Thai cat: cat food and breed portrait
The Thai cat, also known as the traditional Siamese cat, is one of the most fascinating cat breeds worldwide.
Its history, unique appearance, charming character, and specific needs make it a special choice for cat lovers.
History of the Thai Cat
Numerous myths surround the origins of the Thai cat breed, with the most fascinating one telling of an unusual love that arose on Noah's Ark between a monkey and a lioness. From this union, the Thai cat is said to have emerged, combining the bravery of a lioness with the agility of a monkey.
Furthermore, Thai cats played a significant role at the royal court in historic Siam, the area now known as Southeast Asia. It is believed that these cats served as guardians of the royal treasures, with their unwavering vigilance leading to them squinting. This trait, once considered characteristic, is now seen as a flaw in modern breeding, and cats with this feature are disqualified from competitions.
Another myth relates to a physical peculiarity – the kinked tail. It is said that the princesses of Siam used the cats' tails as holders for their rings, leading to the characteristic bend.
The true story of the Thai cat is a fascinating journey through time, rooted in present-day Thailand. These cats, known as Wichienmaat, were bred over 700 years ago for their extraordinary appearance. Their distinctive look with points and mesmerizing blue eyes caught the attention of the British during the colonial period in Southeast Asia, although Siam itself was never a colony. In the 19th century, the British brought these cats to England, where they became known as Siamese cats. These early imports were very variable in their appearance, with distinctions between cats with round heads ("apple heads") and those with a longer-headed type ("marten face").
The first documented evidence of Siamese cats can be found in the "Poems of the Cat" from the years 1350 to 1767, and the breed was first described by the German naturalist Peter Simon Pallas in the 18th century. Their arrival in Europe is well-documented, with the first presentation at the Crystal Palace in London in 1871 and the arrival of the cats Pho and Mia in England in 1884, who later had a litter. These early Siamese cats were described as medium-sized, muscular, and graceful cats that were never extreme in their appearance.
Over time, the breed underwent significant development, resulting in two main types: the traditional Siamese cat, now known as the Thai cat, and the modern Siamese cat. While the modern Siamese cat became known for its slender body and pointed features, some enthusiasts preferred the original, more robust look of the breed and worked to restore this type through breeding. These efforts led to the official recognition of the Thai cat as a distinct breed representing the rounder type.
The Thai cat was eventually provisionally recognized by FIFé in 2014, with full recognition proposed in 2018. This recognition is the result of the systematic work of breeders and members of the International Thai Cat Association (ITC), who worked to preserve the traditional Siamese cat as a distinct breed. Today, Thai cats resemble their common ancestry with the modern Siamese cat in colors and points but are distinguished by a more compact, muscular build.
Appearance of the Thai Cat
The Thai cat, a medium-sized and muscular pointed cat, combines elegance and strength in its appearance. As a direct ancestor of the Siamese cat, it retains a traditional, rounder profile that sets it apart from the more delicate modern Siamese cat. Its short, dense coat is characterized by a unique color distribution: while the body base tone appears light and almost white, the points – mask, ears, legs, feet, and tail – are in a darker, contrasting color. This characteristic pointed pattern, which tends to darken with age, gives the Thai cat its fascinating look.
The color palette of the Thai cat includes four primary shades – Seal, Blue, Chocolate, and Lilac – complemented by the colors Red and Cream. The evenly colored patches must be clearly distinguished from the lighter base coat, which has a gentle shimmer of the base color. This color dynamics results from a mutation in the genetic makeup, leading to temperature-sensitive distribution of the pigment melanin. In cooler body regions, the pigment densifies, causing the darker coloring of the points. The result is a cat that appears white at birth and gradually develops its characteristic pointed pattern over the first year.
The head of the Thai cat, with its triangular shape and wide-set, rounded-tip ears, exudes a modified wedge shape that is less pointed than that of the Siamese cat. Its eyes, deep and clear blue, are among the most striking features of the breed and are also a direct result of the albino gene, which causes a lack of pigment. This genetic peculiarity makes Thai cats sensitive to bright light.
The Thai cat, closely linked in its color development and diversity to the history of the Siamese, offers a palette of colors and patterns that fascinate both its breeders and enthusiasts. Depending on the breeding association, slight variations in preferred traits may exist, but the basic essence of the Thai cat – its muscular stature, blue, oval eyes, medium-height legs, and distinctive round head – remains unchanged. Its appearance is a living heritage of the original cats from Thailand, preserved through careful breeding and preservation of traditional features to this day.
The Coat of the Thai Cat
Due to their origin from tropical regions, Thai and Siamese cats typically have thin coats with little undercoat. For this reason, they are often considered suitable cat breeds for allergy sufferers.
As a result of the thin coat, Thai cats do not require much grooming, making them an ideal choice for people seeking an easy-care cat.
The most well-known colors are Seal Point, Chocolate Point, Blue Point, and Lilac Point, but there are many variations and shades within the breed.
Character of the Thai Cat
The Thai cat is characterized by its sunny and cozy character, showing an extraordinary affection comparable to that of young children. It combines playfulness, charm, and temperament with extreme love for both fellow cats and humans. Their intelligence and independence make Thai cats incomparably chatty companions, winning the hearts of their human companions with their irresistible charm and spirited temperament.
Thai cats are considered particularly trainable and obedient, showing great interest in games like fetching and even capable of learning tricks, making them somewhat dog-like. Their strong attachment to humans manifests in intense, almost personal interaction, including direct eye contact during communication.
The curiosity of the Thai cat knows few bounds; they are always the first to greet new visitors or investigate changes in the household. Their adaptability makes them ideal travel companions and easygoing patients during veterinary visits. They love company, both from humans and fellow cats, and easily adapt to living with other pets, including dogs.
Child-friendly and suitable as playmates, Thai cats exhibit exceptional social skills and bonding abilities. However, their close relationship with their humans requires attention and commitment to avoid boredom or dissatisfaction. Keeping a Thai cat requires consistency in training, as they can quickly assert dominance otherwise.
Their voice enriches the home atmosphere with a variety of sounds, from chattering to purring to trilling, reflecting their lively personality. Thai cats remain active and playful into old age, demanding such activity from their humans. Those who choose a Thai cat must be willing to fully embrace their character and needs to enjoy an enriching and harmonious relationship.
Caring for and Housing the Thai Cat
Caring for and housing the Thai cat is straightforward. They require regular interactions, playtime, and mental stimulation.
The grooming of the Thai cat's coat does not require elaborate routines. However, it can be beneficial to brush the cat regularly. Due to their strong bond with humans, Thai cats will surely appreciate regular brushing by their owners.
The claws should be trimmed regularly, and the ears cleaned as needed.
Like all cats, Thai cats should receive regular dental care from a certain age to maintain their health. The teeth should be brushed consistently.
Since Thai cats do not develop a thick winter coat due to their origins from warm regions, they should not be kept outside in cold temperatures. Especially in winter, it is advisable to provide blankets and warm sleeping areas for the cat, as they tend to snuggle into the warm clothing of humans otherwise.
Diseases of the Thai Cat
Since the Thai breed is both very original and comparatively young, no typical breed-specific diseases have arisen from overbreeding that exclusively affect this breed.
However, due to the relationship to the Siamese cat, there is an increased risk of the following diseases:
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), where the cat gradually becomes blind;
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM);
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD);
- GM1 and GM2, both fat storage diseases inherited recessively leading to motor abnormalities.
In addition, there is an increased risk of frog syndrome, strabismus, or nystagmus.
Regarding strabismus and nystagmus, it should be noted that these diseases occur very frequently in other pointed cats. However, they do not represent independent hereditary diseases with their own inheritance pattern, unlike in normally colored cats. Squinting and eye trembling are the result of the lack of melanin responsible for albinism. Pointed cats are partial albinos and therefore more susceptible to these phenomena. Despite problems with fixation and presumably impaired binocular vision, it has been observed that hunting ability is not significantly impaired.
The Life Expectancy of the Thai Cat
The life expectancy of a Thai cat averages between 12 and 20 years. This range may vary depending on health condition, nutrition, and care.
With proper care, Thai cats can lead long and fulfilling lives.
The Right Food for Thai Cats
To ensure that your Thai cat remains healthy into old age, a balanced diet is crucial, in addition to regular veterinary check-ups.
A Thai cat's diet should be balanced and tailored to its age, health condition, and activity level.
With dry and wet food for cats from I love my cat, you can easily provide your Thai cat with species-appropriate nutrition. The grain-free food contains no artificial additives and provides your four-legged friend with all the essential nutrients.
In addition, our range includes high-quality care and protection products as well as supplements for cats, with which you can prevent health problems if necessary and improve the well-being of your Thai cat in a gentle way.