Siberian cat
Other names: Siberian Forest cat
This large Russian breed adapted to the harsh climates of southern Siberia, hence their name. They are very rounded cats, and their fur is much thicker in winter than in summer. If you love large cats with mid-length hair, this is the breed for you!
Key facts about the Siberian cat
Origins and history
Siberians (native to southern Siberia), are most likely descended from cross breeding between wild cats and domestic cats in the region. It wasn’t until the late eighties that a couple of breeders imported the first Siberians from Saint Petersburg to start breeding them in Germany. In 1990, the first Siberians arrived in the United States where they were recognised by TICA as a breed 8 years later.
Physical characteristics of the Siberian cat
Adult size
Female : Approximately 12 in
Male : Between 12 and 14 in
Siberian cats reach adult size around the age of 3.
Weight
Female : Between 9 and 13 lb
Male : Between 11 and 18 lb
Coat colour
Black, white, red, as well as shades of grey/blue/cream etc
Some colours, such as chocolate, cinnamon, lilac and fawn are not permitted.
Type of coat
Mid-length
Eye colour
Blue, aquamarine, yellow, dichroic, odd
Description
Siberians are large cats with muscular physiques and dense skeletons which make them rather heavy! People often affectionately refer to them as barrel-shaped. They have thick mid-length hair and a thick undercoat, and are crowned with beautiful collars of hair around their heads, which are particularly noticeable in winter.
Good to know
Siberians are described as hypoallergenic, as they don’t produce much of the FELD1 protein, whose amino acid sequence causes allergies.
Temperament
Behaviour of the Siberian cat
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Compatibility
Price
On average, Siberians cost between £150 and £650. This price varies depending on their lineage, breeding, age and sex. On average it costs £35 per month to keep them in good health, meet their needs, and ensure they get high quality food.
Grooming
Weekly brushing is sufficient, except during their spring moulting, when daily brushing may be necessary.
Shedding
During their spring moult, these cats lose a lot of their thick protective winter fur which they don’t need during milder seasons.
Nutrition of the Siberian cat
To keep them healthy, their diet should be of high quality, and must adapted to their living conditions (exercise levels etc.).
Health of the Siberian cat
Life expectancy
They have a life expectancy of between 15 and 20 years.
Strong / robust
Their fur and undercoat give them excellent protection against both rain and cold weather. They also have a reputation for being generally healthy cats. However, they don’t particularly appreciate hot weather, even if their coat does adapt accordingly.
Tendency to put on weight
Their body type is already rounded at the ribs and it is important to avoid attributing these natural curves to weight gain! Therefore you must ensure that their diet is well adapted to their lifestyle to avoid them becoming overweight. Particularly as it isn’t easy to notice their weight gain due to their thick hair.
Common illnesses
Siberians can develop the same diseases as other cats, such as oral diseases.
Other diseases that may appear include:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: it is a condition which causes the heart muscle to thicken. This disease can cause heart failure that can result in arrhythmias or even lung aedemas. You can screen for this with an echocardiograph repeated annually.
- Pyruvate kinase deficiency is a hereditary condition that causes anemia. If the cat is affected, their life expectancy can be shortened to a year, or they can stay alive for up to 10 years. A DNA screening test can be carried out to find out if the cat is carrying one or two alleles that cause the disease.
Reproduction
On average, they have 4 kittens per litter.
Cross breeding is banned.
Names
Good names for a Siberian cat: Angel, Ice, Snow, Winter
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