Searching for the ideal furry cuddle buddy? Then you might be considering a Siamese cat – not only for its friendly nature but also its beautiful looks.
Cats, no matter the breed, are often stereotyped as aloof and do not always seem to care much about people. However, this is just a misconception – they do show love and loyalty but in ways different from those of their canine cousins. Cats express their affection in more subtle ways, which might be misunderstood.
Siamese, in particular, is known to be an extremely loving and affectionate cat breed. They can be very vocal and demanding of your attention and are almost dog-like in their devotion and strong attachments to their human families.
So, if you are wondering whether Siamese cats are affectionate, then the answer is a resounding yes!
This amazing Siamese trait is further explained below.
Why Siamese cats are affectionate
Aside from their mesmerizing blue eyes and beautiful coat patterns, the Siamese breed is also deeply admired for its affectionate personality. It almost seems that their devotion and love for human companionship are ingrained in their DNA. Animal behaviorists also believe that their tendency to be affectionate is rooted in their desire to receive affection, as well. No wonder, then, that these cats become easily anxious and depressed when left alone for extended periods.
Always remember, however, that every cat is different and some might not exhibit the same affectionate character, and their individual traits are also greatly influenced by how they were raised as kittens.
On the whole, however, if you are looking for an affectionate friend to cuddle on chilly nights, you will likely find a suitable companion in a Siamese.
How Siamese display their affection
Siamese cats have several subtle ways of showing their love for their human companions. They might lick or rub against your skin to leave their scent on you, stare at you with somewhat creepy intensity, or surprise you with unsolicited gifts in the morning. While some of these may be a bit unpleasant, your cat really does mean well.
So, how does a Siamese show his love for his human? Below are some of the most common examples of cats’ love language:
1. They follow you everywhere
Siamese cats are highly sociable and thrive on human companionship. Like shadows, these friendly creatures never get tired of following you around: to the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living room, or anywhere else. They are incredibly intelligent and curious, and they always want to know what their owners are up to, so your cat will make sure to watch everything you do, in case it is something interesting. This means that if you want a Siamese, it is time to wave goodbye to your privacy!
2. They are chatty around you
Siamese is probably the most chatty of all cat breeds, and they tend to vocalize their love for their favorite people. Expect your furry friend to chat with you throughout the day, like chatting with a human best friend – always interested to share their stories as well as listening to yours.
Keep in mind that Siamese cats vocalize both happy and negative emotions, so if you have been neglecting your cat, he will not hesitate to yell at you until he gets your attention.
3. They love to play with you
Although Siamese enjoys snuggling calmly with their humans, they can also be very playful. These extroverts love a bit of quality playtime with their owners and are happy to expend some energy on high-engagement activities that stimulate their natural hunting instincts. To keep your cat amused, provide him with interactive toys such as food puzzles, lasers, and feather wands that mimic his prey.
Remember that cats can be picky when it comes to choosing their playmates. In the case of Siamese, they enjoy playing with people they trust and love. If you do not give them enough attention, they can become mischievous and look for trouble as an outlet for their frustration. So, if your furry friend reaches out to play, take the opportunity to have fun and bond with him.
4. They ask for cuddles
Cuddling and physical touch are common examples of love language – not just for Siamese, but for almost any breed of cat. These gestures are learned early during kittenhood when they sleep together in a bundle for safety and protection. Adult cats continue to seek warmth by curling up with their human caretakers. From time to time, you may find your Siamese sleeping beside you at night or curling up with you on the couch as you watch your favorite movie. He might even try to snatch some cuddles while you are busy on your phone or computer.
All of these sweet gestures are a cat’s special way of forming a deep bond of friendship with their human companions.
5. They stare and blink slowly at you
Cat behaviorists believe that staring and slow blinking are a cat’s way of expressing his affection, not just toward people but also for other cats and animals. This gesture, also known as a ‘cat kiss,’ requires the feline to partially close his eyes for an extended period, trusting his human to keep him safe in this most vulnerable state.
Slow blinking also signals that your furry friend feels happy and relaxed around you. Hence, your Siamese blinks at you when he trusts and loves you. So go ahead and blink back, to let your kitty know he is loved.
6. They will kiss you
Cats carry memories of being groomed by their mothers as a sign of affection. It is also common for cat siblings to lick each other to share their scents and create a calm environment, or they may nibble each other to show their affection.
A cat’s lick might be a bit uncomfortable due to the tiny spikes on its tongue, but you should know that if your feline starts planting kisses on your face, it means he cares and loves you.
7. They show loyalty
Although Siamese is generally friendly to everyone, they tend to be more emotionally attached to a single owner. Just like dogs are loyal to their human owners, Siamese cats bond strongly with their favorite person by spending more quality time with them. And the more you love and care for them, the more they will love you back.
Reasons your Siamese is not affectionate
While Siamese cats are well-known for their affectionate nature, not all cats might display such loving behavior as advertised. A Siamese might also show aggression or depression, especially if he is adopted from a shelter.
If you are concerned that your Siamese may be “broken”, it could be due to the following reasons:
1. Lack of socialization
Early socialization is extremely important for Siamese kittens to grow into friendly and confident cats. Well-socialized cats have fewer behavioral problems than those who were never trained at a young age.
If your Siamese is easily set off by any environmental changes, this is usually due to a lack of proper socialization. In this case, new scents from other people or pets can cause them to run away or show aggression.
Generally, it is recommended for kittens to be socialized at about four weeks of age. However, if you have adopted an adult Siamese, it might be more challenging to train him and teach him proper behavior. But do not worry – older cats can still learn to be sociable; it might just take more time and patience on your part.
2. Traumatic past
Cats tend to be more fearful around humans or in a new environment if they have suffered trauma during their younger years. This can be due to abuse from their previous owners, abandonment, or a life-threatening encounter with other animals on the street.
If you have adopted a Siamese from a shelter or from another person, it would be best to understand the cat’s history so that you know why he is acting fearful or aggressive. You also need to help him get over his traumatic past by establishing a safe environment for him. Shower him with love and care, and his affectionate side is sure to come out in good time.
3. Poor environment
The environment in which a cat is raised can have a huge influence on his behavior. Siamese, like any other cat breed, can be finicky about their living conditions, especially if their instinctual needs are not met. A lack of environmental enrichment and love from their owners can result in anxiety or aggression, which manifests in over-grooming, resistance to being petted, attacking people or other pets, eliminating outside their litter box, or other problematic behaviors.
4. Not neutered or spayed
Intact cats tend to be more aggressive than those that are neutered or spayed. This is because of their natural tendency to be territorial: they roam and fight other cats or animals to defend their own space. Mating seasons are also a guaranteed time for catfights as they search the neighborhood for a suitable mate. With their sharp claws and teeth, aggressive cats can even end up killing other cats that threaten their territory.
Aside from aggression, intact cats can also display other problematic behaviors such as spraying and excessive yowling. To prevent this and make your feline more affectionate, it is highly recommended that you spay or neuter them as soon as they are old enough.
Male vs female Siamese – which is more affectionate?
Although both male and female Siamese cats can be very friendly and affectionate, most owners agree that males generally enjoy more cuddles than females. Moreover, these loving traits are further enhanced if the cat is neutered. Aside from their affectionate behavior, male cats also tend to be more playful than their female counterparts.
Female Siamese, on the other hand, tends to be more relaxed and well-mannered. Although they display an independent personality, they can also be affectionate like the males. The only difference is that winning their trust and love might be a bit more challenging.
All of these are just generalizations, of course, because in reality the Siamese personality is still greatly influenced by their human family and environment. Hence, a cat that is loved and cared for by its humans is likely to reciprocate the affection.
Are Siamese cats prone to separation anxiety?
The Siamese cat’s affectionate character and desire for human attention can be a double-edged sword. It might be heartwarming to see them so reliant on your company, but this reliance means that when you leave them alone, they are prone to become depressed or anxious. This can result in destructive behavior such as defecating in inappropriate places or scratching your furniture.
Know that this special breed craves attention most of the time, so if you are not the kind of person who can commit to this responsibility, a Siamese might not be a suitable pet for you.
Some products, like the Feliway pheromone spray, might be effective in calming an anxious Siamese cat. However, if the cat has developed severe trauma or anxiety, then regular visits to a vet or animal behaviorist might be a better long-term solution to fix his mental and emotional issues.
Wrapping it up
Siamese cats are one of the most loving and affectionate breeds out there – they love to cuddle and relish the company of their humans. If you shower your Siamese with love and care, he will happily reciprocate your affection tenfold.
Image: istockphoto.com / axelbueckert