Siamese Cat History and Personality

The Siamese cat and their piercing blue eyes are well-loved in NZ and all over the world. Because they’re so distinct, they’re also one of the easiest cat breeds to recognise. But did you know they’re also one of the oldest known domestic cat breeds?

That’s right. The Siamese cat has been around for far longer than most other breeds. More than that, it’s been a documented friend to royalty and VIP’s, as well as the rest of us regular pet parents.

If you’re a Siamese parent, this article is for you. Ditto if you’re thinking about adding one to your family or simply want to impress mates with your Siamese knowledge. Read on…

The history of Siamese cats

It’s thought that Siamese cats existed many centuries ago – possibly as far back as the 14^th century. They’re originally from Thailand, which was known then as Siam. Hence, ‘Siamese’.

The King of Siam loved and bred these cats as temple cats to live among the Siam monks. They were also gifted to other key political figures and leaders. In the late 1800s, the first Siamese cats were brought to Europe after the King of Siam gifted them to the English consulate in Bangkok.

However, it was only after World War II that Siamese cats would become more commonplace in Europe and North America.

Health and personality

As you may know, one of the drawbacks of purebred cats is that they can be more prone to health issues. That said, a predisposition to certain conditions doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed.  

But knowing what your Siamese cat is more likely to be affected by can help your NZ vet in proactively managing your cat’s well-being and giving advice on their lifestyle, as well as promptly treating any conditions or illnesses their specific breed is predisposed to.

Here are some conditions Siamese cats are more likely to suffer from:

• Vision loss
• Lung infections
• Bone disorder
• Gastrointestinal problems

Siamese cats can also be fussy eaters. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Pets who gobble down anything and everything are more prone to obesity, which can contribute to diabetes in dogs and cats.

Siamese cats – the ultimate talkers

If Siamese cats were people, their ultimate careers would be as an NZ talk show host, radio presenter, or maybe something in sales. Basically, anything that gives them the chance to talk.

Because the Siamese cat absolutely adores talking. All day, every day.

A Siamese will gladly recount their entire day for you, just like a talkative child who got back from a day at the beach. Not only are they highly intelligent cats, but they also all have unique voices. But any Siamese cat parent could have told you that.

If you listen closely, you’ll notice that some sound sweet, some raspy, and others are elegant and controlled. If you’ve a pair of them, you might need to invest in some earplugs. We’re joking. Sort of.

But on a serious note, if you have two Siamese cats you can expect the talking to increase exponentially. Get used to them vocalising their demands like: “Bring us dinner! Play with meeee! Stop working and give me attention!”

Find out why cats purr and how to decode cat body language if you’re hoping to have some sort of two-way communication.

Needy? A Siamese cat? Well…maybe

Siamese cats don’t like being left alone. They’re friendly extroverts who thrive on social interaction.

Funnily enough, that means they make great pets for introverts and homebodies. Because if you want to be a Siamese cat parent, you should plan on quite a bit of chill time with your feline friend.

They also love other animals. So, a good plan is to get them a pet friend. Otherwise, separation anxiety in pets could be a very real outcome you end up facing. If you’re wondering whether one or two kittens is best, we’ll give you a hint: usually two.

Seriously considering getting one? Find a list of registered Siamese breeders here.

Siamese are loyal and attentive. Once you’ve gained their love, they tend to bond with you for life. So much so that if they see you in danger, they might even try and physically defend you. Who needs a bodyguard when you have a cat?

They’re the perfect bestie. Devoted, loving, and ready to lend a paw in your hour of need. However, please do keep in mind you need to set aside plenty of time to play with and engage your Siamese cat. Otherwise, they can start exhibiting aggressive or anti-social behaviour.

Besides being social and vocal, these cats have another amazing quality – they change colour according to temperature! Incredible right? Read how Siamese Kittens change colour.

Pet insurance for your Siamese cat

Whether you’ve a Siamese cat or a regular moggy, we’re put together three affordable pet insurance plans to keep you covered. So even if your Siamese does get fussy and needs one of those gastrointestinal issues sorted, your pet plan will be there to help out.