April 6th is a pretty big kitty holiday: it’s National Siamese Cat Day! Known for being charismatic and talkative, these cute cats have some very loyal fans. A local vet lists some fun facts about these remarkable felines in these article.
What’s In A Name?
The name Siamese cat literally translates to wichien-matt which means “moon diamond.” That’s a purrfect moniker for these pretty kitties!
History
Siamese cats originated in ancient Thailand, which was once known as Siam. Some stories say that they were first taken in by Buddhist monks. Other legends have a different ‘tale’ and say that the first Siamese cats were adopted by royalty. There actually is some documentation of this: records of them being adopted by royals go far back as the 1300’s. Siamese cats were also depicted in the Tamra Maew (The Cat Book Poems). This popular tome was produced between the 14th and 18th centuries.
Crossed Eyes and Crooked Tails
Siamese cats traditionally had crossed eyes. The story says that a Siamese cat was given the duty of guarding a king’s goblet. Fluffy held onto it so hard and so long that her tail bent and her eyes crossed!
Tip Of The Tail
Siamese cats have a very distinctive look, with dark points on their paws, ears, and tails. Those tips are actually climate-controlled. The gene that causes this coloring actually results in cats having pale fur on the warmer parts of their bodies and dark fur on the cooler spots. This gene is also responsible for Fluffy’s blue eyes.
Color Development
Siamese cats are white when they are born. Those dark tips appear when they are several weeks old. Although the classic Siamese tips were always dark, today’s kitty breeders also allow blue, chocolate, and lilac.
Spies Like Us
Back in the 1960s, two Siamese cats actually busted an espionage plot. The kitties lived at the Dutch Embassy in Russia. When they started arching their backs and scratching at a specific wall, the ambassador decided to investigate … and found over two dozen hidden microphones behind the wall! We hope the kitties got lots of tuna and catnip.
Purrsonality
Siamese cats get very, very attached to their human servants. These affectionate furballs absolutely hate being left alone. For this reason, most breeders and veterinarians (including us) recommend having at least one other kitty in the house.
Intelligence
Siamese cats are super smart. They can learn simple tricks, enjoy playing Fetch , and often like walking on leashes. They’re also notorious escape artists that hate being confined.
Please contact us, your vet clinic, anytime. We’re here to help!
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