Large breeds
Siberian: personality, life span and weight
The Siberian is a large long-haired breed from the cold climate of Russia. It has a thick triple coat, solid muscle and remarkable jumping power.
- Strong jumper
- Affectionate
- Bold
Siberian at a glance
- Adult weight
- 4–9 kg
- Life span
- 12–16 years
- Shedding
- heavy
- Activity
- active
- Origin
- Russia
- Coat
- Thick semi-long triple coat built for the cold
Siberian personality
It likes people and is not easily scared, so it will walk up to visitors. It is agile for its size and climbs with ease, and many enjoy playing with water.
Coat care and daily care
Brush two or three times a week, and daily in shedding season. Some individuals are said to produce less of the allergen protein Fel d 1, but this varies a lot and the breed is not allergy-free. If you have allergies, meet the cat and check your reaction before adopting.
Health problems Siberian keepers should know
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)Regular heart checks are recommended.
- ObesityThe full coat hides changes in body shape. Feel for the ribs with your hands.
These are problems reported relatively often in the breed. It does not mean every cat will have them. If a symptom worries you, see a vet.
Real Siberian photos from cat keepers
Photo tip Capture the fuller ruff in winter. Use burst mode to catch a jump.
There are no public records yet. Your cat could be the first.
Add my cat and start a diarySiberian questions and answers
- How long do Siberian cats live?
- An indoor Siberian typically lives about 12–16 years. Weight control, regular check-ups and indoor living all make a difference.
- How much does an adult Siberian weigh?
- A fully grown Siberian usually weighs 4–9 kg. Males tend to be larger than females, and a body shape where the ribs can be felt lightly matters more than the number.
- Do Siberian cats shed a lot?
- Shedding is heavy. Thick semi-long triple coat built for the cold. Brush two or three times a week, and daily in shedding season. Some individuals are said to produce less of the allergen protein Fel d 1, but this varies a lot and the breed is not allergy-free. If you have allergies, meet the cat and check your reaction before adopting.
- What is the Siberian personality like?
- It likes people and is not easily scared, so it will walk up to visitors. It is agile for its size and climbs with ease, and many enjoy playing with water.