Siamese

Siamese cats are a long-lived breed with reports of some living into their twenties. There are, however, a number of conditions that are linked to the breed. Some lines may be predisposed to some cancers such as lymphoma and some intestinal tumours. Siamese cats do also seem to suffer more from chronic coughing (bronchial disease) and to vomit more than other breeds. Some lines of Siamese cat will ingest strange non-edibile items (this is known as pica) such as eating woolen garments, plastic and other materials – the reason for this is not understood.

Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle and overall health, so it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in her diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes.

The Siamese cat's short glossy coat does not require excessive grooming but the cat will enjoy the attention gained from being groomed. As with most shorthair breeds, the cats look after their coats very well. As with all breeds, Siamese cats benefit from protection against disease through vaccination and need regular parasite control and annual veterinary health checks.

While this breed is not widely recognised as one of the best breeds for children, all cats are different and with the proper familiarisation may still be able to live with children.