Do Siamese Cats Need A Companion?

When we hear the words “Siamese cats,” most of us think about the pair of mischievous cats from the Disney movie The Aristocats, but there is more beyond this breed. The ever-playful Siamese cats are loyal to their owners and thrive off of love and affection.

Do Siamese cats need a companion? Siamese cats do need companions because of their personalities. Siamese is an amiable and affectionate breed of cat that requires attention. Lack of attention could cause the cat to become depressed quickly; therefore, having a companion to keep them company is essential for their wellbeing.

It’s not easy choosing the perfect side-kick for your Siamese cat, but hopefully, these few insights can help bring in another furry friend into your home.

Siamese Cats Thrive With Buddies

Although cats are known to be independent creatures, Siamese cats thrive better with a buddy by their side. In fact, Siamese cats can become depressed if they’re not getting adequate attention and love. Therefore, it’s incredibly common for people to adopt two Siameses together, typically siblings, or bring them into a home that already has cats.

Siamese cats are extremely loving by nature and can get along well with pretty much anyone who walks through the door- animal or person. In fact, they need a friend that can match their playful personality and energy or else they can get lonely and sad. This trait makes them the perfect family pet because they know they’ll get lots of the attention that they deserve.

The Traits of Siamese Cats

Despite their devious depiction in The Aristocats, Siamese cats are typically loving and friendly cats. On the other hand, they need to be given just as much attention as they give themselves.

Affectionate

By nature, these cats are incredibly loving. They will follow you around during your daily routine be by your side all day. They are even friendly towards strangers, too, so bringing new people into your home won’t be an issue for this cat. With that being said, they need just as much as they give themselves.

Loyal

Siameses are also famous for being faithful to their owners. When they feel all of the love and attention, they want to reciprocate. Although they are friendly cats, they do prefer being with the people that they know the best. However, they are also known to pick a favorite out of the family that they follow around the most.

Intelligent

Siamese is arguably one of the most intelligent breeds of cats. However, this isn’t always a good thing. They know precisely how to get your attention, but not always in the best ways. Toys that are intellectually stimulating for cats, like food puzzles, are great things to keep them active and out of trouble. They’re also known to be great at being trained to do tricks.

Playful

Siamese cats have an immense amount of energy and love to play. They will also play with just about anyone who is willing. They’re very friendly and will get along with pretty much any other pet or person. This breed can also be compulsive and tend to play randomly.

Needs Attention

Although Siamese cats are the most sociable and friendly cats, they can become easily depressed if they lack attention. Unlike most cats who are independent, Siamese cats love always to be showered with care, so they aren’t ideal pets for owners who are gone for most of the day. That’s why having another friend in the home for them is so important.

Vocal

Siamese cats are extremely vocal and opinionated animals. They love to talk to get your attention and also show affection to their owners and fellow pets. However, they will let you know if they’re feeling down. With how easily they can become depressed from the lack of attention, you can notice a striking difference in their behavior when they’re unhappy.

Perfect Companions for Siamese Cats

Even though they can get along with anything that you bring into the home, Siamese cats have a few partners that they’re known to get along with:

• Other Siamese Cats: With matching personalities and playfulness, a pair of Siameses will be a handful, but they will know how to keep each other entertained.
• Children: Kids have a ton of energy and love to play, just like these cats. Children can keep up with the cat’s energy, making them perfect family pets.
• Puppies: Like any dog and cat relationship, there may be some bumps in the road. However, puppies possess the same amount of energy that a Siamese cat does, so bringing a puppy into the home will keep them on their toes.
• Other Loving and Playful Cat Breeds: Different breeds will match the needs of a Siamese, such as Main, Abyssian, or Siberian cats.

Companions to Stay Away From

Although Siamese cats are the most sociable breed of cats, not every pet would make a good companion for one. Here are a few kinds of pets to watch out for when considering adding another pet to the family:

• Non-social or unactive pets: Siamese cats need a companion who can match their energy. Old pets that have little energy to play won’t be able to keep up with the animation of a Siamese. Pets who also live in a cage and can’t run around with the cat, like a rabbit, won’t fit well with this breed of cat.
• Opposite-Minded Cat Breeds: Some cats like peace and quiet, and these cats won’t make good playmates for a Siamese. Some of these breeds include the independent Persian cats and the laid-back British Shorthair cats.

How to Introduce a Siamese Cat to Other Pets

Introducing Siameses cats to another pet is just the same as you would with any other cat. Despite how friendly Siamese cats are, you also have to consider how the other pet will react to a new home and other pets. Depending on the other pet’s past and personality, it may be hard to acclimate the two together.

Separate Spaces

It’s essential for both of your pets to have their own spaces to be comfortable in. You should put the new pet in the room as soon as they arrive home. Most people set up a room for the new pet in a place where a door can be closed that the two pets can be separated, such as a spare room or a basement. This room should have food, water, a bed, and a litter box.

It’s also a good idea to set up hiding spaces for the cats to quickly retreat to when they’re feeling uncomfortable. These should be within their own private areas and can be something like a cat tree that they can climb, a cat tent, or a cat box. Having extra space to hide can help them feel more comfortable if they feel threatened by the older pet.

Introduction

How you introduce new pets to each other is the most crucial part of this process. Even the most social cats need to be appropriately introduced to ensure that they can form a good relationship with the other pet. After setting up the separate territories and your pets have become comfortable in them, slowly bring them into different spaces.

Cats secrete pheromones, a personal scent that’s emitted from glands found in their cheeks, which goes on the furniture, floor, and walls when they rub themselves on it. When the new pet comes into the different spaces, they’ll pick up on that scent right away. This allows them to become more familiar with the pet before physically meeting them and get used to other rooms.

You have to introduce your pets slowly officially. You can start by bringing them close to a closed door and then gradually move them closer together. After you introduce your pets together, you have to watch for signs of stress and anxiety from both of them. Some signs of this include hiding, eating less, and aggressiveness towards you and the other pet.

Patience

It takes a lot of patience as an owner to get two pets who are meeting for the first time to get acclimated. Depending on the new pet’s past experiences, they may have trouble with trust and being social. Pets who have been abused tend to have these issues. You should be on the lookout for some of those signs of stress and be patient with getting them through it.

Equal Amounts of Love

For Siamese cats, it’s especially important that they are assured that you love them. Even though the new pet also needs a ton of attention as well, it’s essential to show them attention together. Having them involved in playtime together can also help build their bond.

What to Do if They Don’t Get Along

You’ll notice that they’re not getting along when your pets fight with each other, hide, stop eating regularly, and become withdrawn with you as well. Cats will typically make it very known that they’re unhappy. This can be a result of jealousy and having a hard time adjusting to the change, especially with Siamese cats who are used to all of the attention.

If they’re still not getting along after the first few weeks of bringing the new pet into your home, you have to keep the separate territories and keep them away from the others. Also, try using separate food and water bowls, so they’re not forced to be together if they don’t want to be. You’ll also need to give them individualized attention to reassure them.

Sometimes, as a form of aggression, the pets won’t let the other eat or drink water out of their shared bowls or if they share the space. Having a separate area and bowls for them is crucial in this situation to make sure that they can eat and drink. If this kind of aggression continues, you may have to try separating them again for a while and then reintroduce them.

Unfortunately, some pets just don’t get along with each other. However, those are a few ways to try to alleviate some of the problems. You have to show your pets that bad behavior is not okay and have to train them for good habits.

You should reward their good behavior with treats so that they can establish good habits with each other. Having a good friend is vital to a Siamese, so reversing hostility with the pets is essential.

These playful kitties need a partner that can match their spunk and affection. Siamese cats are the perfect cats for a family with kids and other pets and for people who can show these cats the love that they deserve.