The Siberian cat is often compared to a lion because of its beauty and grace. It is a relatively young breed - at least in Poland, because it has been known in its homeland for centuries and is not treated there as an ordinary backyard pet. How to nurture and feed a Siberian What diseases is the Siberian cat exposed to?

Siberian catof course comes from Siberia, where it was shaped by the frosty climate of Russia, which makes it a strong animal with good he alth. He has lived for centuries as a wild and then domesticated animal. The Siberian cat, despite its exceptional beauty, was not known in Western Europe, where it found its way only after the political changes in the 1990s (the first Polish breeding was established in 1989). Thanks to this, however, this race, which is currently its great advantage, has not been modified by humans.

The Siberian cat was officially recognized by the International Felinology Federation (FIFe) only in 1998.

Siberian cat - appearance

FIFe includes the Siberian cat in the 2nd category of semi-longhair cats. This says a lot about the Siberian fur, which is shiny and very dense (especially in winter), but not as long as, for example, a Persian. Its unique advantage is a beautiful ruff and mane, thanks to which it is often compared to a lion, and fluffy "pants". The Siberian cat's hair is close to the body, but has a soft and fluffy undercoat underneath to make it frost-resistant.

Important

Siberian cat for allergy sufferers

The hair of Siberian cats is less likely to cause allergies in humans. Therefore, they are safer for people prone to allergies, although that does not mean that they are 100 percent safe.

The breed standard assumes that the Siberian cat is of medium size (4-7 kg, the females are lighter) and has a strong, muscular body. A triangular head with a convex forehead and a rounded chin is decorated with a long nose and large, wide at the base ears, slightly inclined forward and covered with tufts of hair.

Siberian eyes are large, oval, obliquely set - they can be green or amber in color.

Siberian cats have a slightly elongated body, slightly angular and strongly muscled, and their feet are medium-length, with large feet with tufts of hair between the toes.

He is exceptionally beautiful in a Siberiantail - long and fluffy, with abundant feathers.

The breed standard allows all kinds of fur colors (black, blue, red, cream, black tortoiseshell, blue tortoiseshell), except chocolate, lilac, and cinnamon. White garments are allowed: white medallion, chest, paw belly, star.

Siberian cat - care

The Siberian cat's mid-length hair requires regular brushing. As the hair of this breed is hard and does not tend to get tangled, it is enough to perform this treatment every 4-5 days (more often during the moulting period).

Cats can also be bathed, because they are not afraid of water and are good at washing.

You shouldn't forget to rinse your cat's eyes with a damp cotton ball once in a while, especially if you notice pus clumps in the corners. You can use boiled water or physiological fluid for this. The area around the eyes can be wiped with a cotton swab dipped in boric acid, but be careful not to let it get into the eye.

The ears of a Siberian cat do not require any special care, but you should take care of your cat's teeth by giving it the appropriate food or by cleaning its teeth from time to time by yourself (with animal paste) or at the vet's.

Worth knowing

Another element of cat care is trimming its claws. This is especially true for cats that do not go outside. It is worth getting small kittens used to this procedure.

Siberian cat - nutrition

Because Siberian cats are a breed that still lives in the wild, breeders try to provide their pupils with a diet that imitates their natural food: meat from rodents, small birds, lizards, less often fish. This is called BARF diet, which involves the preparation of foods with the right proportion of meat, bones, giblets and other ingredients.

Siberian food should be varied and rich in adequate vitamins and minerals. Protein is an important element of the diet, therefore the cat should receive both meat (beef, poultry, offal, fish) and dairy products (cottage cheese, chicken eggs).

The cat's menu may contain fewer carbohydrates that are not good for the pet's he alth, but fats that provide energy and are necessary for the maintenance of he althy skin and fur.

Siberian cats live about 12 years.

Food for a Siberian cat can be dry or wet food (the latter is he althier, does not dehydrate and does not cause kidney problems), but it is worth trying to prepare your own meals. You can also give your cat supplements in the form of vitamins, oils with fatty acids.

According toexpertdr inż. Jacek Wilczak, nutrition expert in the Noteć Valley, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences

In addition to the fact that a cat's diet must contain all the necessary amino acids that determine the quality of the protein and make it wholesome, taurine must be among the essential ingredients in a cat's diet.

Cats, unlike dogs, are not able to synthesize a sufficient amount of it, and are also specifically sensitive to its deficiency, because the production of bile s alts necessary for proper digestion and absorption of fatty components is completely dependent on taurine.

Taurine also affects the proper functioning of the heart, participates in reproductive processes and plays an important role in the proper functioning of eyesight.

Other essential ingredients include unsaturated fatty acids, especially arachidonic acid, which is not produced in the livers of cats due to the lack of activity of enzymes necessary for this process.

The sources of both taurine and arachidonic acid are meat and animal products - hence the ruthless use of these raw materials in cat nutrition.

Siberian cat - character

Siberians are a bit wild, but not aggressive. At the same time, they adapt well to new situations and can become very attached to people. They react a bit like dogs - they greet the owner, demand caresses, are social and accompany him in everyday activities.

The Siberian cat is very curious and intelligent: it can show what it needs (water, going outside, etc.). These cats are extremely active and lively, they love to climb furniture or special posts. They are also happy to be outside, if they only have the opportunity (they are great hunters).

Siberian cat - reproductive cycle

Siberian cats mature at the age of about 6-8 months. The first oestrus, usually lasting about 10 days, may occur after six months. Its symptoms are typical: the kitten rolls on the ground and calls out loudly. If there is no coverage, another estrus occurs, but the female cat is then physically weak (estrus causes a decrease in immunity) and mentally (the female is still looking for a partner). The next one may be available in 10-14 days.

If the breeder does not want offspring, the cat should be neutered before she reaches sexual maturity.

Important

The difficult living conditions of this natural breed and the fact that the catteries are still fed with cats from the former USSR makes these cats usually very he althy and strong. Their thick fur perfectly protects them from the cold. Rarely occurring diseases are typical feline diseasesailments (polycystic kidney disease or heart problems).

According to an expertEwa Korycka-Grzegorczyk, a veterinarian

Siberian cats enjoy good he alth compared to some other cat breeds. If you want to discuss diseases to which they are, however, predisposed, one should mention:

  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM-hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). It is a genetic heart disease, the mechanism of which is pathological hypertrophy of the left ventricle wall, and sometimes of the interventricular septum. Thickening of the walls of the heart weakens their elasticity. As a result, the left ventricular's ability to relax and increase its inflation pressure. This leads to the enlargement of the left atrium and stagnation in the pulmonary circulation. Pulmonary edema may occur as a result of the above disorders.

Symptoms that may suggest a heart problem include: shortness of breath, rapid breathing, bruising of the mucous membranes, exercise intolerance.

Circulatory and respiratory failure can lead to cardiac collapse or even sudden death.

Symptoms most often appear between the ages of 1-5 years, but the disease is also reported in older animals.

Currently, there are genetic tests available to determine if a cat has the gene responsible for HCM.

  • Polycystic Kidney Disease(PKD - Polycystic Kidney Disease). Genetically determined disease is characterized by the presence of numerous cysts in the renal parenchyma. Initially, cysts may be neutral to organ function. When the cysts enlarge, they can lead to the development of kidney failure. The changes affect both kidneys simultaneously.
  • FUS - Feline Urological Syndrome(Feline Urethral Syndrome. This is a syndrome of symptoms associated with inflammation of the bladder and urethra. It occurs more often in castrated males with less active lifestyles. Predisposing to the development of the syndrome is the stress background. FUS is manifested by recurrent urological problems: oliguria, urge to urinate (which may contain some blood), urination outside the litter box.
About the authorMałgorzata Wójcik The editor in charge of the website. Journalist with 25 years of experience. From the beginning, she was associated with the subject of children and he alth - she worked, among others. in the magazine "M jak mama". At mjakmama.pl, she specializes in pregnancy and childbirth. Privately - mother of three adolescent children. He is eager to read and walks in the woods with his dog.

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