Siamese Cat

Where the breed comes from

Pointed cats appear in old manuscripts from Thailand, once called Siam. Siamese cats reached Britain and the US in the late 1800s and quickly became show favourites.

Personality and family life

Siamese are talkative, affectionate and curious. They follow their people around, want to be involved and are often described as dog-like. They dislike long hours alone, and many do best with another pet for company.

Daily care: exercise, grooming, training

The short coat needs little grooming. Interactive play, climbing spaces and puzzle feeders keep their minds busy. Many Siamese can learn to walk on a harness.

Is this breed right for you?

Great for people who are home a lot and want a chatty, interactive cat that follows them around. Less suited to quiet households that dislike vocal pets, or to owners away for long hours without another pet for company.

Fun facts

Old-style Siamese, sometimes called Thai cats, have rounder heads than the sleek modern show Siamese. Siamese genes helped create other breeds, including the Himalayan, the Balinese and the Oriental Shorthair. Crossed eyes and kinked tails were once common in the breed but are now discouraged.

A day in the life

A typical day with a Siamese is full of conversation: they greet you, comment on meals and call for play. Two or three play sessions with wand toys, a window perch to watch birds and a warm lap in the evening keep them content. Many enjoy learning tricks such as sit or high five with treats.

Health and good to know

The pointed pattern comes from a heat-sensitive form of the enzyme that makes pigment: cooler parts of the body, like ears, paws, tail and face, turn darker. Kittens are born pale and darken as they grow. Some lines can be prone to dental and respiratory problems.

Every pet is an individual, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about diet, vaccines and health checks for your own animal.

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