Content
- Siberian cat: origin
- Siberian Cat: characteristics
- Siberian cat: personality
- Siberian Cat: care
- Siberian cat: health
- Curiosities
With abundant fur and penetrating eyes, the siberian cat has become one of the most popular and appreciated cat breeds in the world. His balanced temperament and physical characteristics made him one of the ideal companions for all kinds of people. However, despite being a very old feline, its official recognition was around the 90s, do you want to know why? In this article by PeritoAnimal we will explain everything you need to know about the Siberian cat, its characteristics, personality, care and curiosities.
Source- Europe
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Category II
- thick tail
- Big ears
- Strong
- Small
- Medium
- Great
- 3-5
- 5-6
- 6-8
- 8-10
- 10-14
- 8-10
- 10-15
- 15-18
- 18-20
- Active
- Affectionate
- Shy
- Cold
- Warm
- Moderate
- Medium
- Long
Siberian cat: origin
The Siberian cat is one of those known as "forest cats ", along with the Maine Coon and the Norwegian Forester, since the specimens of these cat breeds develop in the forests of Russia and Ukraine. It is believed to come from the crossing of domestic cats brought to Russia and Ukraine with wild cats from the forests of Siberia, hence it is known as the Siberian Cat.
This breed of cat looks new since there are no documents that mention it until 1871. Thus, it had no official pedigree until 1987 and the World Cat Federation did not recognize it until a few years ago, giving its international expansion only in the 1990s. This can be explained by the existing ban in the Soviet regime on the exploitation of domestic animals, farmers who owned Siberian cats did so secretly. However, its origins seem to go back a thousand years in time. In Russia they were usual companions of the nobles, being very present in the most distinguished palaces of Imperial Russia. Therefore, it is part of one of the oldest cat breeds in the world, despite its official documentation on the dates indicated.
Siberian Cat: characteristics
Without a doubt, the most representative physical characteristic of the Siberian cat is the coat thick composed of three layers. Present in many breeds, this trait is much more developed in this breed of cats as they had to withstand the drastic temperatures of Siberia to survive. The coat is hard covered, and although it is a little shorter on the legs and chest, it is considerably longer on the head and belly. They also have long hair between their fingers.
As for the fur and eye color, all are accepted except chocolate and violet. The eyes are usually amber or green in color, although there may be blue-eyed specimens but they are rare to find. Regardless of eye color, they are rounded and expressive.
In general, the weight varies. between 4.5 and 9 kg in males and females. It should be noted that the cat will not reach its final size and weight until 4 or 5 years of age, and growth is considerably slower compared to other breeds. Also, like your hind legs are slightly longerthat the front legs, your back is a little arched.
Siberian cat: personality
If we talk about the personality of the Siberian cat, it is noted that this cat breed is characterized by its sociability and affability. While its robust appearance can be impressive, it's a very affectionate cat that adapts well to treatment with other cats and even with other animals such as dogs. The behavior of this breed of cat resembles that of a dog, as they wait for their guardians and when they get home they are constantly asking for attention and affection.
On the other hand, it's also true that it can take some time to lose the initial shyness with strangersSo if you are the new tutor you must have a little patience, because after getting to know you completely you will spend hours playing and begging for caresses. At first, he may show a doubtful personality with behaviors such as hiding in front of visitors, but the moment he feels comfortable, he will not hesitate to ask for affection and purr a lot.
If you've just adopted a Siberian cat and need tips on how to gain a cat's trust, read our article.
Siberian Cat: care
One of the main cares with the Siberian cat is to have a lot of attention and dedication to skin maintenance. Given the length, it is recommended brush regularly to avoid knots and hairballs, especially in the areas of the belly and chest where the hair is most likely to ruffle. Between 2 and 3 times a week will be enough, get to know the most suitable brushes for long-haired cats, in this article by PeritoAnimal.
Another aspect to take into account regarding the cat's fur is the baths, it is recommended not to bathe or at least not often, as it would eliminate the protective oil layer that allows insulation from the cold and waterproofing. Excessive bathing can favor respiratory pathologies, such as feline pneumonia and, in addition to aesthetics, the hair would also lose volume and shine. Therefore, dry baths are recommended, they must be performed by good professionals who, above all, take care of the feline's health. Check out more information on what to do to clean a cat without bathing it in this article.
Siberian cat: health
Due to their wild origin and having remained an unaltered breed by humans, these cats are strong and robust, with enviable health and no notable congenital disorders. Despite this, they have common diseases like any other race, such as hypertrophic heart disease, which consists of an enlarged left ventricular myocardium, so veterinary visits should be frequent.
As with most cats, it is necessary to be attentive to the state of the fur, nails, mucous membranes and teeth to detect and prevent disease. Likewise, it is important to carry out an adequate vaccination and deworming schedule, always following the instructions of the veterinarian.
Curiosities
- There are legends that attribute to these cats the task of guarding Russian monasteries.
- this particular breed like to play with the waterSo be careful, because as mentioned above, this can be harmful to your health.
- Finally, Siberian cats are considered hypoallergenic catsThis is because they do not produce a protein called FelD1, which is responsible for 80% of allergies to animals. For this reason, Siberian cats can be a good choice for those affected by cat fur allergies.