The Siberian cat is one of the furriest cat out there, and like every other cat, easy to love. But beyond that, they also look really tough!
In fact…
These cats just look like they should be prowling around somewhere in the woods taking care of business rather than lounging on your couch. This is why the Siberian cat breed is one of our favorites here at IndulgeYourPet.
But this doesn’t mean…
That this is going to be the right “kind” of cat for everyone. Which 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 given the opportunity 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
Siberian cat breed origin
As the appearance of the Siberian cat suggests, these guys are able to take care of themselves. In fact, this is exactly what these guys have been doing all throughout Northern Russia for well over 1000 years.
You see…
Long before Russian folks began appreciating the Siberian cat breed for their “mousing” abilities, these cats basically roamed free and basically survived on their own.
Heck…
IT wasn’t until the early 19th century that even Russian cat enthusiasts really began to take notice of these incredible animals and begin to dedicate themselves to the refinement and preservation of this breed.
Which is why…
You may be forgiven for not knowing much about these guys even if you are a cat aficionado after all, this breed hadn’t “officially” arrived in the United States until 1990!
The good news is…
That ever since they did arrive, their numbers and popularity continue to be on the rise which is probably why both the International Cat Association and the American Cat Fancier Association have both “officially” decided to recognize the breed during the 1990’s as well.
It’s also why…
You may actually be able to get your hands on one without paying a small fortune!
Siberian cat breed 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 thing that you’re going to notice about them is that they’re large. They’re heads are large, their eyes are large, even their tails are large.
And while…
Most Siberian cat’s eyes will be green, gold, or a mixture of both, you may encounter a White Siberian’s or fairly white Siberian’s which can have blue eyes or eyes of either color.
That said however…
Their most noticeable feature is their coat. It’s a long triple, heavy coat that 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.
Siberian cat breed personality and temperament
The Siberian breed is large and may be 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 cuddled 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.
The good news is…
If you like to have guests over, you don’t need to worry about your cat. Siberian’s 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 want went on while you were out while other times they purr quite 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. Go on and 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 just about anything they find, so it’s best not to leave anything too expensive out.
And strangely enough…
These guys also like to play with water! So, you shouldn’t be too surprised to find them turning on the faucet in your bathroom or kitchen. (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. Which means that if you can’t find your Siberian, just look up, and they’re probably perched on your fridge or a bookshelf. They not only like to climb though, they love to leap. Their strong legs allow them to jump high, so they may end up breaking a few things every now and then.
Now you may be thinking…
That 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 just 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!
Siberian cat breed heath issues
The Siberian cat is generally healthy. While some cats have more than one hereditary diseases that they pass down to their offspring, Siberian’s only have one. This hereditary disease is a heart disease known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
Now HCM is a…
Heart condition which causes the left ventricle of a cat’s heart to thicken. This is a problem because the left ventricle is what receives oxygenated blood from the lungs, which in turns feeds that blood to the rest of their bodies.
When the left ventricle…
Blocks itself from doing that it causes their heart to beat faster, and eventually causes the heart to be oxygen-starved. This kills heart cells, and leads the heart to beat either too fast, too slow, or in any other irregular beat.
Unfortunately…
There is no cure for HCM. There are only treatments that will prevent your cat from getting some of the symptoms, but because this is a known hereditary issue with the Siberian cat breed, any responsible Siberian breeder should be aware of this and should be careful not to breed cats who have a history of this disease.
Which brings us to…
The last topic we wanted to discuss today which is why you should invest in a pet insurance policy.
As you can see…
HCM is a serious problem. That’s why it’s important to look into investing in a pet insurance policy. Pet insurance covers you and helps you with any expensive things that 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 end up costing thousands of dollars. It also covers euthanasia if HCM were to come to that.
And while…
Some folks may think that getting pet insurance is useless, just ask around and see 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 such a bad idea after all.
For more information about who we feel currently offers the “best” policies in the industry, be sure to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policy article.
