The Characteristics of a Siamese Kitten

Siamese is a short-haired Oriental breed of cat. Many people are familiar with the breed from the Disney book and movie Lady and the Tramp. In the story, two Siamese cats terrorize Lady, the cocker spaniel puppy, and get her sent to the pound. The cats are portrayed as sneaky and conniving. This stereotype has little basis in reality and Siamese cats, and their kittens, feature a variety of likable physical and emotional characteristics.

  1. Physical

    • Siamese kittens have a light, cream-colored coat ranging from beige to bright white. Their paws, tail, face and ears are darker in color than the rest of their coat. These features are known as their points. Kittens are born with lighter coats, which darken in their first year or two of life. Siamese cats feature wedge-like faces, large, pointy ears, long, slim legs with muscular torsos, small, oval-shaped paws and long tails.

      One of the most notable physical features of a Siamese is its eyes. Though most kittens are born with blue eyes that change as they age, Siamese kittens retain their piercing blue eye color. Their eyes are almond-shaped and in the past were often crossed. This cross-eyed trait was bred out of them and is now considered a breeding flaw. The lighter a Siamese's coat and points, the lighter blue their eyes. Darker Siamese have darker, deep-violet eyes.

    Temperament

    • Siamese kittens are affectionate and playful. They enjoy being close to people and are loyal to their owners. Siamese are good lap cats and enjoy sleeping close to their human companions. They are intelligent and like to explore their surroundings. They prefer warm surroundings and usually do not like being outdoors. Siamese kittens often sleep in warm areas of the home, including on top of computers, near heating vents and in patches of sunlight.

    Life Span

    • Siamese are known for longevity and usually live between 15 and 20 years if given proper care. The kittens are healthy, sturdy and rarely affected by genetic problems. Siamese are considered kittens until they reach puberty, around 6 to 8 months old.

    Volume

    • Siamese kittens are loud. Their voices get louder as they age and go into heat, but most Siamese are capable of communicating at a deafening level throughout most of their lives. Siamese communicate with a variety of sounds and most owners can identify the needs and moods of their kittens based on the noise being made.