The Siamese is one of the most popular breeds. It is loving and lovable, enchanting and delightful, but also exasperating, demanding and very talkative. Some Siamese seem to talk, or rather shout, all day long, and a Siamese queen when calling may be particularly trying. Prospective owners should make sure that everyone in the family is going to enjoy this boisterous temperament before deciding on the Siamese. A Siamese will enjoy walks on harness and lead, but unlike a dog, it will rarely walk to heel! With its very extrovert personality it loves performing tricks and playing games, but dislikes being ignored and is wary and jealous of strangers and other animals. With its terrific personality and affectionate nature, the Siamese has a tremendous following and becomes more and more popular as a pet every year.
Grooming
Easy to groom, all a Siamese needs is a twice weekly brushing and a combing with a fine or medium toothed comb to remove the dead hairs. A polish with a chamois leather together with lots of hand stroking will give a shine to the coat. If greasy, give the coat a bran bath.
Health care
Siamese may be more prone than other cats to feline illnesses, and when ill need a great deal of attention and affection or they give up and die. To guard against illness, they should be inoculated as early as possible, between 8 and 12 weeks of age. Spectacle marks around the eyes or white hairs in the points are signs of ill health or distress.
Origin and history
Siamese cats are believed to have existed in Siam (Thailand) for 200 years before they finally made their way to Europe and then America in the nineteenth century. They are certainly of Eastern origin, although their exact early history has unfortunately been lost. Two of the first to come to England were thought to have been a gift to the British Consul from the King of Siam, and they were shown at the Crystal Palace, London, in 1885. The first Siamese had round faces and darker coats than those seen today, tail kinks and eye squints also being permitted at the early shows. Such 'faults' have now been bred out, and the modern Siamese does not look much like its earlier counterpart.
Breeding
Siamese are prolific breeders, having two litters a year and an average of five to six kittens in a litter, although 11 and 13 have been recorded. Siamese make good mothers as a rule though those that are highly strung are unlikely to care for their kittens when the time comes. It is there fore best not to use very nervous or bad tempered cats for breeding.
Kittens
Siamese kittens develop early. They have individual personalities very soon after birth and are precocious and self assured. When born they are all white, the point colour developing only gradually. In the seal and blue points, a blob of colour appears on the nose after about 10 days, but it may be three months before the chocolate and lilac points become apparent. In all colours the points are often not fully developed until a year old. Kittens should not be taken from their mothers until they are at least 12 weeks old. They need to be with their mothers to finish their education, and if left with them for at least part of the day until this age, they always seem to be more balanced as adults.
Grooming
Easy to groom, all a Siamese needs is a twice weekly brushing and a combing with a fine or medium toothed comb to remove the dead hairs. A polish with a chamois leather together with lots of hand stroking will give a shine to the coat. If greasy, give the coat a bran bath.
Health care
Siamese may be more prone than other cats to feline illnesses, and when ill need a great deal of attention and affection or they give up and die. To guard against illness, they should be inoculated as early as possible, between 8 and 12 weeks of age. Spectacle marks around the eyes or white hairs in the points are signs of ill health or distress.
Origin and history
Siamese cats are believed to have existed in Siam (Thailand) for 200 years before they finally made their way to Europe and then America in the nineteenth century. They are certainly of Eastern origin, although their exact early history has unfortunately been lost. Two of the first to come to England were thought to have been a gift to the British Consul from the King of Siam, and they were shown at the Crystal Palace, London, in 1885. The first Siamese had round faces and darker coats than those seen today, tail kinks and eye squints also being permitted at the early shows. Such 'faults' have now been bred out, and the modern Siamese does not look much like its earlier counterpart.
Breeding
Siamese are prolific breeders, having two litters a year and an average of five to six kittens in a litter, although 11 and 13 have been recorded. Siamese make good mothers as a rule though those that are highly strung are unlikely to care for their kittens when the time comes. It is there fore best not to use very nervous or bad tempered cats for breeding.
Kittens
Siamese kittens develop early. They have individual personalities very soon after birth and are precocious and self assured. When born they are all white, the point colour developing only gradually. In the seal and blue points, a blob of colour appears on the nose after about 10 days, but it may be three months before the chocolate and lilac points become apparent. In all colours the points are often not fully developed until a year old. Kittens should not be taken from their mothers until they are at least 12 weeks old. They need to be with their mothers to finish their education, and if left with them for at least part of the day until this age, they always seem to be more balanced as adults.
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