Siberian Cat: Breed Profile, Characteristics, & Care

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23 Mar 2024

The Siberian cat is an ancient, breathtaking breed that originated in Russia. A forest cat, Siberians sport luxurious triple coats to protect against the cold. These furry cats have an outgoing and affectionate personality, making them exceptional companions.
They enjoy the company of other cats and dogs, and they love playing with gentle, respectful children. As long as you can attend to their grooming needs, the Siberian can be the perfect addition to your household.
Learn more about the stunning Siberian:

Breed Overview

WEIGHT: 15 to 20 pounds
LENGTH: 17 to 25 inches
COAT: Varies from coarse to soft; moderately long to longhaired triple coat with a full collar ruff
COAT COLOR: Any color combination or pattern
EYE COLOR: All colors
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10 to 18 years

Characteristics of the Siberian Cat

Siberian cats are smart and athletic, so they'll enjoy playing with you and a vast array of toys.1 They get along with almost any pet or human, even children, but they do take 5 years to mature, so be prepared for kitten antics to last longer than they do in other breeds.2
This breed loves to climb, explore, and play. Be sure to keep your Siberian cat mentally stimulated and physically enriched.
Even with their thick, long coat, some consider the Siberian cat to be hypoallergenic. Although no scientific studies prove it, some allergy sufferers say they can live successfully with a Siberian cat.
As it turns out, cat dander, urine, and saliva, not necessarily cat hair itself, are the main culprits for allergies.
Most cat-allergic people are sensitive to a protein called FelD1, which is found in cats’ fur after they lick themselves. It seems that some cat breeds, including Siberians, produce less FelD1 than other cats.
For mild allergy sufferers, this might mean that Siberian cats elicit little or no allergic reaction. However, all cats and all people are different. If you suffer from allergies and are interested in finding out if you will react to a Siberian cat, find a local breeder who will allow you to visit their adult cats to test the theory.
Affection LevelHighFriendlinessHighKid-FriendlyHighPet-FriendlyHighExercise NeedsMediumPlayfulnessHighEnergy LevelMediumIntelligenceHighTendency to VocalizeLowAmount of SheddingMedium

History of the Siberian Cat

Siberian cats hail from their namesake region in Russia, where they have been cherished for thousands of years. While written history on the origins of Siberians is scant, centuries-old Russian fairy tales and children's books feature the cat.
Following one of the earliest English cat shows in the 1870s, Siberian cats were described in "Our Cats and All About Them," an 1889 book by cat expert Harrison Weir.2 The United States got their first glimpse of the Siberian cat after the Cold War thawed in the 1990s, and it was love at first sight. The Siberian cat is recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association and The International Cat Association.

Siberian Cat Care

When it comes to caring for a Siberian cat, make sure you've got no problem with cat hair. And then you can provide your cat with plenty of high-up places to lounge.

Exercise

Siberian cats are happy to play with their toys and families, but they also love to leap. With powerful rear legs, they can jump incredibly high.2 Because of that, make sure you have cat trees and other high-up spots for your Siberian to lounge.

Grooming

Be prepared to find a decent amount of hair around your house when you bring home a Siberian. And invest in a good brush, too.
In warm weather, the Siberian cat will shed the heavy coat in favor of a shorter, thinner summer coat.2 In winter, the coat will be at its thickest and longest. Despite its thickness and length, the Siberian cat’s coat tends to resist matting, so it only requires occasional brushing (more during the seasonal heavy shed).
Occasional baths will help loose hair come out and remove dust and dander from the coat. (Some Siberians enjoy water, so this might not be a tough task.1)
Trim Siberians' nails regularly and inspect their ears for dirt and debris. Clean their ears if you find them dirty. Never stick a cotton swab or anything else down into the ear canal. If the ears look red or excessively dirty, schedule a checkup with your veterinarian.

Common Health Problems

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a form of heart disease that causes thickening of the heart muscle, is more prevalent in certain breeds, including Siberians. Mutations of several cardiac genes have been identified in some cats with this disease, which suggests that genetics plays a role.4
Responsible breeders screen their cats for this disease to avoid breeding affected cats and passing it along to future generations.

Appearance

The Siberian cat’s trademark sweet expression comes from their modified wedge head with rounded contours. They have moderately short muzzles with slight curvatures along with medium-to-large eyes that are almost round.2 They come in shades of green, gold, green-gold, or copper (white cats may have blue eyes or “odd eyes"—eyes that are two different colors).
The Siberian cat’s luxurious, thick coat may come in any color or pattern, with or without white markings. The triple coat is made up of three layers: a shorter, dense undercoat of downy hair (the hair closest to the skin); a layer of slightly longer “awn hair” in the middle, and an even longer outer coat layer (called “guard hair”).
These are solid cats, and their rear legs are slightly longer than the ones in the front.2 That enables the Siberian to be a powerful jumper.

Diet and Nutrition

Work with your veterinarian to choose the best food for your Siberian cat. Although dry food is convenient, canned food contains fewer carbs and has a lot of extra moisture. Most cats don’t drink enough water, which can affect their overall health, including their kidney health.
Feed measured amounts of food at scheduled times, two to three times a day. Don’t leave food out all day, as this can contribute to an overweight cat.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Siberian Cat

You may be able to find a purebred Siberian cat through a breeder in your area, but if you'd rather adopt from a rescue organization, check out:

Petfinder,
Adopt a Pet,
Rescue Me

Siberian Overview

Pros

A good breed for some allergy sufferers
Affectionate, playful, and energetic; gets along well with children and other animals
Can handle colder weather and likes water play

Cons