What Is An Applehead Siamese Cat?

Applehead Siamese Cat

Siamese cats are one of the most recognizable and popular breeds globally, but did you know that there are up to ten different types of this beautiful breed?

The Applehead Siamese cat is also known as the Traditional Siamese Cat and was initially transported from Siam, modern-day Thailand, and was very popular from the ‘50s to the ‘70s. The Applehead is a large breed of Siamese cat with a muscular body and rounded face.

Continue reading to discover the defining traits and characteristics of the Applehead Siamese cat; plus, learn how they got their name and the best ways to take care of this breed.

What Are Applehead Siamese Cats?

The Applehead Siamese cat is the traditional cat of the breed imported initially from Siam (modern-day Thailand). This breed is comparatively larger than both the modern and classic Siamese cat.

The International Cat Association registers this cat as the Thai Breed, thanks to the close resemblance of their ancestors. 

Aren’t these Applehead Siamese kittens just adorable?

Applehead Siamese Cat Characteristics

Height range10-12 inches
Weight range6 -18 pounds
Life Expectancy10-15 years
TemperamentLoyalAffectionatePlayful
IntelligenceHigh
Good withFamiliesChildren
Shedding AmountLow-Moderate
Coat LengthShort
Coat ColorsCreamy white
Coat PatternsRange of color points

Where did the Applehead Siamese Cat originate?

The Applehead Siamese Cat originated from Siam, which is the country we now call Thailand. According to historical documents, the history of the Siamese cat extends as far back as 1350AD when this breed was the original cat to the royal family of Siam.

In ancient times, these cats received high respect from humans who thought they possessed wisdom and mystic powers. If a royal family member were to die, a Siamese cat was chosen to obtain that person’s soul.

Thanks to their popularity, these cats began to be exported to the West during the 19th century, where they quickly garnered attention for their exotic looks and loyal nature.

Physical characteristics of an Applehead Siamese

The body of an Applehead Siamese cat is muscular, dense, and round, and a traditional male can weigh up to 18 pounds. The head of this breed is a rounded “apple” shape, while the eyes are also slightly rounder when compared to the average Siamese cat.

The Applehead Siamese Cat has long legs and tail, though the tail is shorter than the modern and classic types. Their hair is short and silky, with a thin undercoat that is easy to maintain with a weekly brush.

Applehead Siamese cat lying down
Applehead Siamese cats can be recognized by their round Apple-shaped head

What do Applehead Siamese Cats look like at birth?

At birth, all Siamese kittens are snowy white; it’s not until they begin to mature that their color points can develop.

Siamese cats develop their pointed coats thanks to the “Himalayan Gene,” a mutation that causes warmer parts of the body to experience partial albinism. Their entire bodies are kept warm in the womb, so they stay white, but once exposed to the world, their extremities or “points” cool down and develop pigmentation.

Applehead Siamese Cat personality traits

The Applehead Siamese cat is most similar to the ancient cats of Siam in both looks and personality. This is because the modern Siamese cats of today have been highly influenced by breeding in the West.

Applehead Siamese cats are a playful and intelligent breed who love to perform for their owners to gain attention. They thrive on human companionship and can quickly become depressed if left alone for too long.

Their curious nature means they want to know about everything and everybody; when they’re not sitting on your lap, they’ll love interacting with children or cat-friendly pets (including dogs). Thanks to their intelligence, they love solving puzzle toys; they are active but less vocal than their modern counterparts.

Thanks to their intelligence and affection towards humans, the Applehead Siamese is a reasonably easy breed to train, and they will adapt to walking on a leash.

Common health issues

The Applehead Siamese cat is considered by most to be a healthy breed. This breed can live more than 20 years, which is longer than the modern Siamese and longer than the average lifespan of many cat species.

This breed does not carry the same genetic mutations as other breeds that lead it to develop specific health conditions, though it is susceptible to some illnesses, including:

  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Lens luxation
  • Bronchial disease
  • Asthma
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • Liver issues
  • Pancreatitis
  • Cancer
applehead siamese cat sitting on table
Applehead Siamese cats are generally strong and healthy and can live as long as 20 years

How to care for an Applehead Siamese cat?

Applehead Siamese cats make the perfect pet if you’re looking for a friendly, loyal, and affectionate cat. But before you commit to providing a forever home to one of these felines, you need to ensure that you’re ready for the responsibility.

A critical factor in the care of an Applehead Siamese cat lies in ensuring that you can provide them with plenty of attention. This breed thrives on companionship and will not fare so well if you leave it alone all day as you head out to work and other commitments.

It’s best to house this breed with a family or in a home where at least one person is often present. They are talkative creatures, so you’ll need to prepare to have your ear chewed off as they talk to you about everything from the bird perched on the roof to the sound of the rain against your window.

Thanks to their energetic lifestyles, you’ll want to feed your Applehead with a quality range of high-protein foods. Look for products that list real meat as their primary ingredient and limit the number of fillers and artificial additives.

You can keep an Applehead Siamese as an indoor cat. Still, you’ll need to provide plenty of enrichment, such as vertical climbing towers and trees, plus an array of toys, to satisfy their curiosity and energetic personalities.

Do they make good pets?

Thanks to its loving and friendly nature, the Applehead Siamese cat makes an excellent pet. In addition, their intelligence and beauty make them a joy to be around. When you dedicate love and time to an Applehead Siamese, they will reward you with loyalty, companionship, love, affection, and plenty of entertainment.

Our final thoughts.

The heavy, muscular body and rounded face of the Applehead Siamese mean that this type more closely resembles its ancestors than the more angular, modern-day Siamese cat. With a friendly, outgoing, and loyal personality, the Applehead Siamese makes the perfect pet for any owner willing to invest in them.

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References

Applehead Siamese Cats – What Are They? | Siameseofday

Applehead Siamese Cat: Info, Traits, Facts & Pictures – Excited Cats

Applehead Siamese Cats – Breed Facts, Personality & More! – FAQcats.com

Tom Alexander is a life-long cat parent and enjoys sharing a home with his cat Max and his family. Being a devoted cat person, his passion for everything feline and blogging is the driving force behind catnfriends.com. As the founder and editor at Cat & Friends, Tom aims to provide an interesting and great resource for cat owners.

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