It seems like every time you ask someone what breed their cat is, more often than not it’s a Siamese cat! This is because there are so many different types of Siamese cats and they are very common pets. So, whether you’re planning on getting one or are just curious about the breed, here’s the complete list of types of Siamese cats.
Siamese cats vary greatly in appearance and there are a lot of different kinds including the Applehead, the Classic Siamese, the Modern Wedge, and many more. They may be very different from each other, but what’s common among all of them is that they make for wonderful pets. You will fall in love with them easily!
These sweet, little balls of fur can be hard to keep track of with all these different breeds and types. This guide will help you quench your curiosity, and provide any relevant information you might need before getting yourself a Siamese feline buddy.
About Siamese Cats
The Siamese cat, as the name suggests is a cat breed that originated from Thailand (previously known as Siam). These cats were one of the very first to be distinctly recognized as breeds of Asian cats. They began to be popular in Europe and America and the other side of the world around the 19th century. They are one of the oldest cat breeds to have existed.
The Siamese cats were one of the first known breeds to have been domesticated. Legend has it these cats were extremely rare and were given the status of gold. The Thai people believed the cat would bring good luck and wealth to their homes.
Back in the days, these cats were used to guard the Royal jewels and gold. Due to their intelligence and curiosity, these cats were said to keep a keen eye on anything sparkly. And as a result, they became cross-eyed, a feature found in some Siamese cats of today. This is just a myth, however.
They are very intelligent and often behave like humans. Easily attracted to sparkles and jewels, these cats might love staring at the Television. They have even been featured in many movies and TV shows themselves, one example being the “Lady and the Tramp”.
While the appearance and features differ from type to type, of which there are many, Siamese cats usually have almond-shaped eyes along with a head that resembles a triangle, large ears, and a lean body. These cats are affectionate and love people and even other cats; they are very social. As a result, these cats are wonderful pets.
Types of Siamese Cats
There are several different types of Siamese cats which are divided in several different ways. This can get confusing, so it’s easiest to think of a hierarchy when you are considering the types of Siamese cats.
All Siamese cats are first divided into two broad groups: The Traditional and The Modern Siamese. These are divided based on how similar the cat looks and behaves to the original Siamese cats from Thailand.
Some people might argue that there are only two types and there’s no need to classify them into so many types. But in reality, these overall groups are further divided due to differences in color and facial features rather than personalities and stature, so it’s easier to know what you are referring to.
The Traditional Group includes the Applehead, Old-Style, and the Classic Siamese. The Modern group includes The Wedge Siamese and two other subdivisions based on coloration. These are the Light-colored points and the Dark-colored points.
The Light-colored points include the Modern Siamese with lighter coats such as the Cream point, Lilac point, and Chocolate point. The Dark-colored points include the darker coat Modern Siamese such as the Seal points, Blue points, and Red Points. Let’s take a deeper look into each of these types.
The Classic Siamese
This type of Siamese cat belongs to the Traditional group and has long bodies along with a long tail. They have large triangular ears and big shiny eyes. A lot of these cats will also have beautiful blue eyes.
They don’t however, have a nose dip like the other Siamese kitties. Since the Classic Siamese falls under the Traditional category, they resemble the original Thai Siamese cats and you can tell their historical background from just looking at them.
They are known to be very athletic and like a lot of other Siamese cats, make amazing show cats. They love playing out in the open and running around in the sun. But remember to put sunblock on your Classic Siamese, as they are more prone to skin cancer.
The Applehead Siamese
The Appleheads are another Traditional Siamese cat. As the name suggests, their face takes the shape of an apple, and fluffy fur covering their adorable bodies. Ears are a little smaller compared to other breeds, and they have a very noticeable nose dip.
They also have slightly shorter tails and legs, along with an athletic figure. But compared to the other Siamese cats, Appleheads are known to be quieter and gentler. They are peaceful companions for anyone who wants a fuss-free cat.
Old Style Siamese
These little felines are beautiful to look at and are the perfect mixture between the Applehead and the modern Wedge Siamese. Their longer, sleeker body makes them very popular among pet owners.
The Old Style Siamese has broad ears and an almond-shaped nose. They usually have a much longer face than the other Traditional Siamese cats. Old Style Siamese cats are also more likely to be cross-eyed, like the ones in Thailand. They are playful and athletic and are an amazing company.
Wedge Siamese Cats
Affectionately called Wedgies, these Modern Siamese cats look very extreme with a wedge-like face and a lean and muscular body. They have thin tails and wide ears and beautiful, sometimes blue, slanted eyes. Wedgies do not usually have a nose dip. They look completely different from the Traditional Siamese.
The Wedge Siamese are also known to be very loud and will always be talking to you! They love to be social and are often found sitting on their owner’s laps. They are very playful and wild and will always be running around. Be sure to have enough toys and space for them, as they are very energetic. Wedgies love scratching posts, mice toys, climbing bars, etc.
They are, however, more likely to get kidney failure and problems involving their hearts. They get sick easily and so there are often issues when breeding this type. But if they are cared for properly and given a healthy and proper diet involving high proteins, they should be perfectly fine and will live long healthy lives.
Next comes the Light-Colored points, which can be further broken down into three of the following types:
Cream Points
These are perhaps the lightest of the bunch and look strikingly different from Traditional Siamese cats. They are born with a white or cream-colored coat, but their fur darkens with age. Their faces, as with all Siamese, have a slightly darker mask than the rest of the body. But it’s still much lighter than other Siamese.
Lilac Points
Lilac Points are beautiful cats with hints of grey or blue tones in their fur and they often look lilac or pink. They don’t look as brown as other Siamese cats do, and are usually more grey or blue and fall on the cooler end of the spectrum.
Chocolate Points
Much more similar to how you’d picture a Traditional Siamese, Chocolate points have a very light brown coat, with darker chocolate-covered paws and tails. These are very affectionate and loving and hence very popular with pet owners.
And finally, the last subdivision of the Modern Siamese is the Dark-colored points. These are made up of the following types:
Seal Points
Named after seals, these cats look much darker than their Modern Siamese counterparts. They look similar in shading to Chocolate Points, but with much darker hues. These are the darkest kind of Siamese cats, and their colors vary from black to brown.
Blue Points
Blue points are hard to miss, with their striking blue eyes and a blue-toned shade of grey fur. They look beautiful even from afar and this unique shade of grey with blue tones makes them perfect for the feed! If you end up getting a Blue Point, you’re going to be taking tons of pictures of them to show off.
Red Points
These are a rare type of Siamese and have slightly orange and crimson hues to their coat. You can often find them with blue eyes, and the blue and orange make an unusual combination. But they are still very beautiful and affectionate to their owners.
Along with these different types, Siamese cats can also be categorized into Tabby points and Tortie points. Tabby points usually have stripes and Torties will have reddish spots or circular patches in their fur.
These refer to the variations in patterns and can include all of the categories discussed above. For example, if you have a Red Point with orange spots, then you have a Tortie point. Or you could have a chocolate point Siamese which is also a Tabby point. These are just further labels to identify different appearances in the Siamese cats.
And that makes up all the different kinds of Siamese types you can find. These divisions are mainly based on physical appearance and features, and not their personalities. Most Siamese cats are very affectionate and social and no matter which kind you end up getting, you will fall in love with these beautiful cats.
Traditional vs Modern Siamese Cats
Though Siamese cats can be divided into several categories based on slight differences in their fur colors or appearance, the overall groups are mainly the Traditional and Modern Siamese cats. These differ from each other vastly and look nothing alike.
The two major groups are divided based on their origins. The Traditional Siamese cats are known to be directly imported or brought from Thailand. These are the originals. They are large for cats and have a round, muscular body. They do have the signature apple-like shape of their heads. Their eyes are, however, a little rounder rather than almond-shaped.
The Traditional category of the Siamese cats is far closer in appearance to how the Thai Siamese cats originally looked. Once these cats became popular in Europe and America, during the 60s, there was a lot more breeding and thus the Modern kind of Siamese cats came to be.
The Modern Siamese look much thinner and longer as compared to the Traditional kind. A lot of people consider their appearances to be “extreme” and think this is the result of too much breeding. The Modern Siamese were bred to be show cats, and hence they have changed in appearance in many different ways from the Traditional kind.
They also have many more variations in their DNA that resulted from breeding, as opposed to their Traditional counterparts. But what’s important is that these differences are all mainly due to their appearances.
Most Siamese cats, whether Modern or Traditional, behave the same. They are loving creatures and need constant care and attention. They are amazing with kids and very energetic. Some people even compare them to dogs, because they are very loyal and always look forward to spending time with their owners.
So if you are someone who can’t spend a lot of time at home, either kind of Siamese might not be a great option for you. Because they demand a lot of attention. There should always be someone home to take care of them.
If you are however looking for someone to give you company 24/7, any kind of Siamese will be a good choice for you. It all just depends on preference, when it comes to choosing a type. Regardless of which kind Siamese owners have, they all end up having a pleasant experience.
Why Are There So Many Types of Siamese?
There are so many different kinds of Siamese because they are divided according to their fur coloration. And they have so many different colors, not only due to genetics but also due to an enzyme that Siamese cats possess. This enzyme causes their fur to be a light color, but only at temperatures of 100-103 degrees Fahrenheit.
This is the temperature inside the wombs of Siamese cats, and that is the only time these enzymes are active. This is why all Siamese cats are born completely white. They start to develop different colors, as the enzyme does not activate at the cooler temperatures of the outside world.
Thus, the fur starts to darken as soon as the Siamese kitten is born, and different spots and patterns begin to develop. This is why it’s hard to tell which kind of Siamese you have when they are very young.
This is why there are so many different kinds of colorations and patterns when it comes to Siamese. As environments and temperatures differ from region to region. This enzyme along with of course the cat’s genetic history gives them different shades of fur and spots.
The Personalities of the Different Types of Siamese
The different types of Siamese cats are divided and labeled according to differences in their coat. Most Siamese cats will have a similar personality and playful, social butterflies. This is why they are extremely popular among cat owners.
Whether your Siamese is Traditional Applehead or a Modern Chocolate point, you will always find them to be curious. They are historically known to be keen and always on the lookout for something interesting. They will peep around and visit all nooks and crannies of your house.
You should cat-proof your house if you are planning on getting a Siamese. Their curiosity might lead them to get hurt or even get out of the house. Be careful of open cabinets, sharp objects, or fragile glasses.
They are very mischievous and love to play around. If you have other pets or kids, they will always be around them, chasing them, or playing with their toys.
Siamese cats are also known to be very chatty and will tell you all about their daily mischiefs. If they are happy, or sad, or distressed, they will let you know in their little ways. They love to interact with humans and other animals and are very social cats.
The best part of Siamese cats is their loyalty. They love their humans. Unlike other cats which are sometimes known to be cold to their owners, Siamese cats are often compared to dogs due to their playful and loyal personalities. They will love you and care for you.
This also means that they need constant care and attention themselves. They do not like to be left alone. They can be needy. If you are thinking of getting one, or already are a new Siamese parent, try to make sure that they have someone to play with just simply be around at all times. Otherwise, they might get lonely and sad.
How to Tell if Your Cat is Purebred Siamese
If you didn’t get your cat from a store, and you don’t have official papers, or maybe if you found a stray somewhere, chances are you don’t really know what breed your cat is. Though Siamese cats are pretty easy to distinguish, it can be hard to see if they are purebred or mixed.
Since Siamese are show cats, there is a lot of breeding with these cats and a large portion of the cats you will see are mixed breeds. If you did stumble upon a purebred, then you’re in luck. They are rather expensive and hard to find. So here are a few ways to tell if your cat is purebred:
- Match with pictures from the internet
Purebred cats naturally only come in 4 colors: seal point, blue point, and lilac point. You can Google each of these types and see which kind matches best with your cat. Try to find similarities in patterns, fur coloration, and eye color. This is perhaps the easiest way to tell if your cat is purebred.
- Blue eyes
If your Siamese has blue eyes, that’s another great sign that it is probably purebred. Mix breed Siamese cats are much less likely to hold their blue eye color.
However, Burmese cats look very similar to Siamese. So it could be a Burmese breed too, even if they have blue eyes.
- Visit the Vet
A veterinary expert usually deals with a lot of animals and therefore has a lot more experience in identifying the different types.
They might be able to give you a better opinion of whether your cat is purebred. This is always a great option, as you will probably have to get your cat checked at the vet anyway.
- DNA test
While this is the most expensive option on the list, this is the only surefire way to know if your cat is 100% purebred. Like any DNA test with humans, these will trace your cat’s genetics and show you exactly what their origin is.
Whether or not you have a purebred cat is not that important, to be honest. There are not many differences when it comes to having them as a pet. They will both be wonderful companies. And both sides have their pros.
If you are getting a purebred Siamese, they are more likely to look exactly like you would expect a Siamese to look, and you will know their history. As purebreds are hard to find and are quite expensive, their breeders will often give you added health benefits or perks. You will also have a clearer idea of their habits and behavior, though each cat’s personality is different.
Even if you can’t get a purebred, there’s no reason to be sad! Mixed breed Siamese cats are just as good. Since a lot of people might want a more expensive, impressive cat, some of these mixed breed ones might end up without a home. If you manage to get one, you’ll be saving them and that is a wonderful thing to do.
They are much easier to get. They are also less prone to getting sick. Though you might now know where the cat’s lineage comes from, you will still end up learning and adapting to how they behave. What’s important is you’re giving the cat a chance at a happy, healthy life!
Are All Siamese Cats Hypoallergenic?
A very important factor that you need to know before getting a cat buddy, is whether or not you are allergic to them. Cat allergies are twice more likely as dog allergies. If you are prone to allergies and are worried, you’ll be happy to know that Siamese cats are much less likely to cause any allergies.
Most allergic reactions to cats and other animals are usually due to their fur. As Siamese cats have long, sleek furs which do not shed a lot, a lot of Siamese cats are considered to be hypoallergenic.
While no cat can truly be hypoallergenic, even if they have no fur, a Siamese cat might just be your best bet. These cats possess a Himalayan gene in their DNA which causes them to shed lighter than other cats.
Allergic reactions are in fact caused by the Fel D1 protein, which is secreted through the skin, saliva, and urine. This is why even hairless cats cannot be completely hypoallergenic. But Siamese cats produce this protein in smaller amounts.
Since cats lick themselves, they spread their saliva to their fur. This fur when shed can end up causing allergic reactions in humans. Most cats shed a lot, and thus the protein gets in contact with your skin causing reactions. They will also lick you, and spread the protein through their saliva as well.
This makes Siamese cats the better option if you do have allergies. Since they shed much less, and produce less of the protein in general, they are much less likely to cause an allergic reaction. So even though they aren’t completely hypoallergenic, they are much less likely to be allergic to you than other breeds.
The best option, however, is to test it out and see if you are having any problems. If you have any friends who have Siamese cats or maybe a pet store nearby, try to pet the cat. See if you’re okay, as not everyone has a reaction. Allergies can vary from person to person. Try not to make any commitments to getting a Siamese before you are sure that you’re fine.
Conclusion
Any of the Siamese kitties from the complete list of types of Siamese cats are adorable and make for wonderful companions. Siamese cats are very social and playful and love their owners. No matter which types you end up getting, you’re going to have a wonderful journey and will make amazing memories with your cat buddy!
Hope you found what you were searching for in this article. And thanks for stopping by. Until next time, farewell.
