[tsr-member]

Has anyone had any experience with these cats (or similar: Burmese, Balinese, Himalayan, etc..)?

I'm really interested in getting a Siamese or a derived breed. I've read up loads about them and I've just fallen in love!

Anyone know of reputable breeders (I'm willing to travel to anywhere in the UK) or websites?


Also, just a few questions about the actual breed;
- We have new cream-leather sofas (my mother's pride-and-joy. One cat scratch and she would go mental!) - do these cats have scratching tendencies, generally? Are there ways to train the cats to not scratch them?

- The other month, my friend's Siamese went missing and she's not been found. Is there a high chance of catnapping with Siamese? My area's not too bad, but just 5 mins away, there's a huge, rough estate where burglaries are always happening. Would it be best if I kept the cat inside/ in the garden? Or if I took it for "walks" in the nearby woods?

[mel0n]

Well.. I opened this thinking you meant cats that are born conjoined. The Himalayan cats look really nice and the Balinese look nice too Hope your search goes well

[MaverickVet]

I have had several Siamese Cats over the years amongst other breeds (and a Himalayan although i was quite young and don't really remember it unfortunately).
I don't know any breeders i'm afraid.
The one thing you should know about Siamese cats is that they are very very vocal - in a way they talk to you.
I don't think they have any particular scratching tendencies above that of any other breed and as long as you provide a suitable alternative i.e. a scratching post i'm sure it would be fine. You can't really teach a cat not to scratch as there is an innate drive for them to do it, although you can direct them away from scratching in a particular place (but it would be a bit late for the sofa).
I wouldn't have said there is a high chance of catnapping beyond that of any pedigree animal, and a cat so proabably harder to steal than a dog. Its more likely to run away than be stolen i'd have said unless there is someone targetting specific animals. As long as you take all the precautions you can i.e microchipping, nuetering (to avoid/reduce the chance of it being stolen for breeding) etc and try to keep it in the garden (its safer from cars too) i'm sure it would be fine.

[Lib]

My snow bengal has recently developed a fondness for pulling up my carpet and so far over the past couple of days I've had a lot of success at getting her to avoid her favourite spots by spraying them with bitter apple spray. (It remains to be seen whether she'll pick another spot of carpet instead...)

I do have two small scratch posts, one medium cat tree, one large cat tree, a cardboard horizontal scratch pad and a scratch mat for my two...

Can't really comment on the theft thing as mine as indoor, but the couple of times I tried to 'walk' them they just seemed really scared. Gonna try again in the summer though in case that helps.

[laurentommo]

My cat is half siamese half persian and he has alot of personality hes an indoor cat though I loveee him ! Breed: Ragdoll cat (blue mittened)

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=rag...J8nb8gOz44jJAg

[_Shmiley]

I have a siamese we got him from a breeder who's breeding name is whizkitz (search them on google, Barnstaple area) in Devon their noisy, I wouldn't keep them inside, they like to run around and have exercise and they can be quite independent we tried to keep ours indoors for about a year, and we got him microchipped so if he is stolen and sold on or hurt he can be found mine doesn't really scratch but then he's outside a lot, get a scratching post and when it's young, scratch the post and they will usually try and play and get your hand so they will then grab the post and it will start scratching it, that show I got my other cat to use her post


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[Leooonie]

Siamese are excellent cats. Similar to dogs in some respects. They can be good indoor cats but you must provide good scratching posts... And toys. Dialects are one of the cats bet suited to leashed walks.... Theyvare intelligent outgoing and very human orientated. And NOISY!!! Ibsughest looking on the GCCf website which will lost reputable breeders - choosing one will mean your cat isnlessnlikely to inherit hereditary diseases x which can riddle some cat breeds


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[Mutedmirth]

All cats scratch, there is no getting away from it. Especially as kittens and they will jump onto the couch so even if they don't scratch it, they will accidentally scratch it when climbing up. If you decide to get a cat, maybe get some throws on the couch to protect it and scratching posts and toys to distract the cat. If they have other things to scratch they should start using them. They'll also might climb the curtains.

They are very social cats and don't do well being left alone too long as they are people cats and think they are dogs sometimes. You will need to keep it indoors as I would never trust letting out a pedigree cat, they are likely to be stolen and sold on even chipped not many people check, so two cats are best to keep each other company and to use up their energy kept indoors. If you could cat proof your garden, so they can't get out of it then you could let them out.

They are very affectionate. I did work experience at a kennels where three Siamese cats were kept, I fell in love at their demanding attention from someone they didn't know! They are also talkers and I mean very chatty and likely to be your alarm clock, or to meow as loud as they can for attention, food, to play, just to say hello or to find out where you are. I'm sure my cat is part oriental, he has a very similar personality.

[SpecticalBear]

I have a Balinese. he's declawed so he doesn't scratch the furniture. He's also an indoor cat so he can't be stolen, but expensive/rare breeds do get cat-napped. They are usually stolen to be sold (not stolen for personal use) so you'd have to be in an area where someone knows how much your cat is worth. If your neighbors are all clueless about cat breeds you would probably be fine.
I highly recommend Siamese/Burmese/Balinese cats. they are very sweet and tend to get attached to people and follow you like a dog.


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[Mutedmirth]

Thankfully declawing is illegal in the UK, but you can get soft paws which is a cap on the nails and only need replacing when the nails shed and grow out.