Siberians have not only a beautiful appearance, but great devotion to the owner.
Siberian cat: breed description
Siberian cats are large breeds: they have a strong muscular body, powerful neck and chest, strong paws, and a long fluffy tail. The coat is thick with a dense undercoat, long water-repellent outer hair. Thanks to this, the animal is reliably protected from frost and overheating. Surprisingly, Siberian cats are hypoallergenic breeds .
The color is the most diverse: cream, spotted, marble, red, tortoiseshell, bicolor, tricolor.
| Breed name | Siberian cat |
| Country of origin | Russia |
| Siberian cat: weight | from 3.5 to 9 kilograms |
| Height at the withers | up to 30–40 centimeters |
| Siberian cats: how long do they live | up to 15 years and more |
How the Siberian cat breed appeared
This breed appeared many centuries ago on the territory of our country. Initially, Asian traders brought them to Siberia, they called these animals Bukhara cats. In a new place, they took root, acquired a fluffy coat, adapted to frost, learned to hunt mice well . It is believed that Siberian cats were the heroes of fairy tales and epics.
Thanks to Russian merchants, Siberian cats spread all over the world. As a separate breed, they gained recognition in the 20th century: in 1987 it was officially registered in the Kotofey felinological club. In 1992, they were recorded in the World Organization of Cat Lovers and approved the standard. Since then, Siberian cats have been taking part in exhibitions and international competitions.
An amazing historical fact is that during the blockade of Leningrad during the Second World War, all cats and cats were destroyed. By 1943, the city was filled with rats that carried dangerous infections and spoiled food. After the liberation of Leningrad, various echelons of mustachioed hunters were sent from different cities of the USSR, including Siberians from Omsk, Tyumen, and Irkutsk.
Siberian cat: character
Animals of this breed are calm, flexible, sociable. Sometimes they can be stubborn. They like to spend time in the company of the owner and other household members. Usually they follow on the heels of the whole apartment, accompany in all classes.
The owners note that Siberian cats perfectly feel the mood of the owner, they are always ready to support the sad owner with their purr. If something is very busy or angry, they will not impose themselves, they will wait for the right moment to communicate. Cats get along well with children, are active in games, and often sleep near cribs. But the child should explain the rules of good treatment of animals, otherwise the cat will show its claws.
Siberians are often compared to guard dogs: they are wary of strangers, ready to defend their territory. It is difficult and reluctant to get along with other pets. They can easily fight in any conflict.
Care and maintenance
Siberian cats have a well-developed hunting instinct. It is better to start in a private house so that the animal can satisfy its needs in full. When living in an apartment, the cat will have to walk on the street on a leash or harness.
Especially for a cat, you can install a play complex at home with posts, shelves, ladders. And he will definitely be happy with toys in the form of mice, balls and other items that you can hunt for. Playful disposition persists until old age. Also, the animal needs its own corner for secluded relaxation: a separate house or a soft couch. It is worth taking care of strong mosquito nets so that the cat cannot fall out in pursuit of a flying bird or butterfly.
You need to take care of a woolly Siberian cat on a regular basis. During the molting period, you need to comb out the coat 2-3 times a week with a comb, slicker. The pet will calmly endure the procedure if accustomed to combing from an early age. Once a quarter you need to bathe the animal with a special shampoo. Do not forget to trim your nails regularly, clean your ears with a cotton swab.
What to feed a Siberian cat
The easiest option is ready-made food from well-known brands. Such food contains all the necessary substances for growth, full development. They come in the form of dry granules and wet canned food. It is advisable to alternate them. There are special dietary feeds during pregnancy and lactation, for sterilized and neutered animals, and allergy sufferers.
The alternative is natural food, consisting of meat, offal and vegetables. When compiling a diet, you need to select foods that will not harm the animal. It is strictly forbidden to give pets food from a human table. Salty, smoked, spicy, sweet dishes are especially dangerous.
When choosing a suitable diet, you need to find out from the breeders what kind of food the kitten is accustomed to, do not change anything at first. Then gradually transfer to the adult version. With a sudden transition, the cat will not eat or there will be problems with digestion. Do not forget to regularly change the water to clean - you need to do this every day.
You also need to make sure that the animal does not overeat: Siberians are prone to rapid weight gain. Because of this, health problems can arise: arthritis, diabetes and others. Overweight cats become lazy, less active, which is not good for them.
Education and training
Siberian cats are smart and easy to train. When the animal first appears in the house, you need to accustom it to the tray and scratching post. Immediately forbid the kitten to jump on the table and steal food. Siberians distinguish intonations well, are able to remember several commands and even bring small objects.
During training, do not show aggression or negativity. A stern voice can cause a backlash, offend the animal. It is better to turn training into an exciting game. Siberian cats are characterized by slow maturation, so their temper, thinking, and psyche are finally formed by the age of three.
What are Siberian cats sick with?
Genetically predisposed to urolithiasis, polycystic kidney disease, arterial thromboembolism, cardiomyopathy. They also suffer from stomatitis and gingivitis. But it is not necessary that the pet will have all these diseases. You need to monitor your health, regularly visit the clinic for preventive examinations.
Any disease is manifested in a change in the behavior, mood of the animal. For example, alarm signals can be a decrease in appetite, lethargy, apathy, a complete refusal to eat, drowsiness, hair loss, bad breath, shaking of the head, weakness.
Pros and cons of the Siberian cat
| Advantages | disadvantages |
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How to choose a kitten
When buying, you should know that Siberians are distinguished by a variety of colors. Unscrupulous sellers take advantage of this, offer animals of an unknown breed, so it’s better not to take it from your hands. For a thoroughbred pet, it is better to contact breeders, buy a kitten at the age of 3.5 months.
By this point they should be plump, active, well-groomed. It is desirable that sympathy be mutual. At the age of 3-4 months, the appearance is fully consistent with the standard of the Siberian cat. Together with the kitten, they must issue a veterinary passport on vaccinations and a pedigree.
The most budget option is the “pet” class. At exhibitions, they have no chance of winning due to minor deviations from the standard, but their health is not affected. These are animals for the soul. For breeding, the Brit class is suitable, for participation in exhibitions - “show”.
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