Cat breed · Oriental
Siamese
An intensely social, endlessly vocal cat that wants to be involved in everything its people do.
Medium15–20 yearsThailandCan suit apartments
Breed characteristics
- Group
- Oriental
- Origin
- Thailand
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 3–5 kg (6–11 lb)
- Height
- 20–25 cm
- Lifespan
- 15–20 years
- Coat
- Very short, fine, colourpointed
- Temperament
- TalkativeDemandingIntelligentDevoted
History
One of the oldest recognised breeds, kept in Siamese temples and royal households before reaching Europe in the 1880s.
Appearance
Slender and angular with blue almond eyes and dark points on a pale body.
Exercise and activity
Several daily play sessions; clicker training and fetch suit the breed well.
Care and grooming
Minimal grooming, but plan for company — Siamese cope badly with long hours alone.
Health considerations
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Amyloidosis
- Asthma
- Dental disease
- Mediastinal lymphoma