Owning a Siberian Cat
What is it like to own a Siberian cat?
We often get asked what it’s like to own Siberian cats, and so I thought I’d finally give some insight based on our experience living with Reinhardt and Perseus. Keep in mind that every cat has their own personality and the behaviour of my cats isn’t necessarily reflective of all Siberians.
Are Siberians Hypoallergenic?
One of the main reasons we chose to get a Siberian cat was due to hearing that the breed had hypoallergenic qualities. Something to note is that the breed is not entirely hypoallergenic, but we can attest that people with allergies may find their allergies greatly decreased with this breed. Tony is quite allergic to most cats, and his symptoms include difficulty breathing, hives, and irritated eyes. When it comes to living with Reinhardt and Perseus, his symptoms mostly disappear unless he’s in the same room when one of them uses the litter box or if we neglect to clean the house during shedding season. My cousin is also allergic and he finds that he can hold Reinhardt without his allergies being triggered, although he still experiences symptoms like sneezing if he comes in direct contact with cat saliva or forgets to wash his hands after petting them.
A common misconception about cat allergies is that people are allergic to the fur when often it’s actually specific enzymes found in cat saliva that trigger allergies. For whatever reason, Siberians tend to produce less of these enzymes and thus they can be good matches for those with cat allergies. We’ve also heard that the gender and colour can impact this, and supposedly silver males like Reinhardt produce more of the enzyme. We can’t really confirm this, but it’s just what we’ve heard from others.
It’s also important to note that it’s possible to be allergic to one Siberian while having no symptoms with a different Siberian. Always ask to do an allergy test before getting a Siberian and don’t just assume that you’ll be fine because they’re labeled as hypoallergenic.
Grooming & Triple-layered Coats
Since we’re already somewhat on the topic of fur, let’s take a moment to discuss what it’s like to own a long-haired cat. Siberians naturally come equipped with a triple layered coat which makes them unique from other long-haired cats. Siberian coats are naturally water resistant and their coats help them to regulate their body temperatures throughout the seasons. A Siberian’s winter coat can have them looking extra chonky (a huge floof!) whereas come spring and summer and you may be wondering where half your cat went. You can see the difference between Reinhardt’s winter coat and summer coat in the photos below. These coats can take up to five years to fully develop (Reinhardt was four in these photos) and they can look absolutely magnificent when cared for properly.
We’ve also noticed that Siberian coats can vary quite drastically from cat to cat. For Perseus, he requires basically no grooming (we can go weeks without combing him) as his fur is super silky and in three years he’s probably only has four mats in total. In contrast, Reinhardt has a more oily and thick coat that requires daily combing and extra care to avoid matting. My mother also has a female Neva (a special Siberian mix) named Paisley, and her fur is very soft but extremely thick. Paisley’s fur can be difficult to comb through and she is much more prone to getting mats.
The typical grooming routine for Reinhardt consists of daily combing and a thorough brushing once a week. We use this comb and this brush. When combing him, we always comb in the direction of the fur and try to reach to the bottom layer without just stabbing him. The bottom layers tend to mat the most and its not unusual for the top layer to hide the issue. We start by combing his mane and around the head as he enjoys this the most, and then we work our way to his sides and back. To get his hind legs and stomach, I’ll sometimes have to wait until later in the day when he’s sleepy as he’s not a huge fan of having those spots combed. I very rarely brush or comb his tail as it never mats and his fur is much more oily there. If we are brushing him, it’s the same process except we go slower and with shorter strokes to avoid catching on a knot and ripping out chunks of fur. If you do encounter a particular bad knot, you can try to comb it out or you may need to snip it out and then comb it. Be very careful when doing this so as not to cut their skin!
We know some people who shave their cats in the summer with the intention of providing relief to their Siberian, but in reality this prevents their summer coat from properly working to keep them cool (the layers trap in cool air) while also potentially stressing the cat by disrupting their ability to groom. A friend who shaved their Siberian one summer also noted that the coat took almost two years to grow back properly.
Since Siberians have seasonal coats, you can also expect them to go through fairly intense shedding periods throughout the year. Take care to vacuum more often during this time, especially if someone in your household has cat allergies. For us, we like to bathe the cats after they’re mostly done shedding as it can help to remove loose fur and also helps greatly with Tony’s allergies. If you’re really creative, shedding season would be a good time to collect your cat’s fur and try your hand at felting!
Even outside of shedding season you can expect to see tons of fur lingering around in your house. While Siberians are said to shed less than other long-haired cats, this doesn’t really mean much when you’ll likely need to vacuum every few days (if not daily). Be prepared to rely on lint rollers for all your clothes and good luck if you have more than one Siberian because when they play fight, fur will literally fly.
Seasonal Considerations for Siberians
As mentioned, Siberians have seasonal coats that help them adapt to changing temperatures. In the winter, they are well suited for colder weather and we find that the cats are fairly comfortable even in -1°C. Unfortunately, they don’t excel quite as much in the summer even if they shed their coat. If you plan to get a Siberian, it would be best to live somewhere with cooler summers or make sure your home has air conditioning to keep your cat safe from overheating. We find that the cats start to complain about the heat once it reaches over 20°C, and sometimes even sooner for Reinhardt who has a thicker coat year round.
Siberian Personality & Behaviour
I don’t know how much of a cat’s personality is determined by breed, but in general we hear that Siberians have very good personalities and make for good family cats. They’re said to be loyal, affectionate, and intelligent which are all fitting descriptors for Reinhardt and Perseus. We also find them to be quite chatty, and one of our favourite things to hear is Reinhardt’s trill to announce that he’s coming up the stairs. Of course, it’s less cute when they’re meowing at 4AM.. Siberians can be very energetic (although truthfully Reinhardt is a bit lazy) and are very good at jumping (Reinhardt also sucks at this) due to the way their legs are structured.
In their own way, Reinhardt and Perseus provide us with tons of affection and have shown that they are greatly attached to us. They both love to come running to greet us at the door when we get home, and they tend to want to be in the same room as us. Perseus is a cuddle bug and a lap cat who will accept attention at any time whereas Reinhardt has specific spots in the house (specifically the upstairs washroom and the kitchen floor mat) where he’ll shower you with attention if you go there. At night, both cats like to sleep in the same room or directly outside the bedroom door, and in the mornings they always want to lie in bed for a bit.
Both cats have quite a high level of energy, but this could also be impacted by things like age and diet. We know many other Siberians with lots of energy and many seem to love having the option of going outside for walks. We were also told that Siberians have an affinity for water, and we see this in both cats to some degree. Perseus isn’t afraid to walk up to the water’s edge while on adventures, and Reinhardt loves to sit in the bathtub after someone has showered, ultimately getting soaked in the process. Both cats are also fine to go canoeing or paddle boarding, but they don’t seem too keen to get fully into the water for a swim.
While we weren’t the most consistent with training, the cats were also capable of learning a number of tricks. They also enjoy playing fetch sometimes which we thought was quite cool. Perseus is particularly clever which can cause problems as he knows how to open doors and get into places he shouldn’t.
Health Issues
Siberians are a healthy breed, although they can be more susceptible to a specific heart disease. Due to this, it’s important to check your cat’s heart rhythm once they turn two. Other health concerns may also arise when unethical breeders are consulted as genetic problems can easily be passed down through kittens. For this reason, it’s very important to do your research and ensure you are working with an ethical breeder who has done all the proper health and genetic tests and has the paperwork to prove it. Of course, Siberians may also have other cat issues like cancer or urinary problems, but proper care and a good diet can help to reduce the chance of some health issues.
Getting a Siberian Cat
Adopting a purebred Siberian can be quite challenging, and so the most common way to get one is through a breeder. While we know many people are big advocates for “adopt don’t shop”, we think that shopping responsibly should also be considered a viable option. Ultimately, you need to make sure that you are choosing an ethical breeder. Here are some things to look for:
Screening process
Allergy test as an option
Official contract outlining care for the cat (often forbids you from abandoning the cat)
Few litters per year, wait list
Official documentation verifying the health of their queens and studs
Reasonable price
Open communication
Requires proof of vaccinations
