Siamese cat
The 'Siamese' is a breed of cat from Thailand. It is a well-known cat, especially for its blue eyes and brown face, ears, tail and paws, although not all of them look like this. In Thailand, it is a native breed, and they are called Wichian Mat (Thai: วิเชียรมาศ), which means moon diamond. There are two different types of Siamese Cat, the Traditional or Thai Siamese, and the Modern Siamese.
| Siamese cat | |
|---|---|
 Lilac-point Siamese (Oriental) | |
| Common nicknames | Meezer, Mese |
| Origin | Thailand  |
| Breed standards | |
| CFA | standard |
| FIFe | standard |
| TICA | standard |
| ACF | standard |
| ACFA/CAA | standard |
| CCA-AFC | standard |
| GCCF | standard |
| Domestic cat (Felis catus) | |
Appearance
The fur on all Siamese cats has the same sort of pattern, known as point coloration. This is when an animal has a pale body and a dark face, ears, feet and tail.
Traditional Siamese
The Traditional Siamese has a few features that are the same as the Modern Siamese, like the colour pattern and the short fur, but it is different because of its head and body shape. It has long legs, and is thin and is graceful. It has a wedge shaped head and muzzle, and round cheeks. The ears are large and high. The eyes are between medium and large, and have the shape of an almond.
Modern Siamese
The body of a Modern Siamese is flexible and well-muscled. Its head is in the shape of a triangle, with a thin snout-like muzzle. Their eyes are also almond shaped, and their ears are tall and sit more on the side of the head than the Traditional Siamese. It's neck and tail are long and thin.
Behaviour
Siamese cats, both Traditional and Modern, are usually very friendly and loving cats, and will enjoy spending time with you,[1] although this depends on the cat.
They are known to bond to one person. They are also very smart, more so than some other cats. Some Siamese cats enjoy 'talking', which has been said to sound like a human baby, and always enjoy attention. Siamese cats love to play and run around as if they were kittens all their life.
Unlike most cats, they are less active at night, and prefer to sleep through it. This might be because their eyes lack something called tapetum lucidum, which allows cats to see better in the dark. Unlike many other blue-eyed cats, Siamese cats can still hear well. Cats that are white with blue eyes are often deaf.
In fiction
- Siamese cats named Si and Am have a minor role in Lady and the Tramp (1955) and its sequel, Lady and the Tramp II (2001). They were replaced with a different breed in the 2019 remake, the Devon Rex.
- The cover of the Blink-182 album Cheshire Cat features a Siamese cat.
Siamese Cat Media
A chart on the crosses of the four CFA approved points of siamese cats - Blue point, seal point, chocolate point and lilac point. Note - must see this page as full resolution!
Sound "Meezer" of a Siamese cat
This Siamese cat demonstrates the once common cross-eyed trait that has largely been bred out.
Balinese are also known as Longhaired Siamese, being distinguished by coat length
Orientals have the same head and body type but green eyes and a wide variety of coat patterns
Himalayan cat, breed derived from crosses of Persians to Siamese
Colorpoint Shorthair, cross between a Siamese and a Domestic Shorthair, with a lynx point pattern and cream colouring.
Seal point shorthair, cross between a Siamese and a Domestic Shorthair.
King Prajadhipok following his coronation day, surrounded by the court ladies carrying his regalia and what is today regarded as a Thai cat, the cat symbolises "domesticity".
References
- ↑ "Siamese Cat Facts". gahvets: Guilderland Animal hospital. Retrieved 11 August 2014.