The Siberian Cat Russian Farm Cat and Family Companion

The Siberian cat is an incredibly old breed of cat, with records of these cats going back as much as 1,000 years (though the recognized breed is more modern in lineage). The Siberian cat is the national cat of Russian, and these cats are featured prominently in Russian literature and folk tales. These cats can be found throughout the country and are quite heavy, even for their large size.

Siberian cats were bred to live outdoors and control the populations of rodents and other vermin on Russian farms. Consequently, they have a strong hunting instinct and are noted for both their heartiness and resistance to disease. They are strong and powerfully built cats, with large, muscular hindquarters and round, large paws. They are stockier and broader built than either the Norwegian Forest Cat or the Maine Coon cats both known for their size and strength.

As they mature, Siberian cats will grow to between 11 to 15 pounds if male and 9 to 12 pounds for females. Because of their musculature, these cats resemble bull dogs in their stance. In addition, its believed, but unproven, that they are one of the more hypoallergenic cat breeds and produce less of the FEL-D1 allergen. Consequently, people who are allergic to cats may have no problems in the company of the Siberian cat. The coloring and fur of these cats varies, although theyre considered to be a semi-longhair breed and usually have a ruff of thicker fur around their faces. These cats are low maintenance and generally dont require much in the way of grooming assistance from their owners.

As far as personality goes, these cats imprint strongly on their families and are noted for their loyalty. Pure breeds are hard to find in the United States and most breeders have a waiting list for available kittens.

The Siberian is also an intelligent cat, and is good at problem solving. They exhibit many of the characteristics typically associated with dogs, including greeting you at the door and following you around through the house. Given their size and activity, these cats need a lot of room to be happy and to avoid becoming overweight. They like to jump around and are well known for their flying leaps. If your home is furnished with small, breakable things, this cat will render them smaller and broken. This isnt a cat that sits in the corner, quietly basking in your adoration this is a cat who wants to be playing or working.

These cats love toys and will readily play with anything, even a balled up piece of paper. For safety's sake yours and the cats its a good idea to supply them with plenty of appropriate toys. They also enjoy playing with children and get along well with other pets.

If youre looking for a hearty, intelligent, and playful cat, the Siberian cat may be a good choice for your family particularly if you have a family member whos sensitive to some cat allergens. Just be ready with lots of space and toys for your new Siberian cat to enjoy.