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Expert: - 12/23/2010


Question
Hi There,

I am looking into adopting a siamese cat from our local shelter.  I have done some research on the breed and I am curious about how Siamese do alone.  The research shown has different information.  During the week the cat will be alone, but not too long, as we are home from work at a reasonable hour.  We don't go away too much, however occasionally we will go away for a weekend.  Do I need to be concerned about leaving a siamese alone for the occasional Friday to Sunday? (once a month in the summer)

Also, the cat is one-year old.  Since these cats bond strongly to their owners, will a cat at this age still bond well or do you need to get a Siamese as a kitten to ensure that it bonds well with our little family?

I look forward to your response!  Thanks!

Answer
Laurie,

That the cat is one year old may be a good thing.  As an active, very intelligent breed, Siamese kittens can get bored and then they find things to interest themselves, which may not be what the owners anticipated with somewhat disastrous results. Older Siamese while still playful, tend to be a little bit calmer. There are many people who leave their Siamese alone for the periods you are anticipating with no problems at all. If, while you are not home, there is a radio or TV playing constantly, that might be enough for your new charge. If it appears the cat is depressed, not eating, not using the litter pan properly, then you might consider getting him a playmate (i.e. a kitten of any breed). I would give it a couple of months and see how your Siamese does.

Of course, you are always welcome to send me follow up questions at any time.

seasonal regards... Norm  

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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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