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The Siamese is one of the most recognizable cat breeds in the world. Their elegant bodies, striking blue eyes, and glossy coats showcase a beauty that is unlike any other breed. However, their looks aren’t the only reason for being well-loved among the cat community. Siamese cats are also known for their affectionate personalities, making them wonderful companions. But that’s not all there is to know about the Siamese. After looking into this breed, we found 11 fascinating facts about Siamese cats.
Siamese Cat Facts
1. Temperature Affects Their Coats
If you’ve never seen a Siamese kitten, you’ll be surprised to learn they are born totally white. This breed has a modifier gene, called a Siamese allele, that causes albinism. They later go on to develop their signature markings at about 4 weeks old. Now you may be wondering… if Siamese cats are born albino, why don’t they stay that way? Now for the fascinating part!
Siamese cats are actually “temperature-sensitive albinos.” The Siamese allele can only inhibit pigment in a cat’s fur between 100 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. So while the warm environment of the womb is enough to keep this special gene in action, the cooler world following birth isn’t. Once a Siamese cat’s body drops below 100 degrees, genes for coat color kick back on and carry pigment to the fur.
Side note: When looking at a Siamese, you’ll notice that they have a darker shade of fur around the ears, nose, paws, and tail. This is because a cat’s body is naturally cooler around those areas. Likewise, their torsos are lighter because that area is warmer.
2. Their Eyes are Technically Colorless
By now, you may have realized that a lot of Siamese cats have blue eyes! And that’s no coincidence because ALL true Siamese cats have blue eyes. As mentioned earlier, Siamese cats have a special modifier gene that causes albinism. That same gene is also responsible for their blue eyes. Or should I say, “the lack of pigment in their eyes?”
Technically, the eye of a Siamese has no pigment. There are two layers in the iris of the eye that determine their color: the stroma and the epithelium. Pigmented cells are usually in both of these layers. Or for cats with blue eyes, pigmented cells are in the lower epithelial layer. But Siamese cats don’t have pigment in either layer, meaning that their eyes are technically colorless. But their eyes appear blue because blue light is the main light that bounces around the stroma layer. Since blue has the shortest wavelength in the visible light spectrum, that’s the color we see.
Side note: Violet actually has the shortest wavelength. But since human eyes can’t see violet very well, the color looks blue to us.
3. The Siamese Used to Look Different
Although Siamese are known for their slender bodies, triangular faces, and distinct markings, they used to look quite different. The original Siamese cats had stocky bodies and round faces. But sometime in the mid-20th century, breeders favored an elongated look. Slowly but surely, they worked to turn the breed into the modern Siamese we know today. Traditional Siamese cats are still bred by some, but they aren’t as common anymore.
Believe it or not, Siamese cats also used to have crossed eyes and crooked tails. This look was natural to the breed. But breeders managed to eliminate these quirks through selective breeding, which is why the modern Siamese typically does not have crossed-eyes. Today, it’s uncommon to find a Siamese with these quirky traits, but they do still exist.
4. They are Nicknamed ‘Meezers’
Siamese cats are dubbed as a very talkative breed. These cats usually love to “tell you about their day” and voice opinions. If a Siamese feels like they aren’t getting enough attention, rest assured they will make that complaint loud and clear. Since this breed is so vocal, their persona may come off as “needy” or even “demanding” to some people. So, if you are looking for a quiet cat, this cat might not be the right option for you. But Siamese lovers will tell you that their vocal natures add an irresistible charm to this breed.
On top of being talkative, the Siamese also has a distinct, low-pitched meow. Since this meow sounds like whining, it is often compared to the cries of a human baby. The Siamese meow actually has a name: “meezer.” With this in mind, it makes sense that Siamese cats themselves are nicknamed “meezers.” It turns out that this slang term stems from the last part of the word “Siamese.” See it now?
5. The Breed Originated in Thailand
The Siamese cat originated in ancient Thailand (formerly known as Siam). Although the exact year of this breed’s origin is debated, it’s clear that these “meezers” have been around for a very long time. How do we know? Well, the first depiction of the Siamese was found in the collection of ancient manuscripts called “Tamra Maew” (“The Cat-Book Poems”). These manuscripts are thought to be from sometime between the 14th and the 18th century.
Today, these ancient manuscripts are preserved at the National Library of Thailand, British Library, and National Library of Australia. The poem for the traditional Siamese cat (Thai cat) says that these cats are as rare as gold, and the owner of this cat will be wealthy.
6. They Were Treated Like Royalty
Back in the day, royal families in Thailand thought highly of Siamese cats because of their distinctive and beautiful looks. Royal families even believed that a Siamese cat would receive the soul of a family member when they passed away. Because of this belief, a Siamese cat would spend the rest of his or her life living in a temple and being treated like royalty by monks. Personally, I have a sneaking suspicion that Siamese cats have not forgotten this, and still expect to be treated like royalty!
7. The First Siamese to Come to America Was a ‘First Cat’
In 1879, a female Siamese was gifted to President Rutherford B. Hayes’ wife. David Sickles, a U.S. Diplomat serving in Thailand, gave the Siamese to Mrs. Hayes because she loved cats.
In a letter to Mrs. Hayes, he wrote: “I have taken the liberty of forwarding you one of the finest specimens of Siamese cats that I have been able to procure in this country.”
The cat, named Siam, is believed to be the first Siamese that was ever brought to the United States. This means that this “first Siamese” was also a First Cat of the United States. Talk about a lot of “firsts!”
According to the Rutherford B. Hayes Library and Museums, Siam adjusted to White House life quickly. She was also said to be favored by Fanny Hayes (the President’s daughter) and the White House staff. Sadly, Siam became seriously ill 9 months later while the Hayes family was away. The staff called for the president’s personal doctor. As a fellow pet lover, Dr. Baxter even took Siam to his own home. But despite his efforts, she was only able to survive for another 5 days.
8. The Siamese is Allergy-Friendly to Some
Cat allergies are driven by the presence of the Fel D1 protein, which is found in a cat’s saliva, urine, and dander (dried flakes of skin). But if you are a cat lover with a cat allergy, not all hope is lost because some breeds produce less of the Fel D1 protein than others. This means that your allergies might be able to tolerate certain breeds. But just to be clear, no cat is truly hypoallergenic. Some breeds are simply less likely to trigger allergies than others, with the Siamese being one of them.
This is because the Siamese is one of the breeds that releases smaller amounts of the Fel D1 protein. Also, Siamese cats shed significantly less than other breeds, which minimizes the amount of Fel D1 released into the environment. But if you are allergic to cats, there is no guarantee you won’t have symptoms around a Siamese. So if you are thinking about adopting one, it’s important to first expose yourself to the breed as much as possible.
9. They Uncovered Spies
In the 1960s, two Siamese cats uncovered an espionage plot at the Dutch Embassy in Russia. Yes, really! As the story goes, the cats suddenly started clawing at a wall and arching their backs at it. Ambassador Henri Helb suspected that the cats could hear something that he couldn’t. Lowe and behold, an investigation revealed that there were numerous hidden microphones behind the wall.
Helb and his staff decided to use the discovery to their advantage. So they complained about things like packages stuck in customs and embassy repairs. As a result, these problems were mysteriously resolved within a day.
10. They are Social
This breed is also known for being more social than other cats. Siamese cats are known for forming close bonds with their owners. They also require more attention than other breeds. For this reason, it’s often recommended to adopt Siamese in pairs or have at least one other cat. This way, they’ll always have a buddy to talk to when their owners aren’t home. Their love of people makes them perfect companions. So, if you’re looking for a talkative buddy that loves attention, the Siamese might be a perfect option for you.
11. A Siamese Had 19 Kittens
A Burmese/Siamese cat in Oxfordshire, U.K., made The Guinness Book of World Records by having the world’s largest litter of domestic cats. The cat gave birth to 19 kittens, 4 of which were stillborn. For comparison, the average number of kittens for a cat of this type is only 4-6.
By now, we hope you’re as fascinated with Siamese cats as we are. Between their elegant beauty and social personalities, these meezers are something special.
DISCLAIMER: This article is made for entertainment purposes only. This is NOT medical advice. Use the information presented in this article at your own risk. ALWAYS seek medical advice from licensed veterinarians and medical professionals.
Resources
https://www.thesprucepets.com/facts-about-siamese-cats-4173491
https://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/blog/presidential-pets-siamese-cats/
https://www.rover.com/blog/siamese-cats/
https://cvm.ncsu.edu/national-siamese-cat-day-facts/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/77113/13-sleek-facts-about-siamese-cats
https://www.eastindyvet.com/fun-facts-siamese-cats
https://animalpath.org/why-are-siamese-cats-so-vocal/
https://www.siamesecatsguide.com/the-traditional-siamese-vs-the-modern-siamese/
https://pets.thenest.com/normal-siamese-cat-crosseyed-8836.html
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-facts-genes-siamese-cats-temperature-sensitive-albino
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-facts-siamese-cats-genes-albino-why-is-the-sky-blue
https://basepaws.com/blogs/news/the-siamese-cat-breed
Disclaimer: The Purring Journal is not in the medical field. This post is made for entertainment purposes only. Use the information presented in this article at your own risk. Always seek medical advice from licensed veterinarians.
