Siberian Forest

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 1800s in the US, and are referenced in several books from that era.  

The 1980s 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.  

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.  

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.  

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. Proper nutrition plays an important role in your cat’s health as a correct diet along with care can help extend the Siberian cat lifespan to 18 years. 

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.  

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.