However, what can make the choice even more difficult is if two breeds are incredibly similar. This is the case with the Siamese and Himalayan breeds.
Both with similar coloring, markings, and distinct features, these breeds are beautiful and popular cats. However, there are some main differences between the two cats that can help you quickly make your decision.
To help you with this, we have listed all the features that make a cat unique, and explained where these two breeds fit into these features!
But first, let’s start with an overview of both breeds.
Himalayan Cat Overview
Himalayan cats are incredibly beautiful, and they are quite sought-after in the ‘cat community’. They are known to occasionally be easy-going and friendly.
However, their temperament does lean more towards quiet and reserved (until they get comfortable with you). They have a very long coat, and their faces easily express fear or anger.
Because of their very long-haired coat, they do ideally need to be groomed every day. Interestingly, their tails are short and curl! This seems to contradict the rest of their appearance.
Their eyes are round and bright blue, and their noses are short and round. This is one of the main similarities between the Himalayan cat and the Siamese cat.
Himalayan cats come in a huge amount of colors. While the bulk of the coat color will always be either cream or white, you will find that their ‘points’ vary from cat to cat.
Some of these colors include chocolate, blue, red, lilac, and black.
These cats are great indoors because they’re quiet pets and have a sweet temperament.
This makes them ideal to own if you live in a home without a garden, like a flat, as they don’t often get the urge to wander around outside. They just love lots of fussing!
Siamese Cat Overview
Siamese cats are one of the most popular cat breeds to own in the world. Interestingly, they are also one of the oldest cat breeds in the world!
Similar to Himalayan cats, they have striking blue eyes that effectively make them stand out among other cat breeds, as blue eyes are fairly rare to find in the species.
Their coats are striking because of the large number of color points.
Their coats are usually silky, like Himalayan cats, however, their fur isn’t as long as a Himalayan cat. They come in many colors including; black, white, cream, tabby, and tortoiseshell.
However, the most common color is actually a type of silver that shines in the sun!
Siamese cats have changed a lot over time. When they were first introduced, they had incredibly triangular and pointed heads, large ears, and a very muscular body.
Now, the Siamese breed is much softer and round-looking, but their personality remains much the same.
Described as extroverted, Siamese cats are very playful, friendly, intelligent, affectionate, and independent. They are also very vocal and social.
Siamese cats love being cuddled and stroked. They are also very friendly and loving towards humans.
They need lots of attention and love. They get bored easily if they don’t see people around them, but this also makes Siamese cats brilliant companions.
What Is The Difference Between Himalayan And Siamese Cats?
The main distinction is the age of the breeds. As was mentioned earlier, the Siamese cat is older than the Himalayan cat because of cross-breeding. Himalayan cats have the same blue eyes and markings as Siamese cats.
This is because Himalayan cats have DNA from Siamese cats, but their features are built more similar to the Persian breed as their DNA has been mixed with other breeds.
Lifespan
Siamese cats live longer than other breeds. They can live up to 15 or 16 years, and they reach their ‘senior’ years at the age of 12. The average lifespan of a Himalayan cat is anywhere between 9 and 15 years.
This huge variety in ages may be due to how much of their DNA is from Siamese cats, and how much has been mixed with other breeds.
Temperament And Character
Siamese cats are very social. They are active, athletic, interesting, and talkative. They are affectionate and playful. They are also independent and curious.
Siamese cats are very smart and energetic animals. They are playful and active. Their agility and athleticism make them excellent playmates for children. They are also very loving and affectionate pets.
On the other hand, the Himalayan cats are very calm and relaxed. They are not as loud as Siamese cats, and they do not demand much attention. They are not extremely energetic, but they are very affectionate and loving pets.
Himalayans are very affectionate cats who love to be petted and cuddled. They are also very talkative, but they do not make noise when sleeping or eating.
Interestingly, Himalayan cats are very easy to train! This makes them a perfect companion as house pets.
Grooming
Himalayan cats have long hair and need regular brushing to keep them clean. Their faces are flat because of their short noses.
On the opposite end, Siamese cats have short hair and don’t require brushing. Their faces are rounder than Himalayan cats’ faces.
The Himalayan’s grooming care is incredibly important, compared to a Siamese cat. If you don’t brush a Himalayan cat often enough, they’ll get matted fur.
Untreated mats can become infected, leading to an unsightly and painful rash.
Health
Himalayan cats have flat faces like Persians. They’re prone to respiratory problems, but they’re easy to care for.
They require regular grooming, but they’re very friendly and docile. They do put on weight easily, so owners will need to make sure they eat well.
Siamese cats are very cute and friendly. They love attention and affection. They are prone to certain diseases, but they are generally healthier than Himalayan cats.
They do require some grooming, but it doesn’t take much time. They are very clean and neat.
Unfortunately, the Siamese cat’s wedge-shaped heads may cause breathing issues. Their teeth aren’t as strong as Himalayan cats, so they need to be brushed regularly.
Their legs are thin, so they should be kept trim. Similar to the Himalayan cat, they tend to get overweight easily, so their eating habits will need to be monitored closely.
Suitability
Siamese cats are playful, athletic, loving, and sociable. They are easy to take care of, and they don’t require much grooming. They are also very affectionate towards humans.
However, they do need lots of attention because they are demanding. They don’t like being left alone, and they will be all the louder when you return home.
If you’re looking for an active, friendly, and social cat, the Siamese may be your perfect match.
Himalayan cats are great pets if you’re looking for something calm and loving. They’re very easy to care for, and they’ll do anything you ask of them.
They’re also pretty quiet, so they won’t bother your neighbors. However, they require a lot of attention and grooming, and they can get expensive to maintain.
One thing to consider is if someone has a cat allergy, the Himalayan cat’s long fur will trigger an allergic reaction more than the Siamese’s short coat.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the main differences between the Siamese and Himalayan breeds are the length of their coats and their temperaments.
Himalayan cats are very friendly. They’re not as active as other breeds, but they do get along well with people.
They’re also known for being calm and quiet, making them great pets for those who want a laid-back cat. They do have very long coats, which can be difficult to maintain.
Siamese cats are also very friendly, but they are incredibly energetic and lively! They love having constant attention, and they will complain if they don’t get it.
They have short coats, so they don’t need to be groomed as often.
I’m Courtney Trent and I hope that I can answer some burning questions that you have about cats, as well as some questions that you’d never have thought to ask before.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
So, stay a while and learn more about domestic and wild cats from Windhaven Ocicats.
