About Siberians

The Siberian Forest cat is the national cat of Russia. This rare breed is very healthy due to minimal human manipulation. Hailing from the cold climate of Siberia, they evolved in the wild forests for over a thousand years which accounts for its hardy health and resilient temperament.

Siberians are 90% hypoallergenic making them the ideal feline pet for those with cat allergies. This is due to their skin and saliva producing less of the protein Fel-D1 that all cats have. If you are allergic to cats, you may rest assured that you can finally own an indoor cat in your home. I myself (Carolynne here!) am severely allergic to cats and always have been as long as I can remember. I cannot pet cats or be near them due to my allergic reactions. If I sit next to someone who owns a cat and has cat hair on their clothing my allergies immediately act up. However, I now happily own several Siberian cats who live in my home with me — I can rub my face in their fur and I have zero allergic reactions.

The Siberian’s coat contains all three types of cat hair: Down, awn, and guard. This uniquely dense coat protected them from the harsh Siberian winters. The glossy shine on the outer layer of their coat is due to an oil that makes them waterproof. This waterproof coat helped them swim across creeks and rivers in the Siberian forests. Did I mention Siberians love water? You might notice that your kitten will show lots of interest in running water and even try to play in it. I bathe my Siberians once a month! A once a week brushing will help maintain the beautiful glossy shine on their dense coat.

They also have ear tufts and toe tufts as you can see in the photo below. These ear tufts help the ears filter debris, sound, and the cold. The tufts on their feet are like built-in snow shoes. Siberian winters can last up to six months out of the year and the average temperature in the middle of winter can be -13 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Siberian Forest cat is a quieter breed, with rare meowing and vocalizations. Many people who dislike cats say that they love Siberians. I myself have always personally loved horses and dogs and had a slight dislike for cats. It wasn’t until I met a Siberian cat that I could say that I truly loved a cat. I have a deep respect for this breed, a love for my new beautiful furry friends, and a passion for raising and sharing this incredible feline wonder!

They are a medium to large cat breed and their growth is slower, with full maturity being reached at 5 years old. Females weigh on average between 12-20lbs and males 15-25lbs. Siberians are also very popular for their dog-like personality and their loyalty. They like to meet their owners at the front door on their return home from work. However, they are active and will not lie around all day. They like to be stimulated, have things to climb on and explore. They are also social, with a confident and relaxed temperament that is wonderful for busy, lively families with children and dogs. They are independent but not aloof; affectionate but not needy.

Colorpoint Siberians are also called “Neva Masquerade” because of their origin on the Neva River in Russia. Their exact origin is not entirely known - it is speculated that a Siberian bred with a Siamese or a Himalayan in the 1980s and thus the Siberian Colorpoint was born. Their eyes are as vividly blue as the waters of the Neva and their facial markings resemble that of a mask, which is interesting because the Neva River is renowned for its extravagant Masquerade balls. They are called “colorpoint” because they are all white and the only color on their body is at the coldest points of their body: face, ears, tail, feet.