The Siamese cat breed is one of the most easily recognizable breed of cats. It is an Oriental cat, believed to have been originated from Southeast Asia, more precisely - from Thailand. They were first introduced to the western world sometime during the 1800s. Even though some people found them ugly, these cats soon gathered a strong fan base and by the 20th century, Siamese cats became the most popular cat breed in Europe and North America. It is one of the most intelligent breed of cats and make loyal and affectionate pets even though at times, they may become domineering. They crave a lot of attention and are usually attached to one individual in the family.

The original Siamese breeds imported to the west resembled their Thai counterparts very closely. They were medium sized cats with long bodies, a graceful gait and muscular physique. Wedge shaped heads were bordered by ears, which were a little too big compared to the head, but still proportionate. These cats had even facial features.

The narrow headed, fine boned cats were a product of generations of selective breeding. With subsequent breeding, the modern Siamese cat has become very elongated, with long legs, tubular bodies and a thin tail, which tapers at the end. These days, the original shape of these cats no longer finds any favor in show rings.

The most recognized feature of a Siamese cat is easily its almond shaped brilliant blue eyes and the pointed color pattern. The overall appearance of the Siamese breed is athletic and sleek. The body is arched and lean with a long neck. The eyes of the Siamese cat are its most striking feature. Being oblique shaped, they have a dazzling blue color as opposed to the regular yellowish green cat eyes.

Even the coloring of the Siamese cat is unique. At birth, a Siamese cat is black and white colored. The coat color develops as the cat grows older. Dark and light regions become more pronounced and the points become visible. The overall coat is light whereas the face, ears, paws and tails, called the points, darken. The point colors in this breed vary quite a lot. They may be blue, chocolate colored, seal, lilac, tabby or even fawn colored. Lesser common point colors are caramel, cinnamon, cream, apricot and tortoiseshell, the last one being also known as tortie. The coat is short and fine haired. It adheres tight to the body of the cat and does not shed much. Healthy Siamese cats have a very glossy coat, which is soft to touch. Due to the natural tendency of this breed to stay clean, maintenance of Siamese cats is minimal. Baths are required only once in a month and coats need to be brushed twice every month. Gentle brushing is enough to keep the coat shiny.

Siamese cats are very playful and are born with an outgoing personality. Being intelligent, they are good at communication with humans. Their constant need for affection means that a household with lots of children and elderly people is the ideal place to raise a Siamese cat.