They’re One of the Oldest Cat Breeds - Like most cat breeds, the Siamese’s true origins are cloaked in mystery. Some people say the cats were the pets of royalty, while others believe they were raised by Buddhist monks. However, a Thai manuscript called the Tamra Maew, or "The Cat Book Poems," provides an early depiction of the country's dark-pointed cats. The work was produced sometime between the 14th and 18th centuries. This suggests that the Siamese is a very old breed—even if we don't quite know where it came from.

There are Two Types of Siamese - Modern Siamese cats come in two distinct varieties: the traditional or “Old Siamese,” and the modern Siamese. While their colouring and behaviour patterns remain extremely similar, the traditional has a more rounded, apple-shaped head and slightly larger build while the modern is skinnier and has a wedged-shaped head.

Siamese Cats Are Affectionate – You looking for a snuggle buddy as well as a loving pet? The Siamese LOVE cuddles! Siamese cats are a people-loving breed who bond very closely to their humans. It’s characteristic of this breed to follow their owners around the house, and they’ll take interest in whatever their owner is doing.

Siamese cats also enjoy the company of other cats, children, and even strangers. Their incredibly affectionate disposition makes them prone to depression if left alone too long. These cats have a strong desire to interact with someone, which is why you’ll frequently see them adopted in pairs.

Their Coat Colouring - Siamese cats' coats can be an incredible range of colours—and those colours aren't only determined by genetics. Siamese cats have a special modifier gene that inhibits pigment from developing in the fur, resulting in albinism. But, thanks to the magic of science, the modifier gene for albinism can only affect the cat's fur above a certain temperature—or between 100 and 102.5 degrees, to be more precise.

Once a Siamese cat's body drops below approximately 100 degrees—or the cat is in a colder environment—their genes for coat colour turn back on and carry pigment to their fur. Because a cat's body is cooler around their nose, ears, paws, and tail, that's where pigment is most commonly deposited on Siamese cats.

Most Siamese cats are born completely white and develop their markings in the weeks following birth. Why? Because the womb is very warm and blocks the cat's colour gene from reaching her fur. Following birth and being exposed to the cooler atmosphere for a few weeks, Siamese kittens will start to develop pigment around their faces, tails, and paws.

They Used to be Crooked - Before they were deemed undesirable traits and gradually bred to a minimum, crossed eyes, and crooked tails were commonly seen among Siamese cats. These traits were once so prevalent that they became fodder for a charming myth. As the Thai lore goes, the cats were left in a temple to guard Buddha’s golden goblet. They wrapped their tails around the goblet tightly and stared at it for so long that their eyes became crossed permanently crossed and their tails were left crooked.

Scientifically speaking, these unique features come from genetic flaws. The crossed eye trait in particular is believed to be a result of their inherited albino genes.

Long Life-Span - Compared to many other cat breeds, the Siamese may have more than nine lives. That’s because the average domesticated cat lives between 12 and 15 years, while the typical Siamese reaches up to 20 years of age. In some cases, even longer Siamese lifespans have been recorded. Obviously to make sure they have a long and happy life you need to help! Make sure you schedule regular check ups at the vets, feed them a well-balanced diet and make sure they don’t gain too much weight.