Siamese Breed Information

Siamese like to follow you around and aren’t overly active. They can get lonely easily so it may be best to get two siblings to keep each other company. Always introduce a new cat slowly to any existing pets you may already have, as although Siamese are normally friendly with people they may not tolerate other cats/pets as well, so they may be happier in a household with a sibling but without other pets.

They are well known for being loudly vocal and are often very affectionate with humans, enjoying nothing more than curling up on their owner’s lap. They can be great at jumping and seem to love heights, so providing them with a cat tree will enable them to jump high safely.

Breed-related health problems:

Owners are, understandably, upset when their cat develops a health problem linked to its breed. Often they wish they’d known what problems the breed was prone to have. The potential health problems that Siamese are prone to include:

• Mediastinal lymphoma– a cancer which typically causes fluid to accumulate around the lungs, causing coughing and breathing difficulties.
• Asthma – a disease of the airway, signs of which can include persistent or bouts of coughing, laboured and/or fast breathing, noisy breathing and wheezing and difficulty breathing.
• Progressive retinal atrophy – a genetic eye problem which causes progressive blindness. Genetic tests are available to check for the disease.
• Hip dysplasia – an abnormality of the hip joints causing lameness in the hind legs which can make walking difficult.
• Systemic amyloidosis – a disease where protein is deposited abnormally in various organs such as the liver, kidneys and intestines. This can lead to liver or kidney failure.

We’d recommend discussing the medical history of your potential kitten’s parents and grandparents, and think very carefully before taking on a cat with any of the health conditions listed above evident in the family line.

Coat care:

Their short coat doesn’t require much attention to keep it in top condition, but they enjoy the interaction that comes from grooming so making it part of your weekly routine is a way of giving them the attention they crave.

Estimated cost over lifetime:

These costs are based on essential items such as:

• A bed, litter and tray
• Grooming items
• Food and bowl
• Preventive treatment such as flea, worming, vaccinations and neutering
• Toys
• Cat carrier
• Pet insurance

This does not include initial purchase cost, non-essential items (such as holiday care) or potential veterinary treatment of which an excess needs to be paid before your pet may be covered by pet insurance.

Insure your Siamese Cat with PDSA:

1 in 3 pets need vet treatment each year and vet bills can come to hundreds of pounds. PDSA Pet Insurance can give you peace of mind when your pet is poorly, especially for breeds like Siamese Cats that are prone to certain conditions. PDSA Pet Insurance offers:

1. Dog and cat insurance policies from 8 weeks of age.
2. 24/7 veterinary advice online or over the phone with Petcall.
3. Manage your policy online with the PDSA Insure Hub.
4. Monthly payment at no extra cost.

By insuring your Siamese Cat with PDSA Pet Insurance you’ll also be helping to provide vet care to some of the UK’s neediest pets.

For more information on taking care of your cat please visit our kitten and cat section.

Rehoming from a reputable source:

Where you get a cat from can have a big effect on how healthy and happy it is for the rest of its life. Find out where our PDSA vet experts recommend you get your cat from.

Not sure if the Siamese is the right pet for you?