06.06.2022

The ins and outs of raising a modern Siamese cat

Siamese cats can be categorised according to various physical features—the size of their head and tail or their coat patterns and colours—but the basic types are:

1. Traditional Siamese cat
2. Modern Siamese cat

Although modern Siamese cats are eye-catching, loveable, and popular, adopting one doesn’t come without challenges. Untamed elaborates on the origins of modern Siamese cats, presents the subtypes and their main characteristics, and explains how to take care of this breed. 

How did the modern Siamese cat come to be?

During the 1960s, Siamese cats have become one of the most sought-after breeds in the world. As their popularity grew, cat-show judges and, consequently, breeders developed a preference for a more slender and elegant body type. 

Breeders continued to emphasise the coveted features until they reached their goal—a longer, slimmer, and more narrow-headed feline. 

Call me old-fashioned, but you can’t deny my cuteness!

Source: Pixabay

By the end of the 1980s, most traditional Siamese cats were no longer participating in cat shows. Some breeders—mainly in the UK—continued to breed and raise these kitties despite their lack of popularity. Luckily, we can now enjoy both traditional and modern Siamese cats.

Traditional vs. modern Siamese cats

Both types of Siamese felines can be divided into the following subgroups: 

Similarities

Traditional and modern Siamese have a lot in common—they’re friendly, intelligent, affectionate, attention-seeking, and vocal. If you’re looking for an easily trainable, fun-loving, and devoted companion, you won’t go wrong with either type.

Regarding their physical characteristics, both traditional and modern Siamese have distinctive markings, better known as the “pointed pattern.” The ends of their extremities, as well as faces and ears, are darker than the rest of their bodies. 

Their colours are also similar and come in many variations, but the CFA only accepts seal, chocolate, blue, and lilac points. 

Differences

While they share the same personality traits and certain physical features, there are specific differences between traditional and modern Siamese kitties. Check out the table below for more details:

Another difference is the lifespan. Modern Siamese cats live shorter than traditional ones. The reason behind this is the inbreeding necessary to achieve the desired elongated look, which made modern Siamese felines prone to particular health problems (e.g. kidney failure, heart problems, UTIs, and more).

Three types of modern Siamese cats

All modern Siamese felines can be divided into three groups:

1. Wedgehead Siamese cats
2. Light-coloured Siamese
3. Dark-coloured Siamese

Wedgehead Siamese cats

These felines got their name because of their wedge-shaped head. Among modern Siamese kitties, Wedgheads are the most extreme and dramatic looking, with sharp, long faces and slanted eyes that make them easily recognisable. They significantly differ in looks from their traditional cousins. Wedgies are also the most vocal—they adore chit-chatting with their feline parents. 

My ears might be impressively large, but the only sound I wish to hear is that of a can opening…

Source: Siamesecheese

Light-coloured Siamese

Light-coloured Siamese cats come in two subtypes:

• Chocolate point—These felines have light brown points and are overall light in colour 
• Lilac point—With an unusually light base and grey, pink, and purple points, these felines are unique and popular
• Cream point—They’re a common breed and have light spotting with no dark parts

Dark-coloured Siamese

The dark-haired variant is further categorised into:

• Blue point—Captivating blue eyes and a recognisable grey-blue shade make this breed rare and popular
• Seal point—These kitties are the darkest in colour, which makes a beautiful contrast with their blue eyes
• Red point—Red or orange fur in combination with blue eyes makes these cats look exotic

Taking care of modern Siamese 

No matter which modern Siamese kitty you raise, they'll require your care and attention. 

Have you come to brush us or feed us? Either way, it’s about time!

Source: Siamesecheese

Pay special attention to their:

• Grooming needs—Modern Siamese cats have short coats that are easy to take care of, but they still shed regularly and have particular grooming needs. To maintain their fur, you should brush it at least two times a week. If you're suffering from cat allergies, it'll alleviate the symptoms because they'll shed less. Use a damp cloth to clean their coat when needed and trim their nails weekly. Siamese cat’s dental health is usually excellent, and you can keep their teeth in impeccable condition by brushing them regularly and introducing dental food into their diet
• Nutrition—Regardless of their active lifestyle, Siamese cats pile on pounds quickly if they overeat or consume too many carbs and grains, especially if they spend a lot of time indoors. Creating a proper diet for your feline is essential for their well-being and long life. Since they’re obligate carnivores, their meals should contain plenty of protein to keep them fit and healthy. Besides the nutritional value, you should also ensure your feline’s portions are suitable for their life stage and activity levels

The ideal diet for your modern Siamese feline companion

The essential nutrients in your feline’s diet are: 

1. Animal protein 
2. Animal fat
3. Water

Animal protein

Animal protein is the primary energy source for cats. It contains essential amino acids, such as taurine, crucial for:

• Vision
• Reproductive health
• Heart muscle function
• Skin and coat

Cats can efficiently metabolise proteins from meat and fish. Keep in mind that not every ingredient has the same biological value. The higher the biological value of an animal protein source, the easier it is to metabolise. Since chicken, tuna, salmon, sardines, and shrimp have the highest biological value (92-99%), you should include them in your feline’s diet. 

Although vegetable proteins contain essential amino acids, cats cannot absorb them efficiently. Your feline would need to consume large amounts of vegetables to fulfil their protein needs, not to mention that their tummies aren’t great at digesting other components of plants, such as fibre. The biological value of peas, carrots, corn, sweetcorn, and other vegetables is lower than 65%. 

Fat

Fatty acids in animal fat help in:

• Maintaining cell membrane structure
• Regulating healing mechanisms
• Making cat food taste great 

Even though fat is a good secondary energy source for cats, it is also rich in calories and shouldn’t exceed 20% in your cat’s diet. Overconsumption can lead to obesity and other related issues, such as diabetes and arthritis. 

Water

Since felines aren’t avid water drinkers, their diet should meet their hydration needs. Wet food can keep your kitty hydrated because it contains a lot of moisture (as high as 70%). Incorporating dry food into your feline’s diet is OK as long as there’s a balance. Soaking kibble in plain soup or broth is an excellent way to avoid dehydration. 

Keep your modern Siamese fit as a fiddle with Untamed!

If you’re after cat food with all the right nutrients—try Untamed! 

Our gravies and jellies are made with human-grade ingredients that will keep your kitty satiated and healthy. We have a strict policy regarding quality because your feline deserves only the best. Untamed is free from:

1. Meat derivatives
2. Vegetable proteins 
3. Grains
4. Sugar
5. Dairy

Vets designed all the recipes on our menu to ensure our food contains all the necessary micronutrients for your feline’s steady development, such as taurine, iron, and vitamin A. Our meals contain twice as much protein as most other products. 

Help us get to know your modern Siamese kitty!

Take our Try Now quiz and get the Untamed taster pack! Give us more details about your cat, and we can come up with a tailor-made meal plan together. We need to know about your kitty's:

• Life stage
• Food preferences
• Allergies
• Food sensitivities 

If you’re feline companion struggles with food allergies, we offer single-source protein meals they can safely enjoy—Chocka Chicken and Tuck-in Tuna in Jelly!

In case you have a finicky eater on your hands, fill their food bowl with Untamed, and they’ll come running to the table. Our recipes have the approval of felines with the most refined tastes because they are: 

• Delicious—The yumminess in our meals comes from natural ingredients. We don’t use additives or artificial flavour enhancers
• Gently steamed—Steaming our meals preserves the nutrients, destroys pathogens, and locks in the flavour of meat and fish, so your feline will never say no to another can of food 
• Free from common allergens—Kitties with sensitive stomachs and food allergies often deal with dry heaving and diarrhoea—but not with Untamed! Our meals are free from all known allergens, such as dairy and grains

Allergy-prone, sensitive, or plain picky—Untamed doesn’t discriminate. We have options for all felines!

Image (c) Untamed

We want to keep felines happy and healthy, but our mission doesn’t end there. To ensure that future generations of kitties and humans have a good life, we leave a neutral carbon footprint and produce our food ethically. We only use:

• Recyclable packaging
• Meat and fish from cruelty-free and dolphin-safe suppliers

Untamed meals cater to your feline’s biology!

Untamed is an excellent choice for your modern Siamese feline regardless of their life stage—kittens, adults, and seniors can enjoy the benefits of our healthy meals.

After switching their Siamese kitties to Untamed, our clients have noticed many improvements in their health. Here’s what they say about our food:

Get Untamed delivered to your doorstep in three simple steps

We hold our customers in the highest regard and aim to make the Untamed shopping experience as convenient as possible, which is why we offer:

• Free one-day shipping
• Regular monthly deliveries
• No-fuss cancellation policy 

Want to show your modern Siamese kitty some love? Get them a trial pack in three simple steps:

1. Take our TryNow quiz
2. Browse and select the Untamed products
3. Complete the order