How Many Types of Siamese Cats Are There?

Siamese cats are among the most beautiful and beguiling cats in the world. Their brilliant blue eyes and muted cream and brown fur are stunning. They are also known for their intelligence, social temperament and their gentleness with children, making them a popular family pet. It is thought that today's Siamese cats are descended from sacred cats kept in temples by priests and royalty in ancient Siam, now known as Thailand.

  1. Applehead

    • Appleheads were brought to the Western World in the mid-to-late 1800s.

      The applehead Siamese cat has a strong, sturdy body with distinct pointed markings on the coat. It is bigger and heavier than the angular look of what is modernly thought of as Siamese. The head is round and has small ears, and they have thick legs and tails. Their fur tends to have the most contrast between light and dark of the three Siamese types.

    Wedgehead

    • The wedgehead Siamese cat is a popular contestant at cat shows.

      This cat has an extremely angular, slight body and a triangular head. Large ears and thin tails complete the elegant look. These cats are what are typically seen in cats shows as Siamese cats. While these cats are beautiful, breeding this style has caused health problems for the animals in some cases, ranging from birth defects to organ failure.

    Classic Siamese

    • Somewhere between the applehead and the wedgehead is the classic Siamese cat. This cat has a pleasantly triangular head, with ears not as big as the wedgehead. With a thinner body than the applehead, the classic is still muscular and robust.

    Point Markings

    • While there are three types of Siamese cats, there are also four color distinctions to consider. The term "points" refers to the dark coloring on a Siamese cat's coat. The seal point is the darkest, with very dark brown markings. The chocolate point has milk chocolate brown points. A blue point has light brownish-gray markings. The lilac point is the palest, with pale gray points on its body. All Siamese cats have cream-colored fur along with the various points.