Celebrating National Siamese Cat Day
Meezers & Myths: The Magic of Siamese Cats. Every April 6th, cat lovers around the world celebrate Siamese Cat Day and celebrate the breeding of the most distinctive and charismatic cats to decorate our homes.
Siamese cats are lovingly called measer They are a very talkative variety. “Meezer” is said to resemble the loud, low-pitched cry of the Siamese.
As the owner of the lifelong Cat Siamese (from 18 years old), we are excited to share fascinating insights about these epic creatures that have stole hearts over the centuries.
Royal heritage
Siamese cats are not just breeds, they are cat royals! These elegant cats were born in Siam (now Thailand), where they were cherished by the royal family and lived in palace. Ancient manuscripts of the 14th century depict these distinctive cats, making them one of the oldest breeds in the world.
The royal family believed that Siamese cats would receive their souls after death. What many don’t know is that stealing Siamese people from the royal family was once punished for death! These were more than just pets. They were sacred animals with divine purposes.
Those seductive blue eyes
The first thing everyone notices about Siamese cats is their stunning sapphire blue eyes. But did you know that strong blue color comes from genetic quirks? Siamese cats have a type of partial bleaching caused by enzyme deficiencies that affect pigment production. This same enzyme is temperature sensitive and explains the unique color points!
Siamese kittens actually come to be completely white. The cool areas of the body (ears, face, feet, tail) gradually develop dark fur as it grows. Warm parts of the body remain light. This attractive temperature sensitive coloring is why Siamese cats who live in cold climates tend to develop dark coats overall.
The name of the vocalist
If you’ve ever lived with Siamese people, you know they’re far from their quiet roommates. These cats are famous for their loud and harsh voices compared to baby screams. They have an extensive vocal repertoire, ranging from soft chirp to demanding yor.
In my years of working with Siamese cats, I have documented over 30 different vocabulary that have specific meanings. Many owners comment on everything from the Siamese to report that they will “discuss” them throughout the day, from dinner to expressing their disapproval of the new furniture arrangement.
The chatty nature of Siamese cats has acquired roles in movies and comics. Remember the naughty Siamese cat from “Lady and the Tramp”? The portrayal was exaggerated (and is clearly problematic by today’s standards), but it captured one truth. These cats have opinions and are not afraid to share them!
Intelligent companion
Siamese cats are consistently ranked as one of the most intelligent cat breeds, but often compare them to dogs in comparison to their ability to learn commands, solve puzzles and play fetches. Their problem-solving skills are amazing. I observed a Siamese cat learning to open the door, turn on the faucet and figure out how to disable the alarm system!
Without a doubt, my Merlin was the smartest cat I ever knew. His legacy is Monday of his column with Merlin that can be found by searching for Merlin in a search bar like this.
Monday with Merlin: Lessons to be seen by a blind cat
This intelligence, combined with their social nature, means that Siamese cats form a very strong bond with humans. They are known to follow room-to-room owners, oversee activities, and provide everything from cooking to computer work and “support.”
Modern Siamese: Evolution of the Varieties
Siamese cats today look completely different from their ancestors. There are currently several clear breed standards recognized by cat associations around the world.
Traditional Siamese (Thai or Applehead)
These cats are most similar to the original Siamese people of Siamese. They have a round head, a moderately triangular face and a muscular medium-sized body. Traditional Siamese maintains a distinctive colour point, but has a more robust appearance than modern counterparts. Organizations like Tica (The International Cat Association) recognize this variant as a “Thai” variety.
Classic sham
The middle halfway between traditional and extreme classic Siamese cats has a moderately wedge-shaped head with a balanced overall appearance. They were popular in the mid-20th century, representing what many consider to be “typical” Siamese.
Modern Siam
Modern or modern Siamese, recognized by the CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association), features extremely refined bodies, long tapered lines, elongated necks, very large ears, and a dramatically wedge-shaped head. These cats are the most extreme types, with a thin, almost tubular body and fine bones.
Magnificent color points
The distinctive colour of Siamese lies in the attractive array of officially recognized varieties of points.
Seal Points: The most recognized Siamese colour of the original. It features a dark brown almost black point with cream and fawn bodies.
Blue Point: Slate blue points with a bluish white body give it a cool, refined look.
Chocolate Points: Warm milk chocolate color with an ivory body.
Lilac Point: One of the most subtle point varieties, a delicate pinkish-gray gray point with a glacial white body.
Red Point (also known as Frame Point): Bright orange red point of warm white body
Cream Points: Soft-serve ice cream colored point with an off-white body.
Links Points: One of the colors above has tabby stripes at the point.
Torti Point Point Shows patterning of the tote shell (red/cream patch mixed with another color).
Color Points: Technically, these cats from Siamese, not Siamese, show colours of points that are not accepted by traditional Siamese standards, such as cinnamon and fawns.
Unique Siamese coat
Siamese coats are another wonder of cat genetics. Unlike the gorgeous double coats of many breeds, Siamese cats wear fine, short, shiny coats that are close to their bodies. This single layer coat feels like silk and requires minimal grooming.
The lack of undercoat means that Siamese people are less than many other varieties, but there is still a seasonal period of dropout. Also, their fine fur, although they are not really hypoallergenic, is less likely to cause severe allergic reactions in some cat allergies.
This refined coat serves a different purpose. You can fully understand the elegant muscular structure and elegant movement, and emphasize the long lines that make these cats visually impressive.
Health Considerations and Care
As a responsible cat expert, I need to mention that Siamese cats are prone to certain health conditions due to their genetic makeup. These include certain heart conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, mating gazes (oblique muscles), twisted tails (not often in modern breeding), and respiratory problems. Their fine coats require minimal grooming, but their active nature means that they need sufficient stimulation to prevent behavioral problems.
The Siamese fine silky coat is mostly self-maintained. Brushing weekly with a soft rubber brush or a chamois cloth removes loose hair, stimulates circulation and makes your coat shine. Unlike many varieties, Siamese rarely develop mats or tangles. Brushing more frequently during seasonal dropout periods (usually spring and fall) can help manage increased hair loss.
One special consideration for Siamese cats is their sensitivity to temperature. Their thin coats are less insulated than other varieties, making them the hottest person who often curves out in the warmest parts of your home. Many Siamese owners provide a heated bed or extra blanket in the cold months to keep cats sensitive to these temperatures comfortable.
On the positive side, Siamese cats generally have a long lifespan, with many reaching their late teens or early twenties with the proper care. Their active lifestyle and intelligent mind keep them young in senior years.
Celebrating Siamese Cat Day
If you’re lucky enough to share your home with Siamese cats, you’ll be celebrating this special day by treating them with interactive play sessions, new puzzle toys that challenge their intellectual minds, or perhaps fresh seafood (the favorite of the many Siamese cats I worked for).
For those without Siamese companions, consider supporting Siamese rescue groups that help these chatty cats find their beloved home. Their unique appearance can lead to impulsive adoption, then surrender when the owner is not prepared for their voice and demanding nature.
Whether you adore their chatty personalities or impressive appearances, Siamese cats certainly won their special recognition day. These blue-eyed beauties moved from royal palaces to our modern homes, bringing their stately presence and embarrassing opinions with them at every stage.
Happy Siamese Cat Day to all the magnificent, vocal, intelligent, loving Siamese Cats!
Love, Leila, Odin, Otto, Angel Merlin
