Siberian cat sitting on their owners lap

Siberian Cat Insurance, Care and Health Advice

Warm, playful, affectionate, Siberians are often referred to as ‘dogs of the cat world’. Highly agile, you’ll often find them sitting on the highest shelf they can find. 

The concept of personal space doesn’t exist in a Siberian’s mind. Wherever you go, you can be sure these faithful furballs are only two steps behind. Open your home and heart to this breed and they’ll be your best friend for life. 

From soft cuddles on the sofa to playtime in the bath, if you’re looking for an energetic cat with a big heart, a Siberian could be the perfect pet for you.

Siberian Cat Facts

Cat breed type icon
Type
Domestic
Cat breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
11 - 15 years
Cat breed size icon
Size
Medium
Cat breed weight icon
Weight
3.5 - 7 kg
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Height
23 - 28 cm
Cat breed temperament icon
Temperament
Affectionate, loyal and playful
Cat breed exercise icon
Exercise
15 mins 2x a day
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Grooming
Low maintenance

Is a Siberian Cat Right for Me?

Siberians love to be around people. Generally, calmly composed, they’ll happily live alongside other pets, including dogs. Siberian cats are also friendly towards children, combining plenty of energy for playtime with their easy-going nature. 

This breed is renowned for being lively and best suited to the outdoors (as long it is safe for them). However, when their day of exploring is done, they love to curl up on your lap and bask in your attention.

Siberian kitten cuddling its mother

What Are Siberian Kittens Like?

Siberian cats don’t fully mature until they’re 5 and even then, remain playful and energetic. Early socialisation with people and other animals in their first 8 weeks will help them develop into a confident, happy cat.

Siberian can on its owners lap

Life with a Siberian Cat

Siberians have a well-rounded personality that’s active and playful, even-tempered and affectionate, loyal and patient. Whichever household Siberians are introduced to, they adapt extremely well. 

Caring for Your Siberian

Siberians can take up to 5 years to fully grow, so it’s important you keep an extra-close eye on their diet during this time. Males can easily reach up to 11 kg in weight , and like all cats, they benefit from an active lifestyle as well as a balanced diet. 

If you’re unsure how much to feed, a guide can be found on the packaging or you can ask your vet or vet nurse for advice.

Despite their thick, long coat, Siberians don’t need as much grooming as you might think. Their fur rarely tangles, so you'll only need to brush them once or twice a week. You should also give them a bath a couple of times a year but luckily Siberians love water! 

Twice a year (usually just before and after winter) Siberians go through a shedding period which sees them lose large clumps of their coat. At these times, you’ll need to brush them daily, so it’s best to get them adjusted to the hoover while they’re still a kitten!

Siberian cats are prone to gum disease, so take care to look after their dental hygiene. Regularly check inside their mouth and clean their teeth. Watch our in-house vet explain how to clean your cat’s teeth here.

Siberians are intelligent. They pick up new tricks quickly and can even be trained to play ‘fetch’ and walk on a leash. In some ways this makes them more similar to dogs than their fellow felines. They’re skilled climbers, so they’ll love agility courses and perching shelves.

Siberian cats rarely get riled up, thanks to their laid-back personality. Whether you’re gone for the whole day or a few minutes, they’ll be running to the door to greet you. They also love to know what you’re up to, so expect to find your new buddy following you from room to room. They might even attempt to help you with the housework.

Siberian Cat Insurance

The Siberian breed may be as tough as they come, but it’s still important to think about protecting your new family member with Siberian Cat pet insurance. Everypaw’s Lifetime Cat Insurance offers a range of cover levels so you can find one that fits with you and your cat.

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Common Siberian Cat Health Problems by Vetstream

Siberians are generally a healthy breed with no known chronic health problems. Here are a few conditions that have been seen in the breed.

Siberian cats can be affected by a serious heart condition known as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. In HCM, the heart muscle becomes thick and this prevents the heart from working properly. An echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) can confirm if a cat has HCM. Many cats remain stable with medication but if thromboembolisms (blood clots) occur, the outlook is poor.

HCM is inherited in many breeds of cats and Siberians should be screened for the condition before breeding. 

Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Deficiency is an inherited disorder that can affect several cat breeds including the Siberian.  Pyruvate kinase is an enzyme found in red blood cells. If this enzyme is lacking, the lifespan of red blood cells is reduced, and this can lead to anaemia. 

As it is caused by a genetic mutation, there is no treatment or cure, but most cases of anaemia can be managed. A diagnosis of PK deficiency can be confirmed by a DNA test.
 

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a common health problem in middle-aged and elderly cats and has been seen in some Siberians. Also known as autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease or AD-PKD, it can be inherited in certain breeds of cats. 

The condition causes cysts to form in the kidneys. The cysts can be identified by an ultrasound scan. Some treatments may help to improve the quality of life of an affected cat but there is no cure and kidney failure results.

Dental problems can affect many cats and Siberians are no exception. Regularly check your Siberian’s teeth for any signs of gum disease. Bad breath and difficulty eating can also indicate dental problems.

Toothbrushing is the key to prevention and it’s best to start this from an early age. This will help plaque from forming and leading to periodontal disease, bad breath, tooth decay, pain, and tooth loss.

Quick Siberian Q&A

This fluffy breed of cat is native to Russia, and they’re often referred to as a Siberian Forest Cat. Siberian cats have a long, thick coat, which helped them survive subarctic conditions. They became domesticated relatively recently – arriving in the UK in 2002.

Siberian cats mature more slowly than others and often don’t reach their full size until they’re 5 years old. At which point they could weigh between 3.5kg and 7kg and be between 23cm and 28cm tall.

Usually Siberians live between 11 and 15 years – but have been known to celebrate their 18th birthday with the right care and diet. 

Siberians do shed, but most of the year this will only be in small amounts and brushing once a week will be all that's required. However, they’ll shed large clumps of their fur during spring and autumn, when they’ll need daily brushing. 

While no cat is entirely hypoallergenic, Siberians are one of the better breeds to have if you suffer from allergies. This is because they have a lower than average level of the allergen in their saliva that causes cat allergies. 

Siberian cats have a friendly, affectionate, and playful temperament. They are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and adaptability, making them excellent companions for families and other pets.

That’s All You Need to Know About Siberians

Siberian cats are fun and loving companions. Intelligent and playful, they’re known for having ‘dog-like’ traits. They'll be sure to win over any dog-lover in the family. Their laid-back personality makes them good around children and they’ll also get on with other cats and dogs in the household.

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis.

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

 

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