Has a lot to tell you.
Siamese
Also called Meezer, Mese, Maeo Sayam, Wichianmat (Thai landrace name, 'moon diamond')
From Thailand (Siam until 1939). The breed comes from the Wichianmat, a colourpointed landrace cat of old Siam, and was developed as a show breed in Britain and later the United States from the 1880s on.123
At a glance the quick version
GCCF gives 10-15 lb (4.5-6.8 kg) for males and 8-12 lb (3.6-5.4 kg) for females; Hill's gives 8-12 lb (3.6-5.4 kg) for males and under 8 lb (3.6 kg) for females; Purina UK gives 5-6.5 kg overall. CFA sets no weight and describes a medium, svelte cat.
Hill's 8-12, Purina UK 8-15, GCCF 10-15 years; GCCF notes some reach their twenties
Coat and looks how to spot one
very short, fine, glossy close-lying coat with colourpoint pattern
A long, slim and elegant cat with fine bones yet firm muscle, long legs, small oval feet and a whip-thin tapering tail. The head is a long wedge with large, wide-set ears carrying on its straight lines, and the almond eyes are always a deep, vivid blue. The satin-like coat has almost no undercoat and sits flat against the body. Darker colour gathers on the face mask, ears, legs and tail, the cooler parts of the body, while the body stays paler.6512
Personality what they are like
The Siamese is a people cat through and through. It is outgoing, curious and full of opinions, which it shares in a loud, distinctive voice. It tends to attach itself closely to its family, often to one favourite person, and wants to be involved in whatever is going on. Clever and quick to learn, it enjoys games and training, and despite its sleek show-cat look it is often happy to settle in a lap.5243
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High. A lively, athletic cat and a strong jumper that loves high places. Plan daily interactive play, hunting-style games, puzzle toys and tall cat trees or shelves to climb.435
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Very low maintenance. A weekly brush with a rubber brush or a wipe with damp hands or a cloth keeps the short coat glossy, and many Siamese enjoy brushing as bonding time. Bathing is rarely needed.5342
Home where they are happiest
Happy indoors if the home has plenty of climbing space, toys and enrichment; if it goes outside, a secure garden or cat run is advised.3
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A complete, balanced cat food suited to age and lifestyle. Portions should be watched, as extra weight shows quickly on such a slender frame.43
Company who they like around
Very high. Siamese do not like being left alone for long and suit homes where someone is around much of the day. A second cat, ideally another Siamese, helps keep them company.235
The story where it all began
Colourpointed cats very like today's Siamese are pictured and described in the Tamra Maew, a set of Thai cat poems believed to date from the Ayutthaya Kingdom (roughly 1351-1767). In Siam these Wichianmat cats were linked with royalty and temples. The first documented Siamese in the United States was a cat named Siam, sent from Bangkok to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878. In 1884 the British Consul-General in Bangkok, Edward Blencowe Gould, brought a pair called Pho and Mia home to his sister Lilian, and their kittens were shown at London's Crystal Palace in 1885. Lilian Gould helped found the Siamese Cat Club in 1901, the first UK champion (Wankee) had been crowned in 1898, and CFA recognised the breed from its founding in 1906. Blue, chocolate and lilac points were added over the following decades, and after the Second World War the Siamese became one of the most registered breeds. Western breeders later refined a longer, more angular show type, while a rounder 'traditional' type is kept by some groups. The breed also helped create many others, including the Balinese, Oriental, Himalayan and Tonkinese.15243
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The points are temperature-controlled: the pigment enzyme only works in cooler skin (below about 33 °C), so the ears, face, paws and tail colour up while the warm body stays pale.1
- 2
Siamese kittens are born almost white or cream and their points appear over the first few months.2
- 3
The first known Siamese in the USA was a cat called Siam, a gift to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878.5
- 4
Colourpoint cats appear in the Tamra Maew, Thai 'cat-book poems' thought to date back to the Ayutthaya era.1
- 5
In Thailand the colourpoint cat is called 'wichien-matt', meaning moon diamond.3
- 6
Disney's Lady and the Tramp (1955) made the Siamese pair Si and Am and their song famous.1
- 7
CFA credits the Siamese as the inspiration, or direct ancestor, of a large number of other breeds.5
- 8
The very first GCCF Siamese champion, Wankee, took the title back in 1898.2
Recognised by the official bits
- CFA
- One of the breeds recognised when CFA was founded in 1906; four point colours: seal, blue (1934), chocolate (1952) and lilac (1955)5
- GCCF
- Section 6 (Siamese & Oriental), Group 2; 32 colour and point patterns2
- FIFe
- Fully recognised, Category 4, code SIA (shared standard with Balinese and Orientals)7
- TICA, ACF, ACFA/CAA, CCA-AFC
- Pedigree breed in all major registries1
Popularity 17th of 54 breeds in FIFe registrations (929 kittens, 1% of the total) in 2024; seal point is the most popular colour in CFA15
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Siamese. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Nail trimevery 3 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- Litter scoopevery day
- Litter changeevery week
- PlayAbout 60 minutes of play a dayevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia - Siamese cat en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, history, genetics, other names, popularity, recognition
- GCCF - Siamese gccfcats.orgused for recognition, colours, weight, lifespan, temperament, social needs, history
- Purina UK - Siamese purina.co.ukused for weight, lifespan, activity, habitat, social needs, fun facts
- Hill's Pet - Siamese hillspet.comused for weight, lifespan, activity, diet, grooming
- CFA - Siamese breed profile cfa.orgused for history, recognition, colours, temperament, grooming
- FIFe breed standard BAL/SIA/OLH/OSH fifeweb.orgused for body, head, eyes, coat, colours
- FIFe - Breeds list fifeweb.orgused for recognition status and category
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.