Meet the Chatty & Brainy Siamese Cat Breed

Siamese cats stand out in a crowd not just for their beautiful coloring but for their strong personalities, too. Anyone who's owned a Siamese cat can tell you that these feline companions are chatty, clever, and low-key trouble-makers. If you're considering adopting a Siamese cat, learn more about the Siamese cat personality traits so you know what to expect from your new pet. 

One of the things people love so much about Siamese cats is their personalities. They're a very social cat breed that craves companionship and would much rather be in the company of others than by themselves.

Siamese cats are a highly affectionate breed, and they're a good choice for someone who wants a cat that'll stay by your side all day. While this can be absolutely adorable as well as flattering, this trait can lead to separation anxiety. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can combat this.

This breed is known to talk, and we do mean talk. Siamese cats are incredibly vocal, and if they want something, they'll be sure to find a way to make you understand it. If you enjoy a quiet household, this breed is definitely not for you. But if you're OK with kitty meows, trills, and chirps, you're in for a treat with the Siamese.

Along with their friendly disposition, know that these cats have brains for days. Siamese cats are curious felines who will definitely take to exploring every corner of your house. If your home isn't cat-proof, this spells Trouble with a capital T. 

For this reason, you'll need to have a house well-stocked with cat enrichment items, like cat trees, scratching posts, interactive toys, window perches, and cat shelves to keep them entertained. Siamese cats take very well to training, especially with a clicker, and can learn tons of fun tricks and behaviors.

If someone showed you a photo of a Siamese cat, you could name the breed immediately, right? It's because these cats have a very distinct appearance, with their triangle-shaped heads, large ears, short fur, and "pointed" markings. 

Even though the seal point Siamese (cream body with brown “points”) is the one you’ve probably seen most often, there are plenty of different Siamese color variations out there. A few of the possibilities are blue point Siamese, red point, lilac point, and even chocolate point. You can see examples of the different Siamese color variations here. 

Have you noticed that some Siamese cats have narrow faces, whereas others are rounder? There are three distinct types of Siamese cats: wedgehead, apple head, and classic. Their bodies and faces all look a little different based on their type.

If you’re looking for a fluffy Siamese cat, meet the Balinese. They have all the same characteristics and personality traits you love in the Siamese breed, just with longer hair. This is because they were developed by selectively breeding long-haired kittens from Siamese litters. Balinese cats were finally recognized as their own breed in the 1940s.

Siamese cats are one of the longest-lived cat breeds and generally reach between 15 and 20 years old. In fact, a Siamese cat named Scooter held the title of the world's oldest living cat in 2016.

Of course, each individual cat's lifespan depends on different factors, including their genetics, diet, and lifestyle. Together with your veterinarian, you can develop a care plan to help your best feline friend live as many happy years as possible. Siamese cats are predisposed to a few genetic conditions, including amyloidosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), asthma, and eye conditions.

When compared to the grooming needs of other cat breeds, like the Himalayan or Persian, the Siamese breed doesn't need much in the way of fur maintenance. These cats are fairly low shedders and only need a brushing once a week to keep their skin and fur in tip-top shape.

If your veterinarian recommends it or your Siamese cat gets super dirty or can't groom themselves, you can go ahead and give them a bath, but regular bathing isn't necessary. Cats are basically self-cleaning creatures that do a good job of taking care of their own hygiene needs. Just keep an eye out for overgrooming.

Crossed eyes are fairly common in Siamese cats and absolutely adorable. The medical term for this condition is “convergent strabismus,” and it’s usually genetic, especially in Siamese cats. If they’ve had this appearance since they were a kitten, it’s usually nothing to worry about, but suddenly developing crossed eyes could point to a problem and should be checked out.

Siamese cats also sometimes have a hereditary nystagmus, where their eyes flick from side to side. This is often normal for Siamese cats, but a sudden onset should be looked at.

A lot of Siamese owners share that their cats are more like cat-dogs. This breed loves to follow their owners around and is super affectionate. Plus, because of their intelligence, they can be taught to play fetch.

If you have your heart set on the Siamese breed but want to rescue a cat, we feel you. Luckily, it's not too difficult to find adoptable Siamese cats. Along with national cat rescue platforms like Petfinder, there are plenty of breed-specific rescues where you can find Siamese and Siamese-mix cats up for adoption.

Siamese cats are adored for their fantastic personalities and striking good looks, but there's a lot more to this cat than meets the eye. They need a lot of stimulation and attention to keep them healthy and happy. For this reason, these cats are probably not the best choice for a first-time cat owner. Make sure their needs align with your lifestyle, then start the search to find your purrfect Siamese companion.