Siberian Forest

The Siberian Forest is a large, powerful, curvy cat, with a broad barrel rib cage, strong limbs and paws that would make a boxer proud!

Over this robust frame, the Siberian has a very thick semi-longhair coat, which will thicken and grow longer in winter, and reduce somewhat in summer. When mature, this is a cat that will develop a thick ruff and mane particularly in the colder months, and their tail is magnificent in its size and thickness.

The need-to-know

Great for first-time cat owners
Needs high-level of enrichment including simulated hunting games and interactive play
Highly active and inquisitive cat
Independent but friendly

Slightly talkative cat
Larger stockier cat breed
Requires grooming every day
Needs extensive outdoor space

Great family cat
Can be left alone all day
Great for a relaxed home

Generally healthy breed

Siberian Forest cats can suffer from:
- Pyruvate kinase deficiency which is a disease that causes anaemia (death of red blood cells).
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which is a disease were the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick which means the heart cannot beat effectively.
- Polycystic kidney disease which is an inherited condition where cysts form in the kidneys. This affects kidney function and can eventually lead to kidney failure. However, it is worth noting that the risk of developing this disease in this breed is lower than in other cat breeds that are prone to the problem.

Testing available:
- DNA testing for pyruvate kinase deficiency and polycystic kidney disease which tests whether or not a cat has the potential to be affected by these conditions.

Key Facts

Ratings

Key Facts

Lifespan:	11 - 18 years
Weight:	3.5 - 7.5kg
Colours:	Wide variety of colours including the pointed shades, and may have bold white markings.

Ratings

Family-friendly:	4/5
Playfulness:	5/5
Intelligence:	4/5
Tendency to Vocalise:	2/5
Likes Other Pets:	4/5
Grooming needs:	5/5
Shedding:	4/5

Siberian Forest cat is walking in the wood

Personality

Social and intelligent, but independent where necessary, the Siberian Forest cat is a curious and clever problem solver. Despite their huge size, they are agile and athletic, able to make great leaps to reach what they want, whether a hidden toy, a bowl of food left on a worktop or just a desirable vantage point!

Friendly and affectionate with family, they are a little aloof with strangers but quick to take advantage of anyone who may offer scritches, toys or food.

Siberian Forest cat is standing near to wood

History and Origins

Country of Origin: Russia

Other Names: Siberian cat

Domestic cats of the Siberian type (heavy, large and long coated) have been documented since as early as 1000AD. More records show that Siberian cats were shown in the late 1800’s in the US, and are referenced in several books from that era.

The 1980’s however saw a rise in the popularity of cat ownership, showing and breeding in Russia, and the Kotofei Cat Club in Moscow created the first breed standard for the Siberian Forest cat. They were imported into the US in the late 1980s, and recognised by The International Cat Association in 1992, with Championship status granted in 1996.

Outdoors or Indoors

The Siberian Forest cat is ideally equipped for the outdoor life, so it’s necessary to safely reproduce this in a secure garden or outdoor cat run that can be accessed directly from the house. Provide tree branches, resting platforms at a variety of heights, tunnels and scratch posts. Consider hiding food dispensing puzzle toys out here during the day so that your Siberian can safely ‘hunt’ whilst the family are at work or school.

This is such a large and stunning breed cat that they are not safe left out to roam as they are a high theft risk and may through their curiosity, get themselves into trouble with neighbours’ homes and pets.

Enrichment and Specific Needs

The Siberian Forest cat will enjoy playing games that recreate hunting, and also feeding from food dispensing puzzle toys that also provide an outlet for their chasing, catching and biting behaviours that natural hunting would have entailed. These activities will help keep this large, athletic cat healthy and fit.

Whilst independent and bold, the Siberian Forest cat does love family, so homes where people are around morning and evening and all through the weekend will suit them well.

Nutrition and Feeding

Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle and overall health, so it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in their diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes.

Grooming Siberian Forest Cats

The semi-long-haired coat of the Siberian Forest will need brushing through several times a week, and while they do typically keep themselves quite clean, grooming time is an ideal opportunity to handle, bond and also check the cat over for wounds or parasites. As their coat thickens in winter and moults in summer, extra grooming may be required at these times.

A greasy coat is a sign your cat is not self-grooming at all and this may indicate poor health.

As with all cats, regular vaccination and parasite control is recommended.

Suitability for Family Life

For the family that spends a lot of time at home and has sufficient space for a large, athletic and active cat, the Siberian Forest can make a great companion. Better suited to homes with older children who will understand that their cat is not a play-thing, the Siberian’s heavy coat can lead very young children into treating them like a teddy bear, which they will not tolerate for long.