Siamese cat: Nutrition and Characteristics
The Siamese cat is one of the best known and most popular cat breeds at all. It originally comes from what is now Thailand, from where it finally found its way to Europe at the end of the 19th century.
Their extraordinary intelligence and their distinctive human relation make the Siamese cat a popular pet, whose charm probably no cat lover can resist.
History of the Siamese cat
The origins of the Siamese cat lie in South East Asia. Together with the Persian cat it is one of the oldest known cat breeds. The Siamese cat was probably already kept in Siam, which today belongs to Thailand, in the 14th century.
There it was said to have spiritual powers, which is why it was kept as a temple cat and by the nobility. Towards the end of the 19th century the first specimens finally reached England, where they were quickly bred.
In 1892 the first breed standard for the Siamese cat, called Royal Cat of Siam, was established. In 1901 the Siamese Cat Club was finally founded. But it took quite a while until the Siamese cat found its way to Germany. The planned breeding of the breed started in this country only in 1927.
The Siamese cat soon enjoyed great popularity. In the 1950s they also started with the selective breeding of different colours. Today the Siamese cat is known practically all over the world and in many countries it is one of the most widespread cat breeds.
Look of the Siamese cat
The Siamese cat is medium sized. Females reach a weight of three to four kilos and males weigh about four to five kilos. The body of the Siamese cat is slender. It has long legs, the front legs being slightly shorter than the hind legs. The paws are oval. The long tail is relatively thin.
The Siamese has a wedge-shaped head, whose characteristic shape is further emphasized by the large upright ears. Its almond-shaped eyes shine in a deep blue.
The typical Siamese coat pattern is caused by a genetic defect called acromelanism. This so-called partial albinism occurs when the body produces too little melanin.
The result is that the coat on the body is white to cream and the ears, face, tail and legs are darker. However, the dark coloration develops only after birth. It normally takes at least half a year until the coat is completely coloured.
The so-called points may show different colours, but by far not all of them are generally recognized.
Among the generally recognized coat colours of the Siamese cat are
- Seal point
- Chocolate point
- Blue Point
- Lilac Point
Character of the Siamese cat
The Siamese cat is charming, affectionate and sensitive. It constantly seeks the proximity of its owner and sometimes follows him at every turn. She appreciates common games as well as extensive cuddling.
At the same time, the Siamese is sometimes quite stubborn and quite capable of getting its own way.
Its nature is occasionally compared with that of a dog. This is probably due to its attachment and its intelligence. Because the Siamese cat proves to be extraordinarily clever and capable of learning.
With a little patience the elegant shorthair cat can be taught a lot. Partly it is even possible to walk her on a leash with harness.
Because of its playful and good-natured nature the Siamese cat is very well suited as a therapy cat, from which especially children with disabilities can benefit in animal assisted therapy.
Keeping and care of the Siamese cat
The Siamese cat is not exactly a classic cat for beginners. Because it needs relatively much occupation and movement. Small hunting games, where it can be a bit wilder, help to satisfy their needs and keep them fit and healthy.
It is possible to keep it as an indoor cat. However, the Siamese cat is not suitable for single housing due to its distinctive social behaviour. A four-legged playmate is indispensable so that it does not feel lonely.
If you are interested in buying a Siamese cat, you should also consider that it is a particularly communicative breed with a quite loud voice.
Apart from its distinct play instinct and its joy of communication the Siamese is very frugal regarding its attitude. Normal cat accessories like a solid scratching post are generally sufficient to satisfy her. The care of the short coat is usually uncomplicated.
Living together with a dog works very well in most cases. However, it is important that both four-legged friends get used to each other in peace and quiet and, of course, can withdraw if necessary.
Siamese cat diseases
The Siamese cat belongs to those pedigree cats in which there is an increased risk for a number of hereditary diseases.
These include various eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which leads to progressive destruction of the retina, as well as eye tremor and strabismus.
Siamese cats are also susceptible to metabolic disorders, heart disease and blood cell defects, which can manifest themselves in affected cats through anaemia and other symptoms.
Furthermore, Siamese cats are predisposed to tumours on the mammary gland, which occur about twice as often as in other breeds. Males also suffer more often from cancer of the small intestine, which rarely affects female Siamese cats.
The right food for the Siamese cat
Siamese cats reach an age of 18 to 20 years with a little luck. In individual cases even a higher life expectancy is possible.
In order for the cat to remain healthy into old age, it is very important to ensure a balanced diet in addition to regular check-ups at the vet.
Even if the Siamese cat is considered undemanding in this respect, high-quality cat food helps to optimally meet the animal's needs and avoid nutrition-related problems.
With cat food from I love my cat, you can feed your Siamese cat in a way that is appropriate for its species without any problems. The cereal-free food contains no artificial additives and provides your quadruped with all important nutrients.
In addition, you will find high-quality care products and food supplements for cats in our range of products, with which you can counteract health problems if necessary and improve the well-being of your Siamese cat in a digestible way.
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