The Siberian cat is one of the furriest cats out there, and like every other cat, it is easy to love. But beyond that, they also look adamant! These cats should be prowling somewhere in the woods, taking care of business rather than lounging on your couch. The Siberian cat breed is one of our favorites here at IndulgeYourPet.
But this doesn’t mean…
This will be the right “kind” of cat for everyone. This is why, in this article, we wanted to take a moment and discuss what it might be like to own one of these magnificent creatures so that if you’re ever allowed to get your hands on one, you’ll know for sure if it’s going to be a good idea.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Siberian Cat Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Russia
Size: Large
Weight: 15 to 20 pounds
Eyes: Round (yellow-green)
Shape of Head: Wedge-shaped
Lifespan: 11 to 15 years
Origin of the Siberian Cat Breed
As the appearance of the Siberian cat suggests, these guys can take care of themselves. This is precisely what these guys have been doing throughout Northern Russia for well over 1000 years. Long before Russian folks began appreciating the Siberian cat breed for their “mousing” abilities, they roamed free and survived independently.
Heck, it wasn’t until the early 19th century that even Russian cat enthusiasts began to take notice of these incredible animals and dedicate themselves to the refinement and preservation of this breed. This is why you may be forgiven for not knowing much about these guys, even if you are a cat lover. After all, this breed hadn’t “officially” arrived in the United States until 1990!
The excellent news is…
Ever since they arrived, their numbers and popularity continued to rise, which is probably why both the International Cat Association and the American Cat Fancier Association have ” officially ” recognized the breed during the 1990s as well. It’s also why you can get your hands on one without paying a small fortune!
Physical Characteristics
The Siberian cat breed is well known to have a very muscular and well-built body. And when you look at them, one of the first things you’ll think about is their significance. Their heads are large, their eyes are large, and even their tails are large. While most Siberian cats’ eyes will be green, gold, or a mixture of both, you may encounter a White or fairly white Siberian with blue eyes or eyes of either color.
That said, however, their most noticeable feature is their coat. It’s a long triple, heavy coat protected them from the cold in Siberia. The outer coat is made up of guard hairs, the middle part is made up of awn hairs, and the last coat is a downy undercoat.
Personality and Temperament
The Siberian breed is large and maybe a little intimidating for some people, but look into their eyes, and you’ll find nothing but warmth because at their “core,” they’re very affectionate cats, and they love to cuddle. They’ll always be near you, trying to cuddle up to your side or chilling on your lap as you drink your coffee. So, if you don’t want the type of cat that will follow you around just about anywhere, then the Siberian isn’t the cat for you.
Plus…
If you like to have guests over, you don’t need to worry about your cat. Siberians aren’t shy, and they enjoy meeting new people. And they’re also not shy about voicing their opinions. They’re also “Big Time Purrers.” Sometimes, they’ll purr quietly and tell you what went on while you were out, while other times, they purr pretty loudly when you’re giving their chin a good rub.
But…
As much as they love you giving them attention, they love giving you attention, too. Tell them about your day, and they may have a few things to say about it. Now, despite their calm nature, they can also be playful. They’re active and love to play games and learn new tricks. They’ll play with almost anything they find, so it’s best not to leave anything too expensive. And strangely enough, these guys also like to play with water! So, you shouldn’t be too surprised to find them turning on your bathroom or kitchen faucet. (They may even join you in a bath!)
Did we mention they love to climb?
If not, let us mention that now because they do. If you can’t find your Siberian, look up, and they’re probably perched on your fridge or a bookshelf. They not only like to climb, though, but they love to leap. Their strong legs allow them to jump high so that they may break a few things occasionally.
Now you may be thinking…
With all this energy, how are you going to entertain them? Well, that’s easy: pair one of these guys up with a small child of about any age, and you’ll be good to go because these guys are just great with kids, too! All in all, they’re warm and adventurous creatures. Which, in our opinion, is a perfect combination!
Potential Health Issues
The Siberian cat is generally healthy. While some cats have more than one hereditary disease they pass down to their offspring, Siberians only have one. This hereditary disease is a heart disease known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
Now, HCM is a heart condition that causes the left ventricle of a cat’s heart to thicken. This is a problem because the left ventricle receives oxygenated blood from the lungs, which in turn feeds that blood to the rest of their bodies.
When the left ventricle…
It blocks itself from doing that, causes its heart to beat faster, and eventually causes the heart to be oxygen-starved. This kills heart cells and leads the soul to win too quickly, too slow, or in any other irregular beat. Unfortunately, there is no cure for HCM. Only treatments will prevent your cat from getting some of the symptoms. Still, because this is a known hereditary issue with the Siberian cat breed, any responsible Siberian breeder should be aware of this and careful not to breed cats with a history of this disease.
Which brings us to…
The last topic we wanted to discuss today is why you should invest in a pet insurance policy. As you can see, HCM is a severe problem. That’s why it’s looking to invest in a pet insurance policy. Pe is essential insurance covers and helps you with expensive things your cat needs.
This includes…
Treatments and medication, like the ones that will help your cat not feel some of the symptoms of HCM. Medication, check-ups, and anything else that may happen in between can cost thousands of dollars. It also covers euthanasia if HCM were to come to that. And while some folks may think getting pet insurance is useless, ask if any of your friends have spent thousands of dollars on medical bills for their pets. If so, maybe getting a pet insurance policy isn’t a bad idea.
For more information about who we feel currently offers the “best” policies in the industry, check out our Best Pet Insurance Policy article.
