Siamese cats never stop changing color. Owners must anticipate their pets in different potencies of hues from time to time depending on what color is assigned to them. What’s unique about this breed is its genetics. The Siamese cat has the Himalayan gene which manipulates and controls how pigmentation works in the body. Furthermore, it is temperature-sensitive. Given that Siamese cats may get exposed to different environments, their coat color will always be ever-changing.
The image below shows a cat basking under the sun with an intensely colored coat.
It isn’t just the temperature that dictates how light or dark the color points are of the Siamese cat. Diet, health, as well as body mass, also play major roles in the production of pigment. If you are a Siamese cat owner, learning the changes in your pet’s color is always worth knowing.
All the Color Stages in a Cat’s Life
You can definitely tell how old a Siamese is by judging its coat colors. The intensity and how pure or light the extremities are would either indicate that he’s a kitten, a junior, an adult, or a senior. In a way, the hues found in the Siamese may indeed stop changing, but only for a period of time.
Newborn Kitten
Newborn Siamese kittens are born with an all-white coat. It’s understandable since the womb is warm and even if they are out already, the heat is still preserved. Now, this prohibits the pigment from kicking in. The kittens will remain white-coated for at least 2 weeks. Since every cat is an individual, depending on its environment, a kitten may develop colors earlier or later than the others.
Junior
As the kitten matures, transitions in colors will take place as well. You will start seeing light shades in the ears, tails, paws, and face. We can’t measure exactly how fast these colors develop, but you can definitely take a picture of your cat daily so you can compare his present looks to that after a few months.
Adult
By the time the Siamese cat reaches two years of age, he is already an adult. You will have already known his exact color in its purest form. If he remains to be an indoor cat, it is less likely that his color will change moment by moment, provided that the temperature inside is maintained.
Senior
Geriatric Siamese cats will, later on, develop gray hairs which are natural since they are getting old. It will not be a total extreme change in their appearance, but rather, there will only be scattered grey hairs all over them. Do not mistake this as the work of the Himalayan gene, because this occurrence is natural to any cat no matter the breed.
What Colors Can a Siamese Cat Be?
In a sense, Siamese cats don’t change color. If one is predisposed to have a seal, chocolate, lilac, or blue color points, which are the breed’s natural and primary colors, they can only go light or dark but never switch from any other shades like ginger, white, cinnamon, or fawn. Every potential Siamese owner must know this to avoid confusion. Still, it can’t be denied that the way the breed’s coat works is mystifying!
The Siamese cat above shows off his fully developed chocolate-pointed coat.
4 Ways to Improve a Siamese Cat’s Color
Knowing that Siamese cats don’t stop changing color, it is just necessary that you, as an owner, assist him in taking care of its coat. You can certainly say a lot about a cat’s health through its outer appearance. It is fair to say that it is highly unusual if an adult Siamese cat has a very light shade. It could indicate high body temperature and would need immediate medical help.
To avoid unnecessary complications and issues, here are four ways you can consider doing to improve and maintain the healthy coat color of your Siamese pet.
Food and Diet
Provide age-appropriate cat food for your pet. If he is a kitten, you have to know that he is at a very crucial stage. He has to be given complete and balanced nutrition. Don’t forget that he has to have the normal levels of tyrosine which is responsible for producing the right amount of melanin. If you observe that your cat is looking rusty, it is time for him to be assessed professionally.
Avoid commercial cat foods that are high on fillers, chemicals, and MSGs. Should you want to do home-prepped meals, there has to be a certain guideline to be followed provided by your local vet.
Regular Vet Check-up
We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to constantly have your kitten checked. Regularly bringing your Siamese cat to the vet can diagnose early signs and symptoms of certain illnesses the breed is highly vulnerable to. It is no longer new to us that if a Siamese cat is sick, his body temperature would either increase or decrease. This can cause a slight to moderate change in his coat color. Of course, vet check-ups are also the best way to determine if the cat has normal tyrosine levels.
Exposure to Normal Temperature
As much as you can, do not let your Siamese cat get exposed to harsh weather. The breed cannot withstand super-hot environments, and therefore, would easily overheat. His thin, silky coat will not also do well during the cold. You can just instantly tell if something is not right if your cat suddenly looks a certain way. Knowing what he should normally look like in terms of color will help you determine whether or not he has a serious rise in temperature.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
There are numerous benefits in maintaining your Siamese cat’s ideal weight. If there is just enough body fat, the body temperature will stay at a normal level. However, if there’s too much of it, the subcutaneous fat would trap more heat making your pet easier to overheat and more prone to heat stress. This will then cause a change in his coat color.
Is There a Way to Stop a Siamese Cat’s Color From Changing?
Interventions can make it possible. Maintaining the temperature for as long as your Siamese cat lives without exposing him to uncontrolled environments can certainly make this feasible. That would mean prohibiting him from going outdoors or acquiring illnesses that can cause a rise in his normal body heat. Unfortunately, no matter how achievable this is, it is important to understand that such a life is not normal for any cat.
If you want a cat that does not change its color, it is best that you reconsider your decision on getting a Siamese.
