Did you know that Siamese cats are one of the oldest, if not the oldest, known breed of cats? What about the fact that all Siamese kittens are white when they’re born? Whether you have one of these cuties at home or just love brushing up on your feline trivia, these 12 facts about Siamese cats are sure to blow your mind.
1. Siamese Kittens Are Born White
Siamese cats are born white and don’t develop their color points until later. Wildly, this has to do with their temperature (more on this later). Most won’t achieve their true color until they’re a year old.
2. Their Color Points Are Temperature-Sensitive
A Siamese cat’s color is actually related to temperature. Because of a genetic mutation, only the coolest parts of a Siamese become pigmented, including their ear tips, nose, tail, and paws. The rest of their body stays light. Cool, right?!
The darker parts of a Siamese cat are referred to as their “points.”
3. Siamese Cats' Brains Work Differently
According to the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Geophysical Institute, cats with two Siamese genes have brains that are wired a bit differently from their feline relatives. "In a normal cat, nerves from each eye go to both sides of the brain. In a cat with two Siamese genes, the nerves from the right eye go primarily to the left side of the brain, and those from the left eye go primarily to the right side of the brain." Researchers suspect that this is what causes the cross-eyed appearance in so many members of the breed. "Judging from their jumping performance, however, their depth perception is good, so they are somehow compensating for their abnormality."
4. They've Overcome Some Bad Press
When siamese cats were initially introduced to London society from Thailand, they were shunned. One reporter went so far as to call them "an unnatural, nightmare kind of cat." But the United States welcomed them with open arms, probably because the very first siamese cat to arrive here was given to President Rutherford B. Hayes' wife Lucy Hayes and lived in the White House in 1879.
5. Two Siamese Cats Are Credited With Thwarting Spies
Stone Cottage Veterinary Hospital recounts the hiss-terical tale about the siamese cats from the 1960s: "The cats lived at the Dutch Embassy in Russia. When they started arching their backs and clawing at a wall, the ambassador suspected that something was amiss." They found more than 24 hidden microphones hidden in the wall!
6. Scooter the Siamese Was One of the World's Oldest Cats, at 30
Siamese cats hold several World Records, including the oldest living cat in 2016. Scooter the Siamese cat died at 30 years, which is estimated to be a ripe 136 human years!
7. They Also Hold the World's Record for Largest Cat Litter
A Siamese cat gave birth to an enormous litter of 19 kittens in 1970. Unfortunately, four kittens were stillborn, but the momma holds the Guinness World Record for the World's Largest Litter of Domestic Cats.
8. Siamese Cats Are One of the Oldest Cat Breeds
The Siamese cat breed has been around since sometime between the 14th and 18th centuries, with literature from the 14th century making comments about dark-pointed cats. They originated in Thailand, which was formerly known as Siam. This is where the breed’s name is from. A handful of Siamese cats were imported into the United States and England in the 1870s and early 1880s, but their popularity didn’t truly blow up until the 1950s.
9. Siamese Cats Are Movie Stars
Siamese cats have found themselves on the silver screen more than a few times. A few of the most well-known are DC from That Darn Cat! And Tao from The Incredible Journey.
Even stars like Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Kesha have owned one of these superstar cats.
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10. And Royalty, Too
Siamese cats were originally kept by royalty. In fact, for a while, anyone not in the royal family couldn’t own one. Even though they’re now widespread and available to anyone, it seems this cat breed hasn’t forgotten their royal roots and wants to be treated like they’re noblecats. And we certainly think they deserve it.
11. And Are Now One of the Top 20 Cat Breeds in the U.S.
According to the Cat Fanciers' Association, the Siamese cat breed is one of the 20 most popular cat breeds in the United States. They've certainly had a lot of ups and downs!
Siamese Cats Have Such Cool Facts
The Siamese cat is a fascinating breed with a rich history. If you’re wondering whether this breed is right for you, it’s important to think about your lifestyle and needs. Are you looking for a cat that will follow you around and demand attention? Do you have the time to work on training and enrichment each day? Do you live somewhere where meowing won’t bother your neighbors? If you answered yes, then consider adopting one of these curious, clever cats to save a life.
