Siberian Cat Breed Description

Introduction

This large muscular cat is quite strong. Their coat, which comes in the traditional assortment of colors, is triple thick, thereby very water-resistant, with a full ruff that gets denser in the winter months. Siberians are unique in that they have a proven much lower amount of the Fel-d-1 protein in their saliva and sebaceous glands. Thanks to that difference, many people with cat dander allergies can live with this breed. Siberian cats are loyal, affectionate, playful and sweetly expressive.

History of the Breed

The Siberian Cat is visible in Russian writings and paintings dating back centuries. This distinguishes them from other breeds that are in existence as a result of selective breeding done in recent times. This breed of cat is believed to have originated from Russian farms where it was a working cat. Urbanization and the emigration of people into urban centers caused the cat to adapt. It mixed and bred with different types of colored cats. The cat has up to now not been accepted as a pure breed; however, it has been accepted by chief feline registries like the CFF, GCCF, TICA, FIFe, and CFA among others.

General Description

This breed is renowned for its exceptional agile jumping skills. They have a powerfully built body that is very strong, thanks to hardy rear legs and big, well-formed paws. Siberian Cats have average sized ears, barrel chests, broad foreheads and stockier bodies that distinguish them from their counterpart breeds such as the Norwegian Forest Cat, the Maine Coon and the Forest Cat. The cat has a structure similar to that of a bulldog due to its barrel chest and heavily boned body. Like most big cat breeds, Siberians attain maturity and get their mature characteristics gradually throughout the first five years of their life. The cat's body has smooth multicolored fur including dots.

Temperament

Siberian Cats are normally intellectual animals and can even respond when called by their owners. They are also very playful and to a great extent they enjoy playing outdoors. Siberian Cats are extremely independent, but they are affectionate and loyal to their caregivers, which makes many people compare the character of the cat to that of dogs. They are at ease traveling in vehicles and going for walks while on a restraint and are apparently excellent lap cats. They are also a perfect companion to children with allergic reactions to cat hair, since they do not shed their coats.

Health and Care

These cats should be cared for and groomed on a regular basis just like other domestic cats. The health of these cats is normally excellent since they are robust. However, these cats are susceptible to the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This is a widespread disease that is known to affect some of the purebred breeds of cats and poses a potential threat to all other breeds of domestic cats. It can also be transmitted to human beings. The cats that suffer from HCM exhibit the symptoms from the tender age of two months up to 24 years of age. There are contradicting statements on the actual time that it takes for symptoms of HCM to display themselves; it may start from six months onwards, but not less than that.

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