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There has been so much written about the breed. A google search for Siamese will quickly provide an ample supply of links covering everything from breed history to health concerns and feline husbandry. We are still digesting all the information and welcome the suggestions and help we have received thus far. Everyone we have come in contact with shares one common interest. A love of this breed. Siamese History The Siamese breed is said to have originated in Siam which is now Thailand. Legend has it that they were the companions of kings and priests and that they once guarded the ancient temples. Siamese were first introduced to England in 1880 when the King of Siam gave two pairs of Siamese cats to the English consul in Bangkok, and he brought them home to England. Wankee was the first Siamese to win a Champion title in 1898. The breed made it's appearance in the United States when Lucy Webb Hayes, wife of Rutherford Hayes, was documented as the first Siamese owner in the U.S. It is said the original number of Siamese brought to England is eleven and there are records of a Chicago woman importing Siamese from the period as well. The original Siamese color was the classic seal brown points with a cream colored body but breeders in the west developed more colors. Some cat registries only recognize the seal, chocolate, blue and lilac point as true Siamese. Other colors include red (flame), cream, fawn, cinnamon, lynx and tortie. The two different types of Siamese Our research on this subject has led us to believe that originally Appleheads and the early predecessors of today's modern Wedge-head style cats not only could have but were of the same litter. Breeders desiring the sleeker more elongated littermate for showing and breeding eventually developed today's Modern Wedge-head. Sometime in the 1980's a group of breeders became concerned the Applehead Siamese was in danger of being forgotten and began to concentrate on the traditional Applehead Siamese. The Traditional Cat Association was one of the first to recognize this and was founded in 1987 along with other groups sharing the same interest. It is however interesting to note that they are all registered as Siamese.
Siamese cat's have distinctive blue, almond shaped eyes that slant
towards the nose. The coat is short and silky, white to cream in color
with darker colored areas on the face, ears, lower legs and tail. These
darker colored areas are called points. All Siamese kittens are born
white and develop point color after birth. Their point color is due to a
mutated albinism gene in the Siamese cat. Only the "cooler" areas on a
Siamese develop color.
Inherited Diseases Siamese Diet Siamese cats won't usually overeat. All cats require a high quality diet for their health and well being. Fresh, clean water everyday is a must. Cleaning your cats food and water bowls with a mild detergent and rinsing with clean water will help your cat stay happy and healthy. Siamese Care and Grooming Daily litter box cleaning and a weekly sanitation with a weak bleach solution (10 to 1) will keep a litter box clean and bacteria free. A cat may refuse to use a dirty litter box, instead choosing a less desirable (for you) spot. Some Siamese also refuse to use a covered litter box. Keep their bed clean, using old towels that can be thrown in the washer regularly. Kitty condo's are great but keep them clean and disinfected. Brushing your Siamese twice a week will keep their coat soft and shiny and help prevent hairballs. Most Siamese love to be brushed and will let you groom them for hours if you're willing. Exercise and Play Exercise and play are an important part of any cats life. Our Siamese cats love to play with just about anything from a piece of yarn to a milk jug lid. A favorite is a laser pointer, they will chase the red beam for hours. They love catnip mice and ping pong balls. A simple piece of elastic string hung from the ceiling with a catnip ball on the end will be a daily wrestling match.
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