These gorgeous felines go by many names. Some call it a Red Point Siamese, Fire Tip Siamese, or Red Lynx Point Siamese. Whichever name you call it, many agree that the Flame Point Siamese cat is a beautiful and rare breed.
This pretty kitty results from breeding a Siamese and an American Tabby Shorthair cat. Its white or cream body and red-pointed nose, paws, ears (hot or not), and tail are easily recognizable. But, what else do you know about this uniquely colored cat?
The Flame Point cat is one of the world’s most expensive cat breeds. Not only because they can be a rare breed to find, but also because they are in high demand. While they may have a fiery exterior, they are lovable and intelligent companions.
If you’re thinking of getting a Flame Point Siamese cat, read these fascinating facts below to see if this popular pussy is a good fit for your home.
You might enjoy my articles on Siamese Cat Colors, Lynx Point Siamese Cats, Lilac Point Siamese Cats, Chocolate Point Siamese Cats, Cinnamon Siamese Cats, Tortoiseshell Siamese Cats, Silver Point Siamese Cats and Striped Siamese Cats.
Contents
History of the Flame Point Cat & their Claim to Flame
Siamese cats are a domestic breed that originated in Thailand. Their name comes from the country which, up until 1939, was officially named Siam.
There are many more Siamese cat colors than the classic two-toned brown and cream we’re used to seeing in the media. There are a few rare colors, like the fiery Flame Point’s red hair.
These ginger-nosed felines were first bred in the UK in the 1930s. It took a few experiments to get the true red-pointed nose, paws, ears, and tail to maintain in the breed. The findings concluded that you must mix a true-bred Siamese cat and a ginger American Shorthair Tabby for optimal color vibrance.
As a result, finding a purebred Flame Point Siamese (just one type of Siamese out of 17) can be tricky, making the breed quite rare.
Are Flame Point Siamese Cats Rare?
While a Flame Point Siamese isn’t the rarest domesticated cat globally (that award goes to the Sokoke cat), it is still relatively rare and therefore fun to name, especially ginger-related names. What’s even rarer is finding a female Flame Point Siamese. The majority of Flame Points found today are male, with only about a quarter of them being female.
In 1906, the Cat Fanciers’ Association declared Siamese cats as an independent breed. However, there isn’t any formal recognition for Siamese variations with different color coats like the Flame Point Siamese.
This, added to the fact that often their colors don’t start to show until the kittens are a bit older, makes it even more tricky to recognize them. If you manage to buy from a trusted breeder that gives good evidence of parentage, chances are you’ll be paying a hefty fee for one of these rare cats.
The Flame Point Siamese Price
By now, you know that a purebred Flame Point Siamese is quite rare to find. With rarity comes prosperity (to breeders) because this breed is quite expensive. You can expect to pay anything from $400 to $2000.
Prices vary depending on the area you’re buying from, the breeder, the cat’s age, and their ancestry. Adopting instead of shopping might be tempting for a lower price, but you can’t be sure of what you’re getting.
If you prefer to buy, then t would be better to choose an area with lots of breeders that produce high-quality kittens to ensure good health. That way, you know what you’re paying for while keeping the costs down on potentially expensive illnesses down the road as well as ensuring a happier life for your kitty.
A Flame Point Siamese’s Lifespan
How long does this Red Point cat live, you might wonder? For a Siamese cat, a 20-year lifespan is not uncommon. The average lifespan of the Flame Point Siamese is about the same at 15 years once fully grown. However, they can live for a few years longer than that with proper care.
Of course, there are a few health conditions that could shorten your cat’s lifespan or make its life a bit more challenging.
Flame Point Siamese Health Issues
While a Flame Point Siamese is a mixed breed, some of the most common health issues in the breed are hereditary from its Siamese parent. If you spot any symptoms of these health conditions, taking your pet to the vet for a checkup is best.
1. Arthritis
Arthritis in cats is quite common and won’t shorten your cat’s life. It does, however, affect your pet’s quality of life as they’ll have joint pain and may move uncomfortably. Usually, older cats get it over time, but younger cats can develop it too. Unfortunately, there is no cure, but treatments to manage pain are available.
Cats with arthritis might have difficulty walking or getting up or down. You might also notice that their joints may be swollen or stiff. While the illness is treatable, you can avoid it by helping your cat with regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight.
2. Hip Dysplasia
Siamese cats have a predisposition to hip dysplasia. Much like arthritis, this condition has to do with irregularities in the joints. However, this joint pain is targeted to the hip joints and happens in the developmental stage. Over time this can become painful and cause arthritis, but luckily it is treatable.
As a pet owner, you can often help your pet by changing its environment, diet, or lifestyle. A vet might also prescribe medical and physical therapy. In severe cases, surgery might be necessary, like a total hip replacement. Even then, your Flame Point should recover fine, and be able to live a happy life.
3. Retinal Atrophy
Retinal degeneration in your Flame Point cat is a strong possibility. This condition leads to your cat’s retinas degenerating, which can eventually cause blindness. A common telltale symptom of this condition is when your cat becomes disoriented or starts bumping into things.
You can spot the earliest signs of this retinal condition in Flame Point Siamese kittens as early as one and a half years old. After this, progression speeds up quite fast and within three to four years, complete blindness has taken over. Unfortunately, there is no cure or treatment available, so regular checkups are essential.
4. Pica
Pica is probably the oddest condition to expect from your Flame Point Siamese. Cats with pica will often eat or lick strange things like plastic, woollen garments, and cardboard.
While the definitive cause is still unknown, speculation is that it could be several issues that often develop when kittens are just three months old. Luckily, most kittens grow out of the bizarre habit by one or two years of age.
Sadly, with this condition, cats are eating things that aren’t edible, so they won’t always sit well in their stomachs. Common symptoms are thus vomiting, diarrhoea, oral ulcers, and a decreased appetite.
Pica can be because of a compulsive disorder, stress, or boredom. If that’s the case, a puzzle feeder or other interactive toys might help keep them occupied.
Their Vibrant Coat Changes Shades of Red
Besides a Flame Point Siamese’s red-pointed nose, paws, ears, and tail contrasted against their pale white or cream body, there is something else quite remarkable about their coats. The red splashes of color can sometimes change in vibrancy.
At birth, these adorable Flame Point kittens look like any Chocolate Point Siamese cat. It is only around two years of age that their proper red tint will be at its most vibrant. Even then, their color vibrancy will fluctuate between seasons. Their red hair will fade slightly in summer, and the color will pop again in winter.
They Have an Easy Grooming Schedule
Cats love grooming themselves. Compared to most creatures in the animal kingdom, their grooming habits are impeccable. But that doesn’t mean they don’t sometimes need a little grooming help.
Flame Point Siamese are short-haired cats, which means they need very little grooming compared to long-haired cats. Although they are not hypoallergenic, they don’t shed very often, making them an excellent option for people with mild allergies. A daily brush or go-over with a grooming glove should be enough and help lessen shedding.
Surprisingly, Siamese cats are known for being one of the few cats that like water. While they lick themselves clean, your feline could still benefit from a bath every few weeks. It will help lessen oils on their skin and prevent their skin from drying out over time.
The Flame Point Siamese Personality
While most cats would instead be left alone to their cat nap, a Flame Siamese is very much the opposite. Like other Siamese cat personalities, the Flame Point is a social, friendly cat, and extroverted — even though some Siamese cats are considered mean.
They love attention and interaction and will follow you wherever you go in the house. Expect a few cuddles or them jumping into your arms to greet you after a long day. These cats are great with other animals and children because they are adventurous and love interactive play.
They can get quite lonely when left alone for a few hours. So if you have a busy schedule, this breed might not be for you unless you’re willing to get another furball to keep them company.
You might enjoy reading more of my articles on Siamese Cats: Siamese Cat Personality, Types of Siamese Cats, Siamese Cats, Are Siamese Cats good mousers?, Why do Siamese Cats meow so much?, When do Siamese cats stop growing, Siamese Munchkin Cat, Are Siamese Cats mean?, Do Siamese Cats shed?, Do Siamese Cats fur change color?, How big do Siamese Cats get?, Why does my Siamese Cat attack me?, Siamese Cats in Heat, Signs my cat is a Siamse Mix and Male vs Female Siamese Cats.
They are Balls of Energy
Flame Point Siamese have so much energy and are constantly on the go to their next adventure. This breed is the definition of a curious cat and loves exploring both inside and outside the house.
While a male Flame Tip Siamese cat might love a nap or two during the day, female Flame Point Siamese cats are much more energetic and active. Male Flame Points are more commonly available, but that doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy a daily high-energy, active play and exercise session to burn some energy off.
Spend about 10 to 15 minutes a day playing together to burn some energy and also bond with your very social feline friend. You don’t need a big house or backyard to play in. You can place some boxes around the house to create an obstacle course or just get an interactive toy to challenge your pet.
They are Chatty Catties
If you’re unprepared for it, you might not realize that meowing a lot is one of the Flame Point Siamese characteristics. They’re a very chatty cat, so you can expect more than a few meows here and there. This talkative cat will purr (some cats won’t purr!), chirp, and trill your ears off some days.
This communication tactic may be a way to fulfill companionship or convey their needs to their caretakers. Again, blame it on the breed’s parents, the Siamese and American Tabby, for its very social personality. The most talkative cat breeds award often goes to Siamese cats.
Flame Point cats are a very social and intelligent breed, so maybe they’re just trying to tell you about their day.
Siamese Flame Points are very Clever Cats
A Flame Point is a triple threat. A beautiful coat, a rare breed often sought after, and intelligent. They’ve got the total package.
These intelligent cats love solving puzzles and playing interactive games. They are also easy to train and can learn tricks quickly, especially when positive reinforcements like tasty treats are involved.
However, their high intelligence also means that they need constant stimulation. All that pent-up energy and boredom will have any cat acting out and might make them do silly things like biting your feet.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flame Point Siamese Cat
1. How much do Flame Point Siamese Cats cost?
Expect to pay between USD$400-600 for a Flamepoint Siamese Cat on average. Prices for this beauty can go as high as USD$2000.
2. Why are Flame Point Siamese Cats aggressive?
Siamese cats are generally quite friendly. However, they may act aggressively if they feel jealous or their routine is interrupted.
3. Why are Flame Point Siamese Cats Cross-eyed?
If a Siamese cat’s eyes pointed straight ahead, its retinas would look in different directions, sending a confused message to the brain. A Siamese cat looks cross-eyed by turning its eyes in, but its retinas are now lined up like a normal cat’s, sending the brain a clearer picture.
Final Thoughts on the Flame Point Siamese
Flame Point Siamese wear many shades of red depending on the weather and season. One thing that doesn’t change is their warm personality and bubbly energy. This rare breed is also very intelligent, requiring constant mental and physical stimulation.
Unlike other cats, this indoor cat breed loves channeling that energy to the people around it. It is very social and cuddly, and you’ll sometimes find it following you around the house, or meowing through the night.
It is a perfect family cat breed. While you might pay a hefty fee to get your hands on a purebred Flame Point Siamese, it will be worth it to look at all the interesting facts about this red-and-white ball of fun.
This flame point siamese post contains affiliate links. That means if you click through and make a purchase I will most likely receive a small commission. This won’t affect the price you pay. Just wanted to make sure you knew.
Amanda created and owns The Discerning Cat. A lifelong cat lover she is the proud parent of two Siberian cats, Alexei and Vladimir. She is passionate about understanding cats and different cat breeds.