| Dog and cat show veterans are required to know | | | | points on the extremities. These traits are considered |
| their breed's ideal characteristics. The average pet | | | | flaws in the show ring, so breeders work to eliminate |
| owner chooses a pet for companionship and may not | | | | them. Siamese cats are also known for their striking, |
| realize the complexities of various breeds. One of the | | | | bright blue eyes. |
| most interesting pets is the Siamese cat. | | | | Siamese cats have as much in common with dogs as |
| The precise origin of Siamese cats is unknown. The | | | | they do with other cats. They do not have the |
| breed may have descended from sacred temple cats | | | | archetypal feline independent streak and can become |
| in Siam, now known as Thailand. Siamese cats are | | | | extremely attached to their owners. Siamese cats |
| distinguished by a creamy coat and unique dark | | | | are exceptionally intelligent; this intelligence makes |
| "points" on the ears, face, tail and legs. These marks | | | | them easy to train. Some even learn typically canine |
| are not present from birth, because they are the | | | | tricks, such as fetching and walking on a leash. |
| result of an enzyme in the Siamese cats' fur. The | | | | The Siamese cat has short, smooth hair that requires |
| enzyme is not activated at normal body | | | | little extra grooming. A good brushing with remove |
| temperature, so the dark points appear on their | | | | extra hair and reduce shedding, and the cat may |
| extremities where temperatures are cooler. The | | | | enjoy the gentle massage. However, this is not |
| points usually develop by the time the kitten is four | | | | necessary, because they are as meticulous in |
| weeks old. | | | | grooming themselves as most cat breeds. |
| For decades, the show standard for Siamese cats | | | | Neutering will usually prevent a male cat from |
| allowed only very dark brown, or seal colored, points. | | | | spraying. This procedure can be done before the |
| However, cross breeding produced cats with many | | | | male cat is six months old. Those considering |
| pattern variations, including chocolate, lilac, blue and | | | | adopting a Siamese cat should be advised that |
| red points. Today, seal, chocolate, lilac and blue points | | | | females may go into heat as early as five months of |
| are permissible for showing in the United States. As | | | | age but should not be spayed until they have |
| the cat ages, its creamy fur may turn to a pale | | | | reached six months. |
| shade of its point color. This is especially true of | | | | Siamese cats also have a very distinctive voice, |
| Siamese cats with seal colored points. | | | | which is often compared to a human baby's cry. It |
| Originally, many Siamese cats had crooked tails and | | | | can reach decibel levels as high as those of |
| crossed eyes. The crossed eyes were caused by an | | | | emergency sirens. |
| overproduction of the enzyme that produces color | | | | |