Siberian

The Siberian cat has been known in Russia for at least 1.000 years. They are included in many stories and legends. Their exact origin is somewhat unknown, as is often the case with naturally occurring cat breeds. However, what we do know is that these cats became very popular across Russia. They were praised for their hunting skills. They were kept because they did a tremendous job of keeping rats, mice, and other small animals away from homes, farms, and shops. After the Soviet Union fell, these cats were slowly introduced to the US. The first specimens were imported in 1990.

The thing that makes all cat breeds unique are their specific characteristics. Things like their size, color, or coat type should all be defined within a breed, and the Siberian is no different. Here are some of the most essential characteristics of this cat breed.

Coat

As you can imagine, the Siberian climate is extremely cold. It would be impossible to survive without proper insulation, let alone thrive. The Siberian cat developed a thick, protective, water-repelling topcoat and a soft, wooly undercoat. Unlike other cats, these ones have a middle part of the coat, called “awn hairs” for additional insulation. They will require quite a bit of grooming to keep their looks and coat healthy.

Coat color

Another unique feature within a breed is the colors they come in. According to the Siberian’s standard, these cats come in all coat colors, with or without white.

Size

Siberian cats are not the largest cats out there. In fact, they are considered to be medium-to-large cats. Adult cats can reach 8 - 17 pounds and 17 - 25 inches in length.

Temperament

Other than physical appearance, a pureblooded cat breed is unique for its temperament. Cats from the same breed should have the same temperaments, with as small as possible variations. One of our favorite things about these cats is that they love people. These are shadow-cats, which means they will follow you like they’re your shadow. They are somewhat vocal and love expressing their feelings through meows, purrs, trills, and chirps. Siberian cats are not shy with strangers. These cats are great with kids because they are patient and calm.

Health

Pureblooded cat breeds have specific health issues they are prone to. It doesn’t matter which breed you choose; they all have potential concerns you and your vet should know. Make sure you keep an eye on them and notice worrying signs as soon as possible. One of those health issues for Siberian cats are;

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - This is not an issue that only bothers Siberians. It can be found in pureblooded and mixed breed cats, and it will cause the heart to enlarge and affect its function.

World Cat Finder Team