If you think a talkative and sometimes loudly vocal cat is irritating then you have a Siamese cat behavior problem. I could put that a different way; if you like peace and quiet and an undemanding cat who minds his own business, you might describe your Siamese cat as having a behavior problem but, conversely, many cat owners would describe this sort of behavior as a positive trait.
The Siamese cat is also quite active. You wanted an inactive pudding of a cat? Well, you have a problem cat. Get a Persian.
The Siamese cat is “loyal” which translates to enjoying being on your lap, sleeping on your pillow or on the bed. If you like a cat’s company but you also like your space then once again you might say these traits are a problem.
Gloria Stephens (Legacy of the Cat) says:
“They want to be as close as possible, and their need for closeness verges on the desperate…”
You wanted an independent cat? Well, you haven’t got what you wanted.
The Siamese is also described as a “demanding cat”; the kind of language we use for wild cat hybrids like the Bengal cat. But wait a minute; all you have to do is to threat these as positive character traits and use them to your advantage.
Everyone who owns a cat likes a cat’s companionship. It’s the main reason people care for a cat. You won’t get a better cat companion than a Siamese if you respond to his/her demands. Simply love your Siamese. Talk to your Siamese, stroke him, hold him and more.
Then you’ll have that beautifully close bond that many cat owners treasure. The Siamese cat character and behaviour is an open invitation to interact and form a close friendship with all the benefits this brings to both cat and person.
Note: As Cass, in a comment rightly says, cats are individuals so you’ll meet Siamese cats which are not as described by the “experts”. We shouldn’t band all cats of one breed with the same personality.
Note 1: you’ll have to include the Balinese, Oriental Shorthair (at least) in this discussion and they are part of the Siamese cat family. There are other cats in this extended family.
Note 3: A cat that likes company will tend to develop behavior “problems” if that desire is unmet. In this case there may be true behavior problems but they would probably be caused by the owner in failing to recognise and be able to provide appropriate care.
Note 3: The Siamese cat has the greatest propensity to genetic health issues of all the purebred cats. Health affects behavior and lifespan. Just thought I’d mention that.
Like every other breed of animal, you will always have ‘typical’ and non-typical. The traditional Siamese we’ve had were not that vocal unless they were on their way to the vet, were friendly, sometimes clingy, but truly appreciated. I avoid any cat with close bloodlines, having dealt with the problems that can cause.
Well said Cass. The breeders tend to overemphasis breed traits but cats are individuals as you say.
Unlike dogs, who’ve been selectively bred for centuries to perform certain working duties, cats have been bred for looks over temperament.
To me, much of the breed personality traits are little more than stereotyping, or are perhaps being used as a selling tool.
“Selling tool” hits the spot. The breeders have to market them and therefore have to distinguish one breed from another which is hard because they are a breed is made up of individuals.
The breeders exaggerate the personality traits in the same way they try and exaggerate their appearance.
Never had a true Siamese, but I possibly have had some Siamese as a part of the mixtured ones. And, my recollection is that even those mixes were vocal and could be considered demanding.
I’ve actually, know quite a few people who had thought that they had long haired Siameses; in, reality, they were probably a Himalayan mix. I have one of these mixes now, and he is very quiet and unassuming. I have to seek him out to give him some loving.
It’s said that a Himmie is a persian in Siamese drag. LOL!
Himmies are Persians and Persians are quiet and undemanding (in general) we are told so the personality you describe indicates a Himmie.
One problem is that you can’t really ball together all the cats of one breed. They are individuals.
Not an exceptional picture of Scooter, but this is him. Pretty positive that he is part Himmie.
He was so feral when I brought him in as kit that I called him “Spitfire” for quite a long time.
Certainly has a lot of Siamese in him. He is the sort of Siamese you see in Siam 😉 Thailand.
He looks more Siamese than Himalayan to me because the Himalayan has quite long hair.
It is strange to see a Siamese cat with a clipped ear indicating feral/stray.
Really?
You see more Siamese than Himmie?
I’ll try to get another pic, because he is really quite longhaired. Just gorgeous.
And, yes, he has an eartip because he was feral.
Incredibly feral.
He has more of a Siamese face too, to be honest. The Himmie face is shorter, even the traditional Himalayan, and this cat has a standard face reminiscent of the Thai Siamese:
https://pictures-of-cats.org/Are-there-any-Siamese-Cats-in-Siam.html
Agree with you Michael. I see more of the beautiful, original Siamese than Himalayan. It’s Scooter’s head shape which made me instantly think Siamese. Love his coat colour.
Dee: Before breeders changed the look of the Siamese into the current wedge shaped face, the original Balinese (longhaired Siamese) was similar to Scooter in looks.
Thank you Michele and Michael. I think that I drew the Himmie conclusion because he is completely silent and seclusive. Always has been since being somewhat (but not fully) domesticated, and he is 2 years old now.
His silence indicates that Siamese are not all vocal as breeders state. He may have a voice though but doesn’t want to use it and if so I wonder what might be the cause.
No reply, Michael.
But, I think that some of my silent cats are that way because I anticipate their every need. They never need to ask for anything.
Do you suppose?
There is that because cats meow to ask as we know but I think there is more going on. Some cats are naturally quiet but some cats might have a voice but not use it for some reason. I am not sure at the moment. It may be linked to the early days in the life of the cat.