Siberian
Siberian Cats are large solid cats that take up to five years to reach their full size. These cats have a triple coat that is made up of a soft undercoat, and outer-coat with shiny waterproof hairs on top. Their beautiful lush coat continues to develop and when they’re about one year old the hairs around their neck grow giving the Siberian the appearance that they have a lion’s mane. They also have tufts of hair that grow between the pads on their paws and from their ears.
The Siberian comes in a wide variety of colours including colour point, cream, gold, silver, brown, red and blue and their eyes are green or green-gold in colour.
The striking coat of the Siberian does change over time and their colours tend to fade as the cat ages.
Siberian Cats shed their heavy coat during seasonal changes and they can do with regular grooming to keep their coat from becoming matted.
Siberian cats weigh between 6.8-9.1 kg for the males and 4.5-6.8 kg for females.
The average lifespan of a Siberian cat is 10 to 18 years.
Personality and Temperament
This is a breed with a strong personality and they are often described as having a dog like personality. They are affectionate and loyal and demand their owner’s attention and it’s not uncommon for this cat to follow their owners from room to room.
They are not cats to be left alone all day as they really enjoy company, so having two rather than one cat would be suggested. These cats are also very comfortable with dogs and children. While a lot of other cats aren’t recommended for households with very young children, the Siberian actually thrives on the company.
They are easy going cat who are just as happy snuggling up on your lap or playing fetch or other games like that involve hiding food.
Common Siberian Diseases & Conditions
Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and pictures
- Feline Cardiomyopathy. This is a disease of the heart muscle and it involves the thickening of parts of the heart muscle that ultimately ends up affecting the way that the heart pumps blood. A variety of cats are more likely to be susceptible to this illness including Maine Coon, Persians, Ragdolls other cats. This heart disorder is ultimately inherited.
- Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a disease that can affect the bladder and urethra of cats. Cats with FLUTD present with pain and have difficulty urinating. They also urinate more often and blood may be visible in the urine. Cats may lick their genital area excessively and sometimes randomly urinate around the house. These symptoms may re-occur through a cats life so it’s best to discuss things with a vet.
- Furballs are not really ball shaped at all they are cigar shaped clumps that the cat may vomit. They are caused by the cat digesting fur that gathers in the stomach due to grooming. The mass sits in the upper intestine or stomach and it can result in a blockage. Fur balls can occur if the cat is losing more hair than normal due to stress, a skin irritation or obesity. A healthy diet will help ensure that furball episodes are kept to a minimum.
Not all conditions are covered by Pet Insurance. For details of Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance cover, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement.
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History
There are a number of theories about the history of the Siberian Cat. One relates to their history as mouse catchers in the streets of Russia thousands of years ago. The breed has ultimately been developed to meet the standards of breeders and judges. During the 1980s the breed was featured in cat shows in Russia which ultimately led to the development of the breed so it would be distinguished from other large fluffy longhaired Russian breeds. OlgoMironva, President of the Kotofi Club developed the breeds’ description and a white Siberian stud Roman and brown tabby were used to develop the standard.
The World Cat Federation was the first international organisation to accept the Siberian Cat which was nicknamed the Neva Masquerade. Two cats, Mars and Roman were the beginning of the Siberian breed.
Siberians didn’t start appearing in Australia until 2003 when they were introduced from the United States.
Siberian Facts!
- The Siberian Cat has a long Russian history and the breed was often featured in children’s books and novels.
- Although it hasn’t been proven there are some reports that the Siberian’s fur is hypoallergenic.
- Siberian cats are also very vocal so be prepared to have a lot of conversations with your Siberian.
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MORE INFORMATION
NSW Cat Fanciers Association: http://www.nswcfa.asn.au/
Siberian Cat Breeders Australia: http://www.catsofaustralia.com/siberian_breeders.htm
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