Learn More About Siberian Cats
Siberian cats are the Russian national cat and were first brought to the United States in 1990. They are still fairly rare in the U.S., and purchasing one usually involves a wait for the cat to arrive. In their native land, these cats were used to control the rat population and mainly lived outdoors.
The Siberian cat coat is adaptive for the harsh Russian winters. The fur is semi-long haired including a dense undercoat and a slightly oily outer coat. The oil repels moisture, and the layered coat keeps the wind out. These felines also have a thick ruff, large paws with fur underneath, and tufted ears all of which help provide insulation from the cold. They have a bushy tail that acts as a blanket when they curl up to sleep.
The Siberian cat is known for its round head and eyes and deep-barreled chest and large round paws. You can find these cats in all different color combinations. The Siberian cat takes up to five years to reach full maturity at which time they are well muscled and have a heavy build. Other features include a round head and eyes, large, round paws and a deep-barreled chest. Taking up to five years to reach maturity, they are muscular and heavily-built.
Siberian cats are quiet and express themselves softly with thrills, chirps, mews and purring. They are very affectionate, playful, and loyal to their owners. Their personalities are often likened to that of a dog. Siberians love to sit in their owner’s lap to get groomed. They are extremely athletic and excel at hunting, jumping, climbing, and swimming.
Grooming involves a brushing once weekly except for during the colder months when the coat thickens. One huge advantage for some potential owners is that these cats have a low level of the FEL D-1 protein in its saliva and fur and does not shed dander, which may make it possible for those with allergies to tolerate this breed.
Siberians have no known health issues beyond those normally seen in felines. Their average-sized litter is five kittens. By twelve weeks old, the kittens are ready to be adopted.
Siberian cats, though rare, make a great pet for those who are willing to put forth the effort to find one, especially for those who have not been able to have cats in their homes in the past due to allergies.
