Thai

A conversational companion who likes to join in

A Thai rarely stays on the sidelines for long. She may greet someone coming home with her voice and quickly arrive to investigate a bag being unpacked. The international cat federation FIFe describes a sociable, sensitive cat who forms close bonds with people. If you enjoy that attention, she can be an engaging companion. Someone who mainly wants quiet and distance at home should consider this preference for interaction when choosing a breed.

Many Thais enjoy games with people and learning small tasks. You might roll a ball or teach the cat to come to a particular spot when she hears a word. The desired response should be paired with a small reward, and practice should stay brief. Enjoying an activity comes from pleasant experiences. Impatience or rough restraint can put a sensitive cat off joining in.

In a family home, the Thai should also have peace when she wants it. Children should learn to offer a toy and watch how the cat responds. If she walks away or hides, you should let her retreat. A sleeping place where nobody picks her up for a cuddle matters just as much as time for games.

A short coat and healthy teeth

The short, fine coat lies smoothly against the body and has little undercoat. A soft brush or suitable grooming glove about once a week helps remove loose hair. During grooming, you should also look for bald patches, skin changes or unusually intense licking. Shedding seasons may bring more loose hair and a need for additional brief grooming sessions.

Dental care should also be part of the routine. Gradual familiarisation often helps a cat accept brief touches around the mouth and eventually a suitable cat toothbrush. Your veterinary team should demonstrate the technique and recommend appropriate products. Human toothpaste is unsuitable. If the gums are painful, the cause should be assessed before you attempt to brush the teeth.

Preserving the original Siamese type

The Thai descends from the original type of Siamese cat from Thailand. Cats of this type reached Europe in the late nineteenth century. Later, Siamese breeding developed a much slimmer body and a longer head, while other breeders preserved the earlier form. Today's Thai represents that more substantial but still agile type. FIFe recognised the Thai as a separate breed in 2017.

The darker markings are called points. The face, ears, legs and tail contrast with the lighter body. Blue, relatively oval eyes accompany a head that is longer than it is wide, without the very elongated outline of the modern Siamese. The standard describes a medium sized, well muscled cat. A Thai should look agile rather than ponderous.

When meeting a kitten, you should ask about everyday experiences so far. Has the kitten become familiar with household sounds, played willingly with people and had brief introductions to grooming? For an adult Thai, previous experience of time alone and other cats is useful information. In later life, smaller steps should help the cat reach favourite resting places. If jumping, eating or behaviour changes noticeably, an examination should check for pain or illness.

Kitten, adult, senior: care that changes with your cat ↗