Siberian Cats

Also known as Siberian Forest Cats, these felines are a wonderfully fluffy cat breed from Russia’s cold plains. From afar, they seem very similar to a bobcat or another wild cat due to their size and mounds of fur.

When considering a Siberian cat adoption, there are a few things you need to know. This includes learning about a Siberian cat’s personality, health issues, and how to maintain this loveable cat.

Find out more about what you’ll need to prepare yourself and your home for your Siberian cat’s arrival.

Siberian Cats Characteristics and Size

Siberian cats are rather big and can weigh between 19 to 25 pounds depending on their gender and build. These cats are also about 17 to 25 inches long. While not as big as a Maine Coon cat, this breed is still up there with the largest cat breeds.

These cats are built for the harsh environments in the Siberian forests — especially in snowy weather. So, you’ll notice that your pet is muscular and agile. Their rear legs are slightly longer than their front ones to aid in their jumping and climbing abilities. Their paws are also quite large.

Siberian cats look very similar to Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest cats. However, a Siberian cat has a rounder body, face, and eye shape. Their eyes are typically green or gold.

Siberian Cat Lifespan and Health

Siberian cats can live between 11 and 15 years on average, but some can even live as long as 18 years. However, their life expectancy can vary since they are prone to heart disease, like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. While there is no cure, this condition can be maintained with medication.

Other health issues your pet may be more prone to are kidney disease, hereditary cancer, and gum disease. The best way to prevent these conditions is to stay on top of your pet’s grooming and exercise schedule. This breed needs about one hour of exercise daily as they are quite playful and have an athletic build.

Your pet will also need a high-protein diet with lots of meat and fish, if possible. It’s also preferable that their diet includes more wet food than dry. If your pet doesn’t get enough protein, you can expect them to show signs of excessive shedding and patchiness in their fur.

Siberian Kittens

If you work through a reputable breeder, the Siberian kitten adoption will happen after 14 weeks. By now, the kitten has gone through the socialization process and should be used to other pets and humans.

By three months, this breed’s kittens are as small as 2,9 pounds for female kittens and 3,3 pounds for male kittens. From there, you can expect your kitten to grow between half a pound to a full pound each month until about five years old when they reach their full growth.

Siberian kittens look similar to how they would when they’re fully grown. You can expect to see their tufted ears and large paws from a very young age.

Siberian Cats Temperament and Personality

If you’re looking for a gentle yet playful cat, the Siberian breed is the perfect choice to have. This breed loves running around, playing, and learning new tricks. They also enjoy jumping from different heights and splashing in water any chance they get.

Their playful manner is also why it is such a sought-after family breed. These gentle cats love to snuggle up for cuddles and all forms of attention. Playing is important to them, so they may tap or gently nudge you to encourage play often.

That said, it also means that these cats won’t do well in a home with owners that need to be away for long hours. While they can be quite independent, they might feel isolated due to a lack of attention and lash out by becoming destructive.

If you do have to leave them alone for a few hours, make sure to supply them with enough stimulating toys to keep them occupied. While they may seem energetic due to their playful personality, they are actually very calm and won’t make much noise. They will mainly communicate in soft meows or purring.

Siberian Cat Coats and Grooming

Since this medium to long-haired breed is from Serbia, their coats are triple-layered. Not only do these dense coats keep them warm, but it’s also water resistant. This helps them when they’re walking in the snow or treading through water, as they are somewhat water babies.

Their long coat needs to be brushed twice a week to help prevent matting and tangles. In winter, their coats tend to become a bit thicker to insulate themselves. This means you’ll need to prepare for their coats tend to molt in spring and summer, with the most shedding in spring. When you are brushing, be sure to reach their undercoats as well.

Because they love playing in water so often and their coats are somewhat waterproof, they don’t need to be bathed often. If they need a trim, it’s best to take them to a cat groomer instead of doing it yourself.

Siberian Cat Colors

The most common Siberian cat colors are white, black, orange, and gray. The rarest coat color is solid silver and solid white. Both of these coat colors are due to a rare gene mutation. However, you can find Siberian cats for adoption with silver and white in their coat patterns.

There are a few coat patterns you’ll find in this breed. These include tabby, smoke, calico, and seal-point, among others. The most common pattern type you’ll find is mackerel — a striped pattern formation.

If you’ve heard about a Neva Masquerade cat, you may know that the breed is a cross between a Siberian and a Siamese cat. But it’s also the name of a pattern variation of a Siberian cat. This unique pattern sees your feline have a (usually) completely white body and washes of color on their face, tails, and paws.