9 Fascinating Facts About Siamese Cats January 06 2021, 24 Comments
Updated: 1/6/21
Siamese cats might be best known for their sleek, streamlined bodies, creamy coats and distinctive markings. But as with most things feline, there is much more than meets the eye when it comes to Siamese cats! For instance, the Siamese breed is thought to be one of the oldest breeds of domesticated cat in the world. And did you know that their coat coloring is determined not only by genetics but by the temperature of their surroundings? Read on for more fascinating feline facts about Siamese kitties!
Siamese Cats Are an Old Breed
As with most things feline, the true origin of the Siamese cat breed is shrouded in mystery. No one is exactly certain where Siamese cats were originally bred and domesticated. Some people believe they were bred by royalty, others say Buddhist monks. But a Thai manuscript dating back to the 14th century, the Tamra Maew, or 'The Cat Book Poems,', makes mention of dark-pointed cats and suggests that the Siamese is a very old breed.
Cats of Thailand., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
They Are Surrounded By Folklore.
In the past, a common trait amongst Siamese cats was crossed eyes and crooked tails. While in modern times we know these traits are a result of genetics and breeding, these unusual traits are also surrounded by folklore. According to one legend, a clowder of Siamese cats was told to stand guard over a royal golden goblet. Contrary to most beliefs about cats doing whatever they please, these Siamese cats took their duties seriously. They stared so hard at the goblet that their eyes crossed, and wrapped their tails around it so tightly that they became permanently bent.
They Were Treated Like Royalty.
These days, most cats are treated like royalty. After all, cats don’t have owners - they have staff. And hundreds of years ago, it was no different for Siamese cats in Thailand. Many royal families in Thailand treasured the beautiful Siamese breed. Some believed that a Siamese cat would retrieve the souls of family members that had passed away. The cats would then spend their days in a temple, being pampered by monks.
Most Siamese cats are born completely white.
Thanks to a temperature-sensitive enzyme that affects a Siamese cat’s genes, most Siamese cats are born white and develop their traditional darker points as they age. Because a cat's body is cooler around her nose, ears, paws, and tail, that's where the pigment is most commonly deposited on Siamese cats. Once a Siamese cat’s body temperature drops below 100 degrees—or the cat is placed in a colder environment, e.g. outside of their mother’s womb—the genes for coat color are activated pigment to her fur.
Siamese Cats Are Very Social.
Siamese cats can form a very close bond to their humans. This people loving breed can take a strong interest in anything humans might be doing in their homes, following their staff wherever they go. Conversely, this close bond from the snuggly buddy Siamese cat leaves them prone to depression if they spend too much time alone.
They're Big Talkers.
These cats will let you if they are hungry, cold, lonely, happy, or ready-to-play. They love to have conversations with their humans on many important subjects relating to their needs. Their vocal style is known as a “meezer" for their loud and low-pitched sounds - their vocalizations have even been mistaken for the crying of a baby.
They Don't See Very Well In The Dark
Siamese cat’s beautiful blue eyes create a weakness in their eyesight, another effect of the temperature-sensitive genes. The pigment that gives them blue eyes also make it more difficult to make out details in the dark. Additionally, Siamese cats are often lacking the “tapetum lucidum”, which is a layer in the eye that allows large amounts of light to get through the retina. Siamese lack this, and receive less light and makes it difficult to make out fine details at night.
The first Siamese cat to come to the US belonged to a President.
The first Siamese cat to come to the United States was given to President Rutherford B. Hayes' wife Lucy as a gift. In 1878, David B. Sickels, a U.S. diplomat at the consul in Thailand, shipped "one of the finest specimens of Siamese cats" to the first lady. "Siam" soon became a favorite of their daughter, Fanny, and was given free rein of the White House.
Siamese cats once exposed espionage.
Two Siamese cats living at the Dutch Embassy in Moscow, Russia, alerted their owners to the presence of hidden microphones. The two cats were sleeping contentedly in the Dutch Ambassador’s study when they suddenly jumped to their paws, arched their backs and began hissing and clawing at a wall. Ambassador Henri Helb thought the cats must have heard something imperceptible to the human ear - and he was right. Upon investigating the wall, 30 tiny microphones were found hidden behind the wall.
Comments
I’ve been a cat lover all my life and I am now 53 years old and I adore all of them, especially Siamese cats they seem to have the most personality and most talkative of all the cats that ever owned me. Today I belong to two 8 yr old Short hair domestic bothers and a 10 + year Russian Blue female. All rescues, We rescued one another. My Russian blue does not get along with any other animals at all. Especially the young ones. She was already a couple years old when she came here to live with me 10 years ago and she never has gotten along with any one except human’s. and she doesn’t have a high tolerance for that. I don’t know if that answers your question or not. It’s probably just her, I have a way of attracting the strange ones
Ann on January 10 2021 at 01:45PM
I’d read that Siamese cats have comparatively poor night vision. I’d also read that that poor vision may explain their sociability. Siamese cats are also one of the more intelligent cat breeds — and they apparently are smart enough to know they don’t see well in the dark. Consequently, they depend on humans to look after them.
helene langelier on January 06 2021 at 06:55PM
I have a siamese cat for 11 years , is name is Michael …I adopt him 2 months after Michael Jackson death and i was so sad so i named it Michael!!!He is the most wanderfull cat that i never had…I love him and he love me !!!
helene langelier on January 06 2021 at 06:54PM
I have a siamese cat for 11 years , is name is Michael …I adopt him 2 months after Michael Jackson death and i was so sad so i named it Michael!!!He is the most wanderfull cat that i never had…I love him and he love me !!!
Llyn Wheeler on August 09 2020 at 09:30PM
I have a 13 year old Siamese cat named Tandy. She’s very outspoken, (mouthy). She loves to lay on a couch pillow and get rubbed and massaged on the ears and head by my husband. She likes to play rough like a dog, with me. She has a bed in my lingerie and sock drawer,,although she ends up laying on half of my pillow, by morning. We both love her dearly.
olive on February 27 2020 at 11:54AM
I have one named her olive flower I love her
Cory on January 13 2020 at 11:54AM
We’ve been taking care of 5 apple head Siamese born under our deck for 13 yrs now. They never came in the house because I already had two Bengal cats and only live in a 1,000 sq ft home. We worked with our local feral cat org and got them all fixed and vaccinated. The org works off TNR (Trap Neuter Return) terms. My husband put a heater in the garage, installed a kitty door, and there is plenty of good expensive food, water, beds, and toys for them! It’s the “kitty condo” as the neighbors like to say! They are such gorgeous, social little buggers! They hear my car and run to greet me. Luckily, they seldom venture out of the yard and seem very happy and feel safe with the privacy fence.
Matthew on December 14 2019 at 09:43AM
Omar, my blue-point, was one of the most lovable cats I’ve ever had. Chatty, personable, loved climbing onto shoulders (until he got too big) and the center of attention at any party, this ‘miese was the best. Lost him over 15 years ago and still miss that crazy cat
Ann on August 28 2019 at 10:05PM
We had a Siamese mix when I was growing up. His name was Mister Bartlett and he didn’t look anything like a Siamese — but he had that cry. He also had a lot of opinions and demands. He hated being ignored, so he would do things like sit on the newspaper while you were trying to read it.
Mr. Bartlett was also smart enough to figure out who the early risers in the family were, which meant he knew who was likely to get up and feed him breakfast. So he never bothered my brother or mother for breakfast, because they liked to sleep in. He always went to me or Dad.
Mr. Bartlett also enjoyed dinner parties. He would circulate around the room to let everybody pet him and then sit somewhere he could be seen and admired. The words “pretty cat” were definitely in his vocabulary. He lived to be almost 20.
Joan Sims on August 28 2019 at 09:18AM
I have had many of these beautiful, independent, lovable cats. My current one, Jamie, a.k.a. Streak, is 5 years old, and the love of my life. She is the most soft spoken Siamese I have ever owned, oops, been a servant for.
Suzy on August 28 2019 at 07:51AM
Our rescued Siamese, Parsley, late one night insisted on waking us up by walking on us and talking very loud. She led us to our Todler sons room just as he started with Febrile seizures. Ambulance was here in minutes and he is very well at 34.
Parsley led a charmed life but she certainly was elevated to Cat Godess.
Pasi Thea Calli
Foxes on August 28 2019 at 02:08AM
I have been blessed with two Balinese twin boy kittens which I named Kit and Kat (get it Lol) who are 6 months of age right now who are cuzns to the Siamese breed. They have a dirty white color of fur with a dark grey color on their tails, ears and face with light blue eyes…Soooo caauute!! Their mother is a Ragdoll and father unknown. So curious I googled a ton of pics trying to figure out the breed of these beautiful cats with such a demeanor about them and Walla! I couldn’t belive my eyes, I felt like I fell upon a gold mine. And also Kat is crossed eyed as well! Hmmph! How bout that.
Jo Crefasi on August 28 2019 at 01:54AM
I found a Siamese kitten in my yard crying. She was about 4-6 weeks old and so friendly. I knew someone had to be looking for her. I listed her on all the Facebook lost and found pages and put signs around the neighborhood. That was 6 months ago and no one responded to the ads. I named her Yao Ling because that’s what she does when she’s hungry lol. I took her to the vet and had her spayed so she is now my baby and has my 18lb male ragdoll wrapped around her paw
Lulabetti Parker on August 27 2019 at 08:53PM
My blue eyed girl is 13yrs old.She replaced my 27yr old blue eyed princess.I got my present for child at age 2 days old.She is my Therapy cat and reason to live.Her beautiful eyes and siamese voice make my life whole.
jan mull on August 27 2019 at 08:21PM
I have an applehead. Love my sweet baby
Sherry on August 27 2019 at 06:23PM
I have 4 mixed Siamese cats they are called snow shoes if any one remembers grumpy cat..they are like that… Esmeralda 6 yrs old. Simon 4yrs Oliver 3 yrs and Matilda is 2 yrs .all have a full Siamese dad.and their moma is solid black..they are the best cats..very active loving smart and so funny..they are my babies..nothing sweeter than these snow shoes..
Ritq on August 27 2019 at 11:49AM
I have a 15 year old siamese mix — a shelter rescue.
Got him from him 14 years ago. Named him Roo.
The siamese part is dominant and he is waited on paw and paw.
Sherry on August 27 2019 at 08:46AM
I know crossed eyes is a defect but it makes them so cute. I’ve had 2 with crossed eyes & it doesn’t seem to effect their ability to jump. When they get tired their eyes get more crossed 😊
Barbie on March 27 2019 at 12:52PM
Coreen Kerr on March 20 2019 at 07:19PM
The only cats I have ever had are seal point Siamese. My latest is called Lucy yup “Lucy I’m home” after Lucille Ball and is 20 years old she is the love of my life! I hope she lasts at least a few more years she’s the best companion I’ve ever had.
Michele on March 16 2019 at 03:03PM
Wonderful stories. I had two Siamese cats. Ling Ling, a chocolate-point whom I raised from a kitten and Max, a seal-point, whom I adopted from the shelter was about one years old. They were a constant joy! Ling Ling lived to be 12 and Max lived to be 21-years-old. Siamese are one of my most favorite breeds🐱
Linda Pruneau on March 16 2019 at 11:40AM
I was cat sitting a chocolate point siamese last year while his human was in the hospital.Unfortunately,his human died and I ended up keeping Jasper.His beautiful blue eyes have yellow in them so,sometimes they are blue or green or just yellow and blue rings.He is an awesome polydactyl and blended in seamlessly with my 3 cats.
Carole on March 16 2019 at 10:06AM
I had a Siamese cat, Ming Thai, who lived to be almost 21 years old. She was amazing. I wish that people realized that crossed eyes on a Siamese cat are a defect. They aren’t supposed to have crossed eyes. They are very smart and very devoted to their owners. I love blue eyed cats and have had three of them.
Patricia Shulist on March 15 2019 at 06:20PM
I am thinking of introducing a Siamese kitten to my household. I already have a beautiful male Chocolate point as well as a mixed breed/Russian Blue (both 9 yrs) Is this a good idea?
Sandy on March 15 2019 at 04:27PM
I have a siamese and I love this story.