Siberian
Siberian Cat Breed Profile
| Weight | 6.6-17.6 lbs (3-8 kg) |
| Origin | Russia |
| Color | Black, red, silver; multi-colored |
| Fur | Long, thick |
| Lifespan | 11-15 years |
| Personality | Warm, affectionate, attentive, loving |
| Energy |  |
| Playful |  |
| Independent | |
| Meowing | |
| Shedding | |
Breed Characteristics
The Siberian cat is a large, powerful cat with a gorgeously fluffy half-length coat that protected them from the icy cold in their home country of Russia.
Personality and Temperament
The Siberian is playful, lively and has an especially warm, well-balanced and patient character. They open up their big hearts to everyone - human and animal. They also get on well with dogs.
The Siberian loves to be near people and will follow you around at every turn. They’ll even try to “help” you read, watch TV or surf the web on your phone or computer. But they’re never clingy or demanding like the Siamese, Burmese or Bengal.
Siberian cats are one of those cat breeds that actually like water. They’ll also drink straight from the faucet.
Keeping Them Happy
In its homeland, the Siberian was used to living in and with nature, hunting, climbing and jumping. That’s why they’re so powerful and have such strong muscles. Although they also like to climb and jump in your home, they’ll only rarely break things as they’re skilled and nimble.
A high cat activity tree is an especially important purchase, as this reminds them of their life in the wild. To make sure they can follow their natural instincts to hunt and move around, they should be allowed to go outside rather than being kept purely as indoor cats. Still, a Siberian should never be alone - the loneliness would break its heart.
By the way: although Siberian cats have medium-length fur, it doesn’t matt too much. So it’s easier to look after than a Persian cat’s coat.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very playful
- Affectionate
- Polite
- Patient
- Gets along well with other pets
Cons
- Medium grooming efforts
- Wants to go outside
- Meows a lot
- Purrs often and loud
Appearance
The Siberian is a medium to large, heavy cat. At first glance, it looks like a cross between a Norwegian Forest Cat and a Maine Coon. They have rounder heads and are smaller than the Maine Coon and have shorter legs than the Norwegian Forest Cat. Their fur is especially long at the neck, chest, legs and tail. They have tufts of hair between their toes. They come in all colors and patterns (single color, tabby, tortoiseshell, colorpoint).
History
The Siberian cat comes from Russia. They first came to Europe (England) in 1871 and made their way to America in 1990.
Fun Facts
The Norwegian Forest Cat, Maine Coon and Siberian cat are “forest cats”.
Comparable Breeds
Cats: Pros and Cons
Checklist "Before Buying"
Cat Hair Allergy
How Much Does a Cat Cost per Month?
Costs for Food
Costs for Vet Treatments
Basic Kit for Your Cat
Cat Toys
