are safe. That is a job best left for the dog.

The Siamese breed is not all that different from the rest of the feline breed regarding security – seeing as they don’t really care if a burglar runs off with your television set. But, the strong bond they share with their humans can invoke a protective response in the breed.

Siamese cats will be a little wary of strangers; some might even be downright antagonistic, but that is normal behavior for cats. However, the difference with some Siamese cats is that the basis of the hostility doesn’t come from self-preservation as with most cats, but from a need to protect their family.

Of course, not all Siamese cats feel the need to play the role of guardian. Cats have a unique personalities that will determine its responses to certain situations. Your Siamese may still be protective without being mean about it; they could feel they protect you by simply keeping watch while you are asleep.

10.   Siamese Cats Are Clumsy

It is no secret that puppies have four left paws and only grow more confident in movement as they discover how their bodies work; young kittens have the same predicament. Luckily, the clumsiness only lasts a short while as most cats grow up to have excellent balance and agility.

However, the Siamese might be a little different in this regard because their vision works a little differently. Ray Guillery – who was a physiologist and neuroanatomist – discovered their unusual eyesight in the 1960s.

The advanced technical and medical terms are a little hard to decipher, but we can understand from the article published in the ILAR Journal that they seem to lack depth perception. This abnormality affects the way they navigate and ultimately results in a few missteps here and there.

Have a look at this video to experience just how clumsy Siamese cats can be. While a graceless cat can be somewhat amusing, remember to keep an eye on them as they grow older, they might injure themselves if they take a tumble from a certain height.

Conclusion

Siamese cats are wonderful intelligent creatures that have many dog-like qualities. If you enjoyed this article please check out a few more:

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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