Siberian Cat Breed Information

Group

Exotic, Semi-long Haired

Weight

4.5-9.1 kg

Length

23-28 cm

Lifespan

12-15 years

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About the Siberian Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

The Siberian cat is a breed that is lovable and loyal to its companions, whoever they are. With origins going back to Russia, these rugged-looking cats have been around for some time now but still are a popular breed for owners all over the world.

With a sweet-natured personality and the perfect cat for anyone looking for a cuddly feline, they’re a great option if you’ve been looking to adopt or buy a cat.

In this guide, you’ll learn all you need to know when it comes to Siberian cats, from their origins to their general appearance and habits. If you’re considering adoption or buying from an established breeder, here’s some guidance on the Siberian cat breed.

What Is the History & Origin of the Siberian Cat?

This is one of the oldest cats in our history, with the earliest recorded being those of the native Russian Siberian forest cat. These cats date back to the 13th century, and over time, the wild cats have become domesticated, ending up in many homes in and outside of Russia.

Within Europe, the first mention of them was in the early 19th-century cat shows. They’re still relatively rare in Australia, with the first breeder of Siberian cats being founded in 2003.

As the national cat of Russia, the Cat Fanciers Association recognised this breed in 2006. The International Cat Association recognised it earlier in 1996. The Cat Fanciers Association perhaps recognised it moreso from the many Russian fairy tales that this breed featured in.

What Is a Siberian Cat Breed?

The Siberian is a domesticated cat descended from the native Siberian forest cats. They’re a formal breed, loving and very attentive to you as their companion.

Who Is a Siberian Cat Best For?

Siberians are a cat that is most suitable for families and those with young children. They’re very much suited for active households and not the best suited for those who are out all the time and don’t have a lot of time to commit to their pet.

What Does a Siberian Cat Look Like?

The average Siberian has nearly round eyes and has strong, powerful hind legs. Tufted paws support their muscular body, and they have beautiful facial features that’ll have you putty in their paws!

Coat

Their coat is triple-layered and water-resistant, which make it great if they are caught in the rain when exploring outside.

It’s said that they are ancestors of Moscow longhairs and other long-haired cats that we see in today’s cat breeds.

Colours

The breed comes in a variety of different colours. You may see many white Siberian cat colours, but they are mainly black, red, blue, and silver.

Their eye colours range from golden to green or copper. White Siberians will typically have blue eyes.

Patterns

There are a variety of patterns that can be found on a Siberian, including brown mackerel tabby, smoke, point, calico, tortoiseshell and bi-colour.

Siberian Cat Grooming & Shedding

Grooming should be done regularly to help minimise those who may be prone to mild cat allergies. They need brushing regularly due to their thick fur and the shedding that happens twice a year in the spring and autumn. With three layers to their coat, you can expect a lot of hair!

How Do Siberian Cats Behave? A Look at Their Temperament and Personality

The Siberian cat has a loving personality that you’ll see from when they’re a kitten to full maturity. They have a wonderful temperament that’s perfect for any cat lover.

Living Needs

In comparison to other animals, Siberians are sociable pets. They love their humans and therefore don’t want to be left alone for too long. Most breeders will tell you that it’s important that your home often has someone there, whether that’s another household dog or cat or a human.

They’re not too demanding in their needs, and they’ll be happy with a home environment with a few toys to keep them busy. Also, they’ll happily curl up to be near you, whether that’s in bed or on the sofa.

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Siberian Cats?

As a cat breed, Siberian kittens can be fairly curious and energetic. As they grow old, you’ll find this breed to have a mixture of habits and activity levels depending on the household.

Habits

The Siberian is one that loves to be near you, but it’s not going to pry for your attention when you’re busy. It’ll happily wait to be seen to!

Activity Level

This breed is considered pretty active, and so those with other household animals or kids will love this playful feline.

Vocalness

When it comes to their noise levels, they’re fairly quiet in comparison to other cats. So if you’re looking for low vocal levels, then this is a breed for you. Siberian cats love the quiet life!

What Is the Weight, Height, and Size of a Siberian Cat?

What can you expect from this breed when it comes to their height, weight and size in comparison to other pets?

Height

The average height of a Siberian is around 23-28 cm, and the body length tends to be around 38-46cm.

Weight

When it comes to weight, an average Siberian will weigh between 4.5-9.1kg.

Size

As a cat breed, they’re around the middle ground when comparing them to other breeds. Some would describe them as being medium to medium-large in size.

As a cat breed, Siberian kittens can be fairly curious and energetic. As they grow old, you’ll find this breed to have a mixture of habits and activity levels depending on the household.

Are Siberian Cats Easy to Train?

Many of those who aren’t familiar with cats’ abilities for training will often think that only dogs are capable of doing tricks. However, clicker training is good with these cat breeds and can be useful in training them to follow commands and encouraging mental stimulation, which is important as they age.

Make sure you do the training early on when you can, otherwise, they can often end up being set in their ways.

Does the Siberian Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

There can be some health issues that Siberians face, both that are unique to the breed and generic for cats.

Mouth and gum diseases can be typical for most cats, including Siberians. Siberian cats tend to have some respiratory problems, too. There are also some more serious health issues that they could face as they get older.

This includes:

Heart Disease: As they age, Siberians can be at risk for heart disease, necessitating regular veterinary check-ups.
Gastrointestinal Tract Disorders: This breed may face gastrointestinal tract disorders, which can affect their overall health and digestion.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Siberians are susceptible to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a common heart condition in cats that can lead to serious health issues.
Kidney Disease: They may also develop kidney disease, particularly as they grow older, highlighting the need for ongoing health monitoring.

What Is the Lifespan of a Siberian Cat?

Siberians reach their maturity at around five years old. For anyone looking for a cat with a long life, cat breeds like the Siberian can typically live between 12 and 15 years. That’s quite a good lifespan in comparison to some other cats!

How Much Does a Siberian Cat Need to Be Fed?

Like many cats, it’s important that the Siberian breed get an animal protein-rich diet. This will help keep them happy and healthy. You want to pick meats like salmon and chicken as this can help with their coat too.

Supplements can also be good to help with their triple coat and the typical health problems that most cats, in general, will experience. For kittens, kitten food is recommended over anything that’s perhaps too substantial or considered for adult consumption only.

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for a Siberian Cat in Australia?

Get ready to brace yourself. The average cost for a Siberian kitten is typically between $1,200 and $4,000. Why the big price tag? Well, they are in high demand, and there’s also a low number of purebred Siberian cats outside of its home country of Russia.

Make sure you’re opting for a purebred when it comes to these cats, especially when buying kittens.

Siberian Cat FAQs

Are Siberian cats hypoallergenic?

Siberian cats are considered hypoallergenic like some of the other cat breeds. They produce less Fel d1, which is a protein that can cause itchy or sneezy reactions. However, Siberians produce dander which can irritate allergies, so that may be worth considering. If your allergies are due to dander, these cats aren’t suitable. If it’s because of the Fel d1 protein, you’re in luck!

Do Siberian cats like to be held?

Siberians love to have affection, but they’re not clingy. They’ll follow you around the home until you’re ready to give them a cuddle. They’re as affectionate as many cat owners or cat lovers could want.

Can you give Siberian cats milk and dairy products?

It’s surprising that so many cats can’t drink milk or have dairy products as many cats on television are seen to drink it. Although it’s not ideal to give them dairy products, a little bit of cat milk should be fine. It is, though, not something you should be giving too often.

Do Siberian cats get along well with kids and other pets?

Siberian cats are a great breed for those households with kids and other pets. When introduced at an early age, they’ll easily become best friends with any and all household members.

How can you identify a Siberian cat?

A good way to identify a Siberian cat is to feel the cat’s fur. A Siberian cat should have a triple coat. The outer layer is long, the middle layer is dense, and the undercoat is soft and should be supple. The shape of a Siberian’s eyes is usually round and they’re either gold or green in colour.