The appearance of the Thai cat can be somewhat misleading, as they share such a striking similarity to their Siamese cousins. But even though they are remarkably alike in looks and personality, many features distinguish these breeds from one another, including the Thai cat’s “apple head” and sturdy body structure.
Breed Overview
Height:
10–12 inches
Weight:
8–15 pounds
Lifespan:
12–16 years
Colors:
Colorpoint
Suitable for:
Active families, multi-pet households
Temperament:
Alert, inquisitive, playful, affectionate, vocal
If you’re trying to decide on the breed you want for a pet, we definitely think the Thai cat should be among those that you consider. Read on to find out what makes this remarkable little chatterbox so fantastic and what it’s like to own one.
Thai Cat Characteristics
Energy
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A high-energy cat needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep healthy and happy, while a low-energy cat needs minimal physical activity, but still needs mental stimulation. When choosing a cat, It’s important to ensure their energy levels match your lifestyle.
Trainability
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Cats that are easy-to-train are more willing and skilled at quickly learning prompts and actions with minimal training. Harder-to-train cats are usually more stubborn or aloof and require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
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Certain cat breeds are more prone to various genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every cat in those breeds will have these issues, but they do have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan
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Due to their size or potential genetic health issues of a specific breed, some cats have shorter lifespans than others. Proper nutrition, exercise, mental stimulation, and hygiene also play an important role in your cat’s lifespan and quality of life.
Sociability
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Some cat breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other cats and animals. Cats that are more social have a tendency to rub up on strangers for scratches or jump on laps for cuddles, while cats that are less social shy away, hide, are more cautious, and even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed or gender, it’s important to socialize your cat and expose them to many different situations.
The first problem you’re going to run into when you look for a Thai kitten is location. Since they are rarer than their Siamese cousins, finding one might be challenging. Authenticity is paramount, especially when you are looking into a rare breed. You must ensure that the kittens are registered and have appropriate vet records to support these claims.
On top of the initial purchase, you have to consider other expenses. When you bring your cat home, they will need proper kitten bedding, food, toys, and other supplies, all of which cost money.
Even though these felines are relatively rare, there’s always a chance that you can find one in a local shelter or rescue. Cats in this situation might be purebred, mixed, adult, or juvenile, but one thing is for sure: They’re sure to melt your heart. That said, they won’t be free, as while most shelters and rescues are nonprofit, they need to make up for vetting and other forms of care, such as housing, vaccinations, treatments, and various other healthcare or transport expenses.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Thai Cat
Thai cats have a keen intelligence that makes them interactive and inquisitive. They love being part of the family and all of the happenings around the house. You might also find that this cat loves to bird-watch out the window
Ultimately, these felines are easy to train and fantastic to live with. They will integrate into just about any home and adapt very well. So, they make excellent candidates for adoption, permitting that is something you’re willing to do. These kitties are highly vocal, just like Siamese cats, and are always carrying on about something. Some people really like this aspect, as they feel like their cat is communicating with them through their own language. However, this is not ideal in some situations. If you live in a quiet apartment with close neighbors in proximity or work hours where a cat could keep you up at night, this might not be the best breed for you. That said, many people appreciate the overall interactive nature of the Thai cat.
Sometimes these kitties are too smart for their own good, though. They need constant stimulation, whether from self-play toys, methods of exercise, or human interaction. Since they have a thirst for adventure and knowledge, a bored Thai cat can have destructive tendencies or nervousness and exhibit other rambunctious behaviors. We recommend this breed for people who are home often or have other furry companions that they can befriend.
Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪
Thai cats can make excellent additions to families. Due to their activity levels, they would work well with children and keep each other occupied for hours. However, we recommend that your kids are old enough to understand the respect between a cat and a human.
Even though these cats are incredible, they are highly vocal, making them incompatible in some situations. It can get quite annoying if you’re not really a big fan of noise or have close neighbors.
We want to stress that these cats are incredibly social creatures. They must have a buddy to hang out with at all times. This is not a single pet that you can keep in isolation. If you and your family are gone most of the day, these cats will get lonely and even depressed.
We understand that everyone has a work schedule, and not everyone can work from home or be retired. As long as you ensure that your Thai cat has some company, they will stay happy, active, and in good spirits. This breed’s temperament and activity levels make them perfectly compatible with almost any lifestyle.
Image Credit: liliy2025, Pixabay
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Thai cats can get along exquisitely with other pets. This is especially true if they are raised together. However, Thai cats can also be quite frisky and quick to tell another creature that they aren’t in the mood to play.
The Thai cat’s personality is sassy and independent. They’re also incredibly playful and won’t turn down a good romp with another furry friend in the home.
Due to their assertive personalities, we recommend these cats with other pets that aren’t aggressive in any way. Some dogs or even other felines might perceive that assertiveness as a challenge, which can cause friction. However, if your Thai cat is raised alongside your other pets, there shouldn’t be much of an issue.
This breed has a decently high prey drive and should never be left alone around caged animals or smaller pets. It is in their nature to hunt, and the females might actually be more prone to this. So, as long as you keep a healthy distance between your cat and rodents, reptiles, fish, and other small pets, you should be just fine.
Things to Know When Owning a Thai Cat
Food & Diet Requirements
Thai cats don’t have any particular dietary restrictions. However, like all felines, they benefit from a protein-rich diet that contains all essential ingredients for optimal health.
If you’re trying to find a proper diet plan for your pet, consider all of the different foods you can offer. You could try commercial foods consisting of wet food, dry kibble, and partially fresh options. You could also try homemade options like raw or home-cooked cat food. If you choose to make your own, it’s best to run the recipe by your veterinarian first to be sure it matches all nutrient profiles.
Image Credit: Ekaterina Kolomeets, Shutterstock
Exercise 🐈
Thai cats are naturally energetic and always ready to play. These kitties benefit from having interactive and self-play toys in the home.
They are eager about scratching surfaces. Having tons of different options will keep your furniture protected and safe. Thai cats also like to climb. Having perches, bridges, or wall posts might be a fun activity to help them stay occupied. After all, most cats adore being up on counters and other places you’d prefer them not to be.
This breed definitely can be a trouble-child, as you might expect. That said, with enough options, they might just leave your belongings alone. You won’t have to coax your Thai cat to play. However, they will need roughly 15 minutes of exercise per day to stay happy and healthy.
Training 🧶
Thai cats are actually incredibly intelligent felines with boisterous personalities. You can easily litter train them, as kittens, and they will likely catch on in the first few uses.
When it comes to more advanced training, that can depend on the individual cat. Some are willing and eager, while others are less interested and more stubborn to your desires or commands.
But don’t let their unwillingness fool you; these cats are more than capable of learning just about anything you want to teach them. You might be impressed with how quickly your Thai cat picks up on concepts, always remaining curious and vigilant.
Grooming ✂️
Since Thai cats have short fur, they do most of the grooming work themselves. They are highly tidy, as most felines are, and you’ll see them continuously bathing themselves. However, it’s best to acclimate them while they’re young to tolerate baths. You can plan to bathe them every 4 to 6 weeks or simply as needed.
Since they can be quite scratch focused, you can find covers for your cat’s nails or give them a nice trim to keep your arms from getting torn up during play.
Image by: Nattakorn Suphatheera, Shutterstock
Health and Conditions 🏥
Thai cats are generally healthy. They have favorable lifespans and don’t have many health issues in their bloodlines. Certain feline issues may plague an individual cat, but there are no breed-specific ailments to speak of. To keep your pet safe and healthy, we recommend starting routine vet care as soon as you bring them home.
During their first year of life, it is imperative to get them to the vet to ensure that they are growing on par and have all of their vaccinations and parasite treatments. After that, you can schedule them for annual checkups, bringing them in at other times if anything seems off or their behavior changes.
Male vs. Female
When it comes to personality, your Thai cat will be completely different from another Thai cat simply because they’re individuals. However, females tend to be more selective about to whom they show their affection. Males are a bit freer with that sort of thing.
Also, females tend to be more prey-driven than males. So, while the males might be the real lovers, the females are the breadwinners, in a manner of speaking. When it comes to physical appearance, females are smaller than their male counterparts with sleeker frames. Males tend to outweigh their opposite by roughly 2 to 5 pounds.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Thai Cat
1. Thai cats are actually older than their Siamese cousins.
The Siamese cat is considered an ancient breed, so it might surprise you to learn that the Thai cat is older. After World War II, the two breeds started branching off into separate categories. Even though the Thai cat is extremely old, their breed standard wasn’t set until 1990.
2. Thai cats developed naturally without human help.
As their name implies, these cats originated in Thailand. Also, breeders did not develop them through a selective process; they just came to be by themselves.
Once they started developing a set appearance, breeders then took the reins and created a breed standard. So, even though they came from Thailand, they were redeveloped in Europe and America.
3. Thai cats have a few nicknames.
The Thai cat originally had a different name: Wichien Maat. They might also be referred to as old-style Siamese or traditional Siamese cats. The breed is also called apple-head Siamese, as they have a slightly different facial shape that sets them apart.
Final Thoughts
Even though these cats are not nearly as popular as their Siamese cousins, they can still make an excellent choice for any cat lover. They mesh well with most situations unless you prefer not to have such a vocal or attention-seeking kitty in your home.
The vocalization comes naturally to them, and some people absolutely adore the conversations with their pets. If you’re looking for a peppy, vigorous feline to share some love in your home, the Thai cat definitely fit the bill.
Ashley Bates is a dedicated freelance writer and pet enthusiast, currently delving into the field of animal therapy. As a mother of four children and a caretaker to 23 furry and feathered companions, she passionately volunteers at local shelters, champions animal welfare, and rescues animals in need. Ashley's mission is to raise awareness, educate, and entertain about pets to combat homelessness. Her expertise primarily lies in caring for dogs and cats.
