Do Siamese Cats Need a Lot of Attention? A New Owner’s Guide


In my many years of learning and writing about Siamese kitties, the question I probably get the most is “Do Siamese cats need a lot of attention?” 

While the reasoning behind it may run a little deeper than you expect, my usual reply is somewhere along the lines of “Do two-year-olds need a lot of attention?”

It’s no secret that Siamese cats are very demanding about several things – attention being at the top of that list. While some people deem this behavior as downright clingy, I personally prefer to view it as one of their many lovable traits. 

These felines very rarely like to be alone, so that’s something you should take into consideration before you bring your new roommate home. A lack of attention can cause a Siamese to become destructive, and worse yet, depressed. 

No one likes a sad kitty. 

If you’re a new pet parent and you’re struggling with the demands of your Siamese, or you’re simply trying to figure out if they’re the right pet for you: you’ve come to the right place. 

In this article, we’re going to go over everything you need to know about a Siamese and their personality, as well as the things you can do to ensure they’re always happy, healthy, and thriving.

Let’s dive right in! 


Are Siamese cats clingy?

Define “clingy.” 

Okay, okay. As much as I am a huge lover and advocate for Siamese kitties, I have to admit that sometimes they can be clingy beyond comparison. 

However, how you choose to view these actions is entirely up to you. Siamese cats love love. And they love you. Therefore, they’ll do anything they can to ensure they’re the center of attention 99.9% of the time. 

That means they’ll want to be with you when you’re sleeping. They’ll want to be with you when you’re in the shower, and most importantly, they’ll want to be on the other side of the door if you ever decide to close it on them.

You can either see this behavior as:

  1. Clingy and downright irritating
  2. A sign that they love you and simply want to be with you

Of course, everything is fine in moderation. While your Siamese craves companionship and interaction, it should never be to the point of takeover. 

What I mean by this, is an incredibly clingy feline is usually the sign that something bigger is at play. Their clinginess should never be their entire personality.


Is my Siamese getting enough attention?

A Siamese who gets enough attention will:

  • Love to play 
  • Want to sit with you while watching tv 
  • Have little conversations with you throughout the day
  • Be happy watching you from afar (as long as they’re in the same room)
  • Chill out at the window or in their favorite spot for some downtime
  • Eat and drink well 
  • Sleep the right amount 
  • Be friendly with other family members 

A Siamese who is feeling neglected or anxious will:

  • Want to be with you all hours of the day
  • Be a lot more vocal than usual, to the point it may sound distressing
  • Sleep too often 
  • Over-groom
  • Show signs of destructive behavior (e.g, scratching your furniture, breaking things around the house)
  • Show signs of aggressive and antisocial behavior

These signs are quite literally a cry for help. Destructive behavior and loud vocalization are just a way to communicate “Hey, I’m not getting enough attention, please do something about it.”

How do I fix it I hear you ask? Well, it’s rather simple. Providing your Siamese with enough interaction and stimulation, both physical and mental, will ensure they’re always feeling loved. 

This involves lots of cuddles, simple acknowledgment, and playing with them for at least 1 hour a day. 

Siamese cats are incredibly energetic, so they need an outlet for all that bubbling chaos. 


What is my Siamese’s love language?

The first few months of owning a pet are definitely the toughest. While you can search tons and tons of articles online, reading about the best ways to make your kitty feel at home – it’s easy to forget that all cats are different. 

Just like us, felines have their own personality. That’s what makes them so lovable and unique! However, that is also what makes it difficult for us to figure out what they like and what they need. 

Let me share with you my experience and you’ll see exactly what I mean. 

I’ve owned quite a few Siamese kitties in my time, so it’s safe to say I’m confident knowing how to provide for them. All of my Siamese cats in the past spoke the same love language. 

They’d love to cuddle up to me when I sat down to watch tv, settle on my lap when I was at the computer, and ask for pets when I climbed into bed. 

However, when I was busy, or say, in an online meeting, they knew they weren’t going to get what they wanted right now. So, they’d happily go sleep in their cat tower or go look out the window to pass some time. 

So you can imagine my surprise when I brought home a Siamese who didn’t want any of that. He didn’t really enjoy cuddles all too much. He’d sometimes curl up next to me on the sofa, but very rarely wanted to be on my lap. 

However, he would scream the house down as if to say “I need something!” but for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what. 

When I was sitting at the computer, he’d sit next to my chair and cry at me. When I picked him up and placed him on my lap, he’d jump down and start crying again. 

If I ever shut him out of the room to have a meeting, he’d scream and cry until I let him in again. 

I tried many things: playing with him until he was tired, making sure he always had my other Siamese for company and buying him the fluffiest bed you can imagine. 

That’s when I realized, all he wanted was to simply feel included. He wasn’t interested in sitting on my lap or getting lots of cuddles, he just wanted to be with me and feel part of the family. 

When we shut him out of a room, he became incredibly stressed, so I stopped doing that. When I was working, I placed his cat bed on my desk and he happily sat there for hours, sleeping or quietly watching me work. 

So, if you’re like me, and you feel like you’ve tried everything, keep trying. Siamese cats are very demanding, yet their demands are very simple and easy to achieve. 

They just want to feel included!


How can I show my Siamese love?

Once you’ve cracked the code and figured out your kitty’s love language, it’s time to put that into action. 

Siamese cats show us, love, via vocalization and cuddles. But how do we show it back? 

Check out the following ways you can reciprocate that love:

  1. Siamese Cats Love A Cuddle

Maybe “a” wouldn’t be the correct word to use in this sentence. Siamese cats love cuddles – and lots of them. 

Due to their overly affectionate nature, these felines will express their love with lots of cuddling and physical touch.

If you don’t like cuddling, you probably shouldn’t get a Siamese. They crave this physical connection so much that if they don’t get it, they may turn to destructive habits in order to get your attention. 

Typically, you’ll be able to find your Siamese curled up to you on the couch or itching to get into bed with you. As I mentioned before, even if they don’t want to be on you, they’ll want to be with you. 

If you’ve ever wondered why kitties spend so much time head-butting you or getting under your feet, they’re basically doing it to mark their territory. 

Cats have these special pheromones in their cheeks that tell other kitties they’re friendly. Although we can’t feel them, they think we can. So, they’re rubbing all over you in an attempt to mark you with their scent. 

So, when they give you a little nudge, give them a little nudge back.

If you’re in the mood for some cuddles, try pointing your finger at their nose level. Once they see this, they’ll know it’s cuddle time. This little trick works with all cats, you try it out even if you don’t have a Siamese. 

If your Siamese shows you their belly, not only do they trust you, this typically means they want a little rub. Belly rubs are a huge sign of affection in a Siamese’s world. 

  1. Siamese Cats Love Playtime

If you look up the word ‘energy’ in a dictionary, chances are you’ll find a picture of a Siamese cat. If you combine that with a love for playing, and love for you, you may have their favorite thing in the world:

Playing with you!

Playtime is a great way to stimulate their natural instincts. They get all that bubbling energy out and they’ll get some exercise while they’re at it. The icing on the cake has to be that it is also a fantastic way to bond with their owners. 

If you don’t have a spare 30 – 40 minutes in your day – it’s time to make some. Use this time to play with your Siamese, whether that be with lasers, balls, toys, and other interactive items.

You may have already noticed that Siamese kitties are extremely intelligent. Therefore, if you want to teach them a few tricks, you can do just that. 

It’s also not uncommon for them to learn how to walk outside on a lead.

No matter how you choose to spend time with your kitty, they’ll love you endlessly for it.  


How can I calm my Siamese?

Sometimes, Siamese kitties can be too much. Even if we’re giving them everything they need, you may need some outside help in order to help calm their clinginess or “crazy” nature.

Thankfully, there are tons of natural and safe products on the market. These will not only help your Siamese chillax, but they’ll also help ease some anxiety as they settle into a new environment. 

Sprays and diffusers are a great way to help both you and your feline out. These diffusers contain the same pheromones found in your cats’ cheeks – you know, the “I’m friendly” ones? They’ll indicate to your kitty that they’re safe and loved. 

It’ll also help with their need for attention if you leave your scent around the house. This way, they’ll always smell you and feel safe even if you’re not there. 

Of course, you should always consult your vet and ensure the product you’re buying is indeed safe to use. Lots of cheap products on the market don’t actually care about your kitty’s health, so lots of unhealthy chemicals go into them. 

Furthermore, if you’re having a hard time getting your Siamese to relax or calm down, it may be time for a check-up. Restlessness and “crazy” behavior can often be signs that something bigger is at play. 


When should I give my Siamese some space?

By now, you probably realize what you’re in for when adopting a Siamese. They’ll take up a huge part of your time, but they’ll also take up a huge part of your heart. 

Although these felines love a good cuddle, just like all creatures, they also need space. This is especially true if your Siamese is new to their environment and they’re still settling in. 

Likewise, if you’re still in the early stages of forming a bond with your Siamese, you need to learn when to take a step back. If you push your Siamese too far when they’re not ready to interact, you risk losing your progress. 

The signs your Siamese needs so space includes:

  • Twitching their tail 
  • Flattened ears
  • Dilated pupils 
  • Purring 

Bare with me on that last one, I haven’t lost my mind! When dogs wag their tail, it doesn’t always mean they’re happy. They could be upset or scared. Well, it’s the same for a Siamese.

Purring can be used as a self-soothing method. So, if they’re purring but also have flattened ears or their tail is twitching, it’s best to back off and come back when they’re ready.

If you practice the methods I mentioned above, your Siamese will be trusting you in no time. Try getting them to say no when they’re fully bonded with you!

The Bottom Line

Siamese cats are more demanding than other breeds: true.

Siamese cats are difficult and hard to please: false. 

To ensure your Siamese is always happy, all you have to do is show them enough love and attention, whether that be through playing, cuddles, or simply letting them be a part of your routine. 

Remember that all cats are different, so it’s just the task of finding out what makes your particular Siamese tick. 


Want to immerse yourself more in the captivating world of Siamese cats? I’ve got all the information you need from their distinct color points to their fun personalities: Siamese Cats: Unique Features and Personality

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Katerina Gasset

Katerina Gasset is a seasoned Siamese cat breeder with a passion that spans over 18 years. Her love for these distinctive felines has not only led her to breed them, but also to dedicate herself to the rescue and wellbeing of the Siamese breed. Currently, she is the proud owner of two charismatic Siamese cats named Batman and Robyn, whose antics and unique personalities often inspire her work. As a well-established author and blogger, Katerina leverages her extensive knowledge of Siamese cats in her writings. She is the sole creator and owner of SiameseKittyKat.com, a comprehensive online platform that serves as a repository of practical advice and fascinating insights into the world of Siamese cats. Through her enlightening articles, she assists countless cat owners in better understanding and taking care of their Siamese companions. More than a breeder, Katerina is an advocate for the breed. Her commitment goes beyond mere appreciation; she is dedicated to educating others on the complexities and joys of living with Siamese cats, sharing her wisdom with a community of fellow Siamese cat lovers worldwide. Whether you're a seasoned Siamese cat owner or just beginning your journey, Katerina's informative and engaging content is a valuable resource.

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