Siberian cat

Siberian cat | Characteristics

The Siberian cat is a longhaired, fluffy, medium-to-large cat with a thick coat bracing it for some of the most extreme weather conditions on earth.

Underneath the robust coat, it is equipped with an athletic body, having evolved for the sole purpose of hunting in trees and mountainsides during both summer and winter.

In a modern-day neighbourhood, the Siberian would quickly achieve its status as a ‘top dog’ amongst the other cats, with only a few breeds able to challenge it.

It is believed that Russian immigrants brought the Siberian cat to Siberia. Before that time, the cat was referred to as the Russian forest cat, as cats fitting its description have been mentioned in Russian folklore for over a thousand years.

Siberian cat | Behaviour

Despite looking like a little longhaired mountain lion, the Siberian is an affectionate and talkative cat. It loves communicating using meows, chirps, and purrs, but it tends to keep a low volume so it rarely feels intrusive or needy.

As a family cat, this breed scores high. It quickly forms strong bonds with its owners and other housemates, such as other pets and children.

The Siberian is a reasonably independent cat that will be able to keep itself entertained for several hours, but it does love attention and will need someone to play and snuggle with eventually.

Similar to the Norwegian forest cat, the Siberian has an everlasting fascination with water. The breed finds wet spots highly amusing and will often be seen exploring recently used showers and bathtubs. A rule of thumb for the owners of water-loving cats is to keep the toilet seat shut at all times unless they want stinky paw prints on their furniture.

Luckily, if someone were to find their Siberian cat with their paws in the toilet, the cat would not resist bath time for the same reason they were found splashing around in the toilet.

Siberian cat | Maintenance

Because the Siberian has such a thick coat, which also contains natural oils, they become somewhat water repellent. When bathing one, it can be a bit of an effort to wet its fur enough for the water to reach its skin. In situations like these, it is helpful that the cat is willing to cooperate due to its fondness for water.

If done regularly, the coat of the Siberian is easy to maintain. Brush it twice a week to avoid tangles, and make sure you spread the natural oils in its fur, which will make it less prone to absorbing dirt.

If brushing isn’t done regularly, tangling will happen, and it will become an effort to resolve this issue during bathing time. Regular care will save you a lot of time in the long run.