The Siamese cat is one of the rarest and oldest breeds of cats that you can find today. With a history of more than ten centuries, you may know that the Siamese cats were considered sacred in Thailand. As they moved to the U.S. as royalty, many people wished to own it for its elegance, unique looks, and deep blue eyes. The cats are highly intelligent, vocal, and demanding, and as you decide to get a Siamese cat for yourself, you need to consider whether the Siamese cat is right for you.
While a Siamese cat makes a great pet for most pet owners, it is still not a pet for everyone. A Siamese cat is often not the right choice for pet parents who cannot give time and attention to their Siamese cat every day.
This post shares some interesting information about the Siamese cat that will help you figure out how you can decide whether a Siamese cat is right for you.
As You Consider A Siamese Cat Ownership
As you consider the ownership of a Siamese cat, you need to consider the following things that will help you decide if a Siamese cat is right for you.
Know More About the Cat’s Positive Traits
There is a lot that you may already know about a Siamese cat’s looks. They are elegant, have beautiful blue eyes with different variations of colors, and their coat doesn’t require much grooming. But apart from the physical appearance, there is a lot more that you need to know about the Siamese cats.
They are affectionate and loving. A Siamese cat would love to spend time with you and enjoy your company as you watch your favorite television show and don’t mind climbing in bed with you at night. Siamese cats are great with children, but you as an adult need to make sure you always supervise your young children when they are with your pet.
Considerations When You Have Another Pet at Home
Do you have another cat at home? Or a dog?
Don’t worry.
Siamese cats often get along well with other pets, including cats and dogs. In fact, Siamese cats are also usually great with strangers. All they need is attention and company, and it’s usually best to adopt a Siamese cat in pairs. But if you already have pets at home, know that your new Siamese cat will get along well, especially if the other pet shares the same personality as your Siamese’s.
Moreover, if you wanted to have a dog as your pet, but you couldn’t adopt one (due to any reason), consider adopting a Siamese cat. They share similar attributes as a dog, and over time, you can even teach them to play fetch.
Beware of Their Health Concerns
The Siamese cats are purebred; they come with an increased risk of several health conditions. Some of the health conditions that your Siamese cat may be prone to include the following.
Dental Diseases
Some cats are usually not very good at taking care of their dental health, and a Siamese cat is one of them. Thus, dental problems are very common among this breed of cats. While it usually starts with deposits of food residue, it hardens and forms tartar over time, which can lead to severe dental infections. In some cases, chronic dental infections may cause your Siamese cat to lose their teeth and can also damage its internal organs.
Bacterial and Viral Infections
Usually, the Siamese cats have a weakened immune system, making them more vulnerable to bacterial and viral infections. As you consider getting a Siamese cat for yourself, it is a good idea to know that you can prevent several infections through vaccination. Depending upon their age and other risk factors based on their lifestyle, check with your vet and go for your Siamese cat’s immunization to prevent several types of infections.
Megaesophagus
When your Siamese cat eats food, it gets to the stomach through a contraction of a tube known as the esophagus. However, there is a medical condition through which your esophagus gets stretched out. As a result, the food doesn’t get down to the stomach; instead, it stays in your pet’s esophagus. This type of gastrointestinal condition is very common among Siamese cats.
Several other health conditions are common among Siamese cats, including separation anxiety and depression, feline hyperesthesia syndrome, retinal atrophy, and certain types of cancers, so make sure you give enough consideration to all these health conditions before you adopt one for yourself.
Learn More About the Breed
You may already know about the physical appearance, positive traits, and health conditions of a Siamese cat, but you also need to know about some specific breed details. Only when you have complete information about all the aspects of a Siamese cat’s personality can you figure out whether a Siamese cat is right for you.
Siamese Cats are Different From Other Breeds
Cats are usually calmer and like to sleep a lot. If you are looking for an easygoing cat that doesn’t ask for much attention, then a Siamese cat is not for you. Siamese cats are active, and owning one is very similar to owning a dog. They need to go out frequently and spend a lot of time with you. If you don’t give them enough time and attention, they are prone to depression and anxiety.
Moreover, a Siamese cat is curious, strong-willed, and intelligent. When a Siamese cat decides on doing something, it will do it anyway regardless of the consequences, a behavior trait not commonly found among other types of cats.
However, because Siamese cats are intelligent and are often set in their ways of doing things, they may be difficult to train, unlike a dog. Moreover, they are very curious, and once you bring them home, you can expect them to be tangled in wires and climbing up the shelves. So before you get a Siamese cat, make sure your home is safe for the new cat. Secure all loose wires, place safety locks on all your shelves, and a screen on your fireplace, and do everything you would do as your baby starts crawling. Only if you can spend so much time securing your home for a new Siamese cat, only then is it right for you.
Know About Your Siamese Cat’s Undesirable Traits
However, a Siamese cat is vocal and demanding. While cats are usually chirpy and purr sometimes, a Siamese cat is extremely vocal and makes very loud, low-pitched howls and yowls known as “meezer.” Given that the breed is quite demanding, your Siamese cat will continue to make this noise for hours if they want something. Before you get a Siamese cat, know that meezers are often quite annoying, and it is difficult to ignore your Siamese cat’s howl.
If you are someone who spends a lot of time outdoor or has a demanding job and you intend to leave your Siamese cat alone at home, a Siamese cat may not be a good choice. But even then, if you bring a new Siamese cat home, make sure you hire a pet-sitter or drop your cat to a friend/family member who can give company to your new pet while you are away.
Think about whether your Siamese cat’s demanding nature will comfort you or add more to your stress.
Finding the Right Siamese Cat
Siamese cats have a long life span and if you get a Siamese cat and take care of it well, know that you have found a friend that will continue to accompany you for as long as 15 to 20 years. But before you decide on getting a Siamese cat for yourself, you must know that a Siamese cat is different from other cat breeds. They are not the usual calm cat that would love to sleep a lot. Instead, a Siamese cat is active, craves attention, and is a great company for children.
Moreover, some not-so-great traits of a Siamese cat do not make it the right choice for everyone. A Siamese cat is prone to depression and anxiety if left alone for long hours. Furthermore, it is also prone to developing several health conditions, which means you will have to spend some time in preventive care for your cat.
So while a Siamese cat is a great pet for most pet owners, it is often not the right choice for pet parents who cannot give time and attention to their Siamese cat every day. Keeping the factors mentioned above in mind, only you can decide if a Siamese cat is right for you. See also our Complete Guide on Having Siamese Cats as a Pet.