Red Siberian cats: breed characteristics and content

These furry pets are considered one of the most magnificent breeds in the whole world. It seems that nature has combined all the best qualities in them, which is why red Siberian cats are considered a real miracle.

Courageous and loyal, these cats have an innate hunting instinct and a strong, muscular build. Squat large limbs, a large tail, beautiful eyes, luxurious mustache and eyebrows, a fluffy collar and noble "trousers" characteristic of this breed reproduce in memory the image of Kotofei, familiar to us from children's fairy tales. Today, representatives of this breed have become one of the symbols and assets of our country.

There is an opinion that this type of cats has primordially Russian roots, but in fact this fact has a lot of refutations. Today we attribute Siberia to Russia, but if we turn to history, it becomes clear that earlier Siberia was in the possession of the Tatars. Respectively, Asian cats living in the then Tatar forests are none other than the forefathers of Siberians... Another likely option for the formation of the breed is the presence in their blood of the genome of wild cats living in the vast Trans-Urals.

Confirmation of this hypothesis is also facilitated by their similarity with wild relatives - behavioral traits, large size, weight.

The breed was officially approved by domestic felinologists in 1987, practically at the first stages of the development of this science in Russia. Due to the danger of genetic variation, representatives of the breed did not initially take part in exhibitions.Only after some time, thanks to the work of breeders, the breed inherited the necessary features, and in 1997 they began to admit it to international exhibitions.

Siberian red cats are the brightest representatives of aboriginal Russian breeds. Strong immunity, independence, peculiar behavior, stately nature - this makes them a real gift of nature. The British noticed that this animal deserves the Queen herself.

Having retained the natural appearance, hardening, temperament and good health of the wild forefathers, Siberian has amazing external data, amazing waterproof wool, has impressive dimensions. These cats captivate with grace and power.

The decoration of Siberian kittens are the previously mentioned "pants" on their hind legs and a fluffy shirt-front. There is one more advantage: this breed practically cannot provoke allergic reactions, which is very important for people who do not have cats because of fear of allergies.

A large, oval head, a trapezoidal expressive face, large cheeks, a bulging forehead - the appearance of these cats is very famous and memorable. By their nature, these cats are no less attractive, because poise and wisdom, combined with sensitivity and willfulness, create an amazing temperament.

Thanks to the painstaking work of breeders, various stable colors of Siberians have been created, many of which are artificial and practically do not appear in nature.

The standard body weight is considered to be a weight of 6 to 10 kg. Cats of this breed are much larger than females. In terms of height at the withers, cats (about 40 cm) also differ from cats (about 30 cm). Assessing the characteristics and standards of the breed, experts also take into account the body weight and age characteristics of pets. Below is a list of generally accepted standards for Siberian ginger cats.

• Wool - two-layer: elongated awn and dense, short undercoat.
• Paws - large, rounded, short, providing high endurance of the animal and the ability to move on the snow cover. The hind feet should be longer than the front feet by standard, and there should be a long tuft of hair between the pads.
• Eyes - Oval, slightly slanted, set wide apart, of medium size.
• Neck - strong, short, strong.
• Head - Smoothly outlined, rounded, large, with a wide, slightly arched forehead.
• Tail - long, wide, tapering to an oval tip. The uniform, dense, falling edge of the tail allows us to consider it a real pride of Siberian cats.
• Torso - muscular, with a strong bone, massive sternum. The general physique resembles a rectangle.
• Ears - of medium size, set wide apart, with a slight forward inclination. On the rounded tips there are “tassels” characteristic of wild-rooted breeds.
• Muzzle - wide cheekbones and nose, chin slightly pushed back.

Red Siberian cats, by their breed, are distinguished by unusual contact in communication, and their characteristic sociability allows them to cohabit on the same territory with other pets, including dogs. The character of Siberian cats reflects sensitivity, grace and playfulness. Moderately sociable, these cats are quite independent and intelligent. They very well feel the mood swings of their masters, showing the ability, if necessary, both to stand up for the owner, and to help him relax and relieve him of overstrain. It is believed that Siberian ginger cats are capable of healing diseases.

As a rule, these cats take only one family member for the owner, and surround him with the maximum amount of attention and care. Despite their stern appearance, they are unusually patient, kind, trusting and balanced. These cats can become real friends for humans: they are ready to accompany you in household chores, despite their independence.

Lack of aggression and unforgettable character is reinforced by excellent watchdog skills. It is important to note one fact here: there are exceptions when a cat's mood changes, and in moments of self-will the cat loses its patience. Understanding these features, you should not pester a cat that does not want attention.

Another unusual fact for this breed is lack of fear of water.

Of course, the first point is to care for the luxurious coat of red Siberian cats. It is very important to teach cats to comb combing from a young age - the accustomed animal will be less resistant to the procedures and tolerate it well.

Another nuance of Siberian hair care is its burning out in the sun... This breed is very fond of warming the sides in the sun for a long time, but as a result of sunbathing, the coat can lose its natural color through burnout. Try to limit how long your cat is in the sun.

Although red Siberian cats are not afraid of water procedures, it is still worth bathing them only as needed - before an exhibition, after visiting a summer cottage or due to other pollution. Bathe your cat carefully: try not to wet your head, but wipe it with a damp cloth. For daily or frequent hygiene procedures, special wet wipes for animals will be more appropriate, with which you can walk on the wool and wipe their paws after a walk.

According to numerous reviews of owners and breeders, the best environment for keeping this breed of cats is summer cottages or country houses. Nevertheless, they get along pretty well in living conditions. It is worth taking into account the fact that It is very important for Siberians to have enough space for free movement, otherwise a bored pet will gradually begin to satisfy its boredom with your personal belongings or household items.

A prophylactic examination of the ears and eyes is a mandatory procedure for this breed. When acidification appears, the eyes should be rinsed with warm water or 0.9% sodium chloride solution. The ears can be cleaned in the same ways, the main thing is that the solution does not flow into the auricle.

If the cat does not brush its teeth on time, it will have to be done in the veterinary clinic with the help of a dentist. The formation of tartar can provoke serious diseases that threaten the health of a cat.

With regard to the diet, Siberian cats are unpretentious: vegetables and fruits can be present in her daily menu. Preference should still be given to dry food: due to their solid structure, they prevent the appearance of tartar on the enamel of cats' teeth. A long-haired cat won't give you too many nutritional problems.

Unfortunately, although this cat breed has strong hereditary immunity, it also has some natural tendencies to diseases caused by the genetic breeding of the breed. The most common diseases of red Siberian cats are localized in the kidneys, genitourinary system, and gums. And also this breed has tendency to cancer.

Periodontal disease is the most common disease in this breed. It is characterized by untimely removal of calculus, as a result of which an infection forms in the mouth of the animal, which destroys the gums and teeth. Unfortunately, neglected periodontal disease is treated in only one way - by removing the affected teeth. The provocateur of the disease is malnutrition and insufficient dental care.

Polycystic kidney disease is common in cats after 8 years of age. With disease, the kidneys grow in size or stop functioning. The disease develops slowly, but most often it is practically asymptomatic, which does not allow it to be diagnosed in time and treatment started. The main symptoms are: weight loss, loss of appetite, thirst, frequent urination.

Diseases of the genitourinary system are most often expressed by the formation of crystal stones, which interfere with the normal passage of urine. As a result of untimely detection, infection may develop in the body. The main signs are the appearance of blood impurities in the urine, frequent urge to urinate, "marks" by the tray, refusal to eat, soreness of the abdomen.

Considering the issue of the life span of Siberians, it is worth noting that it directly depends on the specifics of the content. If the rules of care are followed carefully, then the cat will live for about 20 years, maintaining an active and inquisitive character. The average lifespan of this breed is from 16 to 18 years. By comparison, other cats live up to 14 years. According to the latest data, the average lifespan of Siberian cats has increased to 18-20 years.

For what the owner needs to know about Siberian cats, see the next video.