Friendly and cute. Hardy and strong. Beautiful and perfectly-built. This is how you can describe a Siberian cat in some short sentences. These independent and intelligent creatures make perfect companions for grown-ups, children, and other pets. Siberians can survive in very harsh weather conditions due to their native place of origin… Want to learn more about this gorgeous heavily-coated and highly-resistant cat breed? Keep reading the sections below and find out the most relevant information!
- Siberian cat appearance and characteristics
- Siberian cat personality and temperament
- Siberian cat intelligence
- The history of Siberians
- Grooming a Siberian
- What can you expect while owning a Siberian cat?
- How big do Siberians get?
- What do Siberians eat?
- How long do Siberian cats live?
- Can you keep a Siberian with other pets?
- How much does a Siberian cat cost?
Siberian cat appearance and characteristics
Cute, fluffy, and absolutely gorgeous. These are usually the first impressions while taking a look at a Siberian cat. These animals have a semi-long and extremely thick coating that consists of even three layers! This fur is the main reason why Siberians are so hardy and can survive very cold winters in Siberia.
The coat can come in all combinations of colors and patterns so there is a wide range of shades/ornaments to pick from. Furthermore, Siberian cats have medium-sized and wide ears that start to narrow to the top and end with a tip. You can usually find a generous amount of hair growing near the ears.
Additionally, Siberians are known to have large rounded eyes that can come in different colors and shades independently from the color of the cat’s coating. This cat breed includes representatives with green, gold, goldish, light brown, copper eyes. Whitish Siberians can have blue or odd eyes.
Siberians are extremely slow-maturing animals and they can reach their full growth only at the age of 5 years! These medium-sized cats tend to have a muscular and well-toned body, strongly-built for hunting purposes. The legs of a Siberian cat are also very strong and include big, rounded paws.
Siberian cat personality and temperament
It looks like the Siberians have grabbed all of the best personality traits that a cat can have! Very friendly and affectionate, these animals grow-up loyal to their owners and will definitely shower them with love and attention. Furthermore, Siberians can be good friends with other pets and even small children.
Continuously, this particular cat breed holds representatives that are a little bit talkative but definitely not too noisy! Your Siberian might greet you with a meow in the morning or start purring while being groomed but it definitely isn’t likely to scream your ears out for no reason or just to wake you up.
To add, this breed is quite independent and extremely hardy, so such cats know how to stay alone for a while and aren’t sensitive to changes in weather. Also, active and playful, Siberian cats really enjoy play sessions with their humans! They love to interact with all types of toys. Fetch and hunting games tend to be their favorite!
Siberian cat intelligence
If you are looking forward to owning a Siberian, note that you will supposedly get a very clever and smart cat. The more intelligent your cat will be, the less clumsiness and insensibility will be seen in it. The intelligence level in cats often shows during playtime and imitated hunting activities.
Siberians are definitely smart enough to learn different tricks. Being hardy native forest cats, these pets can be trained to go with you for a walk or even play fetch outside. Yes, just like a dog! Also, you can teach your Siberian cat other commands such as sit, stand, meow, come here, high-five, etc.
The history of Siberians
These thick-coated cats that are highly resistant to harsh weather conditions are known to have come from Russia, the taiga of Siberia. Many different sources say that this specific cat breed has already been existing for more than 1000 years. Siberian cats are also popular characters in Russian bedtime stories.
However, this beautiful cat breed was first seen in the USA only at the very end of the 20th century and the ICA (International Cat Association) recognized Siberians only in 1996. This cat breed has become widely popular among people who have allergies to cats as Siberians are called to be less allergenic.
Grooming a Siberian
These beautiful creatures tend to have a semi-long thick coating that is made of three layers of hair! Every type of fur, short, long, straight, curly needs less or more grooming and a Siberian cat is not an exception.
Even though all members of the cat family groom themselves and others with their tongue, that is still usually not enough. If you own a Siberian cat, you will need to purchase a brush or comb for its hair. Try going through the entire coating twice a week to avoid any tangles.
If your pet is let to run outside, always check its fur and skin when it returns back home as ticks or fleas might be hiding there. Also, it is very useful to check your cat’s ear for mites now and then. Signs of excessive dark brown ear wax signal about unwanted guests.
What can you expect while owning a Siberian cat?
Decided to get a Siberian cat? It is the right choice for people who are looking for a counterbalance between a friendly and strong personality. Once you own such an animal, you can expect to become a great companion of yours that loves back rubs and enjoys playtime with you!
Furthermore, Siberians aren’t pampered cats, so you won’t have to worry about weather or temperature changes. Also, independent and very smart, these pets know how to survive on their own and they won’t be crying if left alone for a day or two. Of course, they will still miss you a lot.
Also, you can expect to get a very clever cat while looking for a friend from the Siberian cat breed. You will be able to have a lot of fun while teaching your beloved one how to obey commands and learn new tricks. However, intelligent cats can sometimes outsmart even their owners when they want to get something really badly…
FAQs and answers about the Siberian cat breed
If you want to learn more about the Siberian cat breed, don’t stop reading and find out answers to some frequently asked questions!
How big do Siberians get?
Siberians are medium-sized cats that tend to grow somewhere up to 4,5-9 kgs. However, the bigger your cat is considering its length, the heavier its weight might be. Talking about how long Siberians can get, these animals can reach the length of 45-65 cm when fully grown.
Even though these are just numbers of an average Siberian and every cat has individual features (ones are heavier, others are lighter, ones are smaller, others are bigger, and so on). However, if your pet looks too skinny (you can feel its bones poking sharply underneath the skin), or your cat looks too fat, it would be best to consult a vet.
The weight of a Siberian cat can fluctuate due to more than one reason. Excessive loss or growth of kilograms can be a sign of a serious health condition or just an unsuitable diet. Weight parameters are also important while talking about your pet’s health!
What do Siberians eat?
Like all other representatives of the cat family, Siberians are also absolute carnivores and enjoy foods that consist of meat or fish. You would definitely not see a cat eating grass or tree leaves in the wild, would you? So, the same goes for their diet at home and Siberians are no different.
Siberian cats can eat food that is made from beef, chicken, turkey, fish, etc. Protein should consist of at least 60% of your pet’s diet. The rest should be fat because it is very satisfying and keeps cats fuller for longer, some carbohydrates (2-5%), and required vitamins, minerals.
Furthermore, you should know that it is highly recommended to include some wet food in your cat’s diet. These types of meals include more liquid and are especially useful for animals who don’t consume enough water throughout the day.
Also, you should avoid feeding your cats too much human food. Especially don’t give your pet any type of products that can bring them harm. Here is a short list of foods that should be forbidden for cats:
- Chocolate and other sweets.
- Any types of grains.
- Any types of vegetables and fruits.
How long do Siberian cats live?
The lifespan of a Siberian cat can fluctuate anywhere from 11 to 18 years. However, the length of each cat’s life can strongly depend on the animal’s physical/mental health and lifestyle overall. Just like many other cat breeds, Siberians are a little bit prone to the following heart condition:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a heart disease during which the walls of the animal’s heart start to thicken. Due to this, the organ finds pumping blood more and more difficult over time.
Even though Siberian cats are a healthy bread overall, that doesn’t mean they can’t get ill. You should always take a look at the physical state (and mental, of course) of your pet, and if you see any changes (laziness, not eating, stopped using the litter box, non-active, etc.), contact your vet ASAP.
Can you keep a Siberian with other pets?
Siberian cats are found to be friendly animals overall. As they show a lot of affection towards their owners and can make great loyal pets, Siberians are also non-aggressive and sweet while communicating with small children and other pets (cats, dogs, etc.).
If you get two small cats at once (and if at least one of them is your Siberian friend), there is even a higher chance that these animals will build a stronger relationship much faster. However, each kitten is at least slightly different so don’t forget to give both of your pets enough space and time to get to know each other better!
The same goes for dogs. You can also make good friends out of a Siberian kitten and a puppy. Just be patient and don’t push the two into communication if they don’t feel like it at the moment. Things will definitely solve on their own!
How much does a Siberian cat cost?
Decided to invest in a Siberian cat? Make sure that you have enough money first. Here we are not only talking about the starter price that is needed for purchasing the cat itself (although it is quite high) but also about other things that are required for cat care.
First of all, note that the price for one Siberian kitten/cat can vary a lot depending on the breeder, cat age, and appearance details. Most commonly, you can get such a pet for £850-£1500. However, if you are looking for a Siberian with a very rich appearance or searching for popular breeds, keep in mind that you might have to double the amount of the aforementioned prices.
When you receive your beloved one, the care process only begins. Beware that your pet will need shots that can cost from £70 to £90 and neutering that is usually £30-£40 for males and £10 more for females due to the difficulty of the operation.
Even though spaying is a one-time thing and vaccination also doesn’t need to be done commonly, vet visits don’t end here. Your pet might get ill unexpectedly or you might need a consultation for ear mites, worms, etc. Spare some extra money for future doctor visits in advance.
Continuously, include the prices of food, vitamins, medicine into your expenditure. Nevertheless, your Siberian friend will require some specific equipment for a quality life. Be prepared to save some pounds for things such as the following:
- Litter and litter box.
- Food and water bowls.
- Comfortable bedding.
- Comb/brush for cat grooming.
- Nail clippers.
- Climbers and nail scratchers.
- Cat toys for playtime.
Owning any type of cat requires less or more costs. However, if you have enough savings, you should definitely go for your desired cat breed or just adopt any type of kitten as you will get a good friend for life!
Wrap up
Are you amazed by the Siberian cat breed? Because we are! Physically strong and tough but also very friendly. Gorgeous and thickly-coated cats that can come in varieties of colors. These creatures could leave any type of cat lover highly impressed!
Do you have any experience with Siberian cats? If yes, share some insights with us!