Siberian
The Siberian is Russia's national cat breed — an ancient natural breed from Siberia that has been part of Russian culture and folklore for over 1,000 years.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Russia
Lifespan
12–15 years
Weight
4–9 kg (9–20 lbs)
Height
30–38 cm (12–15 in)
Exercise
15 to 25 min/day
Diet
Obligate carnivore — high-quality wet and dry food appropriate for a large, active breed.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
The Story
The Siberian is Russia's national cat breed — an ancient natural breed from Siberia that has been part of Russian culture and folklore for over 1,000 years. It is one of the three "forest cats" along with the Norwegian Forest Cat and Maine Coon — large, long-haired, and built for cold climates. The Siberian is particularly notable for its claim to be a low-allergen cat — some individuals produce significantly lower levels of the Fel d 1 allergen, making them better tolerated by some allergy sufferers, though this is not consistent across all individuals.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
Discover which pets match your lifestyle
Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
The Siberian is a large, powerful, well-muscled cat with a broad, rounded head, large rounded ears, and large rounded eyes that are typically gold or green. The coat is triple-layered — a dense, water-resistant top coat, a middle awn layer, and a thick, warm undercoat. The ruff around the neck and the full, bushy tail are prominent. The Neva Masquerade variety has the Siberian body with Siamese-style colourpointing.
Grooming
High
Shedding
High
Coat Length
semi-long
Coat Type
dense
Brushing
2-3x-Weekly
Bathing
Rarely
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Siberians are gentle, playful, and dog-like — they follow owners around, enjoy interactive play, and are genuinely sociable. They are more active and athletic than Ragdolls or Maine Coons. They enjoy high perches and climbing. They are adaptable and good with children and other pets.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
4/5Attention Need
3/5Friendliness
5/5Playfulness
4/5Protectiveness
2/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
Apartment
Daily Exercise
15 to 25 min/day
Ideal Weather
-20°C to 22°C
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor-Outdoor
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
40%
Attention
30%
Playfulness
40%
Communication Style
Vocal Profile
chirp-trill
Stress Signals
hiding, withdrawal, appetite changes, over-grooming
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •The triple-layer coat requires brushing 2–3 times weekly with significant increase during seasonal shedding. The undercoat sheds dramatically in spring. Regular dental care. Large litter boxes appropriate for the size.
Nutrition Notes
HCM. PkDef — DNA test. Reportedly lower Fel d 1 (hypoallergenic claims — better tolerated but NOT truly hypoallergenic). Large breed (5-9 kg). Triple coat — waterproof.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
HCM. PkDef. Hip dysplasia. Lower Fel d 1 reported (better for allergy sufferers). Triple waterproof coat. Russian national cat. 12-15 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
500 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
350 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PK Def) — DNA test available. Generally a robust breed due to natural selection in a harsh climate. One of the healthier large breeds.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Lower Fel d 1 — better for allergies. Russia's forest cat. India: NOT suited to climate (triple coat).
Purchase Price
$1,000 to $3,000
Adoption Fee
$75 to $400
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Siberian is one of the cats most frequently cited as "hypoallergenic" — and unlike most such claims, there is some scientific basis. Some Siberian individuals, particularly the Neva Masquerade (colourpoint) variety, produce measurably lower levels of Fel d 1. However, this is not consistent and allergy sufferers should spend time with a specific cat before committing.
The Siberian appears in Russian fairy tales and folk stories as the magical forest cat — it is depicted in traditional Russian lubki (folk art prints) dating to the 17th century.
Siberians were first imported to the USA in 1990 — previously unknown in the West, they were one of the most sought-after breeds of the 1990s due to claims of lower allergen levels.
