The Siberian cat is great (but not hypoallergenic)

Loyal, social and sweet. And even though the Siberian cat is not hypoallergenic, anyone who has met this beautiful animal is in love! The Siberian cat is a real family cat that we are happy to tell you all about here.

In this blog:

The origins of the Siberian cat
The character of a Siberian cat
The appearance and coat of a Siberian cat
Hereditary diseases and disorders of a Siberian cat
How old does a Siberian cat get?
The care of a Siberian cat
Is a Siberian cat hypoallergenic?
Buying a Siberian cat (kitten)

The origins of the Siberian cat

Not that much is actually known about the origin and ancestry of this beautiful cat. What we do know is that this cat breed has been around for more than a thousand years. And that it is often mentioned in folk tales and Russian literature. Because that is where this magical animal originally comes from. The breed was already very popular there, but was only officially recognised by international breed associations in the 1990s. This was due to strict export controls.

The character of the Siberian cat

The Siberian cat is actually always cheerful and in a good mood. It is active, intelligent and sweet. And that makes this cat particularly suitable for a life with a family. And also gets along fine with other cats and dogs. He likes to be around his people, but never asks for much attention. The presence of its master is often cosy enough for the Siberian cat. The Siberian cat also loves to play, but preferably with intelligent toys – interactive cat toys and learning tricks make this cat breed very happy.

The Siberian cat has long hind legs, making it a very good climber who likes to rest in high places and keep an eye on his family. For this cat breed in particular, an extra-high scratching post is therefore a must.

Fun fact: Siberian cats like to talk to their owners and love water!

The appearance and coat of the Siberian Cat

Siberian cats are generally medium-sized. They resemble wild cats, but a size smaller. They are fully grown around the age of five and males can then weigh up to nine kilos. Females grow up to seven kilos.

The body of the Siberian cat is muscular, strong and quite long. The neck of these cats is short and strong. Their legs, too, are strong but rather short. Their tail, on the other hand, is very long and well-haired, as is the collar. And the head of these cats is sweetly round, has large oval eyes that are wide apart and cute tufts of hair grow out of the ears.

One of the most important features of a Siberian cat is its fur. It is made to survive harsh winters in Russia, so it is dense and very strong. And also water-repellent.

Siberian cat versus Norwegian Forest Cat

The Siberian Forest Cat is often confused with the Norwegian Forest Cat. This is not surprising, as they are somewhat similar. Yet there are distinct differences between these two cat breeds:

The head: Siberian cats have a round head and Norwegian Forest Cats a triangular one.
The ears: Both breeds often have lynx-like fluffs on the end of the ears, but Siberian cats’ ears are smaller and rounder.
Coat: The coat of Norwegian Forest cats has two layers, while that of the Siberian cat has three.
Character: Norwegian Forest cats are more private and Siberian cats appreciate their owners’ attention more.

Diseases and disorders in the Siberian cat

The Siberian cat is not overly bred with. Therefore, this breed is generally healthy and strong. But – like any other cat – these breed cats can also face diseases. One disease that can affect this cat breed, for example, is HCM, which stands for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy – a heart disease that is more common in cats.

How old does a Siberian Cat get?

Siberian cats live to the same age as ‘normal’ cats. So you can count on twelve to sixteen years of companionship and fun. And if you are lucky he will get older, as 25% of Siberian cats live beyond sixteen years.

The care of the Siberian cat

A Siberian cat has a thick and long coat. And it should be well cared for by brushing and combing it at least three times a week. And a few times a day to play with its owner is also appreciated.

A Siberian kitten also needs extra attention and care. Because these breed cats grow a lot during their first two years of life, they also need lots and extra high-quality food. Which kind is good and how much you should give is best discussed with your vet.

And other than that, caring for this cat breed is the same as caring for any other cat:

love and genuine attention
a safe home
bowls of fresh water every day
high-quality cat food
several clean litter trays with high-quality cat litter
a warm sleeping place
plenty of (intelligent and interactive) cat toys
a high cat tree with large sleeping places
treatment against worms, ticks and fleas
regular check-ups at the vet
vaccinations against diseases

Is a Siberian cat hypoallergenic?

Siberian cats are known – wrongly – for being hypoallergenic. Because they shed very little and because there has been a mutation in breeding. But both of these are fables. You see, people are not allergic to cat hair, but to the proteins in cat saliva, urine and dander. And the Siberian cat produces all of those, just like any other cat. Hypoallergenic cats don’t exist. [bold] And so a Siberian cat is not hypoallergenic either!

Buying a Siberian cat (kitten)

Would you like to buy a Siberian cat? Then do so from a recognised breeder or inquire at a breed association. And never buy your cat from a bread breeder, from Marketplace or Ebay. And we know – a kitten is super cute and fun. But they also grow up and need your care and attention throughout their lives. So maybe you could also check out the shelter or a mediation website, as you can often find super cute older cats there who are also looking for a sweet new owner.