Conference misery::feline_v1

    Hi!
    
    So happy you've thought of Siamese!!  They make the most wonderful
    pets!!!  So many questions though!  Let's see what I can do.  There
    are four (breeders help me) major point colors: blue,brown(chocolate),
    seal and lilac.  The blue is a bluish grey, the seal nearly black,
    and the lilac a very light grey/purple.  The brown is self-explanatory.
    In addition there are other mixed points: flame (reddish), lynx,
    and a couple others I can't think of right off.  Big blue eyes,
    a calculating brain, quick agile body, and a big mouth are the other
    necessary ingredients.  Siamese are talkers.  They'll tell you about
    their day when you come home, tell you the food bowl is empty, tell
    you the litter box is full, tell you you stay out too late, tell
    you they want a snack, tell you it's too cold, too hot, the window's
    shut, the list goes on.....Mine even talk back when I tell them
    NO!  They don't have a "mew" they have more of a "maow".  They are
    very demanding cats.  They don't need to be walked, but they do
    need to be talked to and played with.  They get very lonley singly.
    They do much better in pairs.  I have a blue and a seal.  They were
    not littermates, in fact the seal is much older than the blue. 
    But they get along just fine together.  Siamese have lots of energy.
    They *love* to jump. On you sofa, your countertops, your entertainment
    center, the top of the door (oh wait, that's only mine!).  They
    are sociable cats with scads of personality.  They'll charm the
    socks off your guests.  You can teach them tricks (but not when
    to do them).  Oh, and never tell them they're cats!  They swear
    they're as human as you or I!!!
    
    I'll let those more knowledgeable tell you about the finer points.
    If you want an independent, friendly cat who seems more like a 
    roommate, then a Siamese is for you!!!
    
    Mary-Michael, Niniane and Charm (and Dream in two weeks!!)

        I'm sure  someone in here has more experience than I, but I'll
        take a stab  at  some  of  your  questions.  We currently have
        three Siamese - two blues and a seal.
        
    >I'm thinking of taking a Siamese but don't know much about them.
    >I've always heard that Siamese are more doglike than catlike. They
    >will be faithful to one person. Is this true?
        
         -- This is true  in  my  experience.  Ours sit with us, sleep
        with us, follow us from room to room, etc.
        
    >- Is the Blue Point the grayish kind?
         -- Yes, sort of a blueish-gray.
        
    >- What does a "Lilac" look like?
         -- They are white cats with 'lilac' points - very pale color.
        
    >- What is a Seal Point?
         --  They  are  fawn-colored (light  brown)  with  dark  brown
        points, but are not as dark overall as a chocolate point.
        
    >- Are there any more variations? (besides the chocolate)
         -- There are the 'colorpoint' Siamese,  which  I  believe are
        described in another note I saw not long ago.
        
    >- Is it wise to take two rather than one?
         -- Opinion here - I believe so.    They're  even  more fun in
        two's and three's and . . . :^}
        
    >- Is it wise to wash a cat, if so, how often?
         -- It isn't usually necessary, if the cat is kept indoors.
        
    >- Isn't it cruel to keep a cat indoors all his/her life?
         -- Opinion again - I don't think it's  cruel.   If they never
        go  out,  they're quite happy indoors.  And I  read  somewhere
        that  you  can  effectively  double their life span by keeping
        them inside.
        
    >- Could I take them out on a leash?
         --  Sure,  I know several people who do that.  A  harness  is
        better than a collar, however.
        
    >- Can a cat learn not to jump on tables and counters?
         --  Ours have.  A water squirter works wonders.
           
    >- Should I get them "fixed"?
         --  If you don't intend to breed them, you should.
        
    >- Can cats be protected from all diseases?
         --  Most of the worst ones that are preventable.
        
    >- Is a flea-collar the best way to protect them form fleas and other
      nasty creatures?
         --  It  may  not  be  the  best way.  Your veterinarian could
        advise you  of  other methods, but if the cats remain indoors,
        fleas aren't generally a problem.
        
    >- Is de-clawing removing front paw nails permenantly?
         -- It is a permanent removal, of front paws and/or hind paws.
        
    >- How can I determine which cat will be the one (or two) that
    >  will accept me?
    >With dogs you should take the pup that comes to you first and not
    >the one that sits in a corner and doesn't approach. Is this the
    >case with cats as well?
     -- Choosing a kitten  is  quite similar.  We sat on the floor and
        watched them for quite  a  while  before knowing which ones we
        wanted.  They tend to adopt you.
        
    >If I take two, is it best to take two from the same litter or not.
    >And should I take two male or two female kittens or one of each.
    >What if I take two different kind of Siamese, two male or female
    >or 1 male and 1 female (I don't intend to breed).
     -- It really doesn't matter what  the  composition  of  the  pair
        turns out to be.  Two from the same litter will already have a
        bond.  Our two blues are sisters,  but  have  been accepted by
        our older male Seal as if they were his own. :^}
        
    >What are the differences in character male/female?
        -- Difficult to say, if any.  Cats are all such individuals!
        
    
        Hope all this helps!  
        
        Sandy
        

    
    
    Siamese cats....gee, are there other kinds?
    
    I have 4, 3 seals and a chocolate and the only thing I could possibly
    consider doing differently, is well, adding to them!!!
    
    In all fairness though, ALL cats are great and better than a lot
    of people we may know, but, by far, the Siamese is my favorite!!
    
    jean

	I'll take a stab at some of the questions....

>    - Is it wise to take two rather than one?

	I have two.  They tend to be less demanding of attention since
	they have each other.  
		
>    - Isn't it cruel to keep a cat indoors all his/her life?

	My two are indoor.  One keeps trying to get outside but
	I think it is just because he likes to get in trouble.

>    - Could I take them out on a leash?

	I wouldn't, because once they get a taste of it, they want more.

>    - Can a cat learn not to jump on tables and counters?

	Well, you can teach them not to do it when you are looking.

>    - Can cats be protected from all diseases?

	Nothing can be protected from ALL diseases.  There are shots for
	alot of them though.

>    - Is de-clawing removing front paw nails permenantly?

	Yes, my two are front paw declawed.  You need not bother
	removing rear claws since they can't do damage with them.

	I think that some breeders in the U.S. will not allow you
	to declaw a cat that you got from them, so if you want
	to declaw a cat, check the breeders rule on that.

>    - How can I determine which cat will be the one (or two) that
>      will accept me?

	I chose T.K. because he was the liveliest of the bunch.
	Bandit was from a different litter and, well, my first choice was 
	already taken so I ended up with him, and believe me, I have 
	no regrets!  And those two love each other to death!
    
>    What are the differences in character male/female?

	I think that males tend to be alot less shy around females.
	My two males are always in the middle of any party.  Nobody
	scares them, although T.K. is a bit skittish around men.
    
	Karen    
    

    I have 2 Siamese cats, a 2 1/2 year old and a 6 month old.  It
    just so happens that I favor the Siames over any other cat, but
    that's my personal preference.
    
    I started out only having one Siamese, Selina.  But I knew that
    she was lonely all day long my herself.  So when she had a litter,
    we kept one, Mijo.  Our pride and joy.  Now they each have
    a companion during the long days.
    
    Mijo is our talker.  He'll talk your ears off.  However, he knows
    when to be quiet, ie., after the commericals are over, when we
    go to bed, dinnertime, etc.
    
    Both have been trained not to jump on the counters when we are home.
    So we are hoping that they know better when we are not. (at least
    we don't see any paw prints around).
    
    They are so cute together when they cuddle.  They are the best of
    pals, one female and one male.
    
    Both are indoor cats.  The only time that they go outside is when
    we are on our patio.  They love to sit and feel and sniff the
    wind pass them by.  We are lucky, they don't care to go outside.
    As a matter of fact, they run from the door when it opens.  But
    the best part of all, is when you come home from a long day at
    DEC to find them waiting at the door for you purring away.  It
    just warms my heart.
    
    Can you tell that I love them to pieces?
    
    Shelly, Selina, & Mijo  (Seal Point Siamese)

Indoors vs outdoors:

If you have a pedigreed cat (a cat that looks like a certain breed) you will
not keep it very long if you allow it to go out...at least not around this
part of the swamp....it is heartbreaking to lose one, so keep them in and
you always know where they are.  If you neuter or spay (depending on sex
of cat) you will have much less wanderlust to deal with.  Talk to your
vet about how soon to do it, and PLEASE, do it before any kittens "accidently"
happen.  Most breeders I have talked to insist that the cats they place
are indoor only, and quite frankly, my 4 have each other and lots of toys
to play with....they sit in windows to get sun on their fur so they can get
vitamin D when they groom, not because they are pining away to go out....
Inside all the time is fine as long as they can get to some sunshine when
they want it.

siamese vs other cats:

I ADORE my Hannah (lynx point or flame point depending on who you talk to)
and my roommate's Tabby (seal point apple head), but they both MUST be
combed every day or they throw up fur they have groomed off of themselves.
My two heinz-57 "who knows?" that I adopted have NEVER thrown up anything
in their lives.  My vet says the siamese are simply prone to touchy 
tummies.....I don't mind, but other people might not have the time to
put in.

bathing, grooming, etc:

I bathe my cats 4 to 6 times a year, depending on mood, and their coat
and skin condition.  A groomer will keep them warm until they dry and is
a viable option.  I comb every cat with a flea comb a MINIMUM of 1 time
a week, and as mentioned, Hannah and Tabby, get groomed each day.  I give
all cats "fur-ball eleminator" at least once a week, and Hannah and Tabby
get it 4 to 7 times a week.  Back claws are clipped once every 2 weeks,
front claws are all removed.

Companionship for cat:

Get two from the same litter and you have no problem introducing a new
cat.  However, even though they may complain for a week or a month when
a new cat is introduced, they eventually end up livlier and more active,
and (I think) healthier, if they have a companion of their own kind.
Others may not agree with this, but Tabby is 14 and still plays like a
kitten with Hannah......just be prepared for some squeals, hisses, and
yowls when two kittens or cats start "rough-housing" together...it is
extremely rare that two NEUTERED or SPAYED cats will really hurt one
another when first introduced to one another...but, boy do they ever
"huff and puff" to make a big impression...

So....get the kind of cats you can love the best, seek advice from this
file and your vet, get shots, and neuter or spay, and ENJOY your little
buddies.....one week and you'll be done in for life...

		D_who_cannot_live_without_them

    Hi kitties, girls and guys,
    
    Thank you so much for your inputs so far. I can tell you now I have
    decided a couple of things. I will take two. I'm still not sure
    though if I'll take two Blue Points from the same litter or a Blue
    Point and a Lilac Point. I'll probably end up with two Blue Points.
    I'm not going to have them declawed. They will be indoor cats only.
    
    Last night I went out to buy a couple of books (the one I ordered
    is still on its way) I found three books one of which is a book
    by Phyllis Lauder. I haven't seen anything on her in this conference.
    Does anybody know her? I think so. She is an authority on Siamese
    Cats. She was the first one (in the UK?) who bred a pure-bred Lilac.
    Her book is called "The Siamese Cat" (what else?), publishers B.T.
    Batsford Ltd. London. I got the 1978 revised edition. The book was
    first published in 1971.
    I found it in a secondhand bookstore here in the Netherlands. If
    any of you would like to read it but can't find it, let me know
    asap, and I'll pick up the other one (they only had two copies)
    and send it to one of you for distribution among the other Siamese people. 
                                                       
    Bye for now
    Tatjana
    
                                                    
    
    

    Sounds like you are well on your way to having lots of FUN!
    Please don't forget to enter lots of "new Kitten" stories so
    we can read them!  Again, welcome to Feline!
    
    E.T.
    Merrimack, New Hampshire_mom_of_15_ZhivagoCat_kids !!

    Hello everybody,
    
    A couple of nights ago I called the Dutch Feline club and they took
    my name and phone number and will call me as soon as they hear of
    a litter of Blue Points. 
    So, hopefully within the next couple of months I can go and look
    at my future kitties!!!!!
    
    I was wondering...
    
    Are all you noters in this conference from the UK or US? Or are
    there by any chance feliners who read this conference who are located
    in Holland, Belgium or Germany?? And if so, maybe you know Siamese
    breeders or breed them yourselfes??
    
    I live in Holland and work at HQ here which is located in Utrecht.
    
    If you exist, I'd like to hear from you!
    
    Bye for now,
    Tatjana
    DTN 7838 - 2068