30.12.2021
What to look for in the best Siamese cat food—A buyer’s guide
It’s easy to fall head over heels for the gentle demeanour of Siamese cats because they are an intelligent and active breed with a lithe physique and a highly vocal personality. But, planning a diet for your Siamese companion can be a challenge. The right Siamese cat food should contribute to muscle development and offer adequate energy to power their ever-curious brains while also helping them stay slim and flexible.
The market is stuffed with various feline food products, but what would work best for a Siamese? Many cat parents have noticed Siamese cats (or Meezers, as they are fondly called) gaining unhealthy weight and developing potbellies rather quickly, despite eating the most expensive food on the market.
If you’re worried about your Siamese’s daily meals, our guide will give you the correct info and many practical tips to keep your stunner in prime shape!
What is the best diet for Siamese cats?
The traditional Siamese cats—now called Thai or Wichien Maat—were brought to the UK in the 1800s and had rather cobby bodies (like British Shorthair and Persian cats). But after decades of breeding, the Siamese of today developed angular, elongated features, making them an entirely different breed altogether. To complement their svelte build, they need a diet high in animal protein, minimal fats, adequate doses of vitamins and minerals, and water.
How much protein to include in a Siamese cat’s diet
Giving your Siamese protein-rich meals is a tried-and-tested way to keep them in top condition, but you need to be careful about the protein sources. Like other felines, Siamese cats are hardwired carnivores and must get their proteins from meat. It has the appropriate amino acid profile—like taurine and arginine—compatible with the feline digestive system.
On average, adult Siamese cats (indoor, spayed, or neutered) need five to six grams of protein per kilo of their body weight. Refer to the following table to check out the protein content in popular animal products:
Source |
Portion size |
Protein value (in grams) |
Beef |
100 grams |
26 |
100 grams |
27 |
|
Turkey |
100 grams |
27 |
Pork |
100 grams |
27 |
Tuna |
100 grams |
26 |
Salmon |
100 grams |
20 |
Mackerel |
100 grams |
19 |
Crustacean |
100 grams |
19 |
Imitation crab meat |
1 stick |
8 |
Prolonged protein deficiency may lead to:
- Malnutrition
- Loss of muscle mass
- Weakened bones, tendons, and ligaments
- Hormonal imbalances
- Patchy skin
- Excessive hairballs
- Decrease in the number of antibodies (low immunity)
Protein is also the most important source of energy for cats. Their liver produces enzymes that metabolise proteins for energy, which helps felines stay sharp and active. Since Siamese are naturally athletic, giving them enough protein ensures they stay playful and perky as they should be!
When buying food for your Siamese, opt for products with real meat as a protein source. Avoid food filled with substandard synthetic or vegetable proteins or animal by-products discarded by slaughterhouses.
You taking notes? Plenty of space to stroll about, pleasant sceneries, nom-nom meaty food, and a devoted human to chat with—that’s the good life for me!
Source: webandi
Why do Siamese cats need fat?
Siamese cats need a small amount of fat in their diet to help with metabolism, vitamin absorption, and improvement of brain and nerve function. Fats also help with the secretion of specific reproductive hormones, mainly estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. One gram of fat offers about nine calories, making it a concentrated energy source for felines.
Ideally, cats get their recommended daily intake of fats from a whole-meat diet served in reasonable portions. Since Siamese cats are leaner than most felines, excessive fat consumption could easily lead to a paunch and saggy bulges around their neck. Be careful with high-fat snacks like milk, cheese, or eggs. Cats can eat them, but only as occasional treats. Dark chocolate is a fatty snack to avoid altogether—some cats love its taste, but they should never eat it because of potential allergic reactions and caffeine poisoning.
How to include proper doses of vitamins and minerals in your Siamese cat's diet
A balanced natural diet for Siamese cats should contain various vitamins and minerals to:
- Support cellular structure
- Regulate organ function
- Boost dental, retinal, and joint health
- Maintain fluid balance
Most complete cat food products on the market contain the minimum recommended values of required nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. If you’re preparing homemade meals for your Meezer, it’s better to consult a nutritionist to ensure the food is packed with the micronutrients necessary for growth and sustenance. Meat-based meals usually provide all vitamins and minerals your cat needs.
How much water do Siamese cats need?
The need for water is roughly the same for cats of any breed or age. Siamese cats need about 50 millilitres of water per day for every kilo of their body weight. This breed is not finicky about drinking water as long as you clean their bowls regularly. You can spice it up by giving them soups, bone broths, and unseasoned fish stock from time to time.
Is it okay for a Siamese to eat carbs?
Siamese cats can break down carbs, albeit not as efficiently as proteins and fats. From an evolutionary point of view, their metabolism and physiology have evolved to digest cooked or raw meat, which has almost no carbohydrates.
Felines should get at least 90 per cent of their daily calories from proteins and fats. You risk creating a surplus by adding too many carbs to their diet, which can lead to chronic health conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
When picking cat food for your Siamese, avoid products with grains, vegetable starch, and sugar. Carbs in cat food mostly act as cheap fillers to compensate for the lack of quality animal proteins. Vets have also observed some Siamese cats developing stomach sensitivities because of particular grains, such as corn, which trigger gastrointestinal issues, predominantly diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and vomiting.
Dry or wet food for a Siamese cat—which one’s better?
Siamese cats can eat both dry and wet food, although the moisture-rich texture of wet food will probably work better for them. While dry food is affordable and easy to store, it only has a moisture content of around ten per cent. Feeding a dry food diet can increase the risk of dehydration in Siamese cats, potentially leading to:
- Pooing problems like constipation and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Kidney ailments
- Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disorders (FLUTDs) like cystitis and struvite stones
Here are some other reasons why dry food may not be ideal for Meezers:
- Heavy processing—The manufacturing of dry food products requires multi-level processing that destroys the nutrients. Wet food has more bioavailable nutrients as its production process isn’t as heat-intensive
- High carb values—If you examine the products available on the market, dry food usually has more carbs than wet food. That’s because carbs are used as binding agents and fillers. Some manufacturers may even add sugar to make cat kibble appear glossy and appealing to the human eye. While dry food may provide energy to your Siamese, its long-term health benefits fade in comparison to a meat-loaded gravy or jelly food
- Inadequate proteins—Even if the protein values are satisfactory, they could come from cheap sources like vegetables and animal derivatives, so they wouldn’t benefit your cat
Most vets recommend feeding grain-free, high-protein wet food to Siamese cats because it supports their active lifestyle and helps optimise muscle mass.
Can I feed my Siamese a combination of dry and wet food?
Yes, you can feed a combination of both types of food to your Siamese companion. Depending on your resources, you can try out the following options:
- Give them dry food and use a complementary wet food as:
- A topping to create a semi-moist texture
- A side dish
- An evening snack
- Feed them wet food and use biscuits as between-the-meal treats (to ensure they don’t overeat)
Pretty privilege problems—How do I stop being this cute? My human’s bewitched and WON’T leave me alone!
Source: Sharon McCutcheon
Siamese kitten food—here’s what you should know
Siamese kittens must consume their mother’s milk or a tailor-made kitten formula during infancy, which lasts about four weeks. Most younglings start accepting solid food by their fifth week when they have gained enough weight. They can be completely weaned off by their ninth week.
Siamese kittens grow rapidly and need food that accelerates cognitive processes and supports the development of muscles and bones. When buying kitten food, look for products that:
- Have high protein content from meat
- Contain omega-3 fatty acids for brain and coat health (found in fish and seafood)
- Are hypoallergenic (to prevent life-threatening allergic reactions or bouts of kitten diarrhoea)
Nutritionists recommend introducing Siamese kittens to small portions of wet food instead of dry food to prevent them from getting hooked to the latter. Cats can become addicted to a particular food texture, and those who get used to dry food during kittenhood may eventually reject wet food altogether.
Looking for the best food for Siamese cats? Try Untamed!
Siamese cats don’t require a fancy diet. All you have to do is put a meat-based meal on their plate, and they’re good to go! If you are looking for food that ticks the right boxes, try Untamed’s grain-free wet food products for your Siamese.
We only use fresh, human-grade whole meat from ethical sources—our meat is cruelty-, hormone-, and chemical-free. Our gravy and jelly products contain the tastiest morsels of chicken, tuna, salmon, ham, mackerel, sardine, and shrimp. We also offer two hypoallergenic products designed for sensitive cats—Chocka Chicken in Gravy and Tuck-in Tuna in Gravy—both offering single-source proteins!
Untamed is the best for your cat because we:
- Use prime cuts of meat—We only cook prime cuts fit for human consumption as they contain powerful micronutrients like taurine, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Our recipes are free of fillers like sugars, vegetable proteins, and animal derivatives
- Offer balanced portions—Our vet-formulated carb-free formula helps optimise the weight of both underweight and overweight cats on a diet. All you have to do is adjust the number of cans you feed in a day
- Don't overcook the meals—We carefully steam-cook our food to preserve its nutritional value and lock in the aroma and moisture. Many cats reject food if it smells weird, but Untamed will smell and taste great to the fussiest of felines!
Click here to take our TRY NOW quiz and tell us all about your cat—we will create a meal plan and offer a trial taster pack!
Don’t let the striking beauty and enviable physique of your Siamese fade—Untamed wet food products deliver precisely what they need!
Image (c) Untamed
Why Untamed works for Siamese (and other) cats!
Our food helps maintain the elegant physique of Siamese cats, keeping them curious, adventurous, and always on the go! But we are not a Siamese-exclusive brand. Untamed’s high-protein whole meat formulas work for all cats irrespective of breed, size, or age. The feline digestive system functions the best when processing meat, which boosts their natural immunity and reduces seasonal illness, so we respect their instincts.
Untamed also offers the right nutrition to cats who have been diagnosed with diabetes and are on prescription meds. Since our products come in soft textures, they are ideal for finicky seniors with no teeth.
Here are the benefits of switching to Untamed (as reported by our happy clients):
Timeline |
The Untamed effect |
One week |
● Seamless digestion ● Less litter-box mess |
Two months |
● Consistent pooing habits ● Even energy levels ● Increased agility |
Four months |
● Less irritating hairballs ● Shiny coat and healthy skin |
Six months and beyond |
● Natural weight control ● Supreme mental sharpness ● Happy disposition (no mood swings!) |
Don’t waste your time in stores—Untamed delivers to your doorstep!
If buying cat food seems like an arduous chore, you’ll love Untamed’s free deliveries! Here’s what you need to do to get your taster pack:
- Complete our TRY NOW quiz
- Review the meal plan
- Place the order
You’ll receive your cat food trial pack within a day, which will last you about a week. We will replenish your pet-pantry stock with fresh cat food supplies delivered around the same date each month. You can cancel, pause, postpone, or modify your order anytime!
All our packaging is recyclable, and our operations adhere to the highest standards of ethical cat food production. Feeding good food to your cat and keeping the environment safe has never been easier!
The taste your feline royalty will go wild for—Untamed has cats all over the country under its spell!
Image (c) Untamed
Siamese cats—eating habits and weight control
Siamese cats eat two to three times a day, depending on their activity levels, while growing kittens eat up to four times in 24 hours. It’s essential to stick to a feeding schedule to avoid weight loss or weight gain. The table below outlines their healthy weight range:
Gender |
Weight range (in kilograms) |
Male Siamese |
4.5–6.0 |
Female Siamese |
3.5–4.8 |
If your Siamese is often hungry, consult your vet. In most cases, you won’t have to increase the feeding frequency but switch to better food.
In case your cat is losing weight, get them checked as soon as possible. While weight loss can be worrying, it is common for older cats to lose weight due to the gradual depletion of muscle mass.
What snacks do Siamese cats like to eat?
Siamese cats love meat-based snacks, like freeze-dried raw chicken treats and shredded boiled poultry. You can also give them a piece of raw bone to chew on. Never feed cooked bones to your cat because they are a choking hazard.
Besides meat, Siamese cats can occasionally nibble on bite-sized cuts of fruits (strawberries, unseeded melons, bananas, etc.) and cooked vegetables. Cats can’t digest the cellulose content of fruits and veggies all too well, so don’t go overboard with them. You can also add a tiny splash of milk to their diet once in a while (only if they are lactose tolerant).
What foods to avoid
Here’s a list of forbidden foods known to cause toxicity or organ damage in felines:
- Stem and root vegetables, like onions, chives, etc.
- Black nightshade leaves and berries
- Rhubarb leaves and stalk
- Green potatoes and tomatoes
- Wild mushrooms
- Raw yeast
- Alcohol and caffeine
- Xylitol (an artificial sweetener)
When it’s ten seconds past your snack-time, and your human’s shamelessly gawking away at the telly...
Source: purdythesiamese
How to know if my Siamese is gaining weight, and what to do about it
Siamese cats start losing muscle tone and gaining kilos if their diet is heavy with carbohydrates and fats. Here are a few tips to help you check if your Meezer is overweight:
- Observe their waistline—If your kitty’s tummy bulges outwards right above their hips, it’s a sign that they’re consuming more calories than they need
- Feel their ribs—It’s easy to feel the ribs through the lean muscles of the chest. It should feel like touching the back of your hand. If you don’t feel the ribs, it means there’s a thick cushion of fat surrounding them
- Watch out for signs of reduced mobility—Siamese cats get uncharacteristically lethargic as they gain weight. They’ll struggle to jump off the couch or climb on the kitchen countertop, usually giving up after a few tries
Consult a veterinarian if you notice any of the above signs.
Hormonal imbalances often trigger weight gain. The good news is that they can be easily treated with the right meds. In case the culprit is an bad diet, cut out the carbs from their meals immediately and switch to protein-rich food.
Mid-life crisis—Am I bored, or am I fat? I’ll meow till my human makes some eye contact.
Source: liliy2025
Common illnesses to watch out for in Siamese cats
Siamese cats are genetically predisposed to the following illnesses:
- Eye diseases—Siamese may suffer from accelerated retinal degeneration due to their squint eye structure, sometimes leading to glaucoma and blindness. You can slow the progress of such diseases by adding taurine-rich meat to their diet
- Vestibular infections—The vestibular system in the inner ear helps process sensory information. Siamese cats with a vestibular illness would struggle to tilt their head or keep it balanced
- Respiratory diseases—Siamese cats, especially seniors with low immunity, are prone to bronchitis resulting from seasonal illnesses, like the flu
- Anxiety and compulsive disorders—Being highly social and intelligent cats, Siamese are likely to develop anxiety, depression, or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) if they are bored or lack interaction. These mental health issues can be prevented by:
- Paying attention to your cat’s emotional needs
- Engaging them in mentally and physically stimulating games and activities