The Siamese is slender, elegant, intelligent and one of the most talkative cats you’ll ever meet. Its long, lean, muscular body is a key feature of the breed, and the right diet helps keep it that way. Here’s how to feed a Siamese kitten and adult.
Does a Siamese Cat Need Special Food?
No cat breed needs a special food to be healthy. Like any cat, a Siamese needs a complete and balanced food (labeled as meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles in the US, or as a “complete” food under FEDIAF guidelines in the UK) that suits its age, weight, activity and health. Some brands make breed-specific foods, and they can be a convenient choice, but a good-quality complete food for the right life stage works just as well. Siamese cats are active and lean and generally do well on a food rich in good-quality animal protein.
Feeding a Siamese Kitten
Siamese kittens are very active and need a complete kitten food rich in protein and energy, offered as several small meals a day.
- when you bring your kitten home, keep feeding the food it ate at the breeder or shelter for the first week or two, then switch gradually;
- feed a complete kitten food (or an “all life stages” food) until about 12 months old;
- kittens under 6 months usually need three to four meals a day; from 6 months, two to three meals a day is usually enough;
- always provide fresh water;
- don’t give cow’s milk, which can cause diarrhea.
Read more about feeding a kitten.
Feeding an Adult Siamese
A healthy adult Siamese should look slim and muscular. Many Siamese are vocal about mealtimes, but feed measured meals rather than responding to every demand. Siamese are very social and may eat less when bored, lonely or stressed.
- feed measured portions, using the feeding guide on the pack as a starting point, and adjust to keep your cat at a healthy weight (you should be able to feel the ribs easily);
- include some wet food every day to help with hydration and urinary health;
- keep treats to no more than 10% of daily calories;
- weigh your cat regularly and see your vet for an annual checkup;
- if your cat has been spayed or neutered, its calorie needs will be lower. Read more about feeding a spayed cat and a neutered male cat.
Health Issues and Diet
- Dental and gum disease, which is common in the breed. Brush your cat’s teeth regularly and get regular dental checkups. Read more about gingivitis in cats.
- Pica (eating wool, fabric or other non-food items), which is seen more often in Siamese. Talk to your vet if your cat does this, as it can cause intestinal blockages.
- Amyloidosis, which can affect the liver, and asthma, which are more common in Siamese.
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), an inherited eye condition that responsible breeders test for.
If your cat has a health condition, your vet may recommend a specific or prescription diet. Don’t give supplements or change to a prescription diet without your vet’s advice, and see your vet if your cat’s appetite, weight, thirst, stools or coat change.
What About Homemade Food?
Homemade diets are very difficult to balance and are often missing essential nutrients, such as taurine and calcium. If you want to feed homemade food, use a recipe formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Never feed your cat foods that are toxic to cats. Read more: foods cats should never eat.
Read more about the Siamese breed and what to feed a cat.
