Siberian vs Russian Blue - Breed Comparison | MyCatBreeds

The beautiful Siberian cat originated from Russia, a very cold area which explains his thick coat.

This is a natural variety of domestic cat. It is an ancient breed and it is believed that it is ancestral to all modern long-haired cats.

The Siberian is the national cat of Russia. The cat first arrived in the United States in 1990.

It is believed that this beautiful cat originates from Russia, and more specifically the Archangel Isles.

It is also thought that these cats descended from cats that were kept by the Russian Czars and that they arrived in England and Northern Europe during the 1860s. It appeared in cat shows and by 1912 it was given its own classification.

The cat was also introduced to the United States in the early 1900s and today it is a popular domesticated pet.

The Siberian is a medium to large-sized cat that weighs between 3 and 7kg. They are known to be excellent jumpers.

It is a powerfully built cat with large paws and a full tail. The ears are medium in size with large round eyes. The cat has a slight arch to its back as the hind legs are a bit longer than the front legs.

The glossy coat is in three layers to protect it from extreme weather conditions. It comes in different colors such as tortoiseshell, colorpoint, tabby, and solid. He sheds a couple of times a year.

Temperament:

The Siberian cat is highly affectionate with family and playful too. In spite of that, he also loves curling up close to where his humans are.

This friendly cat will want to follow you and be where you are. They’re intelligent and can be taught a few tricks. Because they’re athletic, it will be a good idea to buy him a climbing tree as he loves to leap up to a perch and watch things going on. He gets on well with children and other pets.

The medium-sized Russian blue cat is slender, strong, and muscular with long legs. He can weigh between 3 and 6kg.

He has a beautiful blue, soft double coat that is short and thick. The coat is an even color with silver tips. What is an attractive feature of this cat too is that his double coat doesn’t shed much. The cat has a triangular-shaped head with yellow to green eyes.

Temperament:

The Russian Blue is such an amicable, sweet-tempered cat that likes nothing more than to be in the company of his human owners, He is calm and independent. They do well living with their human families but they do tend to form a deep bond with that one special person.

He will even follow his owner everywhere and is a loving, loyal companion. The Russian Blue is a social cat but also enjoys some quiet time out just to chill. He also isn’t too fond of visitors and may run away and hide if the occasion becomes too large and noisy.

This is a cat that will miss you when you’re at work all day but he is able to quietly wait for your arrival back home. Then he will appreciate some playtime.

Your Siberian loves to climb and explore and to keep this gorgeous cat mentally stimulated and physically active, provide him with some fun toys that require him to think.

They are nice and strong these cats as well as being curious and alert and you see this in the bright, shiny eyes.

They’ve got easygoing personalities and are also considered fairly low maintenance cats, making them the perfect choice for any cat lover.

They are devoted and loyal to their human family and one of these cats in your home is guaranteed to bring in joy, entertainment, fun, and solid companionship.

Your Russian Blue is such an intelligent cat and for this reason, when you bring one into your home, you’ll need to provide him with lots of stimulating toys and fun play times.

This is also a low maintenance cat and a brush once a week will be all that is required.

These are cats that love their mealtimes and you’ll want to work out a special eating program to ensure he gets all the nutrition he needs without over-eating.

Respond with lots of love and attention to your vocal Russian Blue, and you’ll soon see what a precious jewel this cat is as a companion and friend.

Siberian cats can succumb to stomach issues such as IBS. If you think your Siberian is in pain, he will need a visit to the vet. These cats are also susceptible to some hereditary health issues such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. If you buy a kitten, make sure you get your kitten from a reputable source.

To ensure the best health for your Siberian, he will need high-quality cat food. High-quality food can actually prevent many health issues in the cat. A good idea will be to feed your Siberian vet-recommended food and in the right portions to keep him at the ideal weight.

Because the Russian Blue is a naturally occurring breed, they are fairly healthy cats. Watch out for obesity and urinary tract infections with your cat.

Obesity:

Obesity shortens a cat’s life. It puts extra pressure on the cat’s joints and it makes them more likely to develop disease. Then again, it is dangerous to suddenly put your obese cat on a strict diet so that he loses weight too quickly.

Your cat requires a gradual decrease in body weight. If you’re worried about your cat’s weight, rather speak to a veterinary surgeon who can explain to you and also draw up a weight loss program for your cat.

Remember too, that cats are carnivores and they simply have to have meat in their diet. Commercially manufactured cat foods of the highest quality are high in protein and low in carbohydrates.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease:

Feline lower urinary tract disease is no joke for a cat. This disease affects your pet’s lower urinary tract – the bladder. Causes include bladder stones or bladder infections and inflammation in the urinary bladder.

You may notice your cat battling to urinate. Your cat will also no doubt cry out while trying to urinate and this is because the process is so painful. There may also be blood in the urine.

You may notice that your cat isn’t using his litter box but urinating elsewhere. Your cat will need to get to the vet as soon as possible. It may not be a life-threatening disease but it can be highly uncomfortable for your cat.

Prepare your home for the arrival of your Siberian cat. Cats are natural climbers and scratchers and he will need a scratching post, climbing tree, litter box, food and water bowls, bed as well as collar and tag. Also, invest in a large cat carrier, as your cat will need to be transported safely to the vet at certain times.

Provide toys for your Siberian cat. They’re intelligent and you don’t want to have him bored and listless. They need mental and physical stimulation so it will be fun to invest in some puzzle games for your pet.

Siberians have lovely thick coats and you want the right grooming accessories to brush him so that the coat doesn’t get dull and tangled. He will need to be brushed once or twice a week, especially when he sheds.

Keep your Siberian healthy by seeing he gets to the vet when he is sick. Also, if he is a kitten, he will need his vaccines. He will need to be checked over for parasites too – ticks, fleas, and worms, more so if he is an outdoor cat.

Trim your Siberian's nails as needed and also check the inside of his ears for signs of redness, dirt, and wax buildup as well as unpleasant odors. Many cat owners don’t like to probe around inside a cat’s ears as it can be damaging if you don’t know what you’re doing. Rather ask your vet to do it for you.

The vet can also check your cat’s teeth for signs of infection. Many people recommend cleaning the cat's teeth with a brush and cat toothpaste but this can be most traumatic for a cat and your pet groomer or vet can rather check his teeth for you.

The Russian Blue’s beautiful blue coat is short and thick and will do well with a brush once a week. The cat just thrives on the attention during brush time too.

Trim your Russian blue’s nails regularly.

Provide your cat with everything he needs to make his life pleasant. Food and water bowls, a litter box, a collar and tag, a nice soft bed, grooming accessories, climbing tree, and a scratching post.

Make sure he has his cat vaccines and is treated for parasites.