Siberian Cats 101 : Fun Facts & Myths
Channel: Kitten Life
Date: 2020-11-27

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In today's video, we are going to talk about some interesting facts and myths about the Siberian Cat.

Ya tebya lyublyu! That means, “I love you,” in Russian. If you’ve never met a Siberian cat before, you’re going to want to learn that phrase now so you can tell the first one you come across just how incredible they are. Powerful and highly intelligent, these gentle giants are soft at heart and get along with just about everyone, even dogs.

Siberian cats, also called Siberian Forest cats or Moscow Longhairs, are a medium to large semi-longhair breed with males ranging from 15 to 20 pounds and females only slightly smaller.

They are strong, alert, and adventurous with lustrous coats and round, curious eyes. Siberians are a landrace breed, meaning they developed over time by adapting to their surroundings, which explains the thick coats needed to face those harsh Russian winters!

Because of their easygoing personalities and relatively low maintenance, they make great additions to active households full of kids and other furry family members.

Here are some interesting facts about the Siberian Cats.

1. Siberian Cat's Origin and History.

Siberian cats are believed to have originated in the dense forests of Siberia at least 1,000 years ago. Some people even think these silky beauties are the ancestors of all modern longhair cats. Little is known of their early stages, but these kitties most likely became domesticated when they sought out farms, shops, and monasteries as an escape from the brutal Siberian temperatures. Their first pet parents would have welcomed them for their sharp hunting skills.

Siberian cats probably traveled to the U.K. with Russian immigrants. Their first mention in Jolly Old England was in Harrison Weir's late 19th-century book Our Cats and All About Them where he mentioned them as participants in early cat shows. Believe it or not, Siberian cats didn’t make it to the U.S. until 19 90. They were incredibly expensive to import, but an enthusiast from Baton Rouge, named Elizabeth Terrell finally negotiated terms to bring a few over by exchanging four of her Himalayans. She welcomed one male, Kaliostro Vasenjkovich, and two females, Ofelia Romanova and Naina Romanova. Siberian cats are still fairly rare in the U.S.

2. Siberian Cat's Attributes.

Stocky yet agile, Siberian cats are powerfully built with strong hind legs that are slightly longer than their front legs, creating an arch. This makes them skilled jumpers and incredible athletes. They resemble Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest cats but with rounder heads and larger paws. They also have distinct round eyes, typically green or gold, that give them a friendly expression.

From tufted ears to exquisite neck ruff, to their big, bushy tail, the most remarkable attribute of a Siberian is their thick, three-layered coat.  It consists of coarse and straight guard hairs, thin and wavy awn hairs, and a wooly down undercoat.

3. Siberian Cat's Grooming and Care.

Siberians are all kinds of fluffy, so you may worry that these kitties need a lot of grooming. Although they have a three-layered coat, Siberians have glossy fur that you only need to brush once or twice a week to avoid tangles and matting. They molt heavily at the end of winter and then have a lighter molting in the summer, so it’s a good idea to brush your pal daily during these times.

Trim your kitty’s nails weekly, and check their ears for redness or unpleasant odors. If you notice any buildup, clean gently with a damp cotton ball and contact your veterinarian in case it’s a sign of an ear infection.