Siamese Cats are beautiful felines with several distinguishing features that make them truly unique and generally easy to identify. They are also a common breed in the United States and one of the most popular, and they have become almost ubiquitous around the world.
That said, you may have adopted or rescued a cat and noticed distinctly Siamese traits. Without any genetic history available, you may be wondering if it’s possible to tell whether your cat is part Siamese. It’s possible through DNA analysis, but there are other ways for you to tell if your cat is part Siamese.
In this article, we take you through every aspect of how to break down the identifiers in your feline to determine if they have Siamese heritage. Let’s get started!
The Physical Characteristics of Siamese Cats
The first step in assessing whether your cat is part Siamese is to understand all the physical aspects of purebred Siamese cats. Siamese cats have unique physical characteristics that can quickly help you differentiate between them and another breed. While all these traits will not always be present in hybrid breeds, there will definitely be giveaway characteristics.
1. Eyes
One of the most prominent and attractive features of Siamese Cats is their striking blue eyes. They can vary from a light blue to a very dark blue, but all Siamese Cats have blue eyes. Siamese Cats also have distinctly almond-shaped eyes, so if your cat has this almond shape combined with blue coloring, there may be Siamese heritage.
2. Color
Siamese Cats also have pointed coloration, meaning that the tips of their legs, ears, and tail are typically darker than the rest of their body. This pointed coloring is genetic in Siamese Cats, but they are typically born white and reach their full point coat at around 1 year old. A pointed coat is another good sign that your cat may be part Siamese, although other cats can be found with this unique coloring too, albeit rarely.
3. Head
There are two distinct types of Siamese Cat: traditional and modern. Traditional Siamese Cats have highly defined triangular head shapes with skinny bodies, whereas modern Siamese cats have rounder, more wedge-shaped heads with thicker, more robust bodies. If your cat has this distinctive head shape, it may be part Siamese.
Behavioral Characteristics of Siamese Cats
Other than their uniquely beautiful appearance, Siamese Cats are also hugely popular for their outgoing and friendly personality. They are known to get attached to their owners and will follow them around the home almost constantly. They are also known for being vocal and talkative animals and will certainly let you know when they want something!
Lastly, Siamese Cats are playful and enjoy engaging in interactive games with their owners. While personality and behavioral characteristics can vary widely between individual cats, an outgoing, vocal, and playful cat could be a good indication of Siamese heritage.
Looking for a more docile variant of the Siamese? It shouldn’t be too hard to find a Lynx Point Siamese Cat!
DNA Analysis
If the aforementioned identification methods are not enough, you may want to consider performing a cat ancestry test. The tests compare your cat’s DNA profile with other cat breeds, like the Siamese, and will be able to tell with relative confidence whether your cat has any Siamese heritage. Of course, a test like this typically costs money, and it can be difficult to find somewhere to get it done, but it’s the most accurate method.
The only downside is that some breeds of cats do not have a large database or long enough history, and your cat may have Siamese ancestry that may not be picked in the DNA results. This is rare, though, and the test is usually quite accurate.
- See also: Bengal Siamese Mix Cat
Is My Cat Part Siamese?
If your cat has blue eyes or pointed coloration, chances are high that they are part Siamese. They may also have the characteristic slinky body, triangular head, and almond-shaped eyes, which are other giveaways. Lastly, if your cat is particularly clingy and social and is more vocal than other cats, you can be fairly certain that they have some Siamese heritage. That said, even all these traits are not necessarily definitive.
DNA analysis is the most definitive way of determining whether your cat is part Siamese, and it can tell you other interesting facts about your cat’s lineage!
Featured Image Credit: rihaij, Pixabay
