Siamese cats - what is the breed like?

[Tumbleweed101]

I'm considering getting a cat of the breed in the near future.

Has anyone got any experiences pro or con that they would like to share before we decide?

I've had a Siamese, a Tonkinese and now own an Oriental. I love them, they are full of character, they do usually get on with dogs well. They are not for the faint hearted though as they are very noisy and demanding, my current Oriental likes to be around people all the time (he's a rescue and we are his 3rd home!)

I have a Siamese, an Oriental and a Mog. Mog is the most normal cat among the three. Siamese only speaks when he taps my arm to let me know he wants something otherwise is pretty mute. Oriental is very direct with her instructions otherwise again is not really vocal. Think cats who are more like dogs but know they are superior cats really.

I've had Siamese for 20years+. The current 5 year olds are mad as a box of frogs (they came to live with us as older kittens a few months before lockdown). We have an enclosed garden, so they come and go as they please. They know what they want and are good at explaining what they want. They enjoy winding up our neighbours' dogs from the safety of the (unreachable) top of the garden wall.

Part of the early-morning routine involves them both jumping on the bed and demanding to go under the duvet (they are currently both asleep on my feet).

We've always favoured old-school Siamese. Their features and temperament are less extreme. The current pair like to be groomed and do shed a fair bit of hair.

Thank you everyone. We are going to view some kittens at the weekend.

I've had siamese. Agree once you've had one you don't want anything else. My first wasn't very talkative, the second and third never stopped! They all liked to sleep under the duvet in the crook of my knees.

Be prepared though, they'll keep you occupied! They're not like most moggies who just get on with their lives on their own, they will want to play all the time. They're very intelligent. One of mine could open the kitchen cupboard doors and also drawers. He climbed curtains and even the walls. They're a full time job sometimes! I had a dog at the same time as my first siamese, he used to sleep cuddled up to the dog, much to the dog's disgust 😂 They all would fetch toys back to me for me to throw. They are the most beautiful cats ever.

They do really need to stay with their mum until they're 12 weeks old, most kittens do tbh but siamese seem to need more lessons from their mum before they can leave home!

We will of course need to see a photo ❤️

They're very intelligent.

Mine didn’t get that memo, but she makes up for it with sheer affection.

My DM’s old Siamese used to jump into the dogs bed with the dog (a long suffering Staffie) and bully him relentlessly until the dog took himself off and the cat then had the bed to himself.

We had a part breed stable cat

Loud. Affectionate. The most insane hunter, regularly returned with 2 rabbits, and once dragged a pheasant home
She used to steal my soup and then refuse to give it back, it was easier just to let her have it rather than risk losing a limb
I think the mice just fled in fear

I am so envious.

Yes my first siamese was similar, very dominant, if he wanted something he just hung in there til he got it! Beds, chairs, toys, food ... I loved him so much, he was such a character, I'll never get over losing him and none of my other cats have quite replaced him, although I've loved them too.

We had one when I was a teenager and I don't have good memories of him at all.

He would go mental if anyone called, growling and spitting and had to be contained in a room. Visitors wouldn't say hello when calling but nervously ask "where's the cat?" He sat on a friend's lap, probably as a form of control as it wasn't affectionate, she was petrified. He would follow the window cleaner from window to window baring his teeth at him.

He would swipe me regularly, a friend said recently "I never saw your arms or legs without scratches and scram marks when you lived at home."

He hated me even more because I stopped him coming into my room at night as he would jump from the windowsill onto my bed numerous times during the night huffing and puffing at whatever creature, fox probably, was in the garden.

He went outside on a harness and lead and once attacked someone who went into the garden looking for my Dad. Thankfully he was wearing wellies.

The vet had gauntlets especially for the cat. He lived until he was 18.

Our siamese rescue is needy and angry if you're not touching her all. the. time. She does the occasional protest spray.

I think prob because of her early experiences rather than, or perhaps in combo with, her genetics.

If you want a cat who does their own thing, this isn't it.

@TroysMammy that is very odd as they are usually very loving and people orientated . Ours love the vet , they love cuddles from anyone , although the boy doesn’t like too many people together so at Christmas will take himself off to bed .

@Floralnomad luckily he didn't put me off cats. I've had some lovely moggies over the years but that nasty, spiteful cat who my mother hasn't taken the rose tinted glasses off yet put me off Siamese forever. Pity really because they are beautiful looking cats.

We live within staggering distance of the vet so we walk them round in their carriers: the racket!! Cold-blooded deep, furious growls. "They are just a bit cross, they are going for a check up!". I have to take both together otherwise they smell different and that causes a scrap.

Boy cat is an absolute wimp with people and just legs it outside until they have gone (he has an insulated kennel). Girl cat is tarty and loves helping any tradesman, especially if they have a bag of tools.

If you are able to get a photo, can we have some kitten pics; I think Mumsnet might be allowing them again.

Oh yes, their voices! I love a siamese howl ❤️ I once travelled four and a half hours with my siamese in the car, he shouted all the way! And the noise when I went in the shower! All part of their charm!

My two siamese.

Just the best
Our boy is funny, needy, loving. Def not for someone that wants a low maintenance "cat"
Mine is currently sitting on my arm on the breakfast bar in front of my iPad, having spent all night snuggled against me in bed, giving me a death stare when I move him to use the loo.in between these times he has been out, brought in a dead baby rat and proceeded to eat it, spraying entrails all over the dining room floor.
Just a friendly warning !
If you don't have other cats, I'd really suggest getting two kittens. They are unusual cats in that they usually love another cat and will sleep together and play together ( plus will make it less dependent on you )

Just joining for cat pics and anecdotes.

We did a 600 mile journey with ours, and she squawked the entire way. Never again.

Although I’ve also had to do 5/6 hour journeys with DM’s moggy that mewed every 30 seconds too, so maybe it’s just a cat thing.

Cat tax attached.

I love Siamese and orientals... currently have two orientals, a ragdoll and a moggy... all very much adored but the orientals have a special place in my heart... intelligent, loving, vocal and demanding!

Pics of Willow and Oz 😻

One ( or possibly two) will choose you. That’s the one to ask to live with you.

Our last Siamese died twenty years ago. We still speak of her often with great affection. ( We planted some bulbs on her grave.When we moved, we dug them up so we had something of her with us).

These are my 2 rescues, a lilac point and a tabby-blue.

My two are exhausted, after an afternoon in front of the fire. Photo is a bit hopeless, sorry

So hopeless I can't post pics. Will use a PC tomorrow

All beautiful ❤️

My grandkittens , chocolate point girl and seal point boy .