Red Siberian cats: breed characteristics and content

These furry pets belong to one of the most magnificent breeds of the whole world. It seems that nature has combined all the best qualities in them, which is why red Siberian cats are considered a real miracle.

Brave and loyal, these cats have a born hunting instinct and a strong, muscular structure. Squat large limbs, big tail, beautiful eyes, luxurious mustache and eyebrows, fluffy collar and characteristic of this breed, notable "pants", reproduce in memory the image of Kotofey, familiar to us from children's fairy tales. Today, representatives of this breed have become one of the symbols and wealth of our country.

There is an opinion that this type of cats has Russian roots, but in fact this fact has a lot of refutations. Today, we refer Siberia to Russia, but if we turn to history, it becomes clear that previously Siberia was in the possession of the Tatars. Respectively, Asian cats living in the then Tatar forests are none other than the forefathers of Siberians. Another likely option for the formation of the breed is the presence in their blood of the genome of wild cats living in the immense Trans-Urals.

Confirmation of this hypothesis also contributes to their similarity with wild relatives - behavioral traits, large size, weight.

The breed was officially approved by domestic felinologists in 1987, practically in the early stages of the development of this science in Russia. Due to the danger of genetic variation, the representatives of the breed did not initially participate in exhibitions. Only some time later, thanks to the work of breeders, the breed inherited the necessary traits, and in 1997 it was allowed to attend international exhibitions.

Siberian red cats are the brightest representatives of the aboriginal Russian breeds. Strong immunity, independence, originality of behavior, stately nature - this makes them a real gift of nature. The British noticed that this animal deserves the reception of the Queen herself.

Preserving the natural appearance, hardening, temperament and good health of wild forefathers, Siberian has amazing appearance, amazing waterproof coat, has impressive dimensions. These cats are captivated by grace and power.

The decoration of Siberian kittens are the previously mentioned "pants" on their hind legs and a fluffy dickey. There is one more advantage: this breed practically cannot provoke allergic reactions, which is very important for people who do not start cats due to fear of allergies.

A large, oval head, a trapezoidal expressive attractive face, large cheeks, a bulging forehead - the appearance of these cats is very famous and memorable. By the nature of these cats are no less attractive, because the balance and wisdom in combination with sensitivity and capriciousness create just an amazing temperament.

Thanks to the hard work of the breeders, various resistant colors of Siberians were created, many of which are artificial and practically do not appear in nature.

The standard of body weight is considered to be the weight from 6 to 10 kg. Cats of this breed are much larger than females. Cats (about 40 cm) also differ from cats (about 30 cm) in height at the withers. Assessing the characteristics and standards of the breed, the experts also take into account the body weight and age characteristics of pets. Below is a list of generally accepted standards for Siberian red cats.

• Wool - two-layer: elongated spine and dense, short undercoat.
• Paws - large, round, not long, providing high endurance of the animal and the ability to move around the snow cover. The hind legs should be longer than the front ones, and a long tuft of wool should be present between the pads.
• Eyes - oval, slightly slanting, widely spaced, medium size.
• Neck - strong, short, strong.
• Head - smoothly delineated, rounded, large, with a wide, slightly convex forehead.
• Tail - long, wide, tapering towards the oval tip. The uniform, dense, falling edge of the tail makes it possible to consider it a real pride of Siberian cats.
• Torso - muscular, with strong bones, massive sternum. The overall body resembles a rectangle.
• Ears - Medium size, widely spaced, with a slight inclination forward. At the rounded tips there are characteristic breeds with wild roots "tassels".
• Muzzle - wide cheekbones and nose, slightly moved back chin.

Red Siberian cats, by their breed, are distinguished by unusual contact in communication, and their characteristic sociability allows them to cohabit on the same territory with other pets, including dogs. The nature of Siberian cats reflects sensitivity, grace and playfulness. To the best of sociability, these cats are completely independent and intelligent. They feel very well the mood fluctuations of their masters, showing the ability, if necessary, to both defend the owner and help him relax and relieve him of overstrain. It is believed that red Siberian cats can heal from diseases.

As a rule, these cats take for the owner only one family member, and surround him with the maximum amount of attention and care. Despite their harsh appearance, they are unusually patient, kind, trusting and balanced. These cats can become true friends for the person: they are ready to accompany you in household chores, despite their independence.

The absence of aggression and an unforgiving nature are reinforced by remarkable guard skills. Here it is important to notice one fact: there are exceptions when the cat's mood changes, and at the moments of self-will, the cat loses its patience. Understanding these features, you should not stick to a cat that does not want attention.

Another unusual fact for this breed is no fear of water.

Of course, the first item is to care for the luxurious coat of red Siberian cats. It is very important to teach cats to comb through from a young age - an accustomed animal will be less resistant to procedures and tolerate it well.

Another nuance of Siberian hair care is its sunburn. This breed loves to warm its sides in the sun for a long time, but as a result of sunbathing, wool can lose its natural color by burning out. Try to limit the time the cat is in the sun.

Although red Siberian cats are not afraid of water procedures, it is still worth bathing them only as needed - before the show, after visiting the dacha or because of other contaminants.It is necessary to bathe the cat carefully: try not to wet your head, but to wipe it with a damp cloth. For daily or frequent hygiene procedures, special wet wipes for animals will be more appropriate, as you can walk through the wool and wipe the legs after a walk.

According to numerous reviews of owners and breeders, the best environment for the maintenance of this breed of cats are summer cottages or country houses. Nevertheless, they get along quite well in terms of housing. It is worth taking into account the fact that Siberians are very important to have enough space for free movement, otherwise a bored pet will gradually begin to quench their boredom with your personal belongings or household items.

Routine inspection of the ears and eyes is a mandatory procedure for this breed. When souring occurs, eyes should be washed with warm water or 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Ears can be cleaned in the same way, as long as the solution does not flow into the auricle.

If the cat does not clean the teeth in time, you will have to carry it out at the veterinary clinic with the help of a dentist. The formation of tartar can cause serious diseases that threaten the health of the cat.

Regarding the diet, Siberian cats are unpretentious: vegetables and fruits can be present in its daily menu. Preference is still given to dry food: due to their solid structure, they prevent the appearance of tartar on the enamel of the teeth of cats. Longhair cat will not create you a lot of problems in terms of nutrition.

Unfortunately, this cat breed, although it has a strong hereditary immunity, but also has some natural tendencies to diseases caused by genetic breeding of the breed. The most common diseases of red Siberian cats are localized in the kidneys, urogenital system, gums. And also this breed has propensity to cancer.

Periodontal disease is the most common disease for this breed. It is characterized by untimely removal of tartar, resulting in an infection in the animal's mouth that destroys the gums and teeth. Unfortunately, advanced periodontal disease is treated in only one way - by removing the affected teeth. The provocateur of the disease is improper nutrition and inadequate care of teeth.

Polycystic kidney disease is common in cats after 8 years. When a kidney disease increases in size or cease to function. The disease develops slowly, but most often it is almost asymptomatic, which makes it impossible to diagnose it in time and start treatment. The main symptoms are: weight loss, loss of appetite, thirst, frequent urination.

Diseases of the genitourinary system are most often expressed by the formation of stones, crystals, which interfere with the normal passage of urine. As a result of late detection, infection may develop in the body. The main signs are the appearance of blood impurities in the urine, frequent urge to urinate, "marks" past the tray, refusal to eat, abdominal pain.

Considering the issue of the longevity of Siberians, it is worth noting that it directly depends on the specifics of the content. If the rules of care are followed carefully, the cat will live for about 20 years, keeping an active and inquisitive character. The average lifetime of this breed is from 16 to 18 years. By comparison, other cats live up to 14 years. According to the latest data, the average life expectancy of Siberian cats has increased to 18-20 years.

That the owner needs to know about the Siberian cats, look in the following video.