While both Siamese and Himalayan cats are excellent companions for your home, the Himalayan cat is the better choice for you if you do not want the fuss of a demanding cat that gives you the flexibility of being a stay-at-home owner or not.
Siamese and Himalayan cats share numerous similarities, and it can be difficult to decide between them if you are an aspiring cat owner. They are both beautiful cats that have similar color patterns on their fur, but they also have differences that extend into their personalities and aspects of their appearance. We will take an in-depth look at both cats in this article, and see which one is better for you depending on your needs.
A quick look into the differences between Siamese and Himalayan cats
Features |
Siamese cat |
Himalayan cat |
Breed type |
Natural breed |
Cross-Breed |
Average adult height |
8 to 10 inches |
10 to 12 inches |
Average adult weight |
8 to 12 lbs. |
7 to 12 lbs. |
Grooming requirements |
Low |
High |
Lifespan |
12 to 16 years |
9 to 16 years |
Exercise requirements |
Moderate |
Low |
Suitable for |
People that live active lifestyles and want an active, vocal pet |
Families, people who can groom them regularly, people who want docile pets |
A look into Siamese cats
Appearance
From their origin in Thailand (then called Siam), the Siamese cat is a slender, lithe, and muscular cat with long limbs. You can instantly recognize them due to their cream or light brown fur, unique dark or light markings, and blue eyes. Most of their darker markings are on their tails, legs, face, and ears, and the contrast with the rest of their fur makes them look as though they are wearing a cream tuxedo.
Personality
Other than their appearance, their personality makes them beloved pets – and this is thanks to their chatty and outgoing characters. They are also very demanding of their owners’ attention, as well as being highly intelligent pets that do not need much training.
While they can be independent, you should know that they enjoy following their human friends around the house and prefer being surrounded by people. They also enjoy having their naps in sunny spots and can be quite vocal.
Health
They are prone to certain health issues, so they will require care to boost their lifespan. Their teeth are a particularly common issue; because of their small jaws, they require brushing since their teeth lack enough space.
They also tend to be picky eaters, so pay close attention to their nutrition – they should not be overweight or underweight. They also require regular vet checkups and vaccinations.
Training
Siamese cats are very easy to train, and their intelligence allows them to grasp tasks quickly – for instance, opening and closing doors. Many people enjoy having them for this reason, as you can train them to respond to commands and perform tricks. Additionally, Siamese cats are very vocal, so it always feels as though you are in conversation with them.
They are a very clean cat breed and can easily learn litter training when you offer them rewards for using their litter boxes correctly.
Maintenance
These cats do not need much grooming, except for an occasional brush of their fur to remove dead hairs. This brushing will keep their coats shiny and healthy, prevent skin issues, and stop excess hair from accumulating on your carpets and mats. The cats themselves are quite clean, so you will not struggle with debris buildup, but they can benefit from the occasional nail clipping session.
A look into Himalayan cats
Appearance
The Himalayan cat is a cross breed between a Persian and Siamese cat and originated in the 1930s. It is quite large, having the combination of the Persian cat’s dense and luxurious fur, and the Siamese cat’s striking eyes and pointed markings.
Personality
In terms of its character, it is a sweet-tempered, relaxed cat. It likes human attention and interaction, but is not as demanding and will not enjoy too much stimulation.
It is quite cautious of strangers, so it will prefer hanging out with its human preference. While it will be docile in most instances and simply want you to pet it gently, it will want to play when it is in the mood – so it is always best to get it if there will be someone at home to care for it.
Health
These cats are vulnerable to ear infections, so you should check their ears regularly. They have flatter faces, which renders them vulnerable to respiratory issues, and their long fur can cause skin problems and hairballs.
They are also prone to becoming overweight because of their docile personality, so ensure you closely monitor their diet. This also puts them at risk of diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and fracturing.
Training
Himalayan cats are very friendly, so they respond quickly and well to basic training attempts like staying, sitting, fetching, and coming. If you have some persistence and patience, you will have a well-trained cat. They will respond well to short training sessions where they get rewards for positive behavior.
Maintenance
Their coats are very dense and long, so they will need daily brushing and grooming to prevent matting and keep them healthy. Himalayan cats enjoy grooming, so this can be a good bonding session with them. Trimming their fur is also helpful to keep them free of litter, urine, and fecal matter.
If they are shedding, they will require more regular grooming to eliminate loose hairs. If you allow them to roam outside the house or the cat is prone to dirt, bathing is also a good grooming practice. This extends to their litter box as well; ensure you change the box completely each week, and scoop the box at least once a day.
Conclusion
You may prefer one cat over the other due to various reasons that include your personality, needs, lifestyle, and preference. Both cats are excellent pets, so choose one that you feel confident in providing a great home for.
FAQs
Are Siamese cats devoted to their owners?
Yes, they are. They enjoy spending time with humans and vocalizing to their owners regularly, so they make great family pets.
Do Himalayan cats sleep frequently?
Not really, though they enjoy resting frequently. Therefore, they should have good levels of physical activity to prevent obesity.
Maria Giovanni
Maria Giovanni is a pet lover and does have a variety of pets at home, from the lapdogs to parrots and cats. The latter however seems to be her favorite because she operates a shelter that caters specifically to injured and stray cats. You can also leave your cat with her if you have to travel out of town for a longer period and don’t want to lock your cat inside. Over the years Maria has championed for the rights of animals, because of the many vices that are done to the defenseless animals around the world. Compiling information for the Simple Catguide was quite fulfilling because it allowed her to share knowledge on how best people can care for their pet cats.
