Siberian | Cat Breed Information & Facts – Pictures

As the name suggests, the Siberian cat is an animal from the cold region of Siberia, in eastern Russia. This may be the cause of its abundant coat, if necessary, to protect it from the weather.

With an abundant coat and a penetrating look, the Siberian cat has become one of the most popular and appreciated feline breeds in the world. His balanced temperament and physical characteristics have also made him one of the ideal companions for people of all kinds. However, and despite being a very old cat, its official recognition dates from the 90s.

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The first thing that distinguishes a Siberian cat from others is its size and weight. A powerful and stocky body with a fairly developed musculature makes these cats majestic. Muscle mass in Siberian kittens is formed slowly, as in males, around 3 years.

The weight of a female varies from 5-7 kg, males are on average twice as heavy – 6-12 kg.

• The head of a cat of this breed is quite large, rounded, and the neck is short, but strong. The muzzle has a trapezoidal shape. On their ears you can see tassels inherited from their ancestors.
• The eyes are oval in shape, medium in size and slightly slanted.
• The front legs are slightly shorter than the hind legs, which makes the cat’s spine slightly slanted (this is what gives the animal strength and agility).
• “Siberians” have large muscular paws, which distinguish them from other cats in that between their fingers there are rather long tufts of wool.
• The Siberian kitten’s long coat is hypoallergenic, making this cat a must-have pet for allergy sufferers. The coat of cats of this breed consists of 2 layers: a very thick undercoat and a hard coat that practically does not get wet. Thanks to this “wool coat”, cats feel comfortable in all weather conditions and at all temperatures.
• The color of a Siberian cat can be completely different, as evidenced by the images (photos) that you will see above.

Siberian cats are mobile and playful, they love to play with babies and are very attached to their owners. At the same time, they have a pronounced sense of their own dignity, are not very “talkative”, sometimes they behave waywardly and are subject to mood swings. If the cat does not reciprocate the affection of the owner, it is better to leave it alone. In turn, having a developed sense of tact, the Siberian cat will never impose on the owner if he notices that he is not in the mood or is busy with something. But he can make anyone laugh, showing her funny habit of lounging on her back, taking funny poses. Tenderness is also caused by the way this animal loves to sleep, lounging on its back and raising its front legs up.

Siberians have a strong character, but they do not seek to dominate in relationships with other animals, which are usually friendly. These cats are fearless, but they prefer not to communicate with strangers, showing undisguised suspicion towards them.

They are hardy and unpretentious to living conditions: they feel great both in urban conditions and in country houses, although they prefer, of course, space and will. These cats are born hunters, and where they are the boss, you will not find rodents.

If a Siberian cat lives in a city apartment, it is advisable to walk it at least once a week, as it is very curious, loves to explore new territories and needs physical activity. These cats like to observe the terrain from elevations, so they love to settle down on cabinets, bookshelves, and are not indifferent to chandeliers.

Due to its wild origin and the breed unchanged by the hands of man, the Siberian cat is strong and hardy, with enviable health and no notable congenital diseases, but it suffers from some hereditary health problems which you must be aware of. aware if you are considering sharing your home with one of these intelligent and energetic pets.

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy;
• Pyruvate kinase deficiency.

Despite the Siberian cat’s long coat, caring for it is relatively easy. Weekly brushing is necessary to keep the coat in top condition. The exception is spring and fall “molting” when daily care is needed to prevent tangles from forming.

Siberian cats are generally not afraid to take a bath, especially if they have been trained to take it as kittens. Don’t be surprised if your pet one day decides to join you in the shower or bath.

The rest is a fundamental concern. Trim claws as needed, usually once a week. Check the ears weekly for redness or a foul odor that could indicate an infection. Brush her teeth with a vet-approved toothpaste.

• There are legends that attribute the task of guarding Russian monasteries to the Siberian cat.
• This particular breed likes to play with water, so be careful, as as mentioned above, it could be harmful to their health.
• Finally, the Siberian cat is considered a hypoallergenic cat because it does not produce a protein called FelD1 which is responsible for 80% of animal allergies. For this reason, Siberian cats can be a good choice for those who suffer from allergies to feline fur.
• The coat of the Siberian cat in three layers, dense and very bushy was and is its main protection against low temperatures from its place of origin. Long before this animal was domesticated and part of family life, it had to survive the weather and, thanks to its physical characteristics, it was able to withstand temperatures of up to 30 degrees below zero.
• It is one of the so-called hypoallergenic cat breeds. This does not mean that allergic people can live with them in all cases, but it will be more likely, since this breed generates to a much lesser extent than others the protein responsible for the majority of animal allergies in humans. . However, before acquiring a specimen of Siberian cat, it is advisable to go to a specialist to do the relevant tests, thus avoiding the possibility of going through a difficult trance.
• The Siberian cat is considered the national breed of Russia for its impressive appearance and size, thus taking the place of other feline breeds which also had their origin in this region.

The Siberian cat is one of the so-called “forest cats”, along with the Maine coon and the Norwegian forest cat, because specimens of this breed are spread in the lush groves of Russia and Ukraine. It is thought to come from the crossing of domestic cats brought to Russia and Ukraine with wild cats from the Siberian forests, hence the name “Siberian Forest Cat”.

This breed seems new because there is no document which mentions it until 1871. In this way, there was no official pedigree until 1987 and the World Federation of the cat recognized it only a few years ago, its international expansion took place in the 1990s. This can be explained by the current ban of the Soviet regime from owning pets, which is why farmers who owned Siberian cats did so. secretly. However, its origins seem to go back a thousand years. In Russia, they were the usual companions of the nobles, being very present in the most distinguished palaces of imperial Russia. Therefore, it is part of one of the oldest breeds of cats in the world, despite its official documentation on the dates indicated.