Siamese Cross advice

[MargotMoon]

I've adopted a male Siamese Cross. He's simultaneously the grumpiest and most affectionate cat I've ever had!

He's incredibly needy and I can't sit still for more than 30 seconds without him jumping on my lap and wanting lots of affection and then to fall asleep. It's lovely but if I move him he bites me

As I'm working from home at the moment I can give him lots of attention but I'm worried that when some semblance of normality returns and I have to go back to work he will be very lonely.

I've read that Siamese kittens are usually kept in pairs, and wondering if I ought to think about adopting another cat to keep him company. The only problem is he's really territorial with the neighbourhood cats so I'm worried about introducing another cat in to the house and stressing him out, but wondered if a kitten would be less of a threat to him.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Any advice would be appreciated!

Here's a pic! His name is Ziggy

If he’s territorial it’s not a great idea.

He used to live with 2 other cats and a dog, apparently. But his owner died and he was found living rough by a cat rescue volunteer, not sure what happened to the other pets in the house. So he is used to company.

Does anyone have any experience with Siamese/cross cats? Are they naturally quite sociable?

I would be careful introducing a new cat. Just because he was happy living with other cats doesn't mean he'll be happy with a new one in his territory.

I'm not sure cats really get lonely in that way. They're pretty independent and are generally very content as an only pet. I'd only get another cat if you want one for yourself. I really wouldn't get one just for the sake of your cat. There are other ways you can relieve boredom if that proves a problem when you're no longer working from home, but he may adapt better than you think. If you do want to get another cat, it should be ok if he's lived with other cats before but there are no guarantees. If you go through a rescue charity they should he able to advise which cats might suit your situation, although there won't be many kittens around this time of year so you may have to wait until the spring if that's the way you want to go.

I have a very affectionate Siamese too. I just yield and sit with a beard. If your cat is going out I imagine he will be getting company if he wants it (sounds like he likes his own though) and has his home to retreat to. I would not get another if he is an outdoors cat.

As for wanting constant cuddles you are doomed

Will your work be returning to normal or do you think there is scope for wfh in the future?

We have a Tonkinese female, and the breed is half Siamese half Burmese, so basically she's a Siamese cross like your cat. She sounds similar - incredibly affectionate but very needy, almost like a dog and follows us about and needs constant reassurance and stimulation. Quite vocal too and lots of miaowing to tell us she wants food or attention.

We do have another cat and the two of them get on pretty well. The Tonkinese arrived second, as a kitten. They lick each other's faces and sleep in the same basket. They do sometimes have spats and hiss at each other but they have never injured each other and I would say 80% of the time they love each other's company.

Oriental cats in general are much more sociable with other cats.

He's affectionate with you - that doesn't mean he wants cat company. Feral cat colonies are made of females - males are solitary and territorial and generally will be stressed by having another cat compete for their resources (including your time and affection)
I'd leave him as he is but work on not reinforcing his attention-seeking behaviour.

Set up some puzzle feeders etc for him whilst you're working so he gets fun quality alone time

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

I did buy him a puzzle feeder the other day. He's a bit of a simpleton but managed to eat most of the biscuits in it. He was a bit indignant about the whole thing but then again indignant is one of his three default settings (happy and bitey being the other two).

I have fostered kittens before, and am registered to foster with a rescue centre so do have the option of trying that out before committing to adopting another cat. I need to clear out my spare room first though, so they can be kept separate.

He does go out but never out of my back garden. He's not the best climber as he's getting on a bit. He mainly likes staring out of the cat flap to check there are no intruders.

I think I need to separate the idea of him being 'lonely' from his need for attention, I guess it comes down to personality as much as anything how much they will get on with other cats. Hopefully when my work reopens I can do some days at home, still. That would be great for lots of reasons, not just cat-related!