15 Facts That Prove Siamese Cats Are Total Icons

How much do you really know about Siamese cats? They’re popular for those ice-blue eyes and are famously chatty, but there’s so much more going on with this cat breed. Siamese cats have been adored for centuries. They sometimes fetch toys just like dogs do. And they can sometimes have crossed eyes due to a genetic trait.

Although they’re one of the most recognizable cats on the planet, Siamese still end up in shelters and rescues more often than you’d think. Case in point: Nine rescues and shelters in the Florida area collectively took in more than 200 Siamese and Siamese-mix cats in one day. So if you have your heart set on adopting a Siamese, you’ll probably find one easily, especially if you expand your search radius to outside of your immediate area. Level up your adoption preparedness, and read on to learn 15 facts about these beloved cats.

Siamese cats facts

Siamese cats have no shortage of unique features and characteristics. Below, some fascinating facts about these beloved felines. 

1. Siamese cats have an ancient breed history 

The Siamese is one of the oldest recognized cat breeds, with roots tracing back hundreds of years to ancient Siam (now Thailand). Historical accounts suggest they were originally bred and revered as temple cats. The Cat Fancier’s Association (CFA) notes that Siamese cats first appeared in Western records during the late 19th century, when these special cats made their way to feline exhibitions in England. There, they quickly gained widespread popularity.

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2. Siamese cats can sometimes have crossed eyes

Some, but not all, Siamese cats have adorably crossed eyes. This condition, called strabismus, occurs when the eyes are misaligned, causing them to point in different directions. This misalignment is due to a genetic mutation that affects the development of their optic nerves. Thankfully, this condition doesn’t affect their vision, and the occurrence of crossed eyes in Siamese cats has been diminishing thanks to selective breeding.

3. There are several offshoots of the Siamese breed

Through various breeding programs, the Siamese breed has evolved over time, leading to offshoots, each with differences in appearance and temperament. Two variations include the Balinese and Tonkinese. The former retains many of the traditional Siamese features, but often has a silky, medium-to-long length coat. The Tonkinese hails from Canada and can feature point, mink, or solid coat patterns in a range of colors, including cinnamon, lilac, blue, chocolate, seal, and fawn.

4. Siamese cats are quite social

Although a cat’s sociability is often shaped by their history and upbringing, their genetics can also play a role — and Siamese cats are beloved for their social, affectionate nature. They often crave constant attention, tend to follow their people around the house, and are quick to jump in your lap at any opportunity.

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5. They are quick learners

As intelligent as they are lovely, Siamese cats are quick learners. Pet parents of this breed find that they especially enjoy interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and learning through positive reinforcement. Their high intelligence also means that they can get bored quickly, so make sure you’re prepared to offer lots of daily mental enrichment to this clever breed.

6. They have brilliant blue eyes 

Even if their eyes are crossed, most Siamese cats have piercing blue eyes, a hallmark of the breed. According to The International Cat Association (TICA), these vivid blue eyes are part of their breed standard, although some Siamese may have green eyes, also of a vivid hue.

7. Their coat pattern is due to a temperature-sensitive gene

Traditionally, Siamese cats have a lighter body with darker points on their ears, faces, tails, and paws. This color-point pattern is the result of a temperature-sensitive gene that causes darker fur to develop on the cooler parts of their body, which is known as acromelanism. The classic color points for Siamese are seal, blue, chocolate, and lilac.

McAramini PHOTOGRAPHY / Pexels/

8. Siamese cats are good at playing fetch 

Siamese cats are often quite good at playing fetch and tend to prefer this game more than other breeds. Thanks to their energetic and bold nature, Siamese love chasing after toys and bringing them back to you for more playtime. They can be especially fond of fetching little plush mice and feather toys.

9. They can live 15 to 20 years 

With proper care and love, Siamese cats can live 15 to 20 years, with some especially healthy ones even surpassing the 20-year mark. In fact, their lifespan is one of the longest among purebred cats. To keep them healthy and feeling their best, prioritize giving them a balanced diet, moderate daily exercise, mental enrichment, vet checkups, and lots of love.

10. Siamese cats are chatty

These kitties are so chatty that they are considered the pinnacle of vocal cat breeds: So, if someone says a breed is as talkative as a Siamese, you’ll know to expect lots of chatter. Unless you cherish a quiet household, most pet parents find their talkative tendency to be highly endearing.

11. They’re often social with other animals

While some cats prefer to keep their distance from other pets, Siamese cats tend to make fast friends with the other critters in their household. Of course, since every cat comes with their own unique upbringing and history, your Siamese pal isn’t guaranteed to love canines or other kitties in the house — so slow, gentle introductions are always important. Still, as a breed, they’re often quite happy to share their space with other animals. 

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12. Siamese cats can sometimes be tortoiseshell 

Although rare, some Siamese cats can display tortoiseshell coloring, which blends patches of black, orange, and cream with their classic points. These cats are lovingly known as “tortie point” Siamese. This unique coat color isn’t always accepted in the Siamese breed standard. Still, tortie points stand out as stunning individuals.

13. Siamese cats are popular picks at shelters and rescues 

Despite being so coveted, Siamese cats do end up in shelters and rescues. When they come up for adoption, these popular kitties tend to get scooped up quickly. If you’re interested in adopting this breed, start with Adopt a Pet’s expansive search feature to find Siamese at shelters and rescues in your area.

14. Many Siamese cats like water

Most cats are wary of getting their paws wet, but not Siamese cats. These spirited kitties may even be in for a swim in calm, shallow water. Those who don’t want to take a plunge tend to enjoy batting at running water or splashing in a bird bath.

15. Siamese kittens are born with white coats

Siamese cats are born with entirely white coats, which start to transform into starkly contrasting point coats around eight weeks of age. They only begin developing their classic coat colors around four to five weeks of age, with darker areas beginning to appear on their ears and muzzle. Over the next month, these dark points become more apparent, spreading to their tail and paws, as their permanent base coat color starts to settle in.

Is a Siamese a good fit for you?

Siamese cats are affectionate, intelligent, energetic, and endearingly talkative. But they aren’t the right fit for everyone. To thrive in your home, a Siamese cat will need the following.

• Daily play and exercise: These bold, active kitties tend to shine in homes where they’re given lots of daily attention and exercise. Plan on providing plenty of high-energy play sessions, games of fetch, and using a feather wand to encourage leaping and chasing. 

• Lots of social interaction: Siamese cats do best in social households and in multi-pet homes. If you’re often away from the house or prefer a quiet environment, you may find their needs a bit overwhelming. Siamese cats do best with pet parents who want to deeply bond with them. 

• Interactive toys and puzzles: For these brilliant felines, mental enrichment is just as important as exercise. You can meet this need for keeping their minds active with interactive toys such as battery-operated mice and trackball toys, and treat-dispensing puzzle feeders.  

• Vertical spaces: Setting up a cat run with perches, walkways, cat trees, platforms, and scratching posts is a great way to support their exercise needs and give them access to vertical spaces for jumping and climbing. They also enjoy relaxing in cat beds placed in high spots, such as perches, the tops of cabinets, or window sills. 

If your lifestyle and home setup match their needs, a Siamese cat can be a wonderful fit for you. These beloved cats bond deeply with their humans, provide many years of companionship, and are sure to liven up your home. Start your search for a Siamese cat on Adopt a Pet.

Commonly asked questions

Are Siamese cats better in pairs?

Yes, Siamese cats often thrive best in pairs or with other friendly animals in the household. These social cats need consistent companionship to live their best lives. 

Are Siamese one-person cats?

Although Siamese can be one-person cats, they tend to be social and friendly with everyone. However, they will bond especially strongly with their immediate family members. 

Are Siamese cats nocturnal?

No, Siamese cats are not nocturnal. As with other housecats, Siamese kitties are crepuscular, meaning they’re most active in the hours just before the sun goes down and just after the sun rises in the morning. This doesn’t mean your feline friend won’t be active at all during the night, but they tend to be most active during dawn and dusk. 

Are there black Siamese cats?

No, traditionally there are no all-black Siamese cats, and a Siamese cat with an entirely black coat is not accepted by the breed standard. The closest cat to a black Siamese is a seal point with black coloration on their face, ears, legs, tail, and sometimes lower back. 

References

Colorpoint Restriction | Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. (n.d.). vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/colorpoint-restriction.

Mbennett. (2024, June 20). CAT-ching up on feline enrichment. VMBS News. vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/feline-enrichment.

Renner, E., & Forman, J. (2023, December 21). Cats like to play fetch, as long as it’s on their terms – new research. doi.org/10.64628/ab.hy37v9sm7.

“Siamese Breed.” Cfa, 8 July 2024, cfa.org/breed/siamese.