Siamese Cat Colours and Points Explained

The moment you see a Siamese cat walk into a room, there’s no mistaking it. That sleek body, those elegant lines, and those beautifully contrasting dark “points” on the face, ears, legs, and tail — it’s a look that’s captured hearts for centuries. But did you know that Siamese cats don’t just come in seal or blue? There’s a whole palette of point colours officially recognised here in the UK.

As a breeder and judge who’s spent more than two decades with these cats, I’ve seen every shade of Siamese elegance across the show bench. Whether you’re thinking of adding a Siamese to your family or just want to understand what sets the colours apart, this guide will walk you through it — with a few personal stories along the way.

What Are Point Colours?

The defining feature of a Siamese cat is the contrast between their pale body and their darker extremities — known as “points.” These points appear on the ears, face, paws, and tail, and they’re not just for show. They’re the result of a temperature-sensitive enzyme that affects the production of pigment.

Siamese kittens are born white because the warmth of the womb prevents any colour from developing. Once they’re out in the world and exposed to cooler air, the pigment starts forming on the coolest parts of the body first — the extremities.

It’s one of those little quirks of genetics that never stops fascinating me. I’ve watched countless litters develop their points over the first few weeks, and it still feels a bit magical every time.

The Classic Four Siamese Colours

Most people know about the four traditional Siamese colours. These are often the ones featured in films, books, and artwork — and they remain incredibly popular.

Seal Point

The most iconic Siamese. Seal points have very dark brown, almost black points, and a warm fawn or cream-coloured body. Their contrast is strong, but many seals darken overall with age, often ending up a rich coffee colour across much of the coat.

One of my first Siamese queens, Blossom, was a seal point with the sort of dark, brooding glamour you’d expect from a classic film star. She had attitude to match, too.

Blue Point

Cool and silvery, blue points have soft greyish-blue points and a pale bluish-white body. Their overall look is more delicate than the seal, and they tend to keep their contrast more clearly defined with age.

Blue points are often described as “softer” in both looks and temperament. Whether or not that’s true, I’ll leave to their owners to argue!

Chocolate Point

These cats have a warm milk-chocolate tone to their points and a creamier, lighter body. They often stay paler overall than seals. Their points are warmer in tone, and their noses and paw pads are a pinkish-brown rather than black.

Chocolate point kittens can be tricky to tell apart from seals when they’re very young, and I’ve had more than one surprise as the colour developed.

Lilac Point

The lightest of them all. Lilac points have frosty grey-pink points and a magnolia body. It’s a very subtle colour — especially when they’re young — but it gives a stunning porcelain effect.

They’re sometimes mistaken for blues, but lilacs have a lighter, almost lavender tone and pinker paw pads.

Do Siamese Cats Come in Other Colours?

Absolutely — and under GCCF standards, they are fully recognised and shown as Siamese. Beyond the traditional four, you’ll also find:

• Red points: striking warm reddish-orange points with creamy white bodies.
• Cream points: softer and paler than reds, with gentle pastel tones.
• Apricot points: a warmer, slightly darker version of cream, with a subtle glow.
• Caramel points: these can appear greyish or bluish brown, with a metallic sheen.
• Tortie points: a mix of red or cream with one of the base colours, producing mottled or patched points.
• Tabby points: stripes on the mask, legs, and tail — they come in all colour varieties and add a beautiful wild look.

As a judge, I’ve awarded certificates to many red and tortie-point Siamese — and let me tell you, a seal tortie queen is a force to be reckoned with and I often describe them as being full of tortietude! 

These aren’t Oriental or cross breed cats — they are fully recognised Siamese under the GCCF. Each colour and pattern adds its own charm, and the diversity in the breed is part of what makes showing Siamese such a delight.

Can Colour Affect Personality?

I get asked this a lot — usually something like, “Are blue points more chilled?” or “Do torties have more attitude?”

While some breeders and owners swear they see differences, there’s no scientific link between colour and temperament. That said, in my experience, tortie girls do seem to carry a little extra sass, and seal boys are often big softies underneath all that drama.

It’s far more about genetics, upbringing, and socialisation than the shade of their points.

Do Siamese Cats Change Colour as They Age?

Yes — and it’s one of the more interesting things about this breed. As Siamese cats get older, their bodies often darken. Seal and chocolate points in particular can become quite shaded across the back and flanks, especially in colder months.

I had one lovely seal boy who went from cream and dark brown at six months to almost fully brown by the age of ten. The pigment production increases slightly as the cat’s body temperature cools with age or in winter, leading to deeper shading.

This change doesn’t affect show eligibility — judges are trained to assess contrast based on age and condition.

Final Thoughts: What Colours do Siamese Cats Come in?

From the inky seals to the frosted lilacs, and from the vibrant reds to the sassy torties, Siamese cats wear their colours with pride — and with plenty of personality to back it up.

As a breeder and judge, I’ve had the joy of seeing all these shades up close, both in my own home and on the show bench. And no matter the colour, every Siamese cat brings the same elegance, curiosity, and dramatic flair to the table.

Whichever point colour catches your eye, you’ll find that it’s just the start of the story. The real magic lies in the spirit behind the eyes.