Siberian Cat: Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care

The Siberian cat is an ancient and majestic breed that originated in Russia. As forest cats, they have luxurious triple coats for cold protection. Siberians are outgoing and affectionate, making them excellent companions.

Discover more about the charming and kind Siberian cat.

Breed Overview

PERSONALITY: Intelligent, affectionate, friendly, outgoing

Weight: 15 to 20 pounds

Length: 17 to 25 inches

COAT LENGTH: Long hair

Coat Colors: All colors

Coat Patterns: All patterns

Eye Color: All colors

Lifespan: 10 to 18 years

HYPOALLERGENIC: Yes

ORIGIN: Russia

Characteristics of the Siberian Cat

There is a lot to like about Siberian cats. Siberians love to climb, explore, and play. Ensure they are mentally stimulated and physically active.

Siberian cats are friendly with nearly all pets and humans, including children. However, they take about five years to mature, so expect longer-lasting kitten-like behavior than in other breeds.1

Plus, this breed is allergy-friendly. Many cat-allergic individuals are sensitive to Fel d 1, a protein found in cats' fur after grooming.2 Some cat breeds, like Siberians, appear to produce less Fel d 1 than others.

History of the Siberian Cat

Siberian cats hail from their namesake region in Russia, where they have been cherished for thousands of years. Though written history is limited, centuries-old Russian fairy tales and children's books feature them.

After one of the earliest English cat shows in the 1870s, Siberian cats were described in "Our Cats and All About Them," an 1889 book by cat expert Harrison Weir.1

The United States first saw Siberian cats after the Cold War thawed in the 1990s, and they quickly became popular.

The Siberian cat is recognized by The Cat Fanciers’ Association and The International Cat Association.

Siberian Cat Care

When it comes to caring for a Siberian cat, make sure you've got no problem with cat hair, as these cats can shed a good amount. Also ensure that you can provide your cat with plenty of places to perch up high because this breed loves to explore and observe all the action.

Exercise

Siberian cats are happy to play with their toys and families, but they also love to leap. With powerful rear legs, they can jump incredibly high.1 Because of that, make sure you have cat trees and other high-up spots for your Siberian to lounge.

Like all cats, Siberians benefit from interactive toys and puzzle toys that are mentally stimulating and rewarding for them. You can also encourage them to exercise with wand toys, which can be used for bonding with your pet as well.   

In addition to toys, provide your cat with various scratching posts and perches to keep themselves entertained and give them places to rest between play sessions.  

By preventing boredom and enriching their environment, you can keep your Siberian cat happy and prevent destructive behaviors.

Shedding

Be prepared to find a decent amount of hair around your house when you bring home a Siberian cat.

To curb an overwhelming amount of hair and discomfort, follow consistent grooming practices that remove loose hair from the cat’s coat before it ends up all over your clothes and furniture.

Grooming

To keep your Siberian cat looking beautiful, occasional brushing should do the trick, as the coat resists matting. Just make sure to up the amount of brushing time during shedding season.

Though not required, occasional baths will help loose hair come out and remove dust and dander from the coat. Some Siberians actually enjoy water, so this might not be a tough task.2

Trim Siberians' nails regularly. Scratching posts are not a replacement for nail clippers.

Regularly inspect your Siberian's ears for dirt and debris. Clean their ears if you find them dirty. Never stick a cotton swab or anything else down into the ear canal. If the ears look red or excessively dirty, schedule a checkup with your veterinarian.

To help your cat’s teeth and gums, brush their teeth regularly, such as daily or at least several times a week. Use a cat-specific toothpaste and toothbrush.

Common Health Problems

The Siberian cat can be prone to certain health conditions, and they’re also susceptible to all the problems that can come with age. Certain diseases have genetic components, so responsible breeders should screen their cats to avoid breeding affected cats and passing health problems to future generations.

Some of the conditions that can affect Siberian cats are:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: This is a form of heart disease that causes thickening of the heart muscle, and it's more prevalent in certain breeds, including Siberians. Mutations of several cardiac genes have been identified in some cats with this disease, which suggests that genetics plays a role.3

• Erythrocyte pyruvate kinase deficiency: Also known as PK deficiency, this causes intermittent anemia, with symptoms like weakness, jaundice, weight loss, abdominal enlargement, and lethargy. 

• Polycystic kidney disease: Also known as PKD, this disease is inherited and incurable, causing cysts to form on the kidneys. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, increased thirst and urination, lethargy, decreased appetite, and more.

Appearance

The Siberian cat’s trademark sweet expression comes from their modified wedge head with rounded contours. They have moderately short muzzles with slight curvatures, along with medium-to-large eyes that are almost round.1

Their eyes come in shades of green, gold, green-gold, or copper (white cats may have blue eyes or “odd eyes"—eyes that are two different colors).

The Siberian cat’s luxurious, thick coat may come in any color or pattern, with or without white markings.

The triple coat is made up of three layers: a shorter, dense undercoat of downy hair (the hair closest to the skin); a layer of slightly longer “awn hair” in the middle; and an even longer outer coat layer (called “guard hair”).

These are solid cats, and their rear legs are slightly longer than the ones in the front.1 That enables the Siberian to be a powerful jumper.

Diet and Nutrition

Work with your veterinarian to choose the best food for your Siberian cat. Always have fresh, clean water available for them.

Although dry food is convenient, canned food contains fewer carbs and has a lot of extra moisture. Most cats don’t drink enough water, which can affect their overall health, including their kidney health.

Feed measured amounts of food at scheduled times, two to three times a day. Don’t leave food out all day, as this can contribute to an overweight cat.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Siberian Cat

Siberian cats are expensive, with kittens from reputable breeders costing as much as $4,000.

You may be able to find a purebred Siberian cat through a breeder in your area. Carefully research breeders to ensure you select one who takes great care of their animals, properly screens them for health problems, and can provide health information about the parents of their kittens.

You can search for breeders by browsing the listings on:

• The International Cat Association

• The Cat Fanciers’ Association

If you'd rather adopt from a rescue organization, you might be able to find Siberian cats at your local shelters, or you might be able to locate breed-specific rescues. Some resources that are worth checking out include:

• Petfinder

• Adopt a Pet

• Rescue Me

Siberian Cat Overview

The Siberian cat breed is beautiful and has a great personality. These cats are playful, affectionate, energetic, talkative, and friendly. They may even be a good option for those who have allergies, despite the fact that they need to be brushed often and do shed, especially when they shed their winter coat in the warmer months.

Pros of Siberian Cats

• Good for some allergy sufferers

• Gets along well with children and other animals

• Can handle colder weather and likes water play

Cons of Siberian Cats

• Long hair requires more grooming than other cats

• Rare and expensive

• Likes to jump to high places, so needs perches like cat trees

More Cat Breeds and Further Research

If you’re intrigued by the Siberian cat and want to learn more, you can ask breeders, Siberian cat owners, and Siberian cat rescuers for more information, and they might help you meet some cats in person.

You can also visit Cat Shows U.S. to find a cat show in your area. Cat shows are a great way to meet many different breeds and talk to breed aficionados to learn more.

If you like the Siberian cat, you might also like:

• Maine Coon

• Norwegian Forest Cat

• Sphynx

There are many cat breeds out there. With a little research, you can find the right one to bring home.