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Siberian cats, also known as Siberian Forest Cats, are lovable, awesome, and they get quite large. Cat fanciers have primped their genes through selective breeding, but the cats have not changed that much from their feral ancestors. Potential cat owners may still have their questions, though. So, do Siberian cats need company?
Yes, Siberian cats need company. Siberian cats are social, so it is better to keep more than one. They become attached to their owners and happy and comfortable in their presence. Siberian cats are dependent on their owners and should not be left home alone for long periods.
In the case of the Siberian cat, humans standardized the breed and refined it by making its characteristics more consistent. Find out more about the Siberian cat and whether they need company in this article!
Do Siberians Get Lonely?
Siberian cats can get lonely if their owner is away from home for long periods and does not arrange a pet sitter. They need regular love and attention and could suffer separation anxiety if they are left alone. If you think your Siberian cat suffers from separation anxiety, you should consult a veterinarian.
How Long Can You Leave a Siberian Cat Alone?
You can leave most cat breeds home alone for 24 hours without needing to worry. However, I would not leave a Siberian cat home alone longer than 24 hours. If you need to leave your cat home alone for longer, you should consider options for companionship, such as pet sitters, another cat, or a cat-friendly dog.
If you suspect your Siberian cat has issues with separation anxiety, you should get your cat checked out by a veterinarian.
Should I Get Two Siberian Cats?
Before you buy another Siberian cat, you need to understand that the cat will expect to have a dynamic relationship with you, and you will have to be an involved owner. If you need to be away from home a lot, it is smart to have another cat to keep your Siberian company. But, should that extra cat be a Siberian?
My advice is to check out the local shelter and see if they have a compatible cat with your Siberian. They should have a good idea of which of their adoptable cats are good with other cats.
While the cat you adopt may not be another Siberian cat, you could still give a great cat a home, and they may not be as needy as a Siberian is sometimes. For example, I adopted my Domestic Shorthair from the local shelter, and while she is social (especially when it is time for dinner), she is not nearly as needy as other cat breeds.
How Much Does a Siberian Cat Cost?
Siberian kittens for sale are not cheap, and they will run you from $1300 to $2500.
Sestra Siberians
Sestra Siberians in Madison, Indiana; sells Siberian kittens for about $2000. Show quality kittens are more expensive at about $2500. Additionally, there is a refundable waitlist fee of $100.
Kravchenko Siberian Cats
Kravchenko Siberian Cats, located in Port Orange, FL, sells Siberian Kittens for approximately $1300. In addition, there is an expected $200 deposit once a kitten is chosen and agreements are signed.
2 Major Reasons Why Siberian Cats Are So Expensive
Siberian cats are expensive for two major reasons, which are quality and maintenance.
Siberian Cat Quality
Purebred cats can be expensive, especially if you purchase them to breed other cats. Additionally, there can be added costs since the correct documentation to prove the purebred bloodlines will always be necessary.
Siberian Cat Maintenance
Besides quality, the actual upbringing and maintenance costs of raising purebred Siberians can be costly. Some of the costs that breeders endure are around the following:
- Spay or Neuter
- Vaccinations
- Living Spaces
- Food
- Medical Checkups
Is It a Good Idea to Get a Second Cat?
Cats can have significant personality differences, so getting another cat when your first cat is already an adult can be a tricky business. It may be necessary to gradually introduce them to each other, taking some time and effort.
If you already have another cat and want to get a Siberian, the other cat may not welcome the new addition. You first need to see how your cat reacts to other cats generally. If it shows fear or aggression, then it may not be wise to get a second one. Cats can be territorial, and the presence of other feline visitors on your property can be stressful for your pet.
Do Siberian Cats Need Another Cat?
Well socialized cats, and cats like Siberians that are a friendly breed, will be more likely to accept the introduction of another cat into the home. Siberians like to play even when they are older, while many other cat breeds become less playful as adults, so try to choose a second cat from a breed that will stay playful also.
You may want to choose to buy or adopt two Siberian kittens at the same time. Two kittens will play together and provide each other with mental and physical stimulation. If they are littermates, so much, the better as they already know each other. If they are not siblings, the younger the kittens, the better because they are more likely to see each other as part of the same social group.
Cats tend to bond in pairs, so keep this in mind. A lonely cat may develop behavioral problems and even show signs of depression. On the other hand, bonded pairs are usually happier and healthier. They also tend to live longer.
Signs that a cat is lonely include clinginess, demanding behavior, and a lot of vocalization when you leave the house. Destructive behavior, changes in grooming habits, and eating too little or too much can also be signs that your cat needs a companion.
However, you need to eliminate other possible causes of such behavior before attempting to introduce another cat. First, take your cat for a veterinary health check before assuming that it is lonely.
Siberian Cat Personality Characteristics
Siberians are active, adventurous, agile climbers and problem solvers. Don’t be surprised to find them on light fittings, curtain rails, on the tops of doors and refrigerators, and in other hard-to-reach places. Siberian Forest Cats enjoy mentally stimulating activities such as solving puzzle toys and learning tricks.
Siberian Cat Temperament
The Siberian cat’s temperament is bold and composed, so they do well with children and other animals. They can leap great distances and are relatively high energy. Their calm nature and lack of shyness around strangers mean that they make good therapy cats.
Siberians can take up to five years to mature, so don’t be surprised if you see kitten behavior for quite a while.
Do Siberian Cats Like Water?
Unlike many other cats, Siberians love to play with water. So don’t be surprised to find them creeping into the shower with you or being fascinated by running water out of water faucets.
Do Siberian Cats Like Other Cats?
The personalities of Siberian cats do vary between each individual cat, but in general Siberian cats do get along with other cats. You don’t have to have a male and a female Siberian together.
Are Siberian Cats Intelligent?
Siberians are highly intelligent can learn to open both house and cupboard doors to get to their owner or the cat treats. This cat breed is usually considered more intelligent than most other cat breeds.
Siberian Cat Lifespan
Their average life expectancy is between 11 and 18 years, but they can even live to be older if well cared for. Ensure you are taking your Siberian cat for regular checkups at the veterinarian to help catch any medical issues as early as possible.
Are Siberian Cats Vocal?
Siberians are naturally quite vocal and use various trills, chirps, squeaks, mews, and purrs to communicate with their humans. However, they also need mental stimulation and regular interaction to stop them from being bored.
Are Siberian Cats Playful?
Siberian cats can learn to play fetch and like to watch their owner working on the computer. Siberians remain playful throughout their lives, unlike other cats who lose interest as they get older. These cats follow their owners around the house and enjoy playing with feather toys.
Siberian Cat Appearance
Siberians come in various intense colors and rich patterns, including color points. Their eyes range widely in color between gold and green, and those with points usually have dark blue eyes. These cats are medium to large with a muscular build, and their coats are thicker in winter.
They resemble Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats, but Maine Coons are much larger, and Norwegian Forest cats have shorter legs than Siberians. Those with point markings are called Neva Masquerade and are sometimes treated as a separate breed altogether.
Siberian Cat Colors
Coat colors range from white to brown, black, red, blue, lilac, or silver, and combinations of these colors are common. The pattern varies from uniform to spotted, ticked, mackerel, or classic. The pattern is called mackerel when the stripes go up and down on the cat’s sides. The classic pattern shows circles on the cat’s sides. The most common color in Siberians is brown mackerel tabby.
Siberian Cat Fur
The fur is dense and medium to long, and Siberians have a plush neck collar or ruff, a bushy tail, and fluffy britches . Siberian cats should be brushed regularly to eliminate tangles and remove dust, leaves, and other garden detritus. Their thick, triple coats are water-repellant and are thought to be hypoallergenic by many people. Of course, no cat is truly hypoallergenic, but the Siberian is better in this regard than most cat breeds.
Are Siberians Hypoallergenic?
Siberian cats are not hypoallergenic; however, they produce less Fel d 1 than many other cat breeds, which makes them better for people with cat allergies.
The protein produced by cats that causes an allergic reaction in some humans is known as Fel d 1. This protein is found in cat dander, cat hair, and saliva, and interestingly, unneutered male cats produce more of it than females.
Technically speaking, no cat is hypoallergenic as there are many different causes of cat allergies in people. However, certain cat breeds, such as the Siberian, do not produce as much protein as others, and Siberians are one such breed. Their long thick coats are resistant to weather extremes, and somehow this means less Fel d 1.
Siberian Cat History
Siberians, also known as the Moscow Semi-Longhair, are a centuries-old breed that originates from Russia. However, they were only formally recognized by cat breeders associations in the 1980s when they publicized breed standards for the first time. Siberian Forest Cat is the formal breed name, but this is typically shortened to “Siberian.”
The earliest records of Siberians go back more than a thousand years, but they weren’t exported from Russia until after the Cold War. The International Cat Association (TICA) first recognized the breed in 1996, while the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) accepted them in 1999 and the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) in 2000.
The Siberian cat features in Russian paintings, folk and fairy tales, and children’s books. They are the national cat of Russia. In 1889 Harrison Weir wrote a book entitled “Our Cats and All About Them,” which featured the breed. The Russians love Siberian cats for their loyalty and amazing personalities and because they are good at rodent control on farms.
To check out Harrison Weir’s book that I referenced above, take a look here at Amazon (affiliate link): Check Out Harrison Weir’s Book On Amazon “Our Cats and all About Them.”
In England in the 1700s, the Siberian was one of only three longhairs represented at the first cat shows. Despite the cat breed’s age, Siberian cats were first imported into the United States only in 1990.
Conclusion
Siberian cats will probably be OK if you leave them alone for less than a day, but you should consider getting a second animal if you leave for longer durations. My recommendation for another animal is another Siberian cat, or if that is too expensive, adopting a Domestic Shorthair cat from your local shelter. Animal shelters have many great cats that need a home.
Additionally, Siberians usually get along with cat-friendly dogs. A couple of dog breeds usually considered cat-friendly if they are socialized with cats early enough are the Golden Retriever and the Beagle.
If you enjoyed this article, check out a few more:
- Do Siberian Cats Scratch Furniture? (Most Useful Research): Click Here.
- Can Siberian Cats Go Outside? (The Most Useful Answer): Click Here.
- Do Savannah Cats Need Company? The Wild Answers: Click Here.
