cat-E-corner.com

    In the hierarchy of cat intelligence, the Siamese generally comes out on top.  Anyone who has owned one will regale you with tales of their amazing feats.  You might want to "cat-proof" your home as Siamese cats can learn to open certain doors and latches.  (Don't be surprised if you come downstairs one morning to find that your new kitty has opened the pantry door and is in the process of helping himself to breakfast!)  Siamese cats can be "trained" and if you start when it's young enough, your feline can be taught to beg for food, do simple tricks and walk on a leash.  Some people swear they have even taught their cats to talk!  

A Legendary History

    The Siamese cat is an old breed, and although its true origins are a bit obscure, most cat fanciers believe they have their roots in the East.   Some lovely legends have sprung up about the origins of the Siamese.  Its radiant blue eyes are said to reflect heaven as a reward for successfully guarding Buddhist temples.  Its once-characteristic squint, which is no longer a desirable quality and has been almost bred out, is said to have developed when a male and female Siamese found a long-lost royal goblet in the desert, after searching for it for some time.  When they deemed it was unsafe to leave the goblet unattended, the male went back to the city to seek help in bringing the goblet back; the female was left to look after the treasure.  Not wanting to let the precious goblet out of her sight, she stared at it for days on end, developing the Siamese squint.  When she finally had to sleep, she wrapped her tail around the goblet so that if anyone tried to steal it, she would be awakened immediately.  Upon the male's return, many days later, the female had given birth to kittens.  All of them exhibited the squint and a kinked tail, another characteristic that has been mostly bred out.   Another story of how the Siamese got her kinked tail says that a princess in Siam used her cat's tail to hang her rings on while she bathed.  Once however, upon returning to her cat, the rings were gone.  In order to prevent this from happening again, the princess placed the rings on the cat's tail and then tied the tail in a knot to safeguard the rings.  It's been said that ever since then, all Siamese cats have kinked tails.  

    Known as the "Royal Cat of Siam", it is commonly thought that the Siamese cat was introduced into Great Britain in the 1870s, although the first pair of cats to legally leave Siam were given as a gift from the King to the British Consul General at Bangkok in 1884.  The first pair of Siamese to be introduced to the US were given to Rutherford B. Hayes, the nineteenth president.  

That's the Point

    Darker areas on the cat's face mask, ears, legs, feet and tail are called "points".  There are several varieties of Siamese, but the most popular type is arguably the original Seal Point.  Its distinctive seal brown markings, matching nose leather and paw pads, and base color of cream is instantly recognizable.  Other varieties include the Chocolate Point, Lilac Point, and Blue Point; and new varieties are being recognized all the time.  The head of the Siamese is long and well-proportioned.  The profile is straight.  Vivid blue, almond-shaped eyes slant slightly toward the nose.  The ears are large, wide at the base, and narrow to a pointed tip.  The Siamese body is fine-boned, long and sleek with slim legs and small oval feet.  The general appearance of the Siamese is one of grace and agility.  

    Siamese kittens are born white; the markings don't appear until the kittens are a couple of weeks old.  In fact, it can take up to a year for the finer markings on the Siamese to become apparent.  Kittens tend to be active and "advanced for their age."  They open their eyes early and leave the safety of their mother earlier than other breeds.  Quite playful, Siamese kittens have been known to literally "climb the walls," well, at least the curtains, and may even shimmy up your clothing to sit on your head or shoulders as they attain a new vantage point.

    If the Siamese personality and appearance appeals to you and you'd like to obtain a Siamese cat or kitten, why not consider visiting your local shelter or animal adoption center?  Many purebred cats and kittens are available for a minimal charge and, as anyone who has saved the life of an animal can attest, often, rescued animals show their gratitude and affection eternally.  

Please visit our Past Issues page to see previously-published Highlighted Breeds.  

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Highlighted Breed ] [ Special Feature ] [ Visitor's Page ] [ Care & Feeding ] [ Kitty Corner ] [ In Memoriam ] [ Shopping ] [ Links ] [ Top ]

Questions or comments? Contact us.