Siamese — breed guide
The chattiest cat in the book: loud, clever and glued to its person.
At a glance
- Group
- oriental
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 3–5.5 kg (7–12 lb)
- Life span
- 12–18 years
- Coat
- Short fine coat with dramatic colour points
Living with a Siamese
- High energy — needs real exercise every day, not a stroll.
- Almost no grooming.
- Light shedding.
- Quick to learn.
- Very vocal.
- Good with children.
- Gets along with other dogs.
- Can live with another cat, given a slow introduction and separate resources.
- Suits apartment living, given its daily walks.
- A reasonable choice for a first-time owner.
- Handles warm weather well.
- Feels the cold.
Temperament
Vocal · Demanding · Devoted
Health to watch
- Amyloidosis
- Dental disease
- Respiratory issues
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Did you know
Siamese kittens are born pure white — the points darken with body temperature.
Questions people ask
Is a Siamese good with kids?
Generally yes. Siameses are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Siamese good with other cats?
It can work, but take it slowly. Siameses do better when each cat has its own resources and the introduction is done over weeks rather than days.
How much exercise does a Siamese need?
An hour or more of proper exercise every day.
Can a Siamese handle hot weather?
It copes well with warm days.
Leash Life keeps a Siamese's day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.