And Meow, A Word About Siamese Cats 

April 6^th is a special day for some very special kitties: it’s Siamese Cat Day! These pretty felines—also often called Meezers—are incredibly charismatic. And while all of our feline friends are lovable and full of purrsonality, many find that Siamese kitties are, well, a bit extra, and only in the best ways. A local Burlington, ON veterinarian discusses Siamese cats in this article.

What Is So Special About Siamese Cats?

Siamese cats have beautiful and distinctive coat patterns. They are typically a very pale tan or white with dark tips, and often have blue eyes. They are also known for being extremely intelligent and affectionate. They tend to form extremely close bonds with their humans. They’re also extremely chatty, and have a quite distinctive, loud meow, and are quite outgoing. Full of mischief, lovable, and often hilarious, these sweet kitties have some very devoted fans. In fact, they are one of the most popular breeds in the States!

Another thing that is interesting about these guys? They can learn tricks! Many like to play ‘fetch’ with their humans. Fluffy may even enjoy going for a walk on a leash. 

How Long Do Siamese Cats Live?

Fluffy has a somewhat longer average lifespan than most kitties. Most of our feline pals will live between 12 and 19 years. Siamese cats can live up to 20 years. One purrticularly long-lived kittie made the Guinness Book Of World Records for being the oldest kitty in the world. That furball, Scooter, made it to 30. That’s extraordinary for a cat!

What Is The History Of The Siamese Cat?

Fluffy originated in Thailand, which was once called Siam. These sweet kitties have been around for thousands of years. They were once the favored pets of royalty. In fact, they are mentioned in records dating back as far as the 14^th century! They were also mentioned in the Tamra Maew (The Cat Book Poems), which came out at some point between the 14th and 18th centuries. 

The kitties were considered sacred, and were often gifted to foreign ambassadors and dignitaries. That is evident in their name. In Thai, they are called wichien-maat, which means “moon diamond.

Fluffy made it to the U.S. back in 1878, and then to the U.K. in 1884. She got her very first fan club in 1902, and was officially accepted into the ranks of the CFA in 1906.

What Are The Legends About Siamese Cats?

Fluffy has picked up quite a few legends. Siamese cats may have been kept by Buddhist monks, who, according to legend, felt that they kept evil spirits away. The ancient Siamese people also believed that, when someone in the royal family died, their souls were reborn into Siamese cats. This, of course, meant that the kitties were completely pampered and spoiled, with monks waiting on them hand and paw. (Clearly, they have never forgotten this.)

Another old ‘tail’ about these cute kitties has to do with their eyes. As you may have noticed, many Siamese cats had crossed eyes. Rumor has it that this happened when a Siamese king gave Fluffy the task of guarding his favorite goblet. The kitty wrapped her tail around the vase and stared at it. She was so focused on her duties that her eyes crossed and her tail got kinked! 

What Is A Fun Fact About Siamese Cats?

There are actually lots of fun facts about Fluffy! However, we have a purrticularly interesting tidbit. Fluffy once busted two spies! Back in the 1960s, which was the height of the Cold War, two of the kitties lived at the Dutch Embassy in Moscow. The cats kept meowing and scratching at a specific spot on the walls, which alerted their humans that something was unusual. Officials took a closer look and actually found two dozen microphones hidden in the wall.

What Should I Know Before Adopting A Siamese Cat? 

For the most part, Siamese cats have the same needs as any other kitty: good food, a clean litterbox, proper veterinary care, and, of course, lots of love. 

Fluffy may need a bit more attention than some cats. While some of our feline pals are aloof and independent, Siamese cats are extremely sociable. They’ve even earned the nickname ‘Velcro kitties.’ In fact, they can get distressed and lonely if left by themselves too often! If you’re considering adopting one of these cute kitties, and your pet will be home alone a lot, you might want to get two. 

It’s also worth noting that Siamese cats can be a bit sensitive. Never yell at or scare Fluffy: she’ll most certainly remember it! 

You also may want to note that Fluffy is a bit of an escape artist! Many Siamese cats enjoy going for walks on leashes, so if you like being outdoors, you may want to look into this. Be sure to ask your Burlington, ON vet for training tips. 

How Do You Keep A Siamese Cat Happy? 

Let’s start with basic kitty care. Fluffy will need a good diet, clean litterbox, and proper veterinary care to stay healthy. Of course it will take a bit more than that to truly please your feline overlord. 

Meezers are known for being playful and affectionate. They often follow their humans from room to room, and will chatter on about anything and everything, from the moth at the window to the dust bunny under the couch. 

Entertainment and stimulation are crucial for these guys. You’ll need to provide lots of toys, and take time to play with your feline pal regularly. Fluffy will also appreciate a cat tower: many Siamese cats are very fond of high places. 

Are Siamese Cats Loud? 

One of Fluffy’s most distinctive traits is her tendency to vocalize about, well, everything. Siamese cats have quite distinct meows, which often sound quite a bit like the cries of human babies. 

That said, keep in mind that all cats have their own purrsonalities. While many are quite vocal, there are some quiet ones out there. 

Are There Different Kinds Of Siamese Cats?

While all Siamese cats have paler bodies and dark points, Fluffy can wear a few different shades. The CFA allows four options. There’s the original seal point, which is tan fur with dark brown or black points. The chocolate wardrobe has a lighter body and points. A blue Siamese will sport bluish-grey points with a grey body, while the lilac has a white body. The International Cat Association also allows for flame and cream; tabby points, and tortie points. The kitties all have blue eyes. Fluffy can have long fur, though longhaired Siamese cats are very rare. Balinese cats look like longhaired Siamese cats.

Of course, no matter what type of coat these kitties have on, they’re all adorable!

Are Siamese Cats Popular?

Today, Siamese cats are quite popular. Fluffy’s popularity may have peaked after World War II: for a while, they were the number one cat breed, as far as registrations. However, these charming cats didn’t always fare so well in the West. After Fluffy made her debut at the first cat show, a journalist went so far as to call her an “Unnatural nightmare.” Disney didn’t exactly do the breed any favors, either, by making them the feline villains of Lady And The Tramp! 

Do you have questions about caring for a Siamese cat? Has it been a while since your Meezer  has been to the Burlington, ON animal clinic? Please feel free to contact us for all of your kitty’s veterinary care needs.