Tell me about Siamese cats. I'm fantasising about getting one.

[MissingKittyCat]

I have always admired Siamese cats. They fascinate me. I understand they are high maintenance, but how high? Do they get along with your average moggy or are they on a different planet? Do they tolerate children?

I have always wanted one. We are thinking about rescuing a kitten later in the year, but over the past few days I have been wondering if I should go with my life long dream of getting a young Siamese. We have a 12 year old boy cat who is rather chilled but I don't want to ruin his life or stress any potential highly strung cat out further!

cozietoesie Yes, it would be an older cat. Anyway, although I love kittens I really prefer an adult cat with a developed personality. QuagmireCat is 19 now, and her personality is overwhelmingly developed, lol!
This would be in the future though, I'm a student still living at home (and, of course, not while my Burmese is still around, she doesn't approve of other cats!)
I do look at both Burmese and Siamese breed rescue sites though and dream of re-homing all the cats I see!

Yes, adult - and especially older - cats are such great companions aren't they? They're wise animals and seem to be 'easier in their skin' somehow - so when one of them decides to make friends with you (or adopt you as their person in the case of an oriental) it's really quite something.

I'm loving all these cat pics. They're so beautiful. Black Siamese cats are stunning, are they rare? I've never seen one before!
Ragdolls are very cute, lots of hair. I've got a lot to think about. The chatty intelligence is swaying me toward Siamese. Need to think about the financial aspect though, I no longer buy standard cat food for Boy Cat, MN has educated me on that! Since switching to better brands, he is a different animal so we would have to double the amount we buy (expensive). They're obviously more expensive to insure. Do they need anything else that would cost more than you're average moggy?

another thing about my half Siamese and being rolled - well he doesn't like being rolled (not tried it) but does a strange curl of the tail and head area and the whole body (he has a long body) in a half moon shape and back again - like a Slinky toy will do that for ages and likes tummy etc rubbed then. He also has super long claws (Siamese?) and very long legs which I know is Siamese.

He also does a lot of 'fetch' with catnip and other toys - but if you throw them like I do into places he's not sure of (bathroom and kitchen) he rushes in super fast and rescues them from there... not sure if this is Siamese trait. he's also a super brilliant catcher if you throw a toy in the air!

I've been letting him out on and off but as I'm at work all day not easy. Well this weekend I let him out and the 2 sisters who live nearby (non Siamese, tabby/white) little madam 'friends' of his led him a merry dance. he's not aggressive at all but they are. One of them ended up though trying to catch a bird doing a balancing act on my pond (which is netted) probably trying to catch my goldfish.

If you like the traits of Siamese but are worried they will be too intense, then I'd highly recommend a Snowshoe. The breed is relatively young but originally created by crossing Siamese with American Shorthairs in the 1960s. It is now a properly recognised breed, not a type of cross.

Snowshoes bond well to the whole family rather than just one person as Siamese can tend to. They are chatty but not incessant and their meow is more, how can I put it, pleasing to hear. They are highly compatible with other pets. Not at all highly strung or aloof - they get on well with visitors and guests. Very playful and intelligent - mine plays fetch, loves to ride around on my shoulder and has more than once climbed into the bath for a cuddle with me! They like company but can be left if there are other pets around. Bombproof temperaments.

They are bred in colourpoints like Siamese but also with a variety of white mittens and preferred patterns/ bi colours.

If you do go down the route of getting a pedigree then the kitten should be registered with the GCCF or TICA. No excuse not to, any reputable breeder will do so. Happy to recommend a couple of Snowshoe breeders, they are very rare so you may have to travel but very worth it

Forgot to add these, brief profiles of different cat breeds.

Siamese

And

Snowshoe