My son persistently tried to persuade me to get a kitten. I resisted for a long time, knowing that all the care would fall on me. Even though I'm a fanatical lover of these otherworldly creatures, I'm well aware of the consequences and responsibilities of making a positive decision.
I understood it back then, but my son turned out to be quite the psychologist, methodically brainwashing me with stories about familiar cats, funny photos, videos, and sentimental memories of his grandmother's cat. While feigning outward steadfastness, I felt the wall of resistance crumble by the hour, and one fine day I capitulated, admitting that I would give him a kitten for his birthday.
My son is ecstatic, my husband is sad, I am in anticipation…
They pondered the choice of breed. Since the future pet was announced as a gift, the final decision was up to the birthday boy. The choice fell on the Thai breed (also known as the Old Siamese).
Finally, a blue-eyed miracle arrived in our home and instantly stole our hearts. Even my husband, who had always been indifferent to cats, was forever captivated by the beauty, intelligence, wit, and quick-wittedness of the new family member.
I was interested in everything related to the Siamese breed. I gathered information on cat care from various sources: pet websites, veterinary clinics, books, and the experiences of friends. Soon, I considered myself practically a guru when it came to the breed's characteristics.
A month later, I realized that wasn't true. A month later, I realized that it wasn't true at all. It turns out that Siamese cats are a completely unique breed in terms of personality and care. But it's one thing to hear about it firsthand, and quite another to experience it firsthand.
I think this article will accomplish two things at once. First, I'll dissuade those who aren't confident in their abilities from getting a Siamese (and that's for the best—to each their own). Second, the article will ultimately convince you that you've made the right choice.
1. Siamese cats are very vicious – a myth! They're not a street breed, and so, over generations, they've learned to live peacefully with people. And if you buy a kitten from a club, its peacefulness is guaranteed – they have strict controls, and if there are obvious signs of aggression, the kitten is simply spayed, preventing it from passing on the aggressive gene. Personal stories of Siamese viciousness only point to mistreatment (and not all children are well-behaved, either).
2. Siamese are very sociable, active, and talkative. If you decide to get this breed, be prepared to run, jump, tumble, cuddle, and pet them almost constantly. Siamese only have two modes—sleep mode and play mode. Walking alone is boring for them; they'll whine and try to get attention until you drop everything and join in. “Master, what about me? What about me? I'm so much better than a computer!”
3. Their increased activity is a way of life. If they don't have the opportunity to frolic, they'll get sick. I recommend building a play area at home (or buying a ready-made one) where your kitten can let off steam.
4. Siamese cats are 80% love-loving and only 20% food-based. Upon waking in the morning, they will refuse to eat until you pet them for at least 10 minutes. After this prelude, the satisfied cat will go to their bowls, and you can do their morning toilet.
5. Siamese cats easily learn (and subsequently adhere to) house rules —where their litter box is, where they can scratch their claws, where they're not allowed to go. I draw your attention to the “no”s! They clearly know exactly where they're not allowed, but if you ignore their persistent invitations to play, you can be sure that all the “no”s will be methodically and consistently violated! No climbing the ficus? Here's an upside-down pot! No chewing on a book? Here's chewed roots! And so on.
6. Another unique feature of the breed is that the physiological characteristics of Siamese cats significantly reduce the likelihood of an allergic reaction.
7. Kittens of this breed are born white and only develop the characteristic Siamese coloring over time. But suddenly you notice that the part of their coat that should remain white is starting to darken! For those who want to show their pet, this is a serious concern, as the process is irreversible. In some cases, color change can be prevented if you know the following.
- Products that cause darkening of the coat: liver, carrots, buckwheat porridge (in general, colored foods), some types of food and vitamins containing yeast and iodine.
- There are also external factors. If the apartment temperature is constantly below 20 degrees Celsius, the white fur will begin to darken. To prevent this, try to warm the room where your cat lives and avoid letting it lie on cold windowsills or the floor. Incidentally, excessive heat and direct sunlight also cause darkening.
- If a cat develops bald spots (for example, due to a lack of vitamins), these areas may subsequently become overgrown with darker fur.
- Intense darkening of the Siamese coat is observed in old age.
If you've tried to avoid the listed products and your pet lives in comfortable conditions, but their coat still starts to darken, it's genetic, and there's nothing you can do about it. But does that really affect your love for your pet?
Our cat is now ten months old, but I'm still discovering new facets of his character and never cease to be amazed by his insight, observation, and logical behavior. He's truly a unique breed. Many may find Siamese cats overly selfish. But to understand these cats, you simply have to love them!
