Potential purebred cat adopters want to know if the Siamese cat is right for them. The answer is whether you are sort of person who likes the Siamese cat’s traits.
The Siamese and associated breeds (breeds with Siamese in them e.g. Oriental SH and Balinese) are ‘vocal to the point of loudness and are quite active’ (Gloria Stephens in Legacy of the Cat).
The Siamese are lap cats and will sleep on their owner’s bed. In general cats of this breed like to be close to their owner. Gloria says that the desire to be close ‘verges on the desperate’!
The Siamese is intelligent and like all domestic cats inquisitive or ‘nosy’ depending on how you want to describe the trait. They want to investigate everything that their owner does. Are they demanding cats? It depends on how you respond to this breed’s character. A lot of people love this sort of demanding character because there is greater interaction between cat and human.
If you want a fluffy ornament don’t get a Siamese. If you want to be close and involved with your cat companion a Siamese might be the right choice. A lot of famous actresses and actors in the mid 20th century preferred the Siamese for a cat companion.
P.S. There is a range of Siamese cats. Yes, it sounds odd but it is true. You can read about it on this page. I’d go for the old-style Siamese which is more genuine in appearance. They may be healthier. The Siamese has the greatest number of inherited illnesses of all cat breeds. I believe that the development of the modern Siamese (very slender and extreme breeding) caused this state of affairs.
Michael, ANY cat is good for me — LOL!! I do love all kitties — active, chatty — whatever. My last rescue, a little black cat who was very near death when my son found her, is quite a chatty little lady. My Siamese cats that I have had (all 3 at RB now) were never very chatty. My Bengal mix is a chatty girl. I have also found that the more you converse with them, the more they converse back to you — regardless of breed. Most of mine are moggies — all being adopted/rescued. I treat my kitties like little children and talk to them quite frequently, and for the most part, they all respond. Love my ‘kids’ — along with my son Tyler — could not live without them!! ♥♥♥
I remember many years ago, hearing a cry that I thought was a baby, but later learned was a Siamese. From that day on, I knew I didn’t want one. I was glad to have found out sooner than later.
All the cats I’ve had have been mellow “moggies”.
OMGosh Toad is hideous to listen to. But I loves her because she is my baby. I will admit I’m glad that both her and Frog are not so inclined. One is enough.
It’s worth mentioning that even several generations removed from pure Siamese some cats will retain that voice. While Toad does not appear Siamese the traits her mother the Tortinese passed it on to my Tabbinese Tigers. More specifically Toad.