Thanks for the comments, the owners daughter got him the cat for christmas because it looked just like his 18 year old cat that died 6 months ago. The excuse the breeder gave for the kitten not being microchipped was that she thought it would be too painful, what a load of **** that is, weird breeder = weird kitten.
The kitten is back with its owner after many more dramas that I wont bore you all with so I hope the kitten settles down and that the vet can give him more answers as to reasons for the timid behaviour.
Was the kitten's owner aware of these behaviors when he got the kitten? It sounds like more than just a kitten adjusting to a new home. We just took in two strays and they made themselves right at home (we're the ones doing the howling trying to find them food they actually like). I've heard that Siamese cats can be a bit unpredictable but that might be just a rumor. It almost sounds like this kitten has been traumatized at a very young age. I agree with everyone else - the kitten should be looked at by a vet.
my aunt breeds siamese cats...they are INSANE. i mean down right nuts!!! i'd go over to visit and they were quiet literally climbing the walls. the father (her oldest...he's 6 or 7) hangs upside down from the curtains. and the meows...omg. it's funny but horrible. the mother (she's only had 2 litters....she's spayed now) sits at the top of the courio cabinet (how she gets up there nobody knows) pokes her head out of the designs and just howls at people. one of the kittens (She kept for her grandkids) is beyond psychotic. he attacks. he's like a miniature guard dog. he just leaps out from nowhere swats your leg...howls and goes running off to wherever and waits for the next unsuspecting victim. she's taken them all to the vet and he told her she just has psychotic cats.
A checkup at the vet would be good. Siamese cats are different. They make all kinds of different meows. They howl and sound like a baby crying. They can be trained to fetch and walk on a leash. They are extremely smart. Siamese cats are very talkative. I had a siamese cat for 20 1/2 years. When we first got him from the animal shelter, he ran through the house meowing, howling and climbing curtains. He was so naughty. Mom took him to the vet and the vet said neuter him. It didn't help. He was full of energy and grew up to be a huge cat of 17 pounds, no fat. Running through the house howling sounds like a Siamese. If they get mad at us for not getting their way, they will run in the other room and howl. I love Siamese cats!
Having a vet check up is always a good idea.... that said.... when I first got my cat (she was an adult) she cried all the time- a cross between a coyote howling and an infant wailing- she had been used to living outdoors and I was keeping her in, I think she was just having a hard time adjusting, now she doesn't do that unless I have been ignoring her for a long time and she finally gets fed up. So your neighbors cat may just be a loudmouth and having a hard time with so many changes.... the cat has been there only 3 weeks and already your neighbor takes off? I'd be pissssssed too!
Howling non-stop like that is not normal at all. I hope your neighbor takes him to the vet. You could be right, the kitten might be in pain. Something could be wrong with him, and it shouldn't be assumed the cat's howling because he's a nut case......yet. Now, if all checks out normal at the vets, than that would be another story!! LOL
Please, do your best to talk your neighbor into taking him to the vet!!