Care and maintenance of a Siamese cat. Character, nutrition and care of the Siamese cat. Health of the Siamese cat

The Siamese cat breed deserves special attention. These pets cannot be called simple. Graceful beauties have an oriental temperament and an independent disposition. They are mysterious and contradictory.

For a long time, Siamese cats were considered vindictive, evil and selfish. Therefore, they did not particularly strive to have such pets. This common myth is associated with errors in reproduction. In practice, Siamese are very loyal, affectionate, joyful and open pets that will simply charm you with their love.

Siamese cat breed: calling card

Miniature Siamese cats cannot be confused with anyone else. Graceful pets with a wedge-shaped head have a unique color. The special coloring of the limbs and muzzle gives them sophistication. Continuing the description of the Siamese cat breed, it is worth noting the pets’ beautiful blue eyes and intelligent look.

• Weight . The body weight of an adult pet varies between 3-5 kg. If the cat has been sterilized, the weight can reach 7 kg.
• Height . The size of an adult Siamese cat is small and proportional. The height at the withers reaches 23-25 ​​cm. The body length can be 55-60 cm.
• Color. A distinctive feature of the Siamese is the combination of light fur with dark areas covering the muzzle, tail, ends of the paws and ears.
• Lifespan. Provide your pets with decent care, and you will be surprised how long a Siamese cat lives. On average it is 14-25 years. The Guinness Book of Records includes a Siamese who lived for 38 years.
• Character . Independent pets have a hot temperament and innate hunting instincts. Sometimes they can be stubborn. They love people and become attached to their owner.
• Intelligence. Siamese are smart and capable of skillfully using their intellectual abilities.

Siamese are jealous of their owner and are sensitive to a person’s mood swings. Cats are playful and love to be the center of attention. At the same time, they tolerate loneliness well. Concluding a brief description of the character of the Siamese cat, we must say about its touchiness. She quickly realizes her mistakes, but if you punish her without guilt, you will have to make a lot of effort to get the oriental beauty to forgive you.

Representatives of this breed are able to capture not only the tone of a person, but also the speech itself. Therefore, try to choose words for your favorite, especially if you decide to criticize her.

Experts explain the myth about the viciousness of the Siamese as follows. In the past, creases or bends in the tail were considered a sign of the breed. Unfortunately, such curvatures of the vertebrae often provoked pinched nerve endings. The constant discomfort and pain that the cat experienced did not at all encourage tenderness or caresses.

Standard

Thanks to its specific color, almost everyone knows what a Siamese cat looks like. However, they are often confused with similar breeds - Thai and Oriental. To have an idea of ​​a real Siamese, it is important to understand its characteristic features. They are presented in the table.

Table - Siamese cat breed standard

Varieties of colors

Siamese cats have many features that affect not only the pet’s intelligence and character, but also its amazing color. The color of the coat depends on body temperature. Scientifically, this feature is called acromelania. Little kittens are born completely white. They darken with age. Moreover, this happens unevenly. Dark tones are acquired by those areas of the body that have a lower temperature. There are various colors of the Siamese cat. Among them, the most popular are the following.

• Seal point. Cream or light brown color. The points (dark areas of the coat) are a rich dark brown color.
• Blue point. Snow-white wool. The muzzle, paws, tail and ears of this pet are a beautiful blue color.
• Caramel point. The color is a cross between white and brown. Magnolia shade. Dark areas are painted in pink and gray tones.
• Red point. White coat with apricot, red or reddish points. Sometimes there are streaks on the marks.
• Cinnamon Point. Ivory shade with pink-brown markings.
• Lalaik point. The white body is diluted with gray areas with a slight pinkish tint.
• Chocolate point. Ivory. Chocolate areas dilute this palette. Sometimes they can be so dark that they appear black.

The area in which the pet lives makes a big contribution to the shade of the Siamese. In colder areas, cats develop darker spots. The formation of color is completed in six to ten months. If a pet is transported to a colder climate, it may darken even as an adult.

Advantages and disadvantages

Before you finally decide whether to get a Siamese, carefully read the advantages of the breed and its disadvantages. The most important points are presented in the table.

Table - Advantages and disadvantages of Siamese

Origin history and interesting facts

There are many hypotheses about the origin of intelligent and unusual pets. The history of the Siamese breed is surrounded by legends. One of the most entertaining takes us back to the days of Noah's Ark. According to this legend, a male monkey fell in love with a beautiful, proud lioness. The fruit of love was the first Siamese cat - a graceful beauty with the habits of a monkey and the heart of a lioness.

If we talk about more realistic hypotheses, then Thailand, which was previously called Siam, is considered the birthplace of the oriental beauty. Here cats were revered. Monks and royal families were allowed to keep them. Pets were protected by law. They were considered guides to the other world. Therefore, it was prohibited to export Siamese outside the state.

At the end of the 19th century, cats came to Europe. They charmed the population with their exotic appearance and were very popular with Queen Victoria. It was thanks to her that the popularity of the Siamese increased sharply.

• True grace. The gait and movements of exotic cats are admirable. Experts believe that the running of the Siamese is fully consistent with the running of the Arabian horse. And eastern women learned grace and elegance from these pets.
• "Criminal" purposes. Another feature of the Siamese is its long fingers. If desired, the pet can learn to work with them very quickly. A child, endowed with intelligence by nature, with amazing virtuosity will be able to open a closet, unzip a bag, open a door by turning the handle.
• Talisman Chess. Alexander Alekhine considered his Siamese cat Chess a talisman. The favorite always accompanied the chess player at all matches, sitting on his wife’s lap. Even during international competitions in Zurich, Alexander periodically paused and went into the hall to stroke his beauty.

Varieties

Representatives of the Siamese-Oriental breed include several varieties. The first mentions of cats with characteristic spots date back to the 16th-17th centuries. Initially, only a few breeds were known.

• Siamese. The modern pet is distinguished by a thin, thin body, with a long, elongated neck. He has a wedge-shaped head. It is characterized by long and thin limbs.
• Thai. Reminds me of a Siamese. The main difference between the Thai cat and the cat described above is smoother lines and a dense body. The Thai pet looks stocky, not fragile.
• Oriental. A graceful beauty with a muscular, toned body, an elongated neck and a characteristic wedge-shaped head. A distinctive feature is a uniform or spotted color without a point pattern.
• Mekong Bobtail. The cat is almost an exact copy of the Siamese. But it differs from the pets described above in one feature: it is naturally without a tail, or rather, with a small stump - a bean.

Thanks to breeders who practiced “unequal marriages,” the Siamese-Oriental group was replenished with Himalayan, Burmese, Balinese, Seychelles cats, Snow Shees, and Peterbalds. Such pets differ not only in color, but also in the length of their coat. For example, the Himalayan is a very fluffy cat, and the Petrebold is a completely hairless pet.

Requirements for maintenance and nutrition

The shorthaired Siamese is naturally very clean and requires minimal grooming. Pets can handle most procedures on their own. But still, helping your pet won’t hurt.

• Wool . Cats do not have undercoat, so brushing is not necessary. But you should not completely abandon the procedure. Light brushing with a soft natural brush removes unnecessary hair and provides a massage for your pet. This is especially true during molting (autumn and spring).
• Bathing. Siamese do not like water treatments. Due to the lack of undercoat, they are constantly cold. Therefore, it is recommended to bathe your pet extremely rarely and only if he is really dirty. After the bath, be sure to wrap your pet in a warm towel. And use a hairdryer to dry.
• Teeth . Exotic beauties often suffer from dental diseases. Therefore, the oral cavity requires special attention. Veterinarians recommend brushing your cat’s teeth with a special toothpaste at least once a week. If you don’t do this, then try to periodically look into the mouth so as not to miss the development of pathologies.
• Eyes . Sometimes they can turn sour. If this happens infrequently, then there is no reason to worry. Take a clean tissue and wipe the corners of your almond eyes.
• Ears . Monitor the condition of your ears. Siamese are prone to ear inflammation, irritation, or infection. Once a week, you need to wash the sinks with special solutions recommended by your veterinarian.

Tray training

Teaching a smart pet to go to the toilet is not difficult. As soon as the first puddle appears in the house, blot it with a diaper and put it in a pot. To train him to use the tray, move your baby, who has eaten a lot of food, to it. However, be tactful. Don't force the baby.

Siamese pets are not only very smart, but also overly proud. If the kitten feels forced or hears unpleasant notes in your voice, he will be offended. And to take revenge, he will completely stop going to the litter box. Sometimes even adult pets who have been going to the toilet for years can punish their owners in this way.

When raising a Siamese, strong motivators are praise and encouragement. When you notice that your kitten has gone to the toilet correctly, say a few kind words to it and pet it. Give him the treat without leaving the tray.

Feeding

The Siamese cat, as a true representative of the Siamese-Oriental group, is very demanding when it comes to food. She would prefer to starve with dignity than to eat tasteless food. Therefore, take a responsible approach to your food choices. Be sure to check with the cattery what to feed your Siamese cat, because in most cases it is already accustomed to certain foods. But the diet can also consist of natural food.

• Feed. More preferred. It contains useful substances in a balanced form. Breeders recommend choosing super-premium or premium products.
• Natural products. If you decide to feed your pet natural products, then entrust the development of the diet to a veterinarian. The menu consists of the following products: beef, sea fish, beef liver, cereals, vegetable oils, dairy products.

Completely exclude the kitten's food from the owner's table. Smoked meats, fatty foods, sausages, and spicy dishes are strictly contraindicated for Siamese. You should not accustom your pet to sweets and flour products.

Reproduction and sterilization

If you decide to start breeding Siamese, then be prepared for difficulties. Cats are very temperamental. Their first heat can be observed at four months of age. But the pet’s body is not yet ready to bear offspring.

Veterinarians recommend the first mating be done within a year and a half. Pregnancy lasts 65 days. Sometimes kittens appear at 63-64 days. But if labor begins before day 60, then such babies are usually not viable. To avoid unpleasant moments, a veterinarian should attend the birth. In some cases, this helps save the pet’s life.

If you do not plan to have cat offspring, then veterinarians recommend sterilizing the female or castrating the male. This will prevent regular screaming and tagging in the apartment.

Diseases and treatment

Genetic diseases are often observed among representatives of the Siamese breed. This predisposition to congenital diseases is associated with incompletely thought-out breeding of the breed. Breeders paid attention only to external data, completely ignoring the health of their pets. They often crossed kittens from the same litter. This led to the appearance of genetic mutations. Modern breeders have replaced such phenomena as much as possible. However, kittens that may exhibit hereditary pathologies still occur.

Among the diseases characteristic of Siamese, the following are most often observed.

• Strabismus. This breed is characterized by carriage of the strabismus gene, which leads to underdevelopment of the optic nerves.
• Calcivirosis. Pathology of the upper respiratory tract. The disease begins with a common runny nose and redness of the mucous membranes of the eyes. Then ulcers appear on the tip of the nose. Further progression of the disease can lead to pneumonia.
• Rhinotracheitis. Pathology of the respiratory tract. It is characterized by the presence of a runny nose and conjunctivitis. These symptoms are accompanied by fever, lethargy, and weakness of the pet.
• Intestinal adenocarcinoma. This is cancer. Pathology is most often observed in males.
• Asthma. The disease is similar to human bronchial asthma. Attacks are usually caused by allergens: tobacco smoke, deodorants, book dust.
• Breast cancer. Such tumors look like small lumps. At first they don’t bother you, so they are discovered by chance. Over time, these nodules get larger.
• Cardiomyopathy. This is a genetic disease that interferes with the delivery of oxygen to the blood. Lack of oxygen causes fainting.
• Mental alopecia. As a result of licking, your pet develops patches of baldness. This usually happens after severe stress associated with a sudden move or loss of the owner.

All Siamese pets must be vaccinated. There is no strict vaccination schedule. Usually, babies are vaccinated after two to three months against a whole list of ailments, including leukemia, plague, infectious peritonitis, and panleukopenia.

TOP nicknames

Breeders say that it is better to let the baby choose his own name. To do this, call different nicknames in turn. At the same time, carefully monitor the kitten’s behavior. He will definitely respond to the name he likes.

Care, attention and kindness are the keys to raising Siamese cats. They won't do anything unless they want to. There is no need to demand anything from them, much less force them, otherwise the pet will remember the violence and harbor a grudge for a long time: a proud disposition is the main character trait of a Siamese cat. Affection and respect will help you achieve much greater results: having won the trust and affection of a Siamese, you will receive a loyal and sympathetic friend. Before you get a pet, learn in detail how to care for a Siamese kitten.

Representatives of the Siamese breed are full of energy. They prefer active games and will be happy if you take part in them. But even if you find yourself alone, they won’t get bored - when leaving for a long time, leave your Siamese his favorite toy, or he will find something to do on his own.

Many Siamese cats do not mind a harness or leash with a collar for walks, and they like to explore grassy areas and soft soil in parks and squares.

Smart guys and smart girls

The intelligence of Siamese cats is well developed. Raising a Siamese kitten is not difficult, it is also easy to teach it tricks and commands, it is able to remember many words and respond correctly to them. Siamese are also excellent listeners: during a conversation, they carefully watch the interlocutor, as if pondering his speech, and from time to time they “answer” in their own unique manner - the Siamese voice has a whole palette of different timbres, and they subtly intonate depending on the situation. But in the morning, expressing a desire to eat, they can wake up their owners with a very loud and confident voice. They need to be weaned from such a habit. Do not feed your pet immediately after getting out of bed - do it after your breakfast. Soon the Siamese will get used to this routine and stop being persistent. It’s even better to feed him before leaving the house, then the temporary separation will evoke positive emotions in the cat, and it will more easily tolerate the absence of its owner. Siamese can meow simply from lack of attention - then you should think about whether you are devoting enough time to your pet. No matter how he behaves, you should not punish him, much less use force. On the contrary, as soon as he stops screaming, praise, pet or give him a treat to evoke pleasant associations in his mind.

Easy to care for

Special care for a Siamese cat is not required; in general, it consists of the same procedures as for most other breeds. The fur can be combed with a small round brush or simply with wet hands - in the direction from head to tail: the fallen hair remains on your hands, and Siamese cats really like the procedure itself. About once a month you will have to take comprehensive care of your Siamese cat: bathe it in warm water; as necessary, wipe sensitive ears with a cotton swab, trim nails with a cutter (special nail clipper), remove natural discharge from the corners of the eyes using a cotton swab, and brush your teeth. A Siamese cat should be taught to brush its teeth as early as possible due to the breed's tendency to have dental problems. Under no circumstances should you use regular paste: it may contain substances harmful to animals. Playing with a rubber bone or a special toy with spikes and grooves cleans a cat's teeth well. Once your kitten is older, you should give him solid food: it will also help clean his teeth and ensure proper bite development. Caring for a Siamese cat is not difficult; it is only important to follow a number of recommendations that will help her remain as graceful and beautiful.

Feeding a Siamese cat is not too different from feeding cats of other breeds. However, there are nuances in this issue that the owner must know.

Siamese cats can be capricious when choosing food. Like real gourmets, they meticulously evaluate the quality and composition of food, so the owner’s main task is not only to choose the right diet, but also to please the Siamese’s picky eaters. With food, the cat should receive all the substances it needs.

What to feed a Siamese cat?

Feeding with natural products

Food is offered in the form of porridge of varying thickness. Such porridge may consist, for example, of raw carrots grated on a vegetable grater, boiled oatmeal and chopped pieces of meat. If the cat chooses pieces of meat from the bowl and refuses to finish the rest, you should change the cereal or add meat that has been twisted in a meat grinder.

With a natural diet, the Siamese cat is given:

Meat

By-products

Fish

Eggs

Groats

Vegetables and greens

Dairy

Siamese cats are suitable for low-fat cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, unsweetened yogurt, sour cream, and butter. It is not recommended to give fresh milk to adult cats.

Like other cats, Siamese should not be given hard chicken and fish bones, fatty meat (pork, duck), smoked, salty and sweet, as well as legumes, spices and salt.

Feeding prepared food

In ready-made feeds, premium and superpremium quality ( Hills, Purina Pro Plan, Royal Canin, etc.) contains all the nutrients, vitamins and microelements necessary for a cat in an optimal ratio. You need to buy them exclusively in specialized stores. Before paying, you should study the composition and check the expiration date of the product.

You need to select ready-made food taking into account the individual characteristics of the cat: gender, age, physiological state, lifestyle, etc.

It is good if, before purchasing, the animal was accustomed to ready-made food. In this case, it is advisable not to change the brand.

Ready-made food can be wet, dry or in the form of “snacks”. Combining species in one meal is not recommended, as is mixing products from different manufacturers.

If your Siamese cat does not like this or that finished product, you should not rush to abandon this type of feeding. You can offer your pet several types of ready-made food of different brands, perhaps she will like something. First, you should give wet food, and then, at another meal, dry food of the same brand.

Mixed food for Siamese cats

Feeding pregnant and lactating Siamese cats

Starting from the fourth week of pregnancy, the cat needs food that contains a lot of protein, so from mid-term until birth the amount of food is increased by about 40-50%. At the same time, you need to make sure that the animal does not overeat, as this can lead to obesity and complications during childbirth.

The next important period is 1-2 weeks before birth. As a rule, the cat’s appetite decreases at this time due to greater pressure on the abdominal cavity, so the pet is fed in small portions, but more often.

During lactation, a cat needs food rich in carbohydrates. Calorie consumption during this period increases 2–3 times. If the cat eats ready-made food, problems with the diet usually do not arise. During this period, some owners offer the nursing cat ready-made kitten food. When feeding natural products, the diet is also adjusted based on the cat’s preferences; the pet should not be limited in food - the amount of food eaten should depend only on the cat’s appetite. When feeding 4 or more kittens, a cat with this diet does not face obesity.

Feeding kittens

From about 6-10 weeks of age (owners have different opinions about the timing of introducing the first complementary foods for Siamese cats), kittens are introduced to the first complementary foods: boiled beef minced through a small meat grinder, boiled fish, homemade cottage cheese, dry yeast.

To prevent your kitten from becoming a picky eater, introduce your baby to a variety of natural foods. If the animal subsequently receives ready-made food, then you can start complementary feeding with special ready-made food for kittens. It is selected based on the age of the kitten.

What to feed a Siamese kitten?

Approximate feeding ration for Siamese kittens (per 1 kg of live weight):

1. Raw sea fish (30 gr.), beef liver (5 gr.), boiled oatmeal (4 gr.), vegetable oil (2 gr.), water (4 gr.), dry yeast (0.2 gr. .).

3. Raw sea fish (20 gr.), cottage cheese (10 gr.), boiled oatmeal (4 gr.), vegetable oil (0.3 gr.), water (9 gr.), dry yeast (0.2 gr.).

How often to feed a Siamese kitten

Rules for feeding a Siamese kitten

The Siamese breed, a description of the character and appearance of which will be presented later in the article, differs from other domestic animals in its special gracefulness and even majesty. These are the only ones that have not crossed with European cat breeds, and therefore the pristine nature of their eastern roots has been preserved.

Description and photo

Many people are well aware of what Siamese look like, because these beauties are extremely popular. However, they are often confused with Orientals or Thais. So that there is no more confusion, we will talk about the most important features of the appearance, as well as the behavior and character of these cats.

Did you know? Katie, a member of the Siamese breed, could lay claim to the title of the fattest cat in the world in 2003. At the age of 5, she was given hormones that were supposed to tame her interactions with cats. But these hormones provoked an increase in the animal’s appetite. As a result, this one reached a weight of 23 kg, which is heavier than the average six-year-old child.

Appearance

Country of origin: Thailand Time of origin of the breed: 1960s

Weight: 3-5 kg Litter: 4-6 kittens

EMS code: SIA Lifespan: 13-15 years old The color of Siamese cats is white or light shades with points (mask, paws, ears and tail). Based on the color of the points, the main colors are divided into:

• seal point;
• chocolate point;
• red point;
• blue point;
• caramel point;
• lilac point;
• background point;
• cream point;
• cake point;
• tabby point;
• cinnamon point;
• tortie tabby point.

Cat character

In general, the character of Siamese beauties is strongly influenced by upbringing. If there is a calm atmosphere in the house where the pet lives, then it will behave in the same balanced and non-capricious manner. But, at the same time, if this animal is offended by a person, then it can be very aggressive towards the offender, as it is distinguished by vindictiveness. It is also worth noting that Siamese love children and quickly find a common language with them.

They love activity, so they will gladly take part in children's games. But children should not touch the animal by the tail or squeeze it with their hands, since Siamese will not tolerate the role of a living toy. In such situations, they may use their teeth and claws. - Siamese are loyal, sociable and loving. They painfully experience loneliness and miss their owners in their absence. Also, such pets are jealous and do not tolerate rivals and strangers in the house. These stubborn and wayward dogs are very smart and smart, so it will not be very difficult to train them.

History of appearance

Thailand is considered the birthplace of Siamese cats. More than 600 years ago it was called Siam. There, these animals were revered, believing that they were the guardians of temples and escorted dead people to the afterlife. There was a belief among the Thais that fate favors those people who have a cream color (seal point) in their home. But only a few could have such an unusual advantage. Entire scientific works have been devoted to these pets. One of them is called “Treatise on Cats” (“Tamra Maew”). This work can still be seen today in the country's National Library.

A society was created in Thailand that worked towards protecting the Siamese from extinction. Representatives of this society presented such pets to Queen Victoria of England in 1870. Somewhat later, lovers of Siamese beauties established their society in the USA. Around the 1960s, such pets began to appear in the apartments of residents of the former CIS countries. Representatives of bohemia and the intelligentsia became the happy owners of these animals.

Choice and cost of a kitten

It is best to purchase (we are not only talking about the Siamese breed) at the age of 2.5-3 months. At such a time, pets are already independent and have managed to adapt to social existence. You should buy Siamese either from a trusted breeder or from a nursery that has positive reviews from other animal lovers. In order to get rid of all doubts, you can additionally order an expert assessment of the cat’s condition from an independent veterinarian.

It is also advisable to get to know the kittens’ parents and observe how they behave. The baby should be cheerful, playful and curious. Those who care about their pet's coat color may want to consider their paw pads and nose, as these are the first to color, usually within the first two weeks of life. Light-colored paws are found in cats with lilac and chocolate colors, while darker paws are found in seal and blue-point cats.

Important! You should not buy Siamese cats from random sellers. You need to trust only trusted breeders. Otherwise, there is a risk of acquiring a weak or not purebred pet.

The price of purebred Siamese cats can range from $120 to $900. The cost is determined by a number of factors: the purebred of the animal, its appearance, and the fame of the nursery. Of course, you can find advertisements on the Internet where Siamese are sold much cheaper, but the purebred breed of such animals is extremely doubtful.

Living conditions and proper care

Siamese pets are clean animals. They independently monitor the cleanliness of their fur, so you will only need to intervene in this process from time to time.

Necessary accessories

Before you bring this graceful pet into your home, it is recommended to purchase some accessories that will help you care for your cat. These include:

• a comb with frequent but not sharp teeth for combing out the animal’s fur;
• special toothpaste;
• cat litter;
• bowls for feeding.

Did you know? The largest litter among pets was recorded in 1970. A Siamese cat living with a UK family has given birth to 19 kittens. Among them, unfortunately, only 15 survived.

Features of caring for the breed

Siamese have short hair and no undercoat. In this regard, cats need to provide warmth and minimize drafts in the house. If at some point the room is not warm enough, you will need to insulate the pet’s resting place.

What to feed a Siamese cat?

Diet is incredibly important for Siamese cats, so nutrition should be compiled based on some of the pet’s parameters:

• age;
• Lifestyle;
• physiological state.

Important!It is necessary that the animal has free access to water throughout the day.

Kitten

The daily diet of Siamese babies (up to 10-12 weeks of age) should include the following products:

1. Boiled meat. Beef and chicken can be used.
2. Offal.
3. Boiled sea fish. You can give it once or twice a week, but be sure to remove all the seeds first.
4. Baby food. Cats are very fond of various meat and vegetable-meat purees.
5. Fermented milk products (preferably low-fat).
6. Eggs, namely the yolk. Can be given no more than twice a week.

Adult

The fickle nature of Siamese cats is also reflected in their taste preferences, which can sometimes cause confusion. Pets can eat fruits, nuts, mushrooms, etc. But despite all this, the basis of the diet should be:

1. Offal and raw meat. It is very important to remove all bones and films. To prevent cats from becoming infected with helminths, the meat must first be frozen for 24 hours. The best option would be to cut the meat into pieces and then freeze it.
2. Boiled low-fat sea fish. Tuna, cod, navaga, flounder and others are suitable. You should not give your Siamese river fish, as they contain the enzyme thiaminase, which destroys B vitamins.
3. Fermented milk products. Curdled milk, cottage cheese, sour cream and others. In this way, it will be possible to replenish the cat’s body’s need for calcium.
4. Eggs (yolks), beef liver. It is necessary to feed cats such products, since they contain vitamin A. It is recommended to give them no more than twice a week.

Important! Excess meat in the diet of Siamese cats can cause darkening of their fur.

• fish and chicken bones;
• legumes;
• fatty meats (pork, duck);
• whole milk;
• spices;
• smoked meats;
• salty;
• sweet.

Hereditary diseases and necessary vaccinations

Siamese cats have piercing blue eyes. A gene that can cause visual impairment and strabismus is responsible for the presence of this feature. In addition, typical hereditary pathologies are hooks, kinks and knots in the tail. Also quite often, young Siamese can exhibit diseases of the respiratory system. In particular, calcivirosis, a disease of the upper respiratory tract, can often be diagnosed. Young kittens may have problems with balance and coordination. A clear sign of such a pathology is the animal’s head thrown to one side. In this way, a genetic defect in the development of the inner ear manifests itself, which provokes a malfunction in the functioning of the vestibular apparatus.

Also, the breed of cats in question is prone to nervous diseases, including psychogenic alopecia. If there is a psychologically uncomfortable atmosphere in the house in which the pet lives, the animal will lick itself until bald spots form on its fur coat. In addition to the above pathologies, the breed in question is also characterized by the following diseases:

• asthma;
• adenocarcinoma of the small intestine (oncological disease);
• achalasia of the esophagus (increase in its size, which complicates the process of food intake);
• malignant neoplasm in the lungs;
• hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity).

Important! Siamese cats are prone to allergies. This process can be provoked by food, cigarette smoke, various types of aerosols with a strong odor, dust, and flea bites.

How long Siamese live depends on the conditions under which they are kept and compliance with care recommendations. In particular, timely vaccinations are important. The first vaccination should be given to kittens at 12 weeks of age. The next one is after a month. It is mandatory to vaccinate these pets, since the breed in question is prone to infectious diseases and can contract the most severe and difficult to tolerate diseases.

For example, other breeds can suffer rhinotracheitis (runny nose in cats) almost unnoticed, when Siamese are sick for a long time and may even die. It is very important to vaccinate your pet against (panleukopenia), as this disease will be fatal for an unvaccinated pet. Siamese cats must be vaccinated against rabies. Siamese cats are among those pets that require special care. But those who have placed this graceful beauty in their home will be grateful for the faithful and devoted love of their pet.

The Siamese cat is a proud divine creature with graceful posture, extraordinary color and a unique, slightly spoiled character. The second name of the breed is Thai: it is Thailand, which in the distant past was called Siam, that is considered the birthplace of the cat.

Breed Features

The elongated, perfectly proportional body is thin, but unusually strong and muscular. The head has the shape of an inverted triangle with a pronounced dark mask and black ears, set on a long neck.

Particular delight is caused by the bottomlessly blue, slightly slanted, almond-shaped eyes, like those of a true easterner. By the way, the breed is characterized by a defect - strabismus: in this way cats try to correct congenital double vision.

The color is also interesting: the main cream color on the paws, ears and tail turns into chocolate. Unusual coloring is a consequence of uneven melanin production, depending on body temperature: the colder the skin area, the lighter the coat.

Newborn kittens are born completely white, and as they grow older, a characteristic color point appears. With age, the contrast decreases; elderly cats and cats are much darker than young animals.

Siamese are short-haired pets without undercoat, the coat is smooth and silky, spots are not allowed.

Color of Siamese cats

It's time to talk about the rich palette of colors of Thai cats. This type of color, like some other breeds, has the term “point”. Depending on the color of the marks, they are distinguished:

• blue point - blue;
• seal point – dark brown;
• lilay point – lilac;
• chocolate point – chocolate;
• red point – red;
• tabby point - striped or brindle and others.

American felinologists recognize only the first four colors from this list, and prefer to classify the remaining similar cats as completely different oriental colors.

Europeans, in particular the British, classify the Thai breed as 18 shades, including the main American 4 colors.

Personality of the Siamese cat

The Siamese have long been assigned the title of not the most good-natured creatures, capable of cruelly taking revenge on their opponent in case of offense. In fact, this statement is far from the truth. Perhaps the myth arose due to the exaggerated sense of independence of Thai cats: forcing them to do something against their will is quite difficult.

Indeed, cats are characteristic, but not aggressive. In Europe, Thais are often called cat-dog, which is explained by the pet’s devotion to one owner, regardless of the number of family members. By the way, this fact must be taken into account when choosing a breed - the pet requires constant communication, and from long loneliness it becomes depressed, even to the point of emotional mental disorder.

Siamese cats are very inquisitive and, with the proper patience of the owner, are great at learning funny tricks. Curiosity manifests itself in literally everything - kids will happily inspect every corner of the house.

The playfulness of this breed cannot be taken away: they happily chase around the floor any little thing that gets in their way. They actively take part in all household undertakings: be it cooking or cleaning the apartment, and they will definitely try to dictate their own rules.

They quickly adapt to new conditions and easily endure moving. They have a highly developed sense of intuition - they literally foresee the future, which allows them to get away with quite difficult situations.

Siam and man

Representatives of the breed quickly get used to the general daily routine, and are not fools to break it for the sake of their own entertainment.

We repeat: the Siamese cat recognizes one owner; it will not necessarily be the one who feeds or cares for the animal. The pet experiences the most tender feelings and devotion to his favorite, and separation from him is also difficult for him. However, the cat does not consider the owner to be an authority, and in the event of his mistake or betrayal, he will easily turn away from his once beloved and respected friend.

Quite talkative creatures, any action is accompanied by sound design, and the mood of the purr can be determined by the voice. A shout or an innocent clap will be answered with dissatisfaction, which is literally written on the face. These same actions will be avenged when the opportunity arises.

Many people are concerned about the question of how Thai cats treat children? So, there is no place for Siamese cats in a house with crawling babies. These pets are not suitable for the role of a plush toy; if handled carelessly, they can scratch. Also, you should not have other animals: Siamese are very jealous and are not going to tolerate a competitor on their territory.

You can't measure all Siamese with one ruler. Each cat is an individual with its own cockroaches: from the same litter, both a small, furious predator and a creature apathetic to everything can grow. In many ways, character will depend on the person’s upbringing.

Siamese cat: care features

The breed is quite unpretentious and very easy to care for and maintain. To make the wool soft and silky, you do not need any additional equipment. It is enough to stroke your pet with a damp palm once every few days: all the fallen hairs will stick to your hand, all that remains is to wash your hands. , but do not do this too often: excessive contact with detergents will spoil the quality of the coat and lead to baldness.

The rest of the hygiene procedures: brushing teeth, ears, trimming claws - are completely no different from those of other cat breeds. It may take more time to accustom the Siamese, but this is a matter of education.

Breed diseases and defects

One defect has already been mentioned earlier in this article - strabismus. Such kittens are born quite often. By the way, this defect has absolutely no effect on the quality of life, but you will have to forget about prizes at exhibitions. In rare cases, by the age of one year the eyes can return to their normal position and everyone soon forgets about the childhood defect.

The second, not the rarest and not at all dangerous, defect is a “broken” tail. Previously, the presence of knots was considered a characteristic feature of Thais, but today it is a reason for disqualification from exhibition competitions. There is a legend associated with the defect: an eastern princess tied jewelry on the tail of her beloved pet, protecting them from theft, which led to the appearance of an unusual form of the main attribute of cat pride.

Among the most common diseases, it is worth noting problems with the bronchi - Siamese kittens should always be dry and warm. In healthy pets, clear eyesight, the presence of discharge, and the appearance of wheezing indicate the onset of the disease. Genetic diseases include heart defects, kidney defects, and hernias. Breast cancer is more common than in other breeds, which can be avoided by early castration of females.

Despite the presence of breed defects, Siamese cats are confidently considered to be long-livers - with good care and proper feeding, they are quite capable of celebrating their twentieth birthday.

This is what they say about Siamese cats in the program “Cat Alphabet” (TVmir channel):

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