Expert: Jessica - 10/13/2009

Question
Hi Jessica,

 My spouse and I are considering adopting a 9 month old siamese cat. We are slightly concerned about Siamese cat's need for attention as we both work and the cat will be alone for about 8 hours a day. Also, we go out of town each year for about 2 weeks and will have to leave the cat with a friend or have someone come by our house every couple of days to check on him. Do you think that this will be difficult for a Siamese cat? Also, I understand that they can be quite noisy. How much truth is there to this?

Thank you

Answer
Hi Ed.  There is quite a bit of truth to this.  Siamese can vary as individuals just as much as people can.  However, there absolutely is the predisposition of this breed to be noisy.  Siamese enjoy talking and crave for their humans to talk back.  They also will want to be in the same room with you wherever you go - prepare to sleep with a Siamese!  And as a general rule, Siamese do best with a kitty companion if their owners will spend much time away from home.  If you would consider adopting a second cat with this kitty, I don't think you'll have any problems out of this one.  My Siamese have often been left alone for 8 hours a day and tolerated a couple of vacations each year without any behavioral problems, as long as they had a companion.  When I had a Siamese as an only pet, he would cry at the door from the time I left for work until the time I came home.  I would recommend that when you need to leave town, try to leave the cat at home rather than bringing him to a friend's house.  Siamese can be almost as attached to their homes as they are attached to their owners.  Leaving out a worn, unwashed t-shirt can help comfort him during your absence, as your scent will provide him with some security.