The Siberian cat is a striking member of the longhaired cat family, widely distributed throughout our country. The breed's distinctive features include its thick, moisture-wicking coat and long, fluffy tail.
Regarding the breed's origins, it's worth mentioning a theory that these animals arose from the crossbreeding of wild cats that inhabited the Trans-Urals and domestic cats brought by settlers. The Siberian cat's distinctive traits include a predatory nature and independence, but in domestic situations, this animal exhibits completely different qualities, appearing as an affectionate and sensitive Siberian cat.
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Siberian cats: breed description
Unlike their relatives, Siberian cats, whose photos you see in the article, are distinguished by their large, well-developed bodyGiven their large weight, large, wide, muscular paws are essential. Adult Siberian cats weigh approximately 6 kg. Males are more massive, reaching 12 kg. Other characteristics of this breed include the fur between their toes, inherited from wildcats and steppe cats.
If you get to know Siberian cats in more detail, you can highlight a set of features, which are characteristic of classic Persian cats. This is manifested by the presence of:
- in the neck area and on the chest of a wool collar;
- area on the hind legs known as the "pants."
But even the presence of these common characteristics is not sufficient grounds for uniting them into one family.
Representatives of the Siberian breed there are enough advantages.
The most important thing is the coat, as it doesn't cause problems for people with allergies. The Siberian cat's coat consists of two layers: a coarse outer coat and a thick undercoat. This characteristic is due to the climatic conditions in which this animal originally evolved.- A characteristic feature of the coat is its moisture permeability. Therefore, if you want to wet such a cat, you will have a hard time doing so. Although some individuals have long hair, it generally does not require special care. The coat color is a striking advantage, as many Siberian cat breeds are available today, offering a wide variety of color options. Moreover, most of these were bred in captivity, so it is unlikely that they will be found in the wild.
- When it comes to the Siberian cat's original blue coloring, it's the color that provides camouflage in the wild. However, many housewives and cat owners aren't particularly fond of the natural coloring, which is surprising. After all, Siberian cats with a "non-native" coloring can easily be mistaken for representatives of an entirely different breed.
The most important thing is the coat, as it doesn't cause problems for people with allergies. The Siberian cat's coat consists of two layers: a coarse outer coat and a thick undercoat. This characteristic is due to the climatic conditions in which this animal originally evolved.An interesting fact is that Siberian cats appeared outside of RussiaTheir homeland is Asia, which can be explained quite simply: Siberia became part of the Russian Tsardom only in the sixteenth century. However, these animals themselves appeared in these areas long before that. And to this day, no one can determine the ancestor of the Siberian cat. Therefore, the accepted theory remains, according to which the ancestors of the Siberian cat are the wild cats that inhabited the Trans-Ural region at that time. At the same time, a popular hypothesis is that Siberian cats are descendants of wild cats and cats brought by settlers.
If you try to understand it, Siberian cats are among those rare breeds of domestic cats that were created thanks to Mother Nature. Until the 1990s, no breeders paid any attention to this breed. And since until then they lived in natural conditionsNo one has precise information about the history of this breed. However, it must be said that in recent decades, blue and red Siberian cats have become popular not only in neighboring Ukraine but also in many European countries.
External signs
The Siberian cat family includes numerous blue and red-colored individuals, ranging from medium to large in size. They are distinguished by a short, voluminous neck, muscular, medium-length limbs, and large, round paws. The fluffy tail is elongated and slightly tapered at the end. The head is wide, but at the same time short.
The muzzle and chin are rounded, complemented by a slightly convex forehead. The nose is of medium width, as are the ears, which are wide at the base and slightly rounded at the tips. The eyes are fairly large, slightly oval, and set wide apart at a slight angle.
The eyes are a uniform shade that contrasts beautifully with the overall coloring. The coat is medium length, with a very dense, soft, fine undercoat. The topcoat is made up of coarser, harsher hairs. This is the information provided in various Siberian cat standards.
The character of Siberian cats
Siberian cats have inherited many characteristic traits from their relatives. It's therefore not surprising that they are very loyal, affectionate, and loving animals. They demonstrate playful character and extraordinary intelligence, showing interest in literally everything they lay their eyes on. According to Siberian cat owners, nothing can stop their pets once they've set their minds to something. Some even get the impression that they meticulously plan their actions, as if preparing for a game of chess. These animals, which can be blue or red in color, generally don't make much noise if they have the opportunity to go outside to release the energy they've pent up indoors.
Siberian cats easily remember their names, so they respond immediately when called. Representatives of this breed are distinguished by great strength and exceptional agility, which is surprising given their large size: these cats can easily jump from heights and over long distances. According to owners, Siberian kittens often enjoy spending time near water. Therefore, if toys are present near the water bowl, they may be tempted to throw them into the water or other nearby objects. They also enjoy watching the water ripple in the bathtub.
Siberian cats blue and red colors Siberians are very friendly animals, demonstrating this quality with everyone, whether neighboring cats, dogs, or strangers. They quickly establish friendly relationships with all family members. However, this doesn't mean a Siberian cat will be a loyal friend to a small child who will constantly torment them. In such cases, the pet will try to avoid contact with the child as much as possible.
A Siberian cat might find a tall tree in the yard a great distraction. For this reason, if you have kittens in your home, they should be supervised at all times. While they're unlikely to attempt to climb a tree, they might do the same to a cabinet, and if they do reach it, they'll certainly knock over any fragile items.
Caring for Siberian cats
In general, Siberian cats are easier to care for than their Persian cousins. However, it's important to remember that they... owners of thick, fluffy fur coats, the condition of which must be monitored regularly.
- The owner will need to brush the dog with a good comb at least once or twice a week. This should be done as thoroughly as possible, ensuring the comb reaches the roots of the fur. It's important to try to cover all areas of the coat to avoid tangles.
- During shedding season, Siberian cats require extra attention, as do all other breeds. However, if you forget about this or don't pay much attention to it, you'll soon find clumps of fur all over your home.
The owner will need to brush the dog with a good comb at least once or twice a week. This should be done as thoroughly as possible, ensuring the comb reaches the roots of the fur. It's important to try to cover all areas of the coat to avoid tangles.Diseases of Siberian cats
Siberian kittens are among the healthiest of all feline species. Among the diseases that can affect this animal, it's worth noting: hypertrophic cardiomyopathyThis disease is dangerous because it negatively affects the heart in cats. It is hereditary, and if a kitten becomes a carrier, the first sign of its presence can result in death. However, the good news is that cases of this disease are very rare.
Conclusion
Siberian cats are very popular in our country, which is not surprising. It's hard for any cat lover to remain indifferent to their coloring and behavior, which quickly wins hearts. A characteristic trait of these animals is the friendliness they demonstrate toward everyone in the house: not only people but also other animals.
Besides, raising a Siberian kitten at home isn't all that difficult, as you don't need to perform any special care. The only thing that might pose a challenge is constantly monitor the condition of the coatOwners will have to get used to regularly brushing the dog. However, for true lovers of these animals, this won't be a big problem.
