Siberian forest cat size

 

Siberian forest cat size - if you are looking for a medium-sized longhaired cat, the Siberian is the perfect affectionate pet that will take everyone's breath away. This forest cat appeared in Russia, where she needed a very warm coat for protection from the cold. A strong and muscular body with well-developed bones allows you to withstand harsh environmental conditions, and a wonderful character makes you an irreplaceable friend and member of your family.

From Russia with love ... The full name of this breed is the Siberian forest cat, but sometimes, although extremely rare, there is another - the Moscow Longhair cat. People also call them gentle giants with a kind heart.

The breed even starred in the 2016 film Nine Lives alongside Kevin Spacey, who plays a workaholic father whose mind gets stuck in his daughter's Siberian cat.

History of the Siberian cat

Siberian cats are native to Russia and are considered a national treasure. It is difficult to say how long ago they appeared, but judging by Russian fairy tales and children's books, their history goes back hundreds, and maybe a thousand years, Siberian forest cat size. Most likely, the ancestors of modern cats came from the Siberian forests to cities and villages to escape the severe frosts. The first owners appreciated them for their hunting skills, thanks to which there were no rodents in the house.

They were first described in detail in 1889 in Harrison Weir's book Our Cats and All about Them in the section on longhaired cats.

Until the 1980s, in the USSR, in principle, it was not recommended to keep pets in view of the small living space and lack of food. But in 1987, the government lifted restrictions on pet ownership, Siberian forest cat size. The first clubs began to appear, and already in 1988 the first Russian cat show took place in Moscow.

On it, Elizabeth Terrell from Baton Rouge (Louisiana, USA) exchanged four of her Himalayans for three Siberian cats Nelly Sachiko. These were:

They captured Terrell's heart at first sight. She invested thousands of dollars and spent a lot of her time bringing in as many Siberian cats as possible and making them a recognized breed in America.

Just a month after Elizabeth Terrell's kittens were born, another breeder David decided to bring some Siberians. Instead of waiting for them to be sent to him, he bought a plane ticket and flew to Russia. There he bought all the representatives of this breed that he could find and already on July 4 returned to the United States with fifteen cats. This man played an invaluable role in replenishing the Siberian gene pool.

Currently, this breed is recognized by almost all associations. But despite their availability, they are still quite rare outside of Russia.

The Siberian cat is a medium to large animal with a broad chest and a wedge-shaped head. The resilient, barrel-shaped belly gives a feeling of great weight.

The ears are slightly tilted forward and have tassels like squirrels. There should be a small indentation between the ears and an almost flat area on the forehead, Siberian forest cat size. The hair behind the ear is short and fine. From their middle, the fur lengthens and covers their base. Tipping of the ears is allowed.

The chin is rounded but not prominent, in line with the nose.

Siberians resemble Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest cats, but have a rounder head and larger legs, while the hind legs are slightly longer than the front ones.

The tail is of medium length, somewhat shorter than the body length. It should be broad at the base, slightly tapering towards the tip, without bulging or kinking, with a uniform and dense coat.

The luxurious fur coat of a Siberian cat can be of almost any color and pattern. There may or may not be white spots on it. There are 124 variants of colors. Their wool consists of three layers:

Short and dense undercoat adhering to the skin

Second undercoat of medium length

Coarse long, so-called guard hair

They should be slightly more than the size of the eye itself. The look is attentive and expressive. Interestingly, white cats can have both blue eyes and two different ones, for example, one blue and the other green.

Character

Siberian cats have an adorable personality. They are sociable, affectionate, friendly and at the same time very energetic - somewhat reminiscent of dogs. One of their favorite games is to bring a toy thrown to them, Siberian forest cat size. They will always meet you at the door and follow you throughout the house. Although these cats are quite quiet, they still love to sometimes sing sweet melodies, which may remind someone of birds chirping. They like the company of other cats and even dogs. They get along well with children.

Siberians very love cats. Cats are usually larger and slightly more obedient. And females, as a rule, are much closer to humans.

To find the best food for your new kitten, check with the breeder or veterinarian. Although feeding with dry food is much more convenient and generally cheaper, canned food is preferable because it contains less carbohydrates and more moisture. This is important, as most cats do not drink enough water, which can negatively affect overall health, including the kidneys. If your pet is inclined to be overweight, we recommend that you do not leave food for the whole day, but give it in portions 2-3 times a day.

Education and care

As we wrote above, Siberians are smart and very playful animals. They grow up slowly, so they will play with you like a funny kitten for about five years.

These cats love to climb everywhere and explore everything. Don't be surprised if you find it on a refrigerator, door, or even a chandelier, Siberian forest cat size. Move dangerous objects away, such as vases, so that the kitten does not accidentally break or injure them. To keep them mentally and physically active, purchase a variety of fun toys, a scratching post and a house.

Trim your nails twice a month, but don't overdo it so you don't accidentally damage them.

Be sure to wipe your ears with a cotton pad (not to be confused with cotton swabs) moistened with a special cleaning agent. Be careful not to insert a cotton pad deeply to avoid injuring your ear canal. If your ears appear reddened or excessively dirty, be sure to consult your veterinarian.

10 calmest cat breeds

In the warm season, representatives of the Siberian breed get rid of a warm winter coat in favor of a shorter summer one. Despite the fact that the coat is quite long in itself, it does not need frequent brushing.

To get rid of hair loss, dust, or dandruff, these cats need to be bathed periodically.

Like humans, all cats need regular brushing. Of course, ideally, this should be done every day, but cleaning at least once a week is better than nothing.

Keep your litter box spotless. Cats are very sensitive to hygiene. It will also help preserve the beauty of the coat.

Siberian cat and allergies

Many consider the Siberian cat, despite its long and thick coat, to be hypoallergenic. While this is not supported by any scientific studies, some owners who have allergies say they get along well with these animals.

Siberian cats are potentially hypoallergenic

As you know, the main cause of cat allergies is their dandruff, not hair, as many think. Most people with this disease are sensitive to the Fell d 1 protein, which is found in skin cells, as well as in the saliva and urine residues that are present on the coat, Siberian forest cat size. Since these cats don't have a lot of dandruff, they are less likely to cause allergic reactions.

By the way, there are opinions that cats are less "hypoallergenic" than cats, or, for example, some colors contain more Fell d 1 protein than others - this is all WRONG.

It is worth considering the fact that all cats and people are different, so before purchasing, be sure to visit the breeder to make sure that you have no reaction.

Reproduction

The reproductive age of Siberian cats is earlier than that of other breeds. Sometimes they are ready to breed as early as 5 months. Perhaps this is due to their natural habitat. Indeed, in a harsh climate, cats often died young, Siberian forest cat size. The early onset of puberty and the large number of kittens in the litter helps maintain a balanced population. On average, Siberians give birth to 5-6 kittens, although other breeds usually have 3-4 kittens.

Siberian cats are great parents. Fathers help take care of kittens, if the cat permits them of course. They usually have a very strong bond. Some females can mate with the same cat all their lives. That is why, when keeping in an apartment, it is better having two cats so that they are not bored.

Males are capable of breeding between the ages of five months and ten years, Siberian forest cat size. In countries where the breed is rare and costly, long-term breeding of a purebred cat may pose the risk of too much genetic influence on the breed.

Genetic diseases

In general, Siberian cats are animals with good health, but some of them have a genetic disease: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - a thickening of the heart muscle that can lead to heart failure.

Siberian cat breed: everything about the most ancient and beautiful breeds

Basic information

Perhaps the most beautiful and vibrant Russian cat with a national character is the Siberian. These wayward fluffy treasures have long occupied a place of honor among all lovers of the mustachioed and striped. But! Be careful! These cats are not so harmless and docile, Siberian forest cat size. Siberians can safely bring you half-dead birds from the balcony or mice if you live in a country house. They are real hunters. Their scratching paws can leave not a single mark on the leg or arm if they are simply tired of playing with the owner, or they have not received their portion of attention for a long time. Yes, these cats are not for those who can just feed and clean the toilet!

Breed (Breed) Siberian cat (Siberian cat)

Country of withdrawal (Country) Russia (Russia)

When the breed was bred (Excretion time) Unknown (unknown)

Weight (weight) 6-12 kg (6-12 kg)

IMS code (EMS code) SIB

Lifetime 12-18 years

(67-700 Euro)

Assessment of breed characteristics

The breed belongs to semi-long-haired cats. Their fur coat is warm, thick, and capable of withstanding any frost, Siberian forest cat size. The fluffy tails are so aesthetic that it is impossible to take your eyes off. Medium-sized ears, bright eyes and powerful paws create the image of a Russian cat, which is so popular in Russia.

Brief description of the breed

The Siberian breed is a real asset and success of Russian cat lovers. Now these beautiful pets can be found both at international exhibitions and in private homes around the world.

It is with the Siberian cat that foreign cat and cat lovers associate Russia. Distinctive features of Siberian seals are: thick fur - long and semi-long, powerful sinewy stature, large and human-like intelligent eyes, stubborn character, Siberian forest cat size. This category of cats belongs to medium and large animals, the weight of the cat is about 6-12 kg, and the weight of the cat is 5-7 kg.

Strong bones are also a hallmark of Siberian cats, with cats looking somewhat larger than cats. The large head of the animals is proportional to the body, their forehead is low, and the chin is wide and slightly protruding. The nose is the most common, medium length. The eyes are oval-almond-shaped, and the gaze is thoughtful and straight (eye shades are varied: green, yellow, and blue (with white coat color). There is also - a different shade of the eyes. Ears - wide apart, medium, form a blunt triangle and rounded the tips, mainly with tassels. The neck is either short or of medium length, sinewy. Siberians have large paws, between the toes of which thick, sometimes long hair grows. Tail is of medium length, fluffy, Siberian forest cat size. The length of the coat is medium or long, rather dense, on the sides it is soft, on the neck around the head there is always a mane, a collar, and on the legs - pants. It is well developed undercoat, which is shorter than the wool. In winter, Siberian cats look like a king: their wool acquires an emasculated density, it shines and fluffs.

History of the breed

As such, there was no selection, rather, everything turned out naturally. These beauties got their memorable predatory appearance due to the severe Siberian frosts, the abundance of snow, wind, and difficult methods of obtaining food. Although, following other sources, the Siberian cat was bred by crossing forest cats and domestic murk’s. These cats are real hard workers, they are not lazy, submissive and not modest, Siberian forest cat size. There is a mention of very similar animals in the Russian Empire of the 16th century, and then they were called Bukhara. Most likely, Bukhara cats came to the lands of Siberia with Central Asian merchants, so it is possible that the Persian and Siberian breeds have the same ancestors.

The attention of scientists, official recognition and world fame came to Siberian cats already in the 80s of the last century. In 1989, the breed was officially registered in the USSR, and already in 1992 its representative became the world champion according to the WCF.

Siberian cat breed: everything about the most ancient and beautiful breeds

Basic information

Perhaps the most beautiful and vibrant Russian cat with a national character is the Siberian. These wayward fluffy treasures have long occupied a place of honor among all lovers of the mustachioed and striped. But! Be careful! These cats are not so harmless and docile. Siberians can safely bring you half-dead birds from the balcony or mice if you live in a country house, Siberian forest cat size. They are real hunters. Their scratching paws can leave not a single mark on the leg or arm if they are simply tired of playing with the owner, or they have not received their portion of attention for a long time. Yes, these cats are not for those who can just feed and clean the toilet!

Breed (Breed) Siberian cat (Siberian cat)

Country of withdrawal (Country) Russia (Russia)

When the breed was bred (Excretion time) Unknown (unknown)

Weight (weight) 6-12 kg (6-12 kg)

IMS code (EMS code) SIB

Lifetime 12-18 years

(67-700 Euro)

Assessment of breed characteristics

The breed belongs to semi-long-haired cats. Their fur coat is warm, thick, and capable of withstanding any frost, Siberian forest cat size. The fluffy tails are so aesthetic that it is impossible to take your eyes off. Medium-sized ears, bright eyes and powerful paws create the image of a Russian cat, which is so popular in Russia.

Brief description of the breed

The Siberian breed is a real asset and success of Russian cat lovers. Now these beautiful pets can be found both at international exhibitions and in private homes around the world.

It is with the Siberian cat that foreign cat and cat lovers associate Russia. Distinctive features of Siberian seals are: thick fur - long and semi-long, powerful sinewy stature, large and human-like intelligent eyes, stubborn character. This category of cats belongs to medium and large animals, the weight of the cat is about 6-12 kg, and the weight of the cat is 5-7 kg.

Strong bones are also a hallmark of Siberian cats, with cats looking somewhat larger than cats. The large head of the animals is proportional to the body, their forehead is low, and the chin is wide and slightly protruding. The nose is the most common, medium length. The eyes are oval-almond-shaped, and the gaze is thoughtful and straight (eye shades are varied: green, yellow, and blue (with white coat color). There is also - a different shade of the eyes. Ears - wide apart, medium, form a blunt triangle and rounded the tips, mainly with tassels, Siberian forest cat size. The neck is either short or of medium length, sinewy. Siberians have large paws, between the toes of which thick, sometimes long hair grows. Tail is of medium length, fluffy. The length of the coat is medium or long, rather dense, on the sides it is soft, on the neck around the head there is always a mane, a collar, and on the legs - pants. It is well developed undercoat, which is shorter than the wool. In winter, Siberian cats look like a king: their wool acquires an emasculated density, it shines and fluffs.

History of the breed

As such, there was no selection, rather, everything turned out naturally. These beauties got their memorable predatory appearance due to the severe Siberian frosts, the abundance of snow, wind, and difficult methods of obtaining food. Although, following other sources, the Siberian cat was bred by crossing forest cats and domestic murk’s. These cats are real hard workers, they are not lazy, submissive and not modest. There is a mention of very similar animals in the Russian Empire of the 16th century, and then they were called Bukhara. Most likely, Bukhara cats came to the lands of Siberia with Central Asian merchants, so it is possible that the Persian and Siberian breeds have the same ancestors.

The attention of scientists, official recognition and world fame came to Siberian cats already in the 80s of the last century, Siberian forest cat size. In 1989, the breed was officially registered in the USSR, and already in 1992 its representative became the world champion according to the WCF.

Color and coat

These cats differ both in color and behavior. For example, the usual blue-gray cat has a chinchilla blue color. But there are also red ones - bright peach color, black, tortoiseshell.

There are only two real intensive colors - black (Solid Black) and red (Solid Red). Each of the even colors includes lightened options: for black it is blue (Solid Blue), for red it is cream (Solid Cream). It is the gray-blue and cream Siberian cats that are most widespread.

In the articles "Siberian blue cat" and "Siberian forest" you can learn more about the two most common types of color.

As for the coat, these cats have a powerful special waterproof fur coat. The two-layer coat of the Siberian consists of a hard and thick elongated guard hair and a dense, well-developed undercoat, which is somewhat shorter than the awn, Siberian forest cat size. And this is naturally explained by the habitat of the animal and its ancestors.

Maintenance and care

Until the moment when your decision to take home a new family member is realized, you need to take care of the cat's comfort and buy essentials at the pet store, namely:

House or couch. Consider the considerable size of an adult Siberian cat, the resting place must correspond.

Bowls and bowls for food and water. You can first take a kit for a kitten, but then you will have to change it to a larger one, Siberian forest cat size. It is more useful to buy heavy dishes, since it will be difficult for your pet not to turn them over, and, therefore, you will be washing the floors in the traditional mode.

Hair care tools. Comb with long teeth, brush for combing, slicker (trimming tool), and nail clippers.

Consider where the cat litter will be located; the pet should always have access to this room.

You can make it yourself from a pipe or board wrapped in jute rope or sewn into denim.

Yes! Without this, your hunter will be very sad and bored.

You can and should walk with this breed. The Siberian cat is curious and can chase other animals, birds. On the street, a pet should not walk alone, and it is better to wear a collar with a tag indicating your contacts all the time. You can also think about an address label.

Take a good look at your home again for "thin" spots. Claws, itchy teeth, kitten jumping - all this will be testing a new habitat, Siberian forest cat size. Consider, for example, not putting the tray where you can get paper wallpaper.

Siberians perfectly adapt to any conditions, but require special efforts to take care of themselves: they will have to devote a lot of time to their fur coat.

Grooming

Of course, it's best to entrust your cat to a professional. A good groomer knows how to properly cut and trim a pet, what haircuts are in fashion and suit your cat.

Exhibition Siberians do only trimming: they cut off protruding hairs; remove the hair between the fingers and under the tail, Siberian forest cat size. If the Siberian does not participate in exhibitions, you can make a short model swift, especially when the summer season comes.

What to feed

Siberian cats are a healthy breed and do not require special approaches to their diet. You can feed your pet with both ready-made feed and natural food. It is important that the diet is balanced in terms of the contained trace elements, and the size of the portions is appropriate for the age, size and physical activity of the animal. Typically, in good feed, the composition and rate data are on the packaging. Remember, malnutrition is just as bad as overeating. 

All kittens, including Siberians, are fed four to five times a day, and after a year, a teenage cat is fed twice. Up to three years, protein food should prevail, since the formation of the organism has not yet been completed.

It is not recommended to feed the Siberian cat exclusively with dry food, since the modern representatives of the breed are not far from their hunter ancestors and need natural food, Siberian forest cat size. Dry food can be alternated with canned food and natural products.

Chicken, pork, beef are given to cats either raw, or scalded, or thawed. You don't need to cook meat. But the fish must be boiled. Eggs and low-fat dairy products can be added once a week. Oats can be grown to remove wool from the stomach. It is good to dilute natural food with vitamins and minerals on the recommendation of a veterinarian.

 Read more about feeding the Siberian breed in this article.

Health and disease

The non-interference of breeders in the natural origin of the breed made Siberians almost immune to disease. With proper care, timely prophylaxis against parasites and annual vaccination, a Siberian cat lives for more than the specified 20 years. Kittens are first vaccinated at the age of two months. Re-vaccination is carried out for about three months, and then a year later.

Over the years, due to improper nutrition and the connivance of the owners, Siberians may develop problems with the cardiovascular system, urinary system and digestion, Siberian forest cat size. Some pets have an allergic reaction to pollen, materials, dust or certain foods.

Pregnancy

The first estrus of a Siberian cat usually occurs about a year, but it is recommended to carry out the first mating only two or three estrus after.

It is worth considering the diet of a pregnant cat carefully. It should contain all the necessary trace elements and as much protein as possible. It is necessary to understand that a pregnant cat cannot be as active; you need to play with it carefully during this period. The animal should get enough sleep.

Organize the right space - give your cat more space and opportunity to be alone.

The gestation period of the Siberian cat is just over two months. Labor often occurs between 64 and 72 days.

If the animal's labor is delayed, call your veterinarian immediately.

Kittens

When choosing a Siberian cat kitten, it is not necessary to take the smallest or most calm kitten in the litter, this can be interpreted as a negative sign: for health or for exhaustion. The kid should be clean, well-fed, energetic and without fear of getting to know a person, Siberian forest cat size. The approximate color will be clear immediately, but it will finally be formed later, having established itself by two years. If you want to adopt a white kitten, make sure that everything is in order with his hearing - congenital deafness is often found in white kittens, regardless of breed.

If your choice has settled on an ordinary kitten, recognized as unsuitable for breeding, or you yourself are not ready to equip the pet's personal life, as well as remove unpleasant odors from the house, it is better to knowingly deprive him of his reproductive function.

Another feature of the breed is its slow maturation. Your kitten will gain the main percentage of height and weight in the first year, but it will become fully adult, with the appropriate character, psyche and behavior only by the age of three, Siberian forest cat size. Just imagine: a huge fool is running and jumping around the house after you. It is necessary to take this into account when educating and building a behavioral line.

Mestizo

The Siberian cat breed has no subspecies and varieties. But often there are mestizos or their descendants, cats for a quarter or three quarters of Siberians, with specific hunting traits. The most common Siberian mestizos that have grown into a separate breed are the Neva Masquerade cats. If for purebred Siberian cats this is one of the colors, then for the Neva it is the breed standard, which breeders achieved by crossing mainly with Siamese breeds.

There are also mestizos from Siberians with Scottish Folds or Persian cats. The offspring often turns out to be beautiful, but such animals are not purebred. Such individuals often inherit genetic diseases and other disadvantages of both breeds from their parents.

Interesting Facts

"Who saved the Hermitage after the Great Patriotic War?" - You ask, and we will answer you: "Siberian cats". These guys fought hordes of rats and cleansed the city, preventing the spread of serious diseases.

In Tyumen there is a square of Siberian cat, where “sulfide” lovers love to capture themselves against the backdrop of monuments to fluffy animals.

What do you know about the Siberian cat?

The Siberian cat is a domestic cat, whose homeland is Russia, Siberian forest cat size. She previously lived in the mountains of Russia and then spread around the world after she was brought to the United States in 1990. It is similar to the American raccoon and Norwegian forest raccoon.

History of the Siberian cat

The Siberian cat is a national treasure of Russia. It became known about it over a hundred years ago. She is mentioned in Russian fairy tales and children's books: this animal always shows amazing devotion. Also, these cats played a practical role in killing rodents. When the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States ended, the doors opened for the export of cats around the world. The Siberian cat arrived in the United States in 1990 and was recognized by the International Cat Association in 1996. She was also recognized by the American Cat Fanciers Association in 1999. Since then, this breed has been gaining popularity because it is famous for its good reputation.

The size and shape of the body of a Siberian cat

It is known that the Siberian cat has a flexible and strong body. She has medium sized ears and a broad forehead, Siberian forest cat size. The weight of a Siberian cat ranges from 8 to 17 kg, and sometimes more. This breed has long fur, which has three layers to help them stay warm during the winter. The Siberian cat has good physical characteristics, strength, balance and alertness. As for the color of their eyes, it ranges from golden to green, and some individuals have blue eyes.

Siberian cat behavior

The Siberian cat is gifted with a gentle personality. She loves her owners and is not shy about them. Moreover, the Siberian cat is very intelligent. She has a melodic, pleasant voice that greets someone. The Siberian cat is the perfect animal that happily lives with you and sits on your lap while you comb its fur, Siberian forest cat size. In addition to the fact that she is very affectionate and attentive, the Siberian cat is active and cheerful, loves to play a lot and does not upset her at all, but she is upset due to the lack of interest in her. This breed needs to devote a sufficient amount of your time.

General information about the Siberian cat

Before you decide to get a Siberian cat, it is important to know not only its nature, but also some other facts about this breed. This will help determine if the Siberian cat is the right choice for you or not.

Have you ever seen a Siberian cat?

The Siberian cat is often called the forest or wild cat, but nevertheless, there are conflicting opinions about who she really is. Some say the breed was bred by Russian breeders from stray cats that were domesticated and were not actually wild cats, while others say they came from the wild.

Is a Siberian cat suitable as a pet?

Siberian cats are one of the most friendly and active cats. It is quite easy to look after her despite her long fur.

How does a Siberian cat behave with children?

A Siberian cat can be a great friend for a child. They are usually very patient with children and pay attention to them, Siberian forest cat size. If a child offends a Siberian cat, then it can become fearful or even aggressive towards children, so it is important to teach the child how to properly handle the animal.

How to clean a Siberian cat?

Cats are generally clean animals. They constantly brush themselves to preserve their coat. Despite their long and thick fur, they molt twice a year. If you don't brush your cat properly, it will cause a lot of inconvenience.

Can a Siberian cat live in any home?

Siberian cats can live in any home and have no additional needs.

Are Siberian cats loud?

They usually make soft purring sounds rather than shouting loudly.

How many years do Siberian cats live?

Siberian cats can live 12-14 years, but there are also long-livers who reach the age of 18 or more.

When does a Siberian cat reach puberty?

The Siberian cat usually reaches puberty at the age of 6 months, and the cat at the age of 10 months. However, they are not considered adults less than 1 year of age.

Should you have a Siberian cat as a pet?

Despite many debates about whether to keep a cat indoors or outdoors, we can see that Siberian cats do well both indoors and outdoors, Siberian forest cat size. However, cats are better off indoors because it is safer than letting them roam outside.