Description, types of color and peculiarities of keeping Siberian cats

Siberian cats are considered the pride of Russian breeders. Today, individuals of this breed often appear at international exhibitions, they are appreciated by lovers of natural beauty around the world. The material in this article will acquaint the reader with the characteristics of these cats and tell about the nuances of their content.

The path of the formation of the Siberian breed was laid through harsh climatic conditions. It is almost natural, despite the fact that the origin is overgrown with legends. Siberian cats are considered aboriginal animals, they have a bright appearance and were only partially bred by breeders. In fact, their ancestors were Bukhara cats, the first mention of the beginning of the formation of the breed appeared in the 16th century.

In the annals there were mentions of cats similar to Siberians. They called them Bukharian, they met all over Russia. It is generally accepted that migration across the country originated from the regions of Siberia and the Far East.

Officially, the country of origin of the Siberian cat is Russia. Initially, many believed that all large and long-haired cats were Siberians. Breeders at one time were sure that Siberians were called cats exclusively from Siberia. However, in the 80s, felinologists put an end to this issue. They noted that the roots of origin go far back centuries.

Studying in the subsequent breeding work of cats from different regions of Siberia and the Far East, they selected the best representatives of the cat family, collecting an exterior group of individuals living in Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk and Kemerovo. To highlight the striking features of the breed, animals with large dimensions, massive bones, heavy heads and a long coarse fur coat were selected.

Breeding work on the breeding of a truly Russian breed of Siberian cats was difficult and thorough. However, in 1991, the felinologist Olga Mironova was able to achieve the recognition of the breed standard by the World Cat Federation. The standard was approved as a working standard, but it became official after 3 years.

The Americans also began to notice the Siberians: the breed was officially recognized by the TICA organization in 1996. About a year later, another prestigious organization drew attention to cats - FIFE. To date, felinologists are working to consolidate the type of the breed.

Siberian cats are distinguished by their originality and lordly appearance. They belong to the family of large feline breeds. The coat of quiet animals is not too long, which is why they are sometimes confused with short-haired cats. However, in reality, the short-haired breeds are considered to be relatives of the Siberians. As for the standard, it has its own characteristics.

The representative of the breed looks very presentable. It is not difficult to distinguish it from an ordinary pet. It is given out by its large size and thick coat. The average height of a fluffy Russian cat at the withers is 30 cm, in males - about 40 cm. These indicators may vary depending on the age of the pet.

The body of these cats is heavy and muscular. In the population, individuals are found not only large, but also of medium size. Due to the wool, they seem to be especially large, standing out against the background of ordinary domestic cats. They have muscular legs of medium length, proportional physique, the body is dense and somewhat elongated. The back is slightly above the shoulders, the belly is barrel-shaped and firm.

The size of the paws is large, while the hind ones are longer than the front ones, they are round, have pubescence between the pads. The tail of the Siberian is fluffy and wide at the base; towards the end it tapers slightly. The neck of the Siberian cat is round and muscular, although not long. The animal's head has a trapezoidal shape with rounded contours. Its size can vary depending on the weight of the cat, but it is always proportional to the body.

The chin is well defined, the cheekbones are well developed, the cheeks are plump. The upper part of the head is somewhat flat, the nose is wide and almost straight, has a small depression near the forehead, noticeable when looking at the cat from the side. The forehead itself is pushed forward. The ears of the Siberian are medium in size, at the base they are wider, the tips are somewhat rounded. The eyes of the animal are large, rounded, often oval, set wide apart.

Their color is solid and always matches the color of the coat. The shades of cat eyes can range from green to golden, and even yellowish. Rare representatives of the breed may have different eye colors, including blue.

Representatives of this breed weigh on average from 6 to 9 kg (less weight in females, it rarely exceeds 7 kg). In the population there are individuals weighing up to 10-12 kg. It should be noted that large weight does not make the cat clumsy. Regardless of this, she is flexible, dexterous and fast.

A unique characteristic of the big Russian cats is feature of their fur coat: it is waterproof... The coat of an animal consists of a thick and hard, elongated guard hair and a dense undercoat that does not differ much in length from the main coat.

On average, Siberians live about 15 years. For cats, this is a respectable age, it corresponds to the age of an elderly person. However, living conditions, proper nutrition and care have a direct impact on life expectancy. Stress and poor grooming reduce the pet's life resource.

A cat needs human attention, while ordinary paper or even thread can become a toy for him. He has a developed instinct for self-preservation, which is why the animal never climbs where it can be dangerous. The health of the Siberians is excellent, in comparison with fellow breeds. Some individuals live up to 20 years. As for the reproductive age, in cats it usually does not exceed 18 years, while in males it only occasionally crosses the eleven-year line.

The colors of long-haired Siberian cats can be different. Among the representatives of the breed, you can find individuals of the same color or cats with a characteristic pattern. At the same time, the texture of wool can be very different: somewhere it is soft, somewhere it is tough. Depending on the color on the belly and legs, it can be curly.

Curious is the fact that at birth, a male kitten inherits the color of the mother, while a baby girl can take the color from either parent. As for the standard, it allows for solid colors, both spotted and patterned. The colors of many modern cats are the result of selection. The standard includes animals with white, black, gray, brownish, blue and red hair.

White solid color considered a rarity. In this case, the standard implies a perfectly clean color. There should be no patterns or spots on the coat. Sometimes these kittens are born with specks, but over time they disappear. Breeders call these cats Angora. These pets have different eye colors (bluish, copper or even orange).

Black color, according to the requirements of the standard, should be uniform. As a rule, even the tip of the nose is painted black in these cats. Kittens at birth have a grayish or brown fur coat, over time and after molting, it turns black. However, it is more difficult to care for these cats, because their fur has to be protected from the sun so that it does not fade. When burned out, the black fur coat becomes ugly, giving off reddishness.

Gray color is conventionally divided into two types: chinchilla and smoky... The first type implies a coat that is not dyed along its entire length, but partially. At the same time, the silvery color can dye the hair of the hair by no more than 1/3, and in some cats even less (for example, the tip). A smoky color has hairs, dark at the ends and light (sometimes completely white) at the roots. Chinchilla color is considered rare among Siberians, it can be shaded and veiled.

Tortoiseshell color consists of contrasting shades. This can be black over solid red or light blue over cream. With this color, the distribution of spots is uniform throughout the animal's coat. More often, this color is characteristic of the female breed. However, in rare cases, it is observed in males, although, as a rule, in those that cannot give offspring.

Common among Siberian cats and tabby color. With this color of the coat, an alternation of dark and light shades is noted, which gives an original pattern. Individuals of this breed can have three types of this color: marble (classic), brindle and spotted. Each type has its own degree of color saturation.

In addition, the standard recognizes several colors with white. For example, it can be a bicolor, in which at least 1/3 of the total coat should be white in color.

Siberian cats cannot be called lazy, they are characterized by mobility and activity. These are animal leaders, and therefore they rarely agree to be close to other pets. They rarely recognize other cats or dogs living in the house. As for a person, out of all household members, only one will be the authority.

He will obey him more than others, obeying the rules that the owner will teach him. However, this does not mean that the animal will behave badly. Not at all: if you teach him the rules of behavior from childhood, the cat will behave quite peacefully with everyone. In general, the character of the Siberian is peaceful and good-natured. Among the representatives of the breed, there are individuals who are peacefully related to all household members.

Representatives of this breed differ tact and dedication, which is shown in relation to its owner. Since childhood, they are not only curious, but also smart. They can be trained in some commands, because they are sociable animals. They do not worry about the change of scenery, they quickly get used to a new place, they can live both in a private house and in an apartment.

By nature, they are excellent hunters. The craving for hunting is manifested even in very young kittens, which explains their playfulness. However, the desire to hunt indicates that there should be no birds or small domestic rodents in the house: sooner or later, the cat's hunter instincts will work. In a private house, a cat will exterminate all mice, and not only on the territory of its plot, but also from its neighbors.

While the cat is hunting, it looks very good. Hunting gives the pet strength, trains the body, the food caught has a beneficial effect on the health of the body and coat. The animal is clean. It will never impose its society, even if it wants attention or affection. Even in this case, the cat will not beg for affection, will not allow itself to pursue its owner and will try not to show its emotions.

Animals perceive a change of owner differently. However, they do not always love outside visitors to their home.... And if a pet doesn't like a particular person, he can afford to grumble at him a little. Other individuals can protect their owners in their own way. By the way, the protective instinct also works with small children living in the house. Siberians adore small children and try not to give them offense. Some representatives of the breed protect the sensitive sleep of babies, in their own way, babysit them, like to play with babies. At the same time, they will not allow themselves to release their claws and play.

It cannot be said about these cats that they do something rashly. Any of their actions is meaningful. Having studied an object or toy, they quickly find use for it. They adore various outdoor games, while they often jump and deftly climb high objects in the house. However, if Siberians are patient with children and can behave with dignity, then they will not allow themselves to bore the adult family members.

The pet misses its owner very much and does not like loneliness. During the day, he can go to sleep on any master's thing. Even at night, the cat will find an opportunity to snuggle up to the owner, even if for this he will settle down at his feet. As for the waking period, the fluffy cannot be left for a long time, and even more so without toys, which he often carries in his teeth, like prey. Given his ingenuity, you need to understand: the animal will find something to do.

In addition to the fact that the cat can easily open the doorknob, he can get to the water taps in search of water. By the way, he is not only not afraid of her, but even loves her. This manifests itself in relaxation while bathing. Besides, The pet may deliberately drag toys into the bathtub to entertain itself by catching them.

With age, some individuals, which at one time received little attention, may exhibit hyperexcitability. Moreover, the peak of activity usually occurs at night, when the household wants to sleep.

Siberian cats are easily trainable, and therefore it will not be difficult to train them to the litter box. They quickly figure out where the toilet and their bed are. They love play complexes and need scratching posts. If the animal does not get a bed, it will not understand its place, just as there will be no clear division into “its” and “master's” things. You need to take care of the purchase harness or collar for walking.

For example, the animal must have its own dishes... Plates from the master's table cannot be used, in the future the cat will not understand why he is not allowed to eat the food on the table. Regardless of the feeding time, the animal should always have a bowl of fresh water. The pet should not look for water when it wants to drink. Lack of water in the usual place will cause the cat to crawl into the sink, bathtub, or toilet.

A bed for a cat is selected based on its size. It should accommodate your pet so that it does not have to huddle or look for more comfortable sleeping places in the house. If you have finance, you can buy two loungers, and their models can be both standard floor-standing and suspended. For example, if you wish, you can choose an option for a Siberian for a radiator or a hanging hammock. Some breeders make do-it-yourself beds for pets.

Decent models can be obtained from ordinary old suitcases, sweaters, or even pillows. Some cat owners make two-story designs. Cats like these products, they are more functional and are especially appropriate if two pets live in the house.

Trays for cats are selected based on their size and character traits. Despite the fact that there are many options on the market today, when choosing, it is worth starting from open models. Determining the type you want is easy: the tray must be strong, stable, with relatively high sides and a removable frame.

You need to buy a tray with rubberized legs, made of extra strong and thick plastic. At the same time, the tray should not smell harsh, since cats do not like this, and they look for other places to fulfill their natural needs. The high sides will help keep the space around the tray from excrement, urine and filler pellets.

As for the features of the trays, you will have to choose between options with and without a lattice. Products without mesh require filler. The good thing about grate trays is that they can be used without granular material. The filler in this case is necessary to eliminate the unpleasant odor.

The Siberian cat can hardly be called a fussy grooming, but it is extremely important to ensure the regularity of hygiene procedures. Particular attention will have to be paid to combing out the dead wool, because the longer the cat will wear it, the more tangles there will be on the woolen fur coat. You will need to double combing out during shedding., since at this time it is vital for the cat. Besides, timely combing will rid the house of dead hairs lying around the entire perimeter of the home.

It is better to comb the cat with a special device with a trimmer comb. This will allow you to remove dead hair from the fur without much difficulty and fatigue, while not injuring the pet's skin. Cats like these combs, because they not only do not touch the skin, but also do not pull out the hairs, and besides, they massage the skin.

During the molt period, which occurs in spring and autumn, long-haired fluffs are often combed out. Some individuals need this more often than twice a week.If the owner, for some reason, does not have enough free time to get rid of the dead hair from the pet, you can buy a brush with teeth that is attached to the wall. So the animal will be able to independently scratch the fur coat, these combs are rarely left without cat's attention.

Furminator teeth should be sparse, and the width of the working surface of the ridge should be wide. This is necessary in order to reduce the time for processing the pet. On the face, behind the ears and in the tail area, comb the hairs out especially carefully. It is undesirable to cut the coat short in these places.

From time to time, the cat needs to clean its ears and eyes. This is done with warm boiled water using napkins or cotton pads. Hygiene of the ears and eyes, coupled with a visual examination, will not only prevent infection with any infection, but also detect the presence of parasites. For example, if a cat starts scratching its ears for a long time, this may indicate the presence of small ear mites. If whitish eyes begin to appear in the corners of the eyes, they indicate the presence of worms.

If there are parasites in the ears or eyes, the pet owner should see a veterinarian. After examination, the specialist will select the optimal drug and dosage, based on the age of the cat and its weight. Ears are treated with drops, after cleaning their inner surface. As a rule, the procedure is repeated once to consolidate the therapeutic effect. Your teeth need to be brushed frequently. The teeth of cats, like humans, are susceptible to the formation and growth of tartar. Their gums also become inflamed, and the strength of the enamel may weaken. Cats need to brush their teeth special paste, without delaying the procedure.

The nails must be trimmed in a timely manner. To do this, you can purchase a nail clipper, which will save the animal from tedious and time-consuming hygiene. You can cut in one procedure no more than 1 mm in length. To prevent the cat from tearing the wallpaper and upholstery, it is worth getting a scratching post. It is necessary to choose it, given the massiveness of the animal. It must be resistant to clawing.

Washing your pet too often is undesirable. Siberians are quite clean cats, they constantly lick their fur. They should be washed with a pet shampoo no more than three to four times a year. However, no one cancels games in water, as well as washing a cat without shampoo. As for detergents, rinses are provided today for caring for the wool of these animals.

Cats feel best if they are often outdoors. A private house is the best place to live for them. Here the cat will find something to do, hunt and train its muscles. No amount of airing the rooms of the apartment will replace outdoor walks for your pet. Even equipped playgrounds will not make a cat stronger if he does not walk every day.

Staying in the fresh air is the prevention of many diseases. This allows you to strengthen the immune system, keep yourself in good shape and gain strength for active games and normal growth. Animals that are not taken outside are weaker.

It is necessary to visit the veterinarian constantly. Vaccination should be timely, as well as preventive measures to disinfect the pet from fleas and ticks. Someone buys antiparasitic collars for Siberians. However, as practice shows, not all of them are effective. Every time after a walk, the owner should inspect the pet.

Due to its high activity, the Siberian cat needs high-calorie food. However, this does not mean at all that it can be oily. The approach to formulating a nutritious diet must be carefully considered. It is unacceptable to feed the pet exclusively with industrial feed, regardless of their type. Even with the alternation of wet and dry food, the animal will not receive all the vitamins and nutrients it needs. To strengthen tooth enamel food should contain mineral and vitamin complexes. In the diet natural products must be present. What the owners eat is not good for the pet.

For the preparation of a cat menu, you can contact your veterinarian, who will tell you in what form to serve this or that product. For example, a cat can eat meat raw and boiled, but if he eats raw, anthelminthic treatment should be more frequent.

When drawing up the menu, special attention should be paid to small kittens. At the age of three months, they are usually fed 5-6 times a day, as they grow older, the frequency of food intake is reduced to two or three times a day. The food of the animal should be balanced, varied and age-appropriate. However, you need to feed the Siberian correctly, he should not overeat. The same can be said for pregnant cats. Their food should be of high quality, rich in vitamins and minerals. Overeating is fraught with excess weight gain, and the lack of nutrients will negatively affect the health and immunity of the offspring. As for the nutrition of cats during lactation, at this time their food should be more high-calorie.

Food for a Siberian is selected based on the characteristics of the animal itself and its age (for example, for kittens, spayed animals). Cheap food does not contain nutrients and can harm your health. You need to buy food from trusted manufacturers. As for natural food, cats need chicken, beef, turkey, and rabbit meat. In addition, the diet should include boiled fish, eggs, seafood, kefir and cottage cheese.

Milk can be given to small kittens, adult cats need kefir... Also in the diet should be cereals, as well as sprouted cereals (for example, oats). The cereal sprouts are needed to help clear the swallowed wool from the stomach of the animal.

The character of Siberian cats can be different, as evidenced by the reviews of breeders left on the vastness of the world wide web. Their owners note that other representatives may take offense at the owners, and even take revenge on them even for accidental offenses. Cats use their nails, play, scratching not only adults, but also children.

Other comments indicate that pets quickly adapt to changing owners, and may require attention. They bring their toys to the owners and move them with their paws, showing that they want to play. The owners note that similar behavior is observed in the offspring of friendly cats. In addition, rare representatives of the breed, according to the breeders, are cowardly. But many have a trick that they use in relation to other pets and all household members.

For the features of Siberian cats, see the next video.