The Vet’s Guide to Siamese Cats: Facts, Care, and Training Tips

From royalty to the red carpet, Siamese cats have been a popular pet for centuries. Originating in Thailand, the Siamese gets its title from the Kingdom of Siam - the country’s former name. The oriental breed is believed to have been the legendary temple cat of the King of Siam, and a guardian of the king, allegedly jumping from pillars and knocking potentially threatening visitors to the ground. 

The friendly felines are the oldest breed in history, recorded as far back as the 13th or 14th century. They began making their way overseas in the late 1800s, becoming a popular pet post-WW2. Known for their loyalty and affection, the protective cats have held roles in royal families, and even played a part in a 1960s espionage case! Thanks to their high-frequency hearing, a couple of Siamese led staff in the Dutch Embassy in Moscow to uncover more than 30 microphones hidden in the walls of the building. Talk about a curious cat!

Siamese began their journey to the west in the late 1800s, first being gifted from the King of Siam to the English Consulate General of Bangkok. The cats have a notable political history, including U.S. President Rutherford B Hayes receiving a Siamese cat as a gift from a U.S. diplomat stationed in Thailand in 1878. Naturally, once in America, these felines floated gracefully towards the catwalk, with actress and model Grace Kelly gifting a Siamese to Hollywood’s James Dean in the mid 1900s. 

While these cats used to be pretty rare, since the 1960s, they have become the most commonly registered breed among cat owners. 

Appearance: Siamese are an easily recognisable breed thanks to their long body, slender limbs, triangular-shaped face, and tell tale colouring. Their short, glossy coat is most often depicted in the common seal point colouring, however they also come in chocolate, lilac, red, cream, and cinnamon, among other tones too. While the colour covers the majority of their hair, they sport dark legs, tails, and ears, which really sets them apart. Females should be under 3 kilograms, with males weighing in between 3 and 5 kilograms. They are usually around 20 to 25 centimetres in height, and 29 to 26 centimetres long.

Temperament: Siamese are a well-tempered breed with an incredibly friendly nature that makes them a good fit for families with small children. With a love for vocalising, there’s no doubt that this cat will be keen to join in any conversation!

Activity Level: The medium-energy cat will likely follow you around the house throughout the day, entertaining themselves with whatever they find along the way. Of course, they’ll still demand some one-on-one playtime with you too, but nothing excessive.

Health: Siamese cats have a few health issues that are common to the breed. For the most part, these can be easily taken care of through proper diagnosis and home management. It’s also important for their health that their weight is managed, and that their diet is based on the cat’s individual activity level.

Lifespan: As long as your Siamese is well cared for, they’re expected to live to around 15 years old, with some Siamese reported to have lived for 20 years.

Overall, Siamese are considered to be a low-shedding breed, with two moult seasons each year. One happens in spring as they lose their winter coat, and the other is in autumn, as they grow it back for the cold weather. 

Grooming: Your Siamese cat will be relatively easy to groom, just needing to be brushed once each week. For this, we recommend using a slicker brush, or, to appeal to your pal’s affectionate side, try a grooming glove. This way, brushing will be easy for you, and they’ll get a thrill out of the task. If you come across any matted fur, a metal comb will do the trick to detangle. It’s also important to use a flea comb every so often just to be sure they’re flea-free.

Bathing: Siamese have sensitive skin that can be easily irritated, so when it comes to bathing, less is more. The breed only needs to be bathed when visibly necessary, and for that, it’s important to use a cat-specific shampoo that will be gentle on their skin.

Dental Care: Siamese are prone to dental issues like gingivitis, so proper oral hygiene is imperative. Simply brush their teeth using a cat toothbrush and toothpaste two to three times each week to help prevent build up and gummy flare ups. Dental treats and diets are also a great way to keep their teeth clean and healthy.

Nail Trimming: Cats' nails naturally wear down differently based on their environment and whether they are an indoor or outdoor pet. Using pet nail clippers, you can trim down those claws every two or three weeks. While indoor cats may need a mani-pedi more often, it’s equally as important to look after your outdoor cats paws, too. Scratching boards are a great way to maintain their nails between trims.

Clean Ears: Wax buildup can be a problem for many pets, not just Siamese cats. You can use an ear cleaner once per month to help soften wax, wiping it away gently with some cotton wool.

There are a handful of health issues that Siamese cats are prone to. If you notice any symptoms in your furry friend, or if they’re just not quite acting like themselves, it’s important to take them to a vet to rule out or treat any illnesses they may have.

Asthma: This, as well as bronchial disease, are health issues that are common among Siamese cats. Caused by sensitivity to allergens inhaled through the air, these can be treated by a prescription of an appropriate inhalant medication.

Gingivitis: This is an inflammation of the gums, and can lead to more serious gum and teeth issues. The concern is prevalent in cats aged 7-10 months. Looking after your pet’s dental hygiene has a big part in the prevention and management of gingivitis. 

Feline Hyperaesthesia Syndrome: While Siamese cats are incredibly affectionate creatures, animals with this syndrome are super sensitive to touch. If you notice a rippling in your pet’s skin when you touch them, it could be a sign of feline hyperaesthesia syndrome. Cats with this can often become irritable, and may scratch or paw at themselves in frustration. 

Amyloidosis: This is the most serious condition that Siamese are predisposed to, and happens when insoluble fibrous proteins (called amyloids) are deposited into various tissues of the body, particularly the liver and kidneys . These tissues replace the natural organ tissue, and can ultimately lead to organ damage . Symptoms include excessive drinking and urination, lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, and jaundice. Any single symptom or combination of symptoms should be brought to your vet’s attention ASAP.

While many people associate training and tricks with dogs, cat owners know just how smart these creatures really are. Their intelligence and good-naturedness make Siamese cats perfect for training. Whether that’s using the litter box or having a little show-and-tell piece to impress guests, there are a few ways you can train your Siamese.

Clicker training is a proven method of training your cat. Anytime they complete the desired behaviour, give your device a little click to let them know they’ve done a good job!

You can even leash train your cat so you can safely take them out and about with you. As Siamese are prone to touch-sensitivity issues, you’ll want to make sure that they are comfortable wearing a harness or collar and leash, and start slowly with small stints to help them to adjust.

As Siamese are highly intelligent cats with a moderate energy level, it’s good to keep them enriched and entertained. This will ensure they are a happy pet, and will help to prevent negative behaviours like scratching and clawing at carpets, furniture, and anything they can get their paws on. While your cat will likely spend the day wandering around and finding ways to entertain themselves, you’ll want to spend at least 10-15 minutes each day playing with them one-on-one.

Fetch: This game isn’t reserved for dogs, cats enjoy playing fetch too. This simple game keeps them entertained, and doubles as a great way to help them get some extra steps in.

Crumpled Paper: Pet toys don’t need to break the bank. The texture and sound of crumpled up paper is enough to keep your cat entertained throughout the day.

Light Beam: We’ve all seen online videos of cats chasing lights and lasers, so it’s no surprise that this is a great activity to keep them on their toes. Simply point a flashlight at a wall, and as soon as your pet reaches for it, move it elsewhere. For many cat owners, this is as much fun to watch as it is for them to play. While this is a game that’s intended to be entertaining for everyone involved, watch out for signs of frustration in your cat. As they have a natural hunting instinct, not being able to ever really “catch” the dot can become aggravating for some. Also, be sure not to point the laser directly at your pal’s eye, as this can lead to eye damage. 

Scratch Post: Scratching comes as second nature to cats, and if they don’t have another outlet, there’s a good chance they’ll take it out on your flooring and furniture. To avoid this, get a scratching post in your home so that they can scratch to their heart’s content. This will also help to keep their nails filed down. It’s no surprise that cats are opinionated animals, and some cats can be a little picky with their posts. We recommend having at least two in your home, one horizontal and one vertical, giving them the opportunity to choose their favourite for that moment.

Siamese nutritional needs will vary depending on your cat’s activity level, so you need to bear this in mind at feeding time. Outdoor cats will need more food to fuel their adventures than indoor cats, who’ll spend more time casually roaming between rooms.

Younger kittens require smaller meals at regular intervals throughout the day. As they grow, the size of their meal should increase, with the amount of mealtimes slowly going down.

In general, Siamese require a diet that’s rich in omega fatty acids, which will keep their coat nice and glossy. A combination of wet and dry foods is good for this breed, as dry foods are better for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, while wet foods help to increase water intake. A number of brands produce cat food that is specifically formulated for Siamese cats, so you know that your cat is getting the right nutrients for a happy and healthy life.

Whether you own a Siamese or are considering adding one to your family, we trust that our guide has provided you with valuable insights. Whilst this guide is great start to learning about Siamese ownership, never stop seeking out new information from reputable sources. Engage with other Siamese owners, share your experiences and continue learning about your cat's breed characteristics, temperament, and the best ways to care for and cherish them.

This article was written by Dr Jane Miller