Siamese is silent

Hi all, Glad to find this site cuz I'm really stymied. In Nov/2014, I got 16- month female red point from Siamese Rescue Assn. She's extremely anxious/shy but, at last, she gets on my bed at night to be petted. It's the only time I can touch her. She spends the rest of the time behind my bed, altho there are cat beds, posts, and toys. I've never heard a single sound from her, which amazes me. She's my 4th Siamese and the others talked lots. Sure will appreciate your advice. Thanks

my adult cat is little bit anxious too, just sit on your bed or floor and offer treats, using a soft sweet consistent voice, let her to learn to trusts you, maybe once she learns to trusts you and feel comfortable around you, maybe she will become talkative? 

Have just been doing that. She loves the treats and I can see how it takes courage for her to come for them. As soon as she snatches the treat, she takes off like a rocket....sigh. Thanks for your help. Hope your cat relaxes soon.

Welcome to The Cat Site, neve! It sounds like you're doing many of the same things we did when we adopted two Siamese mixes in December 2013... they were also very, very shy rescue cats, littermates from a "too many cats" situation. It took them a long time to get very social with us, though they did start sleeping on (and in!) the bed early.

I think it's a good sign that your cat actually gets on the bed to be petted. And that she'll take the treats. It took a lot of quiet and slow-motion time, often sitting on the floor, with our cats but both of them will now occasionally be held and/or lie in laps. They are generally pretty friendly now, though loud noises, sneezes (!), and even sometimes quick movements bother them. One of them hides when people come over, though the other likes to make the rounds for attention. They purr a lot and the shier cat loves to chest bump us around our knees. They're really wonderful cats.

As for talking, the cats were nearly silent for the first six or so months we had them but having been gradually getting chattier. We'd never had a Siamese before but our previous cat was so exceptionally talkative that not much could compare!

How wonderful of you to take time for this answer. Your info is encouraging, in that you've had the same experience I'm now having. It's a little discouraging to know that, after a year, your cats still are spooked by noises/sneezes and that it was six months before they talked. However, it's good to know their progress. Hopefully, mine will follow suit. I don't hear her purring when I pet her, but I can feel the vibrations in her body. Had a set-back last week when I had carpet cleaned. She "raced" from hiding place to hiding place to stay away from the noisy machine. Now, she doesn't come to me when I put out my hand and she runs at my slightest movement. So, seems we're back to first base. She really seems like a sweet cat and I so long to hold her...sigh. I've always loved Siamese (she's my 4th).Many, many thanks for your input; it truly has helped me know this isn't a losing battle. 

I probably should have mentioned, @neve, that we are very loud sneezers! (Alas, that is not a joke! ) And the odd thing is that the cats tolerate certain loud machinery -- like the paper shredder and a pneumatic hammer -- better than, say, a book falling or a loud sneeze. It's all rather irrational. Than again, cats...

Our cats aren't big on being held, either, but they have grown into very nice lap cats. And they love to roll around and have their bellies rubbed. And to get in under blankets for tents. I should have mentioned those things before, too! They've really developed into great cats and they're very affectionate, on their own terms, though their terms are getting looser and looser. I bet your cat will ease up, too. Do you have a photo that you can post? I'd love to see her!

;>) My sneezes, too! And, yes, cats are a tad irrational (so say  humans) but that's part of the charm, right? I'd love for her to become a lap cat. Seems she's more social in the dark - easier to pet her in bed when lights are out...go figure. Anyway, last night, she wanted tummy rubbed, and even liked it when I rubbed her paws. Do believe she has great potential - I'm just impatient.... Here's photo I fell in love with; she's bigger now and her points are more pronounced - more orange than red. I'm surprised her body has orange markings, too. Haven't been able to get pix of her; this one was taken by her foster mom before I got her. She loves treats and, apparently, she was asking for more...  BTW, her name is Neve (meaning snow, I'm told); I'm elaine. Thanks so much. 

Just realized that your avatar is photo of your cats! Sooooo pretty!  /e

Neve is a beautiful cat, Elaine! She has such an expressive face! And she looks very wise. Yes, our cats' points have darkened significantly, too. My avatar photo is from right after we adopted them: they're about twice that size now, too. (They were both around 4 pounds then, tiny for their age because they'd been underfed.) Ireland is the lynx mix and Edwina is the snowshoe.

That's sweet that Neve likes you to rub her tummy and her paws: I wish our cats weren't so sensitive about their paws, so it was easier to trim their claws! I'd love to hear more about how Neve does over time. I know all too well how difficult it can be to be patient -- it sounds like Neve is already starting to appreciate your attention, though!

Very beautiful kitty!

Here she is now and she's sooooo soft. She's a sweetie, too - just can't pick her up and have never heard a sound out of her - never knew there was such a thing as a Silent Siamese! My other three talked to me all the time and I do miss that. Anyone else have a silent Siamese? Thanks/elaine

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She's such a pretty cat, Elaine! It sounds like Neve has gotten more outgoing--I'm glad to hear it! Our two Siamese mixes have gotten chattier and more eager to be held since my previous posts on your thread... but both things took significant time.