09.06.2022

Siamese cat behaviour problems and how to deal with them efficiently

Although affectionate and friendly, Siamese cats can often be a challenge for their parents. They are hyperactive attention seekers, prone to jealousy and territorialism. Siamese felines are also extremely vocal when expressing happiness or dissatisfaction.

New cat parents should understand that most behaviour problems in felines arise due to our mistakes. If we fail to give them enough attention, affection, exercise, or a stimulating environment, the negative personality traits will come to the forefront. Poor dietary habits can also cause health troubles, often accompanied by fussiness and aggression.

Untamed presents the most common Siamese cat behaviour problems and how to fix them with adequate care and diet.

Siamese cat personality problems

The most common not-so-attractive personality traits of these felines include a propensity to:

1. Destructive behaviour due to neediness
2. Separation anxiety
3. Depression
4. Aggression

Siamese cats are incredibly needy

Siamese cats are loyal and devoted to their parents, which makes them excellent companions. This quality can also turn into extreme attachment and obsession with their human. In such cases, they will constantly demand attention, so working from home might be challenging. Since Siamese cats won't accept your disinterest without a fight—they will meow incessantly, nudge you to instigate play, or walk all over your documents and computer.

If you are prepared to take on another full-time job, which is doting on your Siamese, they will be the best companion you can imagine. They will be amazing with your kids and other pets, and you will have an easy time teaching them tricks. Fail to provide them with the attention they seek, and your Siamese will turn to destructive behaviour, such as knocking things down, scratching furniture, or urinating all over your home.

Siamese cats are prone to separation anxiety

Because of the strong bond they form with their cat parents, Siamese cats won't be too happy about staying home alone. They will become sad and bored quickly or develop separation anxiety—the feeling of extreme fear.

You’re leaving me again!

Source: Leah Kelley

Check out the table below for tell-tale signs of separation anxiety and methods to deal with the issue:

Siamese cats are prone to depression

Siamese cats are highly intelligent, active, and playful. As fun as they are, monotonous or stressful environments can make them depressed. Feline depression often comes hand in hand with separation anxiety, so if your kitty doesn't like to be alone, they'll probably display signs of the depressive disorder pretty soon.

The following table explains how to recognise whether your furry friend is depressed and offers some handy tips on addressing the issue:

Are Siamese cats aggressive?

Siamese cats have earned a reputation for being more aggressive than other breeds. 

It's crucial to understand the cause of aggressive behaviour to address it appropriately. Here are the typical reasons:

• Jealousy—Although friendly and sociable, Siamese cats can get jealous of new pets and people
• Over-excitedness—Since they are hyperactive, Siamese cats can become over excited while playing and start biting. This playful aggressiveness is a prevalent form of aggression in Siamese cats and can be resolved with adequate training
• Attention seeking—Siamese cats tend to do crazy things when they lack attention, including violent outbursts. Being incredibly intelligent, Siamese cats also know that specific behaviour will provoke a reaction from you
• Discomfort or fear—If your Siamese feels threatened, they can start biting, scratching, or hissing to defend themselves
• Pain—Siamese cats are prone to feline hyperesthesia syndrome, aka the twitch-skin syndrome. This condition can make their skin highly sensitive, so they may experience pain when you touch them and respond aggressively. Fungal infections, parasites, and food allergies are common causes of hyperesthesia

Siamese cat behaviour problems—is their diet important?

Siamese felines can get nervous when hungry, so increasing their food portions might solve the problem. Be careful not to overdo it because indoor cats tend to get fat if they eat too much. Even if the cause of bad behaviour is not hunger, many cat problems can disappear with a good diet.

What is this in my bowl exactly?

Source: Paweł Jankowski

Here are some of the common diet-related issues you may face while raising a Siamese:

1. Excessive grooming
2. Pickiness
3. Weight management

Excessive grooming

While overgrooming can be caused by anxiety and psychological issues, allergies and skin problems can also lead to excessive licking. Although Siamese cats shed less than most other cat breeds, incessant licking can entail fur loss, frequent hairballs, and dry heaving.

The good news is that your cat’s diet can help prevent these issues. The following products and ingredients should be avoided in your kitty's diet:

• Grains (rice, wheat, corn, sweetcorn, soya)
• Eggs
• Milk (even lactose-free), cheese, and other dairy products
• Beef as a regular meal
• Additives (preservatives, artificial food colouring, taste enhancers)

Although these ingredients are not toxic, they can cause tummy troubles because of high carb or fat content.

Picky taste in food

Siamese cats are curious and won't hesitate to try (at least once) whatever you left within their paw's reach. Cakes, nuts, and crisps are not safe if left unattended, but neither is your cat. While these are not toxic to felines and typically won't cause food poisoning, they shouldn't be a part of your feline's regular diet because their composition and nutritional value are inappropriate for your furry friend. 

Besides occasional tasting adventures, your Siamese will probably be picky about their food. Most Siamese cat parents experienced the infamous cold shoulder once they tried to introduce new wet or dry food to their furry friend. Some cats might suddenly resent their regular food and demand an immediate diet change.

There is a simple solution—high-quality cat food with a hint of animal fat to add delicious flavour and loads of animal protein should satisfy even the fussiest eaters.

Weight management

Unless you live in a rural area where there is no danger of traffic, your Siamese cat probably lives indoors. Cats who don't go outside generally don't get as much exercise. If cat parents are not careful with their caloric intake and neglect their workout needs, keeping Siamese cats at a healthy weight can be a challenge. The situation gets worse if your kitty is spayed or neutered.

You feed me rubbish, and now it’s my fault I’m fat. You try the new diet!

Source: Dimitry Kooijmans

Except for Appleheads, all other types of Siamese cats are athletic and have slender, elongated bodies, and extra weight is the last thing they need. Even bulky cat breeds suffer the consequences of additional weight.

If your Siamese started piling on pounds, they could develop a range of health issues, including:

• Liver and kidney diseases
• Hyperthyroidism
• Diabetes
• Joint issues
• Heart disease

What's the perfect diet for your Siamese cat with an attitude problem?

Nutrition is critical for your cat's health and longevity, but it also significantly affects their mood. If you have a cat with a sensitive tummy, the discomfort caused by low-quality food will make them agitated. Even if your kitty seems fine with whatever they eat, food that doesn't meet their nutritional needs will start causing problems in the long run. 

It's imperative to eliminate all harmful ingredients. Besides common allergens, and useless fillers, such as grains and other carb-rich food, cats shouldn't eat vegetables and fruits. Small portions of peas, cooked carrots, bananas, or mangos can work as occasional treats, especially if your kitty feels constipated, but they have no nutritional value for felines and cannot deliver the essential nutrients.

Meat is the crucial ingredient in cat food.

Image (c) Untamed

The food your feline should eat must contain:

1. Animal protein—Meat is the crucial ingredient in cat food, and an adequate meal plan should contain at least 50% of it. It is the primary source of energy and the only source of essential amino acids (e.g. taurine and arginine) cats need for normal organ function, muscle development, etc. Cats also get all the necessary vitamins and minerals from meat
2. Animal fat—Fat is a good secondary energy source and a natural taste enhancer for cats. It also contains fatty acids cats need for healthy skin and coat and efficient immune response. The amount of fat shouldn't exceed 20% because overconsumption leads to weight gain

Can Untamed help tame your Siamese?

Untamed understands how important nutrition is for your cat’s health and happiness. To ensure your feline gets the best of the best, we make meals that resemble the feline natural diet. 

Every Untamed tin is:

1. High in protein—We only use the highest-quality whole meat, such as chicken breast and liver, duck, salmon, shrimp, mackerel, sardines, and tuna. We also add some extra flavour with hints of ham. Every Untamed meal contains double the amount of protein found in most other products
2. Low in carbs—Low-carb diet helps manage your cat’s weight and is especially good for diabetic cats
3. Grain-free—Cats are carnivores, and grains serve no purpose in their diet. Cats who are sensitive to this ingredient can suffer from diarrhoea, vomiting, or skin irritation, and they can gain weight quickly

All our meals are created under the supervision of veterinary experts to make sure cats' nutritional requirements are met. Our food is suitable for kittens who have started eating solid food, adult cats who need their mood levelled, senior cats with gum issues, pregnant females who need extra energy, and neutered males who have trouble staying fit.

Try Untamed today, and watch your Siamese transform from a grumpy trouble-maker to a well-behaved kitty. 

How to get Untamed

All you need to do to get a versatile and delicious trial pack is:

1. Complete our online Try Now quiz
2. Tell us about your Siamese
3. Choose the products and place the order

The package will arrive in no time. Once your feline friend samples our dishes and goes wild for the taste, we can make regular monthly deliveries to keep your pantry stocked and your kitty happy. 

Oh, nice box. The food is even better.

Image (c) Untamed

Once you switch your feline to Untamed, you can expect the following positive changes (based on the feedback from our clients):

1. Week one—Improved attitude and better digestion
2. After two months—Reduced shedding and prettier fur
3. After four months—Fewer hairballs and no gastrointestinal discomfort
4. Long term—Efficient immune response, better overall health, and effortless weight management