Siberian at a Glance

Details: Category: Breed of the Week; Published: April 13, 2020; Hits: 19751

Siberian at a Glance

Siberians have a long history with the earliest known reference dating to 1000 AD. A slow-maturing breed, the average Siberian reaches its full grandeur around five years of age. These intelligent cats are natural problem solvers. Their semi-longhair coat varies with the season. In winter, they have a thick, full, triple coat that would have protected them from the elements in native Russia. In summer, they shed their winter coat for a shorter, less dense variant. The Siberian is well suited to any home with people who will love them and comb their coat weekly. Find out more about this breed and if the Siberian is right for you and your family.

Temperament: Affectionate, Playful, Strong
Size: Medium-to-Large-sized cat
Colors: They appear in a wide variety of colors and patterns, including pointed, with deep intense colors and rich patterns
Life Expectancy: 11-18+ years

About the Siberian Breed

Siberians are a lively, yet highly affectionate breed. Playful in nature, they are happy chasing a feather toy but love just as much to follow family members wherever they go. Siberians make wonderful companions and love to snuggle on cold winter nights. Although they love attention, they are not considered needy and will wait patiently to spend time with their family. Their calm nature makes them a good candidate for serving as a therapy cat.

TICA Regions, Clubs & Rescues

Want to connect with fellow cat lovers and those who love the same breed as you?
TICA is a large resource made up of smaller regions and clubs around the world.
Click here to find a club near you and contact information for your regional director and website.

Wherever you are, you’re in TICA’s world!®

Find a Kitten: Siberian TICA Breeders

The TICA website is the only place where you can find TICA member breeders who have signed the TICA Code of Ethics.
Click here to find Siberian Kittens.

Care

Grooming
The Siberian’s thick triple coat should be combed or brushed a couple of times a week to prevent tangles or mats. The coat will shed seasonally in the spring and fall, and you may need to groom more frequently during that time. A bath is rarely necessary, which is a good thing because their coat is highly water-resistant.

As with all cats, keep their nails trimmed, ears cleaned and teeth brushed regularly with a vet-approved pet toothpaste and provide a nice tall scratching pole to help their natural scratching instinct.

Nutrition:

Siberians do well on a high protein, carbohydrate-free diet as found in quality canned foods and raw or freeze-dried diets.

As with all cats, it is important to give your cat fresh, clean water daily. Fresh, clean water is best, so cats don’t hesitate to drink. If you worry about your cat drinking enough water each day, here's a tip from cat behaviorists - place the water bowl at least three feet away from any food. Cats’ noses are sensitive and an overwhelming smell of food may cause them to drink less. Filtered drinking fountains can also be used in place of a water bowl.

Health

Siberians are generally a healthy breed, however they should be checked for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It is recommended that their vaccinations and parasite treatments are kept to date and that regular veterinary appointments are scheduled.

History

Siberian cats have existed for a long time. The earliest know reference is from 1000AD. In the 1870s they appeared in the first cat show and we also find a reference to Siberian cats at the 1884 show in Madison Square Gardens. Noted cat fanciers mention them in their books in 1889 (Harrison Weir: Our Cats) and 1898 (John Jennings: Domestic & Fancy Cats) along with the first photo of one in 1900 (Helen Winslow: Concerning Cats). But while we find early references to the early Siberians, there is little documented information about them.

The 1980s saw the rise of the cat fancy in Russia and records began to be kept. Kotofei Cat Club in Moscow created the first standard and used 2 cats as the model for it: Mars-a blue lynx point and white--and Roman--a brown tabby and white. At the 1989 All Union Cat Show there were 12 Siberians entered. In 1990 Elizabeth Terrll (Starpoint) imported three cats to the USA: Ofelia, Naina and Kaliostro. In 1997 Dana Osborn (Willowbrook) imported the first colorpoints Ustin El Magrib of Willowbrook (seal lynx point male) and Roksana Babyan of Willowbrook (seal tortie point female) and in 1998 the first color point litter was born.

TICA accepted them into the New Breed program in 1992 and in 1996 granted them championship status.

Did You Know?

A native from the forested, subarctic area of Siberia.

Siberian cats have long hair and a thick coat that is resistant to most extreme weather. They are considered a hypo-allergenic cat breed due to far less reduced levels of Fel d 1 protein sequence in their genes compared to other breeds.

The Breed Standard

The Siberian is a medium-large cat with the overall appearance of excellent physical condition, strength and power, modified by a sweet facial expression. The general impression of the body is one of circles and roundness. Siberians are slow to mature, taking as long as 5 years to reach full maturity. Females are considerably smaller than males, and allowances should be made when comparing females and young cats to the standard. Size is secondary to type.

Click here to read the full TICA Siberian Breed Standard.