Siberian
Siberian History
- Enjoys bragging rights as being the national cat of Russia and dates back at least 1,000 years. Originally known as Russia's native forest cat from Siberia.
- The first cat show to include Siberians was in England in 1871.
- The first Siberians arrived in the United States in 1990 and were brought in by a Louisiana cat breeder named Elizabeth Terrell.
- Slow to be accepted by the Cat Fanciers Association, the Siberian first entered the miscellaneous class in 2000 and advanced to championship status in 2006.
Siberian Behavior Concerns
- Born to be a problem solver, the Siberian is extremely attentive and intelligent.
- Siberians study and learn how to open cabinet doors and even bi-fold sliding closet doors.
- This breed loves to learn, and masters obedience commands and tricks easily.
- Gentle around children and adapts easily to other family pets.
- Extremely mellow and receptive to people and pets and household guests.
- Confident and comical, the Siberian loves an audience.
- Quite capable of leaping up high and enjoys perching on high shelves or even tops of doors to survey the scene.
Look of Siberians
- One word: big. The Siberian's big, sturdy frame features a dense, triple coat is designed to weather cold climates.
- This giant among cat breeds conveys a sweet, beckoning expression with it round eyes, Lynx-tipped ears, round muzzle and full ruff around the neck. It also sports big paws with tufts of fur poking out between the toes and a blunt-tipped tail.
- The eyes come in many colors, including gold, green and blue.
- The Siberian's naturally low levels of the Fel d 1 protein seems suited to those allergic to cats because they do not tend to experience severe allergic reactions. Its medium-to-long haired coat comes in a wide range of colors and patterns.
- This natural breed comes in many colors and patterns.
- The Siberian takes up to 5 years to reach full physical maturity.
Grooming Siberian Cats
- Its dense, thick coat is surprisingly easy to maintain. Weekly brushings is usually all that is required to keep the coat healthy and free of mats.
- The exception is during the spring and fall (shedding seasons for Siberians) and daily brushing is advised. Be sure to brush the tight undercoat.
Suggested Nutritional Needs for Siberian
Please consult with your veterinarian about the type of dieta nd amount to feed your cat during their different life stages. Different breeds may have a greater risk of obesity based upon their diet, metabloism, activity and age. Thus, your veterinarian is your best source for information on this topic.
Fun Facts of Siberians
- The Siberian towers over all other recognized cat breeds with some healthy, fit males weighing up to 25 pounds.
- A popular Siberian "tall tale" centers on a team of 200 Siberians cats who allegedly sped past a team of Siberian Huskies in a dog sled race.
