This article will provide a full description of the Siberian red cat. An animal does not differ in character, exterior, size, and maintenance rules from its relatives of other colors. Like all other Siberians, this purr is endowed with an impressive size, but graceful, noble. The man did not take part in breeding, the Siberian red cat received all its external and characteristic features from nature - harsh climatic conditions contributed to the development of all the qualities inherent in the breed. If you are in doubt whether such a pet is suitable for your home, then read the publication, where you will learn everything about this beautiful animal. Photos of red Siberian cats are present in the article, and you can appreciate the beauty of the animal.
Breed history
Siberian cats were first mentioned in the 16th century, but the big animal had a different name - Bukhara. By the way, this breed name is still preserved in the Volga region. Further, there are records from the 18th century, which say that along the Silk Road, merchants brought to the territory of the Russian state a rather expensive, but very large and beautiful cat.
How did the red Siberian cat appear in Siberia? This is unknown. People from all over our beautiful planet traveled to explore the harsh region, and any of them could bring an animal, which eventually took root in such harsh conditions.
There is a version that the birthplace of the Siberian breed is Bukhara. But Bukhara cats, now known, have an even more interesting fur coat, which was obtained as a result of crossbreeding with a wild steppe and forest cat. But the fact that the Siberian red cat has wild ancestors is a fact. It was from the wild ancestors that the Siberians got their stamina, hunter skills, strength and some features of the exterior.
And yet, whatever one may say, but the Siberian breed is indigenous. Breeders did not even have to bother to get a certificate. I only had to improve the gene pool, and this was helped by crossing with very similar eastern breeds.
Breed recognition
Despite the fact that the Siberian red cat, whose photo can be found in the article, became known from the 16th century, the breed was recognized only at the end of the 20th century. The first registered animal of this breed was a cat named Roman, and this event happened already in 1987.
Since the world recognized the Siberian cat, it has become one of the most popular and sought-after breeds. Siberian cats today are not valued as mousetraps (as it was before the recognition of the breed), but disperse around the world as pets, and they certainly no longer need to take care of food.
Description of Siberian Ginger Cat
The breed is spectacular because of its incredibly powerful physique. The cat is muscular, has a powerful skeleton, and a fluffy coat gives even more power to a not so small animal. Despite their enormous size, the Siberians are very kind.
Many cat lovers who are allergic to animals can be frightened by the presence of a large amount of hair. But, despite the length and density of the fur coat, Siberian cats are completely hypoallergenic and do not pose a threat to human health. Hair care is also not very difficult, but mandatory.
Standards
Despite the fact that the breed appeared on its own, without the help of breeders, it still has the standards that distinguish the true breed (without crossbreeds and marriage):
- The main distinguishing feature is its huge size. If the average weight of a cat is 6 kilograms, then a cat is already 12.
- Muscularity of a cat, but such a physique is formed over three years. Therefore, do not worry about the purity of the breed if your one-year-old baby is physically different from its relatives.
- The build is squat, monolithic, and this gives greatness to the breed.
- The incredible strength and dexterity of cats is explained by their body structure. The hind legs are slightly longer than the front, and thus the spine becomes sloping.
- Paws are large and strong, soles are wide, long and thick fur between fingers is the result of centuries of existence in harsh climatic conditions, traits of a predator.
- The head has a spherical shape, large size. And while the neck of the animal is short, but strong and powerful.
- The shape of the muzzle is trapezoidal.
- From the wild ancestors, the Siberian red cat received small, pretty tassels at the tips of the ears.
- The eyes are slanting, medium in size, widely spaced.
- A chic, thick coat that saved animals from freezing in cold times. A thicker and longer coat is on the collar, stomach, panties, can be not only straight, but also curly.
- The aura of a real hunter, which is felt when meeting with an animal. This is explained by the piercing gaze and appearance of the cat.
Here is a standard Siberian red cat. As you can see, there is nothing special that needs to be carefully considered and measured when choosing a kitten.
Color features
What is the color of the Siberian red cat? The animal can be monophonic, and the color varies from saturated red with red to brown. Shades of wool can be golden, cream, silver. Solid color is the rarest.
The color may be monophonic, but with the presence of stripes that are the same color but darker in tone. The color of the Siberian cat is often found - red and white. The base is red, and white is the shirt-front, legs.
Character
These are frisky, active animals that need to put their energy somewhere. By nature, Siberian cats are hunters, but today a rare person will buy an expensive animal for catching mice in a private house. If you live in an apartment, and there is no need to clean it from rodents, then you need to buy a pet toys, on which the hunter will develop his skills, satisfy instincts.
By the way, these are absolutely not picky animals for toys. If the cat has driven all of its balls and bells under the sofa, it can take away some of the household supplies, so if you lose hair bands, cosmetics and other things, look under the furniture.
The character of the Siberian red cat is good-natured, soft. Animals are not vindictive, very loyal to the owner (chooses one of all family members), smart. They quickly remember the name and will not respond to other words. Accustoming to elementary rules of behavior, a scratching post and a tray, will not take much time and energy, since the Siberian breed is endowed with a living mind!
They love these huge purrs to sit by the water, or even swim. In order for the animal to enjoy and pour out energy, you can fill the bathtub with water, put toys there, the cat will be happy to pull objects out of the water.
If a cat sits somewhere on top, watches life in the house - this is normal. The animal does not hunt, just craving for height and observations in his blood.
Relations with other animals and children
A person who is about to have a large pet will always appreciate the possible risks and dangers for children. Siberian cat is a large hunter, has sharp teeth and claws, powerful paws, strength, dexterity. But all this is only in order to hunt for food. These animals are completely devoid of aggression, and they have no instinct to hunt children under seven years old. For a child, a cat will become a friend, a nanny, and sometimes even drags itself by the tail, but in your arms - as many as you like!
As for other cats, they will become rivals. If you already have a cat, and you want to get a Siberian, then you can take it safely, the kitten will get used to another animal and will consider him his parent. If you want to add a cat to an already adult Siberian, you will have to try hard, promoting their friendship. Most likely, the second cat will live its entire life on bird’s rights, receiving from the owner and on business, and just like that!
As for dogs, Siberian cats are completely indifferent to them. You can get a kitten with a dog, and a puppy with an adult Siberian cat in the house.
Care
During molting, cats with a luxurious fur coat need to be combed out every day, and this lasts for almost two weeks. A great option would be to use a slicker. The rest of the time, you need to scratch the handsome man twice a week, and for this you need a wooden or metal scallop. On other days, the cat himself will perfectly cope with the fur.
The need for walking is like dogs. Representatives of the Siberian cat breed (red, black or white) love to walk, and this desire does not disappear with the onset of cold weather. If you live in the private sector, then ensure safe walks so that the animal does not get under the car, in the teeth of dogs and the hands of unscrupulous people. Living in an apartment, you can walk your pet, acquiring a beautiful harness.
As for swimming, it will be needed only in case of severe pollution, when the animal can not cope on its own. There will be no difficulties when swimming, as the Siberian breed is not afraid and even loves water. There is a rule: never wash the animal with yours or dog shampoo. You will need to buy a specialized one, for cats with long and thick hair.
Do not forget to clean your ears. The teeth also need care, this will prevent the formation of stone.
Claws do not have to be trimmed if you arrange a good, comfortable claw for the animal. In addition to the usual rag-clawed claw, you can put a wooden board, a Siberian huge cat will be happy to spend time with this device.
We must not forget about the need for personal space. A cat sometimes needs to hide, retire, relax, and for this it is better to put a cat house, it is much more convenient in it than under the bed.
If the living and eating conditions are good, then the animal will live a long life - up to 20 years!
Food
Siberian red cat kittens need to be fed 6 times a day for the first three months of life. Further, the animal will feed 2-3 times a day. Provide food with essential vitamins and proteins.
An ideal choice would be feeding natural foods. Siberian cats are not picky about food, but love variety, nutrition will not be a problem. The main thing in the diet is at least 60 percent of meat ingredients (pulp, veins, offal). You can give fish, but not more than 1 time per week, but only marine and boneless (preferably boiled). Vegetables, cereals - an obligatory part of the diet.
If you choose ready-made feed, then it must be premium. Do not feed only dry, dilute the diet with liquid food and high-quality cat canned food.
Life span
The Siberian breed is healthy, it rarely has diseases, especially when providing proper care and an active lifestyle. It is impossible to prevent excess weight gain in animals, as obesity affects the life expectancy for the worse.
On average, a Siberian cat lives for 17 years, and this is a very long time for a large-sized animal. But quite often today there are centenarians who delight their owners and are up to 20 years old!
Kittens
The Siberian reproductive ability lasts up to 18 years, and in the litter there can be up to nine kittens:
- Kittens are born with an average weight of 100 grams.
- By two months, the baby should weigh an average of 2-3 kilograms.
- By six months, the weight can reach six kilograms.
- By the year the weight reaches 6 kilograms. Next is the mass gain, the average weight of adult cats and cats has already been written.
Choosing a kitten
As for the price, you can buy a kitten from amateurs for 1000 rubles. But kittens from the cattery are much more expensive, and their price in Moscow on average is 20,000 rubles (depending on the pedigree, gender, color, age, training). If you decide to save money (which is normal if you buy an animal for the soul, and not for an exhibition) and buy a kitten from ordinary people, then first evaluate the parents. To distinguish a kitten from the usual one is simple: in size (monthly weight is stated above), standards, fur coat (a fluffy collar and pants are required).
You can pick up a baby from mom cat from the age of three months. At this time, the animal already eats on its own, easily accustomed to the tray and a new place of residence.