At first glance, a Thai cat can be confused with a Siamese “sister” - due to its similar color. In fact, these are different breeds that differ both in appearance and in character. What are the specific features of the Thais and how not to confuse them with the Siamese?
What specific signs indicate that this is not a Siamese, but a Thai cat?
- Torso . For the Thais, it is stockier and squat, the body is more powerful and even more massive. Whereas the Siamese is graceful and elongated, one might say elegant.
- Head . Thai cats have a round face with rounded ears. And Siamese cats have a slightly elongated, wedge-shaped head with pointed ears.
- Tail . This part of the body also differs in both breeds. Thais have slightly bushier tails with rounded tips, while Siamese have smooth tails with a pointed tip.
- Limbs . As in the case of the body, representatives of the Thai breed have more powerful and slightly shorter paws, while their Siamese “brothers” are more graceful and longer.
- Wool . To the touch, Thai cats' fur coat resembles a plush one, it is softer and more pleasant. Siamese cats have coarser fur and a slightly different structure.
Also, these two breeds are distinguished from each other by their eyes: in Thais they are large and round, while in Siamese they are slightly slanted, as if pointed. But eye color can vary.
Brief history of the breed
Thailand, which in ancient times was called Siam, is considered the homeland of these cats. The first mention of similar animals was found in the manuscript “Book of Poems about Cats,” which dates back to the 14th-15th centuries. and is kept in the National Library of Bangkok. In those days, they lived exclusively at Buddhist temples and royal palaces. These cats not only destroyed rodents, but also allegedly protected their owners from evil spirits. Therefore, they were carefully protected.
Unusual cats came to Europe only in the second half of the 19th century. The Thai king, as a sign of his highest mercy, presented the English diplomat Owen Gould with a pair of cats of this breed as a gift. Unusual animals with interesting colors have created a real sensation in the British capital. Having learned about this, the ruler of Siam, Chulalongkorn, presented the high-ranking British with several dozen purebred individuals, with which the targeted breeding of Thais in Europe began.
By the middle of the 20th century, cats gained popularity in the United States and quickly spread throughout the world.
A little more history
It was believed that these cats were not afraid of rat bites. Their skin is similar to the skin of fighting dogs: just as elastic, strong, with a minimum number of nerve endings, which is why the pain threshold is much lower. In addition, the small number of vessels prevented the spread of infection in the event of a bite or accidental injury.
The King of Siam jealously protected the sacred cats from foreigners. Only once did a local ruler present the British consul with two cute and different-sex kittens as a sign of special appreciation and gratitude. Since then, the wild popularity of this breed among Europeans began to grow. In Russia, Thais were recognized only at the end of the last century.
According to another theory, cats were brought to Europe by a former governess in charge of the education of the royal children of Siam. It was she who captured a couple of Thais on her way back to London.
By the way, you should not confuse Siamese and Thais - although these cats are similar to each other and have a common origin, they are still different breeds with their own differences. The main difference is body type: Thai cats usually have a denser, more compact and well-built body type than their modern relatives.
Interesting Facts
During the existence of the breed, many interesting things have been associated with the Thai cat:
- At the first exhibitions in Moscow and Leningrad they were exhibited under the name “Old Siamese” in the “Beginners” category.
- Thai kittens are born with snow-white fur. Dark markings begin to appear towards the end of the first month of life.
- In the Middle Ages, exporting Thai cats from Siam was punishable by death.
- Representatives of the breed were used to breed Burmese and Balinese.
- The 1991 Thai Cat Standard is currently under revision. Therefore, only those individuals whose registration documents contain the signatures of two experts are allowed for breeding.
How to breed
In Russia, especially in large cities, there are good nurseries where you can buy a kitten or find a pair for mating. But still keep in mind that you need a purebred partner, so choose him very carefully. In addition, look for animals with good health so that it is passed on to the offspring.
The first mating should take place when the cat is one year old, although she reaches puberty already at six months, sometimes earlier.
Closely monitor your cat's pregnancy and the birth of kittens.
Thai cats are wonderful mothers. They give birth quickly and feed their offspring well. Quite often they give birth to up to seven kittens.
Standards, appearance, description of the Thai cat
Thais are compact, stocky animals, similar to plump Siamese. They have strong bones and a flexible body, covered with short hair of an unusual color.
Dimensions and weight
Thais are medium-sized animals with moderate sexual dimorphism. Their weight ranges from 4-8 kg. The Thai cat looks sleeker and smaller than a cat.
Anatomical characteristics
According to the generally accepted breed standard, the Thai cat must meet the following description:
Color and coat type
Taika is a short-haired cat with a thin silky coat and poorly developed or absent down.
Representatives of the breed are characterized by the so-called Siamese color. The body of Thai cats is covered with light hair. And on the ears, paws, muzzle and tail of the animals there are contrasting marks. According to the standard, the color of Thai cats is:
On a note. With any color, the color of the nose and paw pads is in harmony with the tone of the coat. In individuals with red point colors they are pink. In a seal point Thai cat, these parts of the body are dark brown.
Possible breed defects
Flaws in appearance, in the presence of which a Thai cat will not receive a high expert assessment:
Color
The pigmentation of the coat is the same as that of the original breed - Siamese cats. The body is light, without color, there are dark spots on the paws, the tip of the tail, and the “mask” of the muzzle. This color is called “point” from the English. "point" ̶ "point". Young cats have a white body; the older the animal, the darker the color of the body becomes. In older individuals, the fur takes on a brown tone.
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The color of the limbs and tail are various shades of gray-black. In rare cases, animals with tabby color are found. In such cats, the shade is uneven and diverges into stripes of varying brightness. Tabby-colored animals are not pure Thai and appeared before the prohibition of mating cats with other breeds.
Depending on the density of the Point color, they are distinguished:
- brown;
- tortoiseshell;
- cream;
- red;
- chocolate;
- blue (blue);
- caramel;
- lilac;
- cinnamon;
- faun.
Character and temperament
Thai cats are curious and spontaneous animals that remain playful until the end of their lives. They quickly get used to people and do not like to be left alone. Thais are born actors, capable of constantly surprising and amusing their owners. Restless and funny representatives of the breed love to be the center of attention and enjoy exploring new territories.
The peaceful nature of the Thai cat makes it a real favorite of children. The delicate animal will never let out its claws and will not bite a naughty child.
Although the Thai cat prefers to spend time in the company of people, he gets along without problems with his relatives and good-natured dogs. He does not tolerate jealousy and fighting, which means he will not conflict with other pets, conquer territory or compete for his master’s attention.
Contact
Thai cats get along well with other animals. These are sociable and friendly pets. They find a common language with dogs and cats of other breeds or relatives.
Thai cats and children
The breed can be called active; Thai cats are not averse to playing with children. Pets happily run after the light pointer and play outdoor games. Like all cats, they do not like excessive attention - the Thai will not allow himself to be cuddled and stroked against the grain.
Relationship with the owner
The devotion of Thai cats to their owner is comparable to the devotion of dogs. These are loyal pets that recognize their owner. They are waiting for a person, they miss him.
Thai cats love to be near their owner and try to respond to his remarks. The voice of Thai cats has several timbres and therefore it seems that it is conducting a dialogue with a person.
Thais are touchy and do not tolerate coercion. They react aggressively to anger and are able to stand up for themselves. They remember grievances and after an insult has been caused, it is difficult to restore the previous relationship with them.
Such a pet's commands should be taught patiently and lovingly. The Thai cat loves to be the center of attention, she likes when the owner talks to her, strokes her, and spends time near the pet.
Thai cats love to be held. They happily sleep on their laps. If the owner needs an affectionate and devoted cat, the Thai is an excellent choice.
How to choose the right kitten
The Thai breed is not rare or exotic. Therefore, problems with finding a kitten usually do not arise. In order not to become a victim of deception and not to buy a mixed breed, it is advisable to purchase an animal from a certified nursery or from a trusted breeder. At the time of the transaction, the Thai kitten must have a veterinary passport with vaccination marks and a document confirming its breed.
It is also important to pay attention to the behavior and living conditions of the animals. Thai kittens should be active, cheerful and neat. They should not have squints, kinks on the tail, white spots on the points, scratches on the skin and bald spots on the coat. The health of little Thais can be judged by the absence of bad breath, dirt under the tail, bloating, and purulent discharge from the eyes and ears.
Kitten care
Responsible breeders donate Thai kittens to new homes no earlier than they are 12 weeks old. By this age, babies are already accustomed to the tray, know how to use a scratching post and eat many foods with appetite. Therefore, new owners just have to wait until the furry pet gets used to the changed conditions and show him where his bowls, bed and toilet are located.
To prevent the little researcher from becoming a victim of an accident, household chemicals, small objects, indoor plants and wires are removed from him. Also, for safety reasons, the Thai kitten is denied free access to open ovens, washing machines and windows.
How to stay healthy
Pets of the Thai breed have good immunity, but this does not mean that they should refuse vaccinations. The health of these pets needs to be monitored like the health of any cat.
Cats may be susceptible to diseases of the liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. Although their genetics are good, there are a number of diseases that they are prone to. These are hydrocephalus, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and breast tumors.
Cats are also susceptible to dental disease. For prevention, it is recommended to regularly brush your teeth. With proper care of your pet, the risk of disease is reduced.
Care and maintenance
Thai cats have an acromelanic coloration that darkens in the cold. Therefore, their content has some features. In the room where Thai cats live, it is necessary to maintain the air temperature at 23-25 °C. Otherwise, caring for representatives of the breed comes down to basic hygiene and proper feeding.
Hygiene procedures
In order for Thai cats to look neat, they are provided with appropriate care:
Grooming
A Thai cat does not require as much care as a long-haired cat. To make the fur of a representative of the breed look neat, it is combed 2-3 times a week with a brush with natural soft bristles or a special glove. During the molting period, the procedure is carried out more often to speed up the process of coat change.
The Thai cat is bathed 3-4 times a year using special shampoos. During bathing procedures, it is important to ensure that water does not get into the animal’s ears. And after washing the Thai, they wipe it dry with a terry towel.
Tray
The Thai cat is characterized by increased cleanliness. To make it convenient for her to relieve herself, they buy a spacious and deep tray. There are no special requirements for the filler. The main thing is that it fulfills its functions and the cat likes it.
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Feeding the cat
In order for a Thai cat to develop properly and stay healthy longer, she needs a balanced diet.
Complete diet
When feeding dry food, a Thai cat is given premium or super premium class products - it contains all the necessary substances. It is important that its composition does not contain soy, dyes, preservatives and other dubious components. Thai cats eat well the following brands of food:
- Hills;
- Farmina;
- Pronature;
- Brit Care.
With a natural type of nutrition, representatives of the breed are selected a diet that contains 70-80% meat. Thai cats are also given:
- porridge with water;
- offal;
- boiled eggs;
- vegetables;
- sour milk;
- sea fish.
Pork, potatoes, beans, sweets, baked goods and sausages are permanently excluded from the menu of Thai cats. Also, the animal is not given river fish, bones, fresh milk, exotic fruits or any food from the owner’s table.
Feeding frequency
Thai kittens eat less, but more often than adult representatives of the breed. Therefore, when drawing up a feeding schedule, be sure to take into account the age of the pet:
- up to 12 weeks – 5-6 times a day;
- 3-6 months – 4 times a day;
- 6-12 months – 3 times a day.
One-year-old cats of the Thai breed are transferred to double feeding.
Vitamins and minerals
In the body of a Thai cat that eats natural food, a lack of microelements may occur. To make up for this deficiency, a representative of the breed is given special feeding courses twice a year. When choosing a supplement, they are guided by the advice of a veterinarian and the characteristics of a particular Thai.
Important. Thai cats that eat high-quality dry food do not need vitamin-mineral supplements.
What about feeding the Thai breed?
In general, the opinions of breeders on this issue differ:
- some feed exclusively natural food;
- others keep their pets on mixed feeding, introducing dry food as complementary food (the dangers of this type of food have already been written here);
- Still others prefer not to bother and feed with high-quality industrial feed.
The only thing that everyone agrees on is the quality of the feed received and the need for the body to receive all the necessary macro- and microelements, as well as vitamins. Only if these simple rules are followed will the fur be shiny, the pet will be active, and its health will be excellent.
You should always consider your pet's needs. It has long been proven that animals, without us, know what is good for them and what is bad, what is suitable and what is not. If a cat does not eat raw beef, this does not mean that it prefers dry meat, maybe it wants boiled chicken?
It is believed that the simpler the food, the healthier it is. Excessive variety negatively affects the functioning of the digestive tract. And the most important thing when choosing products is their quality. Under no circumstances should you feed Thais, or any other cats, fatty, salty, fried, smoked food - all this is absolute poison!
General feeding recommendations
What not to do:
- Fatty meat and food based on it.
- Seafood - leads to darkening of color and urolithiasis.
- Coloring vegetables (for example, carrots) also change the color for the worse; they should not be contained in ready-made food.
- Liver, since it may contain toxins that the body accumulates throughout life.
- Any sweets, especially beware of chocolate. It contains theobromine, an alkaloid that is deadly to many animals, including cats. The breakdown of the substance is very slow, causing signs of poisoning. It also excites the nervous system, being an indirect cause of the development of epilepsy, arrhythmia, and heart attack.
What you can give:
- Lean meat promotes the physical and mental health of the predator; when fed naturally, it is cut into strips, which will force the cat to chew rather than swallow the pieces whole. Before serving meat dishes, it must be frozen or, in extreme cases, scalded with boiling water.
- Super-premium, premium and holistic dry food. Cheap food such as Whiskas and Kiteket quickly negatively affect the natural coloring and health of the pet.
- Canned food, preferably from the same manufacturers that produce dry food.
Here is an approximate mixed diet:
- lean meat: beef, chicken;
- quail egg;
- canned cat food;
- sour milk;
- high quality dry food;
- vitamins as needed.
Education and physical activity
Thai cats are endowed with extraordinary intelligence. Highly intelligent animals perfectly understand human speech and quickly understand what is required of them. Thais are easy to train and are able to follow simple commands.
On a note. An important characteristic of Thais is their innate stubbornness. They try by any means to achieve what they want. What will help you cope with this character trait of a Thai cat is not physical strength, but limitless patience.
Thais are energetic animals, unable to sit still for long. So that they don’t get bored, they get several toys and set up a special corner with different ladders and multi-level platforms.
Origin
Previously, the Siamese and Thai cats were considered one breed, but they were soon divided into two different ones, although they still have a common ancestor - the traditional Siamese. Just a few years ago, many homes had Siamese cats. Or is it still Thai?
The fact is that these animals appeared hundreds of years ago in Thailand, which was previously called Siam (hence, as you might guess, the name) and they belong to the eastern group of breeds. After settling around the world, the breed was subjected to selection and thus varieties appeared in the appearance of animals. Scientists also noticed that the shade of wool and its density may depend on the climatic characteristics of the country in which this or that variety appeared. Today there are about 40 varieties of such cats in the world.
These cats have the same color, which is why they are confused. But in fact, they will be radically different, and it will not be difficult even for a child to notice the differences between them.
First of all, pay attention to the kitten’s head: one of the main features is hidden here. By the way, the ears are also a distinctive feature: the Thais have them proportional to the head and are rounded at the tips, while their Siamese relatives have simply huge ears compared to the head
By the way, the ears are also a distinctive feature: the Thais have them proportional to the head and are rounded at the tips; their Siamese relatives have simply huge ears compared to the head.
The Siamese and Thai cats also differ in their body, because in comparison with the Thai cat, the Siamese looks like Koschey the Immortal: a thin body, long paws and tail, and a weight of only 3-4 kg (the Thai has from 4 to 8 kilograms).
Similarities in appearance:
- eye color - blue, rare for cats;
- Thai and Siamese cats have a similar color: a characteristic dark mask on the face, while their coat color is light;
- short hair.
To finally understand, we suggest looking in the photo at the differences between the Siamese and Thai cats. You probably won’t be able to confuse them now.
The differences between Siamese and Thai cats are noticeable not only in appearance - which is not at all strange. Since we’ve sorted out the description of the appearance, it’s time to move on.
Although they are often confused, the Siamese and Thai cats are also completely different in character. The Siamese cat differs from the Thai cat in its “dog-like” character: it is smart, attached to its owner, easy to train, but at the same time calm and quite jealous, although it can come to the owner’s defense. Thais are more affectionate, peace-loving, active, and just as loyal. They love care, are friendly and get along easily with other pets. It is also worth saying that there should be no problems when contacting children either - thanks to the affectionate and friendly nature, the baby will easily get along with the tailed family member.
After reading the description, you can easily name the traits that distinguish these two breeds, which means you can easily choose which cat you like best.
Thanks to its not too long coat, it is enough to stroke your furry friend once a week with a damp hand to collect lost hairs and save time on cleaning the house and protect your pet’s health. Of course, they need to be bathed from time to time, but the main thing is not to overdo it, so as not to spoil the pet’s fur.
Hygiene procedures do not differ from those that owners carry out for representatives of other breeds, although the Siamese can show a restive character (but, to tell the truth, your pet will do just fine without a beauty salon).
We hope our short examination will help you make the right choice of a pet that will become not only a joy in the house, but also a full-fledged member of your family.
Vaccinations and antiparasitic treatment
To prevent a Thai cat from contracting viral or infectious diseases, it is regularly vaccinated. The complex drug activates the development of stable immunity to calcivirosis, panleukopenia and rhinotracheitis. The first vaccination is given to the animal at the age of 7-8 weeks. After 21-28 days, the Thai is vaccinated against the same diseases and against rabies. In the future, a cat of this breed is vaccinated once a year.
To prevent diseases transmitted by worms and fleas, the Thai is periodically subjected to antiparasitic treatment. Anthelmintic drugs are given to a cat of this breed twice a year with mandatory repetition after 10-14 days. Thais are protected from fleas with drops, shampoos and collars.
Owner reviews
The Thai cat is one of the few breeds that can be offered for keeping to both single people and families with children, but not to those who love solitude and peace. There is every reason to say this, as evidenced by reviews from the owners:
- Many could not resist the curious look of the animal’s sky-blue eyes, as well as its pure white “fur coat.”
- Some owners are simply perplexed by the incredible combination of soft, elegant forms and irrepressible, literally hurricane-like energy in the Thai cat. These cats have time everywhere, and there are no barriers for them.
- Thai cats never let out their claws when playing with children, but they can easily call on adults for help if children need it.
- Many owners are simply sure that such smart, affectionate and sociable cats, so attached to humans, simply do not exist.
Thai cats: photo, description of the breed, character. Thai breed cat
Sterilization and castration
If a Thai cat does not have breeding value, it is recommended to sterilize it. It is advisable to carry out the operation no earlier than 7-9 months, but before the first mating. It will help prevent the development of serious diseases of the genitourinary system and will avoid the appearance of behavioral problems associated with the instinct of procreation.
Diseases and possible defects
Like all purebred representatives of the cat family, Thais have specific diseases. They will not give them rest:
- Asthma. The pathogen for a Thai can be tobacco smoke, deodorants, air fresheners, and ordinary dust.
- Congenital heart defect. Causes developmental delays, reduces activity, and makes breathing difficult.
- Subluxation of the sternum. A cosmetic hereditary disease that will only prevent the pet from receiving a certificate under the WCF system. It does not bring physical suffering.
- Porphyria. A hereditary disease of both a dominant and recessive gene, causing a disruption in the synthesis of red blood cells.
- Strabismus. Strabismus, desynchronization of the muscles that control the position of the cat's eyeballs. It may go away on its own with age.
