What Is the Difference Between Siamese & Himalayan Cats?

According to a survey done by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, in 2009 more than 90 million cats had owners in the United States. The survey also found that out of all the households in America, more than 30 percent of them had a pet cat. Siamese and Himalayan are two types of cats that are beloved and cared for by many different people. While they do have this in common, there are also several differences between Siamese and Himalayan breeds.

  1. Coat

    • One of the differences between Siamese and Himalayan cats is their coats. The hair on the coat of a Siamese is short in length and soft to the touch. A Siamese cat's coat is also glossy and sticks tightly to its body. On the other hand, a Himalayan cat's coat has hair that's thick and long. Himalayan cats also have hair that has to be combed on a regular basis; it's considered a challenge to keep up with the demands of a Himalayan cat's coat.

    Appearance

    • Another difference between Siamese and Himalayan cats is their appearance. Siamese cats have long and slender bodies. They have a long neck as well as a long tail. On the other hand, Himalayan cats have a stocky build. Siamese cats have heads with a triangular shape while Himalayans have round heads. The eyes are another notable difference between these two cats. While Himalayan cats have big round eyes, Siamese cats have eyes shaped like almonds.

    Personality

    • The type of personality that Siamese and Himalayan cats have is another one of their differences. Himalayan cats have calm and gentle personalities. Although they like attention, they will not harass their owners as a means of obtaining it. Siamese cats have strong, demanding personalities. Ignoring a Siamese cat will be difficult because of the way they demand attention from their owners. Siamese cats are also more vocal than Himalayans and they have a meow that has been described as sounding like a baby's cry.

    Issues

    • Siamese and Himalayan cats are prone to different types of problems and health issues. Thailand is home to many Siamese cats with kinks in their tails. Selective breeding has made this occurrence a lot less likely than it used to be. Older Siamese cats are also affected by chronic renal failure, which is a type of kidney disease. On the other hand, Himalayan cats can suffer from breathing difficulties as well as difficulties during the process of giving birth.