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Siberian Cat Breed Profile

Est. read time: 8 min.

When you think of Siberia, you probably imagine harsh winters and lots of snow. (And you would be accurate!) Now imagine what kind of cat would be able to survive in that climate—not only survive, but thrive. 

That feline would be none other than the Siberian cat! (Officially called the Siberian Forest cat.)

This breed of cat is native to the forests in Russia. They are bred to survive and have endured hundreds, if not thousands, of years in the harsh winters of Siberia. They are strong cats with thick triple-coated fur that keeps them toasty in the cold.

Looking at a Siberian cat is just as breathtaking as the frozen tundras of Asia. Despite their fortitude in the face of Mother Nature, these felines are as sweet as a cup of hot cocoa on a winter’s day.

Siberian cat ...at a glance
Personality Affectionate, playful, intelligent
Life expectancy 10-18 years
Weight 10-20 lbs
Coat & colors Long, triple coat; various colors & patterns
Energy level High
Affection level High
Friendliness High
Shedding level Medium
Required grooming Medium

Overview of the Siberian cat

brown Siberian cat with green eyes

The Siberian cat is classified as a medium-sized cat breed with semi-long hair, medium-sized legs, and a tail the size of their body. These cats have mastered the art of adaptation, thriving in all kinds of environments. 

Weight

Siberan cats are medium in size, but they have dense, thick coats that might add a pound. They typically weigh between 10 and 20 pounds, with females on the smaller side. Siberian cats are very active and playful; weight should not become an issue if they maintain a good diet and exercise routine.

Length

The Siberian cat ranges from 15 to 25 inches in length. Their tails are usually the same length as their bodies. This cat also has a uniquely long neck, accenting their graceful presence.

Coat

Siberians have magnificent coats and entrancing round eyes. Without their thick coats, they wouldn’t have been able to survive a thousand years of Russian winters.

Their coat is not only thick and water-resistant, it’s also composed of three layers called a triple coat: There’s an outer coat made of guard hairs, a middle layer consisting of awn hairs, and a soft undercoat.

In warmer weather, the Siberian cat will shed most of their layers. In the wintertime, the coat will be extremely full. Luckily, the grooming is not incredibly intensive. Light, regular groomings will suit your cat just fine.

The Siberian cat’s coat can come in any color or pattern, with or without white markings. The white Siberian cat is most likely to have blue eyes.

Every Siberian you come across will be different from the next, and the versatility of their coats adds to their allure.

Lifespan

Taking proper care of your Siberian cat can result in a long, happy life. These cats can live up to 18 years—with a healthy diet and exercise, it’s likely you’ll have a friend for years to come.

The Siberian cat’s history

Siberian cat sitting on fence outside

Siberian cats have been documented for at least a thousand years in the forests of Russia. They are cherished and honored, with a long history as helpful hunters and stars of Russian fairy tales.

There are plenty of Russian stories that depict the Siberian cat as a magical and majestic forest creature, giving them a sort of mysticism similar to that of the Norwegian Forest cat.

Russian Longhair cats have existed for a long time, but it wasn’t until Russians were exiled to Siberia that these specific domestic cats really established themselves. They were brought along with their human companions and adapted to endure harsher climates.

It’s thought that the mutation for longhaired cats started in Russia, where the cats made their way south to Turkey to create the Angora cat and then to Persia to create the Persian cat. If this is the case, the Siberian cat breed is one of the oldest cats to exist—perhaps the oldest longhaired cat ever! Some suspect they are related to the Norwegian Forest cat.

Stories from Russia tell of the Siberian cat weighing up to 45 pounds, protecting their families as would a guard dog. Famous English cat show organizer Harrison Weir described the Siberian cat in a book called "Our Cats and All About Them," which was published in 1889.

It wasn’t until the 1990s, 100 years later, that the Siberian cat had successfully made its way over to the United States. Cat breeder Elizabeth Terrell was the one to bring this breed to the U.S., inducting us all into the Siberian-loving cat club.

Characteristics and cuddles

The Siberian cat is slow to mature. It takes roughly 5 years for a Siberian cat to fully grow to their large size. They are resilient and strong cats that are known for their very sweet expressions. While they may have been protectors in their past lives, these cats make fantastic family pets and sidekicks.

Siberian cats are muscular and powerful, yet they're also very agile and can move around easily without knocking things over.

Personality and behavior

Siberian cats on cat tree

The Siberian is a great family cat to have around. They are watchers and surveyors of their space that get along swimmingly with other animals and children.

These cats have years of real-world experience embedded in them, making them highly intelligent and good at problem-solving. They like to chase and hunt, and can even learn to fetch.

Siberian cats are deeply people-oriented and want to spend time following their family members around. They will talk at you, meet you at the door when you come home, and curl up on your lap when they need cuddles. 

The Siberian cat is known to have a fascination with water. They might swat at water coming from a faucet, jump into a shower that has water droplets still in the tub, or drop their toys in the sink while you are doing dishes. This will help you when it comes to bath time. Siberians are less likely to put up a fight while participating in the grooming process, making the whole situation a lot less stressful.  

Caring for a Siberian cat

This breed is very active and requires a lot of play. They are highly intelligent and may need more stimulation than other cats. They may get into trouble if they are bored—for example, if they want to get into the closed cabinet, it’s likely they will figure out a way to get in. 

You’ll want to have toys and cat trees around your house for your Siberian to enjoy. If you aren’t able to be around your Siberian all day, provide toys to allow them to entertain themselves. Siberians like to climb, jump, and explore, so having plenty of spaces and levels for your cat to work with can add to the stimulation. 

During the summer months, you should expect your Siberian to shed the majority of their fur. When they are actively shedding in the summer, you will need to groom them more often to avoid hairballs

Siberian cats in and next to Litter-Robot

Keeping your cat's litter box clean is a must. If you want your cat to have the best litter box experience, you should try Litter-Robot. This is a self-cleaning litter box that provides your cat with a clean bed of litter every time they need to use the bathroom. 

Is the Siberian cat hypoallergenic?

Many people with cat allergies say they can live alongside the Siberian kitty with no issues. People with allergies to cats are sensitive to the protein Fel d 1, which is found in cats’ saliva, urine, and dander.

Siberian cats just so happen to produce less Fel d 1 than other cat breeds. Ultimately, there is no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic cat. While the Siberian may elicit less of an allergic reaction than other cats, it’s best to be sure that allergies won’t pose an issue before bringing a Siberian kitten or cat into the home.

Health issues

The Siberian is a relatively healthy cat that can live a long time when properly taken care of. Like other larger cats, the Siberian is more prone to developing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is when the heart muscles thicken, disrupting blood flow to the heart.

To keep your cat in the best of health, you should be taking them for annual check-ups at the veterinarian. This way, you can monitor any changes that might have occurred and be on top of their health.

Caring for your fur baby means paying attention to their daily habits in case there is ever an abrupt change. Catching health problems like heart disease early can help give your feline friend the best chance at a good prognosis.

Adopting a Siberian cat

If you adopt a Siberian cat, you have a loyal companion for life. This feline is compassionate and loving. They want to follow you around and be a part of every second of your day.

They are dependent on you for love and affection, but in return, they will dote on every member of your family (and visiting guests!). With a Siberian cat, you can anticipate entertainment and enjoyment every day.

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Photo credits:

  • © Sibirela / CC-BY-SA-3.0
  • Mona Magnussen via Unsplash
  • © Roswitha Budde / CC-BY-SA-3.0

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