“The Royal Cats of Siam” or the Siamese cats have a sophisticated history for they came from the Ancient Kingdom of Siam (Thailand) and were allowed to be bred only by the royal blood. Experts say that the Siamese cat breed is a natural breed and that these cats got their remarkable characteristics due to natural genetic mutation.
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Origin of the Siamese cat
Searching for the history of the Siamese cat, the first Siamese cat marking was found in an old engraving discovered by Mr. Pallas on his journey to Southern Russia between 1793 and 1794. Another one was found in the “Cat-Book Poems,” where the drawing of cats of various colors and patterns were found. They are branded as one of the oldest of the Oriental/Asian cat breeds. This breed is considered one of the most natural breeds globally since they developed in their own ways without having human interference.
The most common breeds which can be derived from the Siamese are the Balinese, Bengal, Birman, Burmese, Havana Brown, Colorpoint Shorthair, Himalayan, Javanese, Ocicat, Oriental Shorthair, Oriental Longhair, Savannah, Snowshoe, Thai Cat, Tonkinese, and the Mekong Bobtail.
Variations of the Siamese cat
There are three widely-known breed types of Siamese cats; the Apple head or the traditional Siamese, the classic Siamese, and the modern Siamese.
Apple head or Old Style Siamese
The name of the Siamese cats speaks for their most prominent feature; their head, which resembles an apple’s shape. The apple-head Siamese is either round or oval but no wedge. Its muzzle emphasizes the roundness of its head. Their nose has a gentle dip located at the eye level and has medium-sized ears with a broad base and rounded tips. Their ears are set on top of the head rather on the side and are tilted forward. Their eyes are located one width apart and slightly slanted to the eyelid and a slightly rounded bottom eyelid.
Classic Siamese
The classic Siamese is more of a wedge-shaped head and face and a more defined muzzle. Unlike the Apple-head Siamese, its body is more muscular, only that the legs are longer and slimmer. Its coat is smooth and lies flatter and tighter to their body frames. Their ears are larger than the Apple-head but smaller than the Wedgehead. Their body is more muscular and toned.
Modern or Wedge head Siamese
The modern Siamese has almond-shaped eyes, and the entire head is triangular. They are also called “Wedgies” or ‘Wedge Heads” from the shape of their heads. They have longer ears than the traditional Siamese, and they have a longer but well-toned body and relatively lithe and flat.
General feature of Siamese cats
Regardless of the Siamese variations, the most common physical characteristics are its striking blue eyes and its two-tone coat. All Siamese are very active cats and extroverted and playful. Siamese makes good company for the human who chose them as a pet.
The average lifespan of a healthy Siamese cat is 15-20 years, and the male Siamese are relatively heavier than the females. The most common color combination in a Siamese is the “Seal point,” which means a white body with dark brown paw pads, nose, and ears.
Siamese cats are moderate shredders, which means that a once a week brushing session is enough to keep its condition on top. Also, the Siamese felines are very well-known for their vocalizations as they often speak in their own ways to express themselves and even ask for their dinner.
Health Concerns for the Siamese cat
Mixed breeds of cats and animals tend to be healthier because of how diverse their gene pool is. Siamese, as a purebred, is more prone to specific genetic issues.
Respiratory Problems
Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) is most commonly experienced by young cats. This disease is caused by two pathogens; the calicivirus, which lasts for about a week, and feline rhinotracheitis, which lasts longer and characterizes by sneezing and drooling. However, adult Siamese has the best chance to avoid the virus, especially when kept indoors and updated with their vaccines. Asthma is also an issue with this breed.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
When they get over-stressed, Siamese ends up developing a psychological disorder called psychogenic alopecia in which obsessive licking can cause bald spots. This can also be triggered by other factors such as boredom, anxiety, or other cats’ problems. This disorder, however, is most common in animal shelters for rescued Siamese.
Vestibular Disease
The vestibular disease is a genetic problem with the inner ear, especially with the nerves in it. Its common symptoms are dizziness and disorientation with the cats. However, it usually lasts for a week and resolves by itself.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Progressive Retinal Atrophy- this is a genetic eye problem that can cause progressive blindness.
Common questions regarding Siamese cats
How big are Siamese cats?
When it comes to their weight, Siamese cats typically weigh between 8 to 12 pounds (4 to 6 kilograms). However, despite being on the heavier side, their bodies are usually thin and lithe when walking or moving. Their breed is well-known for skinny and long legs, making them appear bigger than they actually are. Modern or wedge-head Siamese cats tend to be thicker than their traditional counterparts.
Do Siamese cats get along with other pets?
If you’re looking for a cat to bring home but worry they may not get along with other pets, with a Siamese cat, you don’t have to worry about that. They are smart felines that can get along quickly with other pets and are amiable breeds in general. They enjoy playing with other cats as well as other animals as a form of stimulation.
How can I tell if my Siamese cat is purebred?
The best feature to look for when determining if a Siamese cat is a purebred is by looking at its coat color. Whatever color they may have, it should be solid and consistent throughout the cat’s body. Another feature is their fur length; purebred’s fur is more likely to be thinner and tighter on the body.
Final thoughts
The Siamese cat breed is a natural cat breed that was developed due to spontaneous genetic mutation. The Siamese is one of the foundation stocks or ancestors of other domestic cat breeds such as the Oriental Shorthairs and Colourpoint Shorthair to name a few. These cats has three significant variation, they are categorized as Apple-head, Classic and Modern Siamese
