Energy & Playfulness | |
Affection & Handling | |
Likes To Be Alone | |
Vocal | |
Intelligence | |
Health | |
Grooming & Shedding | |
Kid Friendly | |
Other Pets |
Size | Eye Color | Fur |
|---|---|---|
Male: >12lbs Female: 8-12lbs | Blue, Copper, Green, Hazel, Odd-eyed | Long Silky |
Colors | Patttern | Longevity |
|---|---|---|
White, Red, Cream, Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Silver, Golden, Cameo, Tortoiseshell, Blue-cream, Brown, Calico, Seal | Solid Color, Tortoiseshell, Bicolor, Tricolor/Calico, Tabby, Smoke, Shaded, Points | 8-13 Years |
Overview
The Siberian heils from the cold, unforgiving taiga of Siberia. Domestic cats have been known to exist in Russia for 100’s of years and the Siberian is one of the breeds that is notable for its thick and long coat. No doubt this coat evolved to protect the cat in the arctic climates of Siberia.
Like most cats that have their roots in wild DNA, the Siberian was kept for its ability to hunt rodents and protect the food reserves in barns, houses and stores.
Siberians made their way into the United States by the 90’s and gained popularity because they are widely cited as being hypoallergenic. Whether this is true or not depends on the individual person and hasn’t been scientifically studied or proven.
Personality
The Siberian is a warm cat, despite the harsh cold environments he was bred in. This breed loves to be near its owners and will gleefully follow you around to every room you enter.
Bathroom? Yep.
Kitchen? Yep.
Bedroom? You betcha! Laying in your lap or being near you is the highlight of her day and she will be happy to return all the love and affection that you provide her. The Siberian will greet you as you come home from work, excited to tell you all about her day and what she did while you were away. She will even tell strangers that enter your home about her day if given the opportunity. The Siberian is not a breed that shys away from the presences of humans.
The Siberian enjoys a good play as much as the next cat and will initiate games of fetch and bring you toys in an effort to communicate that it’s time to play. The Siberian will find any item that is easy for them to handle so be careful to keep small and expensive items like jewelry out of site.
The Siberian is also no stranger to water. You’d have to imagine that her time spent in snow and Russian forests exposed her to lots of ponds, streams and lakes. This is not a cat that you want to give access to a fish tank, ponds or basically any large collection of water unless you happen to enjoy cleaning up puddles. Loud noises and active homes won’t bother her and she’ll likely never skip a beat as long as she’s given ample attention and toys to stave off boredom.
Health
Siberians are generally healthy, but one problem that has been seen in the breed is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Care
The Siberian’s thick triple coat should be combed or brushed a couple of times a week to prevent tangles or mats. The coat will shed seasonally in the spring and fall, and you may need to groom more frequently during that time.
The ears are another place where dirt can build up. Make sure to use cotton balls with warm water and gently scrub the interior of theirs ears.
Children And Other Pets
The Siberian has a bold temperament, and nothing much ruffles his composure. These characteristics make him an excellent choice for a family with kids. No nighttime monsters will get past the Siberian on guard at the foot of a child’s bed. He is happy to live with other cats and cat-friendly dogs, too, as long as they recognize that he’s in charge. Introduce pets slowly and in controlled circumstances to ensure that they learn to get along together.
