There are so many fun facts about Siamese cats! These kitties are among the most popular of all the cat breeds and for good reason. Not only are they stunningly beautiful, but they also have wonderful personalities to match!

Thanks to Disney films Lady And The Tramp, That Darn Cat!, and The Incredible Journey, Siamese Cats are admired for their striking blue eyes and sleek physique. However, they have also been portrayed as sneaky and devious, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

So where did these ancient cats get their reputation? And which accounts about the breed represent their true history, genetics, and personality? Read on to find out!

Fun Facts About Siamese Cats’ History

They’re one of the oldest cat breeds.

Descriptions of Siamese cats in Thai literature date as far back as 1350 AD, and although their first appearance is unknown, they likely originated around that time or even earlier. The country of Thailand was known as Siam until the 1940s, and this is where these beautiful ancient cats derive their name. In fact, throughout the 1800s, they were the favored pets of the country’s royalty and were considered symbols of status and wealth.

Only the Egyptian Mau and possibly the Norwegian Forest Cat are thought to predate them as the oldest domesticated felines.

Siamese cats were considered Thai royalty.

Not only did the royal families of Siam keep and cherish Siamese cats as pets, they also considered them regal in their own right. According to ancient Thai writings, when a member of the royal family died, their soul went into the body of a Siamese cat. These felines would then live out the remainder of their lives in temples being pampered and cherished by monks.

They were once rejected by western society.

Despite their ancient and current status as one of the most beautiful cat breeds on Earth, Siamese cats were once considered “ugly” by western society. The breed made its debut in London at an 1871 cat show where one journalist described them as “an unnatural, nightmare kind of cat.”

Luckily, the stigma didn’t last, and they soon gained popularity in England and the UK. The first UK cat fanciers club devoted to the breed was established in 1902, and the breed was officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association in 1906.

Fun Facts About Siamese Cats’ Genetics

The accepted look of Siamese cats has changed over time.

When the breed first appeared, they had a large build and rounded apple-shaped heads. These “Old Siamese” cats were bred over time to be sleeker with narrow, wedge-shaped heads and faces. However, both varieties are still seen today and come in the same accepted color patterns. And of course, Cats of both varieties possess the signature striking blue eyes the breed is known for.

Crossed eyes and crooked tails used to be breed standard.

In addition to their faces and physiques, Siamese kitties have been selectively bred to alter their eyes and tails. At one time, it was considered desirable for them to be cross-eyed and possess a crooked tail. There was even a Thai myth to explain how the traits came to be. It was said that Siamese kitties were charged with guarding Buddha’s golden goblet. They took their job so seriously, wrapping their tails around the goblet and staring so intently at it, that their tails became permanently crooked and their eyes permanently crossed.

The truth behind these traits can be explained by science. Their crossed eyes were caused by a genetic flaw that causes the left retina to tilt right and the right retina to tilt left. In order to see clearly, the cats crossed their eyes to align the retinas.

As for their crooked tails, these were likely caused by a recessive genetic trait that became more prevalent due to inbreeding. While crossed eyes and crooked tails still appear, these traits are far less common than they once were.

Siamese kittens are snow white when they are born.

Thanks to a mutated enzyme and the warm temperature of their mama’s womb, Siamese kittens are born a creamy white color! The distinctive darker color patterns on their ears, tails, and limbs only develop when exposed to temperatures below 33℃.

This reaction is thought to be caused by a recessive albino gene. For this reason, the breed is sometimes referred to as “temperature-sensitive albinos.”

They come in up to 33 color variations.

Siamese cats typically develop one of four main color patterns: seal point, chocolate point, blue point, or lilac point. However, according to some sources, their coats come in up to 33 different color variations including caramel point and cinnamon point.

They have weaker eyesight than their feline cousins.

Cats are known for their sharply acute vision, especially at night. But Siamese kitties have a genetic flaw that makes it difficult for them to see color and distinguish details at night. The same pigment responsible for their striking blue eyes also results in these vision troubles.

Fun Facts About Siamese Cats’ Personalities

They are more vocal than their cousins.

Siamese cats are often considered the most vocal of the domestic feline breeds. Those in the know chock this chattiness up to their intelligent and social nature. Not only do they crave human affection, but they aren’t afraid to ask for it either! Many people compare the attention-seeking yowls of a Siamese kitty to the cry of a baby.

Luckily, their intelligent and playful nature means that they are also among the most trainable breeds. Maybe you can teach yours to “speak” only on command.

They’re extremely friendly.

As mentioned above, Siamese cats are among the most social breeds, which also means they are exceptionally friendly. Those looking for a cuddly companion that can coexist comfortably with the entire family can’t do much better than a Siamese! Most cat sites even recommend them for families with dogs and small children.

General Fun Facts About Siamese Cats

A Siamese cat was once First Pet of the White House.

President Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife Lucy owned a cat named Siam during their time in the White House. The cat was a gift from United States Consul David Stickles who was serving as a diplomat in Bangkok, Thailand at the time. In a letter from Stickles to the First Lady, he wrote:

“I have taken the liberty of forwarding you one of the finest specimens of Siamese cats that I have been able to procure in this country. I am informed that it is the first attempt ever made to send a Siamese cat to America.”

Sadly, Siam passed away from an unnamed illness less than a year after joining the Hayes family. It is said that the cat made such a big impression on the president that he ordered the body to be preserved.

They make great detectives.

Two Siamese cats living at the Dutch Embassy in Moscow, Russia revealed an espionage plot back in the 1960s. The snoozing kitties suddenly awoke from a nap in ambassador Henri Helb's study and started clawing at one of the walls. Upon investigation, 30 tiny microphones were discovered hidden behind the wall. Thanks to those cats, Helb was able to use the microphones to his advantage. He staged several conversations in front of the wall listing his grievances with the Russian government, including delays in embassy repairs and packages stuck in customs. To his delight, these problems were "mysteriously" resolved within 24 hours!

Siamese cats hold multiple world records.

While Guinness World Record holders frequently shift, several kitties of the breed have laid claim to their titles over the years. For example, in 1971, a Burmese/Siamese cat gave birth to 19 kittens - the world’s largest litter of domestic cats. And in 2016, 30-year-old Scooter became the world’s current oldest living cat.

They are popular with celebrities.

Siamese cats are historically sought after among the Hollywood elite. Celebrities from The Beatles’ John Lennon to iconic artist Andy Warhol have kept these beautiful kitties as pets. Here are a few other famous names that have welcomed the breed into their homes:

Anthony Perkins
Elizabeth Taylor
Michael Landon
Marilyn Monroe

Rod Stewart
Davy Jones
Kesha
Ricky Gervais
Frank Zappa
And the kitty queen herself, Taylor Swift!

Siamese cats live long lives.

The best fun fact about Siamese cats is that these beauties often live well beyond the average feline lifespan! Most domestic cats live for about 15 years, but many live well into their twenties. And let’s not forget Scooter who won the Guinness World Record for the oldest living cat when he turned 30 in 2016.
With lots of love and care, your Siamese kitty can live a long, happy life, too!

15 Fun Facts About Siamese Cats