Are Siamese Cats Dominant? A Comprehensive Guide
When it comes to Siamese cats, the knowledge base around them is kind of a paradox. Being as popular as they are, there is just so much to know about them, yet queries, questions, and doubts pop up every day.
I actively follow many pet forums across the internet and questions regarding the personality specifics of Siamese cats are the most common.
In this article, let me cover the topic are Siamese cats dominant in a comprehensive way.
Now it’s not for nothing that Siamese cats are one of the most preferred cat breeds in a domesticated ecosystem.
They are affectionate, playful, energetic, active, attention-loving, chatty, and get along very well with other pets, family members, children, and even strangers.
Yet, in order for you to see their joyful bright side, you need to ascertain certain steps and actions that their personality demands.
This is precisely what we are going to learn in this article, by taking into account their personality.
Are Siamese Cats Dominant?
Well, it would be wrong to outright declare that Siamese cats are dominant. They are very sociable cat breeds; however, if their persona demands aren’t met, there is a chance Siamese cats may develop undesirable character traits that include jealousy, aggressiveness, and dominance.
Now you see behavior is such a complex thing that presents itself in a simple way. There are just so many factors that work to create an animal’s persona.
Well, you could argue it goes true for humans as well, and you would be correct.
For this reason, the question are Siamese cats dominant warrants a more in-depth look.
You need to be aware of the different factors that work here.
Moreover, the context of the question is important too. For instance, are you asking the question because you are looking to get a Siamese cat and want a cat that is more docile? Or perhaps you want a cat that will have a friendly expression towards other animals in your home? Or maybe you already have one, and you see her developing aggressive patterns and would want to keep that in check.
By the end of this article, you will have a thorough understanding and insight into Siamese cats regarding what can potentially turn them into being dominant or aggressive.
Siamese Cat Personality
There is a good chance that you are very familiar with the popular traits that hallmark a Siamese cat.
Still, I think it will be a good idea to put all traits of a Siamese cat’s persona together to understand the topic properly.
Siamese cats are one of the most beautiful cat breeds that you can have the pleasure of owning.
Yes, there is so much to their persona that appeals to anyone wanting a house cat, but they would be lying if they said their obvious physical beauty isn’t what initiated their love for her.
They have slender muscular bodies earmarked by a high-contrasting colorpoint pattern.
The dark coloration is limited to their extremities, namely their face, tail, toes, and ears, giving their coat a unique pattern.
Now keep in mind every single cat is unique. At best, you can project what a particular cat breed’s general behavior would be like using data from studies of their general behavior.
But that is the beautiful thing about cats. It doesn’t matter how much you think you know about your particular cat breed; she will still have her own unique attributes. Siamese cats are no different.
In general, Siamese cats are one of the most affectionate, friendly, playful, and engaging cat breeds that you can own.
It is their love for activity and engagement that makes them one of the most sought-after family cats.
The company of people, pets, and children is the ideal living ecosystem for a cat like the Siamese. They are very intelligent and thrive in an environment with a lot of positive interaction.
They can be trained easily in normal activities like using the litter box and even how to play fetch with some positive reinforcement.
They are also chatty and will not shy away from making you realize exactly what they are feeling, how their day was, and what it is that you need to do for them right away.
If you are looking to get a cat that loves to cuddle, sits on your lap, on your head, and on your laptop while you’re working, well, Siamese cats are tailor-made for you.
While they do have a strong sense of self and like to be aloof doing their own thing, that doesn’t mean they want to be away from you.
They are also known to bond heavily with one person in the family but do have a heart where there is sufficient love for everyone in their family, including strangers with positive, cat-friendly vibes.
Common Siamese Cat Behavior Problems
As incredible as Siamese cats are, they aren’t immune to potential behavioral issues.
Now, something in our nature hankers for perfection.
One would want Siamese cats to be as perfect as they seem from the outside, and they are. But realistically, it is essential that we as pet owners fulfill our responsibility by providing them with the right ecosystem where they can express their perfection.
Fail to do so, and you shouldn’t be surprised if they develop behavioral issues over time.
Here are some common behavioral problems that Siamese tend to develop.
Excessive Attachment and Neediness
Now it’s no secret Siamese cats crave attention, and this is precisely one reason people love adopting them.
They are excellent at sharing love and can go out of their way to express love and demand it in return in their unique ways.
That being said, Siamese cats can go overboard with affection and develop attachment and excessive neediness.
I have already written an article on why Siamese cats are so needy and clingy. You should check it out for further info.
Siamese cats are not the ones you leave alone in your house. If you do, she stands a chance to develop anxiety and depression.
Excessive Chattiness
Once again, Siamese cats are famous for talking. I mean, they will tell you everything in as many details as they can, so to speak.
Different people perceive their vocal nature differently. Many find it endearing, while others find it annoying to the point they refuse to get one because of it.
But when the chattiness becomes excessive, most people tend to agree that this behavior initiates feelings of annoyance.
Of course, the degree of how vocal your cat is going to depend on different factors, plus what you would regard as excessive.
Separation Anxiety
I know I mentioned a Siamese cat’s response to being left alone above. Still, I think this negative behavior pattern needs to be highlighted separately.
You see, there are people who want a laid-back, easy-going feline companion, and there are those who enjoy cats that are curious, inquisitive, and active.
If you like the former, Siamese cats aren’t for you.
Siamese cats, as I said, are intelligent and their intelligence comes with a lot of physical bubbly energy.
If this isn’t given an avenue to express itself, in the form of scheduled and tiring activity and engagement, your Siamese is likely to develop separation anxiety.
Overly Aggressive and Biting Behavior
A little aggressive play is fine. In fact, it is really healthy. I am pretty sure you must have seen cats bunny kicking and biting catnip toys in real life or even in videos.
This is a good exercise for them.
However, a good ecosystem where she can express her energy in the form of play and exercise is essential.
You need to look at it this way: Siamese cats come with a lot of physical energy that needs to be expended in the form of play, exercise, and engagement.
If the relevant avenue isn’t provided, the energy can transform into a negative energy trap that takes the form of aggression, biting, and dominance.
Territorial and Dominant
This negative behavior aligns directly with the context of this article.
So, yes, if the ecosystem around her lacks stimulation, among other factors, your Siamese may adopt territorial and dominant behaviors.
Many experts argue that dominance is an inherent part of a Siamese cat’s personality.
Well, I don’t disagree with them, but I definitely think that in itself is an incomplete statement.
An animal’s instinctual nature can render it aggressive, jealous, and territorial, but in an environment where its basic needs are met, you can nurture them into their joyful behavior.
So, yes, Siamese cats can turn dominant, but it can be addressed with the necessary attention.
Signs that Your Siamese Cat Is Dominant/Aggressive
As you will see in the coming sections, most of these signs could be avoided with certain proactive measures. It is important for you to be aware of the potential Siamese cat behavior problems.
While I have listed different negative behavior patterns above, and many cat behavior experts relay methods to address them, I like to go directly to the roots.
Jealousy is one of the biggest indicators that your Siamese cat is either dominant or is developing towards becoming a dominant pet.
Jealousy can be directed at anyone, including other pets, and may manifest as your Siamese biting you if she doesn’t receive the attention she feels entitled to.
Fawning can be an extension of a cat’s jealous behavior, resulting in excessive attachment behaviors.
These behaviors may include excessive meowing, purring, rubbing against you, and similar acts aimed at garnering your attention. While these behaviors are endearing and fun in moderation, you will definitely notice when they become excessive, indicating a dominant behavior, especially if you have other cats or pets in the house.
- Extreme territorial behavior
This is probably the biggest indicator of a cat’s dominant behavior. Cats are naturally territorial and derive this trait from their time in the wild.
While cats have traveled a long evolutionary journey from the wilderness to our domesticated ecosystem, they still carry their wild instincts with them.
All exercise, engagement, and play for cats are necessary to give our cats an avenue to express their wild instincts in a controlled manner.
Failure to do so will result in them expressing those instincts haphazardly.
Specifically, Siamese cats are very intelligent and perceptive. They are quick to sense subservience and if they aren’t properly exercised or given the necessary space to move, run, rest, and eliminate (like separate litter boxes), they can become extremely dominant and territorial.
If you notice your Siamese getting excessive with her territorial traits, it is a strong indication that your cat is insecure and potentially dominant as a consequence.
How to Properly Socialize a Siamese Cat?
Now with all the information I have provided, I hope you are beginning to understand a crucial point.
That is a cat, let alone a Siamese cat, is a simple animal.
She has very specific kinds of needs that need to be addressed in a domesticated ecosystem for her to develop as a well-adjusted pet and avoid negative behaviors rooted in insecurity.
Now of course there are traits that are common among all cats, irrespective of breed, but there are also specific traits that are dominant in a particular breed.
Siamese cats, as we have established, are activity-loving, engaging cats that need attention, lots of love, and if possible, a second cat (or cat-friendly pet).
I want to make this as simple as possible: if these needs are addressed organically, your cat is likely to develop into a super friendly and loving pet.
Get Siamese Cats in Pairs, if Possible.
Getting a feline sibling is hands down the best way to ensure that your Siamese cat develops into a super friendly, loving, and joyful pet in a domesticated environment.
You see, Siamese cats are like bubbles of energy that need constant engagement and activity. They have this resolute need to express their energy.
Using toys or engaging with her personally is important, but having a feline companion raised together by a competent breeder will ensure that most of her engaging requirements are met organically.
Siamese cats thrive when raised in pairs.
Healthy Engagement
Not without reason are Siamese cats referred to as the Divas of the feline kingdom.
They have a need to be seen and acknowledged, and if you don’t do that, they have a voice to let you know your mistake.
So, if you are looking for a quiet, laid-back cat whose favorite activity is napping, Siamese cats aren’t for you.
For this reason, Siamese cats become excellent family pets since there is always someone to engage or play with and plenty of traffic for them to socialize.
Get Separate Litter Boxes
I can’t stress this point enough.
I have seen numerous cases of cats becoming aggressive and territorial due to a lack of clean, separate, and proper places to eliminate.
If you own more than one cat, please make it a point to get each of them a separate litter box.
Most experts agree, and I attest, that the number of litter boxes in your home must equal the number of cats plus one.
If you don’t take care of this, it can be one of the single most important causes of your cats becoming aggressive and hostile.
Cats obsess over cleanliness, especially over their elimination areas. In the wild, it is their elimination that marks their territories.
If forced to share a litter box, it can severely impact their behavior and hygiene rituals, leading to territorial and dominant behavior.
Now I know there are many who will testify that in their case, two or more cats share a litter box without issues.
But again, that depends on many factors, such as how accustomed the cats are to each other, their age, and their breed.
It’s better to eliminate potential factors as a pre-emptive step to avoiding problems, especially with a sensitive and intelligent breed like Siamese.
So, I urge you to provide each of your cats with a separate, clean, and disturbance-free zone to eliminate.
Don’t Punish Your Cat
You see, sometimes due to lack of attention or patience, we refuse to see things objectively and act impulsively.
This happens often in pet care.
Punishing a pet, especially a cat, may seem logical, but it lacks responsibility.
This is fundamentally because their behavior isn’t considered.
You see, animals are simple beings.
As long as their survival needs and personal attributes are cared for, they will be fine and happy.
So, if you see your cat doing something she shouldn’t, you need to evaluate what needs her ecosystem isn’t addressing.
Do not attempt to rectify behavior you don’t like through punishment. It won’t be good for you or the cat.
Make Time for Play
Once again, we need to consider a Siamese cat’s personality.
You must provide your Siamese cat with avenues to express her excess energy.
Active, possibly scheduled playtime and toys are essential after having a feline sibling.
Siamese cats are intelligent and active, so you need to provide her with toys she can bite, throw, and roll around with, in addition to puzzle toys that engage her mental energy.
Siamese cats are known to learn how to play fetch just like dogs, so you can train her to do that, which becomes an excellent exercise for her.
Exercise, engagement, and play are key here that you need to consider.
Create a Conducive Siamese Nature-Friendly Ecosystem
Look at it this way: a cat is a gift of nature that wants to live with you.
They have taken their time to evolve from being wild creatures to living in our homes.
All they ask in return is to have an ecosystem where they can express their natural instincts in a controlled manner.
Fail to do so, and you may end up facilitating aggressive patterns.
Which, in simple words, are outbursts of unaddressed needs.
For Siamese cats specifically, you need a lively space with people, pets, kids, occasional strangers, and so forth.
They need places where they can rest, play, climb, scratch their claws, and be able to supervise their environment while soaking up the morning sunshine.
If you can create a space like this, you will find yourself with a joyful, loving, and extremely friendly cat that also has her unique quirks.