Siberian blue cat: how much it costs, colors, care

In fact, the Siberian blue cat does not exist. The Russian Blue breed is often mistakenly called this, if you are interested in reading about it, you can follow the link. But there is also a Siberian breed, which is recognized by leading felinological organizations, and we will talk about it in this article.

The Siberian cat is a breed of domestic animal that is distinguished by its unusual color and characteristic dense fur, formed in severe cold conditions. This type of pet appeared naturally, without human intervention. They are popular all over the world and are in great demand among lovers of noble cats in Europe. Due to the fact that the breed was formed in harsh natural conditions, one of its striking visual features is its predatory, bewitching grace in its own way, as well as a deep hunting gaze.

Behavior and character of cats

The facial expression of furry giants is always relaxed and serene.
Only their owners know what their character really is. They can serve and bring things if they are trained to do so. Siberian cats are silent, this is a feature of their psyche. The vast majority of these animals are very balanced, restrained, and unobtrusive. They prefer to be nearby unnoticed, without annoying with their presence. Cats sense their owner’s mood and always come when they feel bad, trying to console them.

The overly active temperament of some young pets can be tiring. A kitten needs to play a lot for normal development. It is advisable to buy a multi-level complex so that there is room to run and jump.

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Description of the Neva Masquerade breed

The pride of Russian breeders was born naturally. Siberians had love affairs with Siamese cats, and the fruit of this love was the Neva Masquerade cat. From his Siberian father, the Nevak inherited a strong and strong body, very thick wool with special properties and good health (but not without nuances). The Siamese mother gave me a masquerade costume - a light body, a dark mask, tan marks on the paws and tail, as well as unusual blue and very bright eyes. This elegant appearance will never go unnoticed!

Below are the main features of the breed, described in the standard of the Neva Masquerade cat:

1. Head

Cats and cats of this breed have a large head, shaped like a short trapezoid. The forehead, according to the breed standard, is wide and rounded, the transition to the back of the nose is smooth. There is no stop. The chin is not prominent, but strong and powerful. The cheeks are dense.

The ears are set wide apart (the distance between the ears is greater than the width of one ear), slightly tilted forward. Brushes and tassels on the ears are welcome.

The eyes are round, set wide and slanted. The lower eyelid is semicircular, the upper is arched. The eye color is blue, and representatives of this breed can have eyes of different shades - lavender, Mediterranean, blue, sapphire and so on.

1. Body

The Neva masquerade cat is considered one of the largest in the world. Its size is slightly inferior to the giants - Maine Coons. Their ancestors endowed these animals with strong bones and well-developed muscles.

Neva masquerade cats have strong limbs that form an almost perfect rectangle in proportion to the body. The paws are round and large, with fur growing between the toes.

The tail is wide and strong at the base, the tip of the tail is rounded. The pubescence is notable.

Cats of the Neva Masquerade breed weigh about 6 kg, and males can exceed the bar of 8-9 kg.

1. Wool

Neva masquerade kittens are born with wool that has unique characteristics: it is, as reviews from owners say, dirt- and water-repellent and, moreover, does not form tangles! The classic Neva Masquerade cat has medium-length fur. It becomes longer from the shoulder blades to the croup, and the fur on the sides is softer than on the back.

The Siberian Color Point has beautiful panties, a luxurious collar, a plume on the tail and a double undercoat throughout the body. It is curious that when a cat sheds, the collar and panties almost completely disappear.

IMPORTANT! The smooth-haired Neva masquerade cat is perhaps the only representative of the long-haired breeds, which, due to the characteristics of its coat, is practically non-allergenic

1. Color.

At first glance, it may seem that the colors of representatives of this breed are quite monotonous, but this is not so. There are at least 6 color variations of Nevaks!

The most common are “Seal-point”, which gets its name from the English word “seal” and “Seal tabby point”. Translated into the St. Petersburg cat dialect, this means that a kitten of this color will have light hair on the body and dark points on the paws, tail, ears and face. Black+white coloring is also possible.

Another type of color of the Neva Masquerade cat is “Red-point”. This tone implies color transitions into the red spectrum.

“Blue-point” – bluish intonations in color.

Tortie-point is, as a rule, only found in cats.

Nevaks with silver shades for all of the above combinations of color points are becoming more and more common.

Snow-white socks on the paws and spots of the same color and tone on the face are acceptable in all color variations. Neva masquerade bicolor does not require symmetry and orderliness of the shapes of the spots.

But the chocolate-lilac color scheme is prohibited.

IMPORTANT! Kittens of this breed are born exclusively white. This is explained by the fact that the specific color of the Neva cat is formed by a special heat-sensitive gene, which prevents pigments from penetrating into the hair at high temperatures.

In other words, the colored areas of the fur (ears, face, paws and tail) are the coldest places on cats.

Wikipedia lists the main disadvantages of the breed, including even slight darkening of the fur on the body.

Tabby Color Genetics

Tabby patterns are caused by three different gene loci and one modifier.

The Agouti gene, with its two alleles A and a, controls whether or not the Tabby pattern is present. The dominant A expresses the basic Tabby pattern, and the recessive "non-Agouti" or "hypermelanistic" allele indicates its absence. Solid (black or blue) cats have an "a" combination that hides the striped pattern, although traces of it can sometimes be seen (called a "ghost stripe"). This basic pattern, whether classic, tabby, spotted or ticked, is most easily distinguishable in bright light during the early stages of a kitten's development and into adulthood on the tail.

Nibelung: breed differences

The Nibelung has a luxurious, long and soft gray-blue coat. The color of each hair smoothly transitions from dark/light gray to bluish, and the tips of the hairs are silver. It appears that this animal has a smoky halo. All this splendor is complemented by large emerald-colored eyes. And the greener they are, the better.

The body of this cat is medium in size, slender, slightly elongated, the tail is fluffy and long (wide at the base and tapering towards the tip). Long, slender limbs. The paws are small and oval, which makes her walk soft. The pads are gray-pink in color. Representatives of this breed have an aristocratic appearance: a straight nose, translucent skin of the ears, graceful movements.

Description of appearance and standards

Siberian cats are quite large animals. Females of this breed weigh up to six kilograms, and males - up to twelve. But they are very mobile and have good jumping ability due to the fact that their hind legs are slightly longer than their front legs.

Siberian cats are quite large and powerful animals.

The Siberian fur coat is beautiful and practical. A distinctive feature is the frill and panties. Their coat is of medium length and has a dense undercoat, which helps the animal feel quite comfortable even in severe frosts. The body is muscular and strong, making the Siberian cat an excellent hunter.

Siberians belong to the “forest type” along with the Norwegian forest cat and Maine Coon. And if at first glance these animals are similar, then upon closer examination each will have its own characteristics. For example, the head of a Maine Coon has angular lines, it seems to be made up of several boxes, in a Norwegian the transition from the forehead to the muzzle is practically not pronounced, a kind of straight line, and in a Siberian the profile is smoother compared to the Maine Coon, but the transition from the forehead towards the muzzle is more clearly expressed than in the Norwegian Forest.

Forest type cats have significant differences in head structure

A common feature of “forest type” cats can be the so-called wild color (various agouti, including white, as well as brindle, spotted and marbled). But recently, breeders have become interested in breeding Siberian cats of all kinds of colors (since they are more in demand among exotic lovers), so after looking at the offers of different breeders, I got the impression that soon the ordinary “mustachioed-striped” will be considered exotic.

Table: SFF Siberian breed standard (adopted in 1990)

Appearance

Siberian cats and cats are distinguished by a fairly powerful physique, with well-developed muscles. They are excellent fighters who can stand up for themselves. The weight of Siberian cats varies from 4 to 9 kilograms. As we can see, it is indeed not a small animal. But, despite their size, Siberian cats look quite elegant, thanks to their smartness, playfulness and amazingly thick, long hair. An interesting impression is made by the tassels at the ends of the ears, which are sometimes found on Siberian cats. Externally, the Siberian cat is very similar to the Norwegian Forest cat; in the photo it can be difficult to distinguish them.

The head is small but wide with low-set cheekbones, a rounded face and the same chin. Proportional to body size. The forehead is slightly convex with smooth rounded features and a slight transition in the profile. The eyes are oval-shaped, medium in size, slightly slanted. The nose is wide, without protrusions along its entire length. Cheeks are full. Ears: Medium in size, wide at the base, with slightly rounded tips. The distance between them is wide, the ears protrude slightly forward.

There are individuals of both medium and large size with developed body muscles. In addition to this feature, they are characterized by: a shortish strong neck, developed muscular limbs, medium in length, large round paws (the front ones are shorter than the back ones) with tufts of hair between the toes, an elongated, pubescent tail with abundant undercoat, slightly tapering at the end.

The animal belongs to the long-haired breed. And it is the wool that is considered its main feature. But not because of the length: it does not become an allergen even for the most allergic people. The climatic features of the cat’s native nature predetermined the formation of a special wool cut, which consists of coarse wool and thick undercoat.

So, if your favorite pet is a Siberian cat, you are not afraid of allergies. Due to its hypoallergenicity, the breed is spreading everywhere with amazing speed.

The colors of Siberians are very diverse. At the moment, black brindle, colorpoint, merle and black spotted colors are known; you can often find Siberian cats with tabby and chinchilla colors. The golden and silver colors of Siberians are considered quite rare. But this is not all the surprises that the fur of these cats can present, because it can also be white or bicolor. What do you think of cats with smoky, tortoiseshell or red fur? Truly amazing variety.

Care

Caring for a Siberian cat is not a problem for owners. When the shedding period begins, so little hair falls out that it cannot roll into a ball. You can quickly collect all this with a regular cat comb. The Furminator will be your ideal assistant.

Furminator for wool

To prevent your pet from swallowing its own fur and getting an intestinal infection, it is necessary to supplement the diet with oats and natural grass. The care and maintenance of this breed will have a positive effect on the atmosphere in the house. After all, bathing a cat is such fun! They don't really like water. They prefer to wash themselves.

But if you get used to water from an early age, you will avoid bloody consequences in the form of scratches and bites. Be sure to purchase a scratching post; if the claws are very sharp, it is advisable to trim them. Now you know how to care for a Siberian cat. If you have any questions, ask them in the comments!

How to choose a kitten

When choosing a kitten, focus on its living conditions: the cleanliness of the cage and bedding, whether the animal has toys and water. You can make a discount on a slight “cat” smell in the room

Eliminating the characteristic "orange" in a place where several fertile males live is an almost impossible task.

• Carefully examine the kitten itself. The ideal Russian Blue baby should have green eyes. Do not buy yellow-eyed animals and do not believe the breeder’s sworn assurances that with age the cat’s iris will change its hue to green.
• The fur of 3-month-old kittens should have traces of silvering; be sure to take this fact into account when purchasing. Interspersed with white hairs and spots on the baby’s fur coat are a reason to doubt the seller’s honesty. But there is no need to be afraid of slight “striations” (residual tabby). As the animal matures, this visual effect disappears.
• A healthy kitten should have clean ears and eyes. It is better not to look at individuals running away from you in full sail. This behavior signals instability of the animal’s psyche.

Serious establishments that value their own reputation begin selling kittens from the age of 3 months. Breeders who offer too young individuals simply save on costs because they do not want to feed an extra “mouth.” If you are buying a kitten in another city or country, ask the owner if he can help you with the microchipping procedure and obtaining a travel certificate. Some nurseries provide this type of support at a significant discount as a reward for making a purchase.

By the way, about nurseries. Despite the popularity of the Russian Blue breed, there are not many reliable places in Russia where one could purchase a show- or breed-class animal. It is better and safer to buy a kitten from breeders who, in addition to breeding and selling, are actively engaged in breeding activities. Another important point: the nursery must be registered in one of the felinological systems.

Proper feeding

In order for your pet to grow healthy and receive all the necessary minerals and vitamins, it is important to provide him with a balanced diet. It is best if the cat eats natural food. When creating a menu, you should include the following products:

• low-fat fish fillets;
• chicken, turkey, beef meat;
• fermented milk products (low-fat kefir, sour cream, cottage cheese);
• rice, buckwheat, wheat cereals.

Dairy food is given in the morning, and meat food is given at lunch and dinner. To maintain a strong immune system, it is important to regularly give vitamins in tablets or subcutaneous injections.

Important! It should be remembered that cats are carnivores by nature, and their diet should consist mainly of meat.

If you feed your cat dry food, you should opt for premium or holistic food. Manufacturers have taken care of the required amount of vitamins and minerals. The feeding process is as simple as possible.

When feeding your pet commercial food, you should choose good quality products.

History of the breed

The Siberian cat is a phenomenal breed. On the one hand, it has been known for a very long time, not only in Russia, but also abroad. Cats in Russian folk tales are probably of the Siberian breed. In classical literature there are also descriptions of cats indicating their Siberian origin.

These cats took part in shows in England and New York in the 19th century and are mentioned or depicted in books about cat breeds published in 1889, 1898 and 1900. But breed standards were officially recognized only in 1990.

When Russian felinologists (and the first were breeders from Moscow and Leningrad) began work on breeding a national cat breed in 1986, they wanted to call it “Moscow semi-longhair”. But since they took as a basis the type that was popularly associated with Siberian origin, this is how the Siberian cat was named.

Table: main stages of breed development

Currently, unfortunately, Siberian cats are more popular abroad. The reluctance to purchase purebred animals in their homeland is explained mainly as follows: “Why spend money if I can pick up the same one in the backyard.”

As I see it, the breeders themselves are largely to blame for the current situation. The vast majority of people who get a Siberian-type cat want it to be not just a pet, but also to do the natural work of a cat, that is, to catch mice and rats. The Siberian is a good natural hunter, who is also adapted to life in a harsh climate. But instead of promoting the working qualities of the breed, some breeders immediately stipulate that they will not give their kittens to a private free-range home. That is, they are trying to create another “couch cushion” out of a good working animal. It’s like with dogs - there was a brave dog, a brave fighter against rats, but it became a symbol of glamor (I’m talking about the Yorkshire terrier).

The emergence of the Russian Blue

These cats first appeared on the territory of Russia, but British citizen Karen Cox began deliberately selecting the breed. In 1893, she brought two kittens from Arkhangelsk to England.

During the Second World War, these cats were threatened with complete oblivion, but with the further work of specialists they were saved. In their historical homeland, interest in these internationally revered animals arose only in the last decade of the 20th century.

Domestic felinologists brought imported cats together with home-grown ones, and as a result, the Russian Blue breed re-established itself in Russia.

Character and life with people

Being active, a long-haired cat does not need excessive attention from the owner. In a family, a cat chooses a favorite and becomes attached to it. The affectionate and friendly Siberian does not like sharp and loud noises, to which she will react with a hiss if the sound is heard nearby.

The character of Siberian cats is brave and determined. In common parlance they are called watchdogs. If you look closely, in some photos they look like German shepherds. There have even been cases when cats of this breed attacked street dogs that entered their territory.

photo: Siberian cat looks like a shepherd

Because of their thick fur, they are no strangers to cold. They love to walk in fresh snow and are impeccable hunters. You will no longer have to worry about rodents if, for example, you live in the private sector, where they are a dime a dozen.

The Siberian cat also shows its character towards children.

Don't worry, she will treat your children with love and special attention. If the child is still very small, she will show maternal instinct, if she can already run and play, she will willingly keep company!

But there are also cases when aggression towards people still occurs. The reasons are different. The cat is still wild. If a person begins to limit freedom, the Siberian woman, in turn, will defend it. A person may receive bites and scratches of varying severity. This is the nature of the breed. Therefore, be careful.

Living in a private sector, the cat will not go to the litter box. She will go out into the yard, meowing at the door to be let out. Or walk through a hole made in the floor specifically for the needs of your four-legged friend. And if you live in an apartment, then try to train your cat to use the toilet. They adapt well to this.

Siberian blue

Thus, through the efforts of our and English felinologists, not only Siberian beauties with long hair were obtained, but also with short hair (see photos of Siberian cats of the standard breed).

Siberian fur does not cause allergies, so people suffering from this scourge can afford them.

Origin story

The path to the formation of the Siberian breed was paved through harsh climatic conditions. It is almost natural, despite the fact that its origin is surrounded by legends. Siberian cats are considered aboriginal animals, they have a bright appearance and were only partially bred by breeders. In fact, their ancestors were Bukhara cats; the first mention of the beginning of the formation of the breed appeared in the 16th century.

In the chronicles there were mentions of cats similar to Siberians. They were called Bukhara, they were found throughout Rus'. It is generally accepted that migration throughout the country originated from the regions of Siberia and the Far East.

Officially, the country of origin of the Siberian cat is Russia. Initially, many believed that all large and long-haired cats were Siberians. At one time, breeders were sure that cats exclusively from Siberia were called Siberians. However, in the 80s, felinologists put an end to this issue. They noted that the roots of origin go back centuries.

Studying cats from different regions of Siberia and the Far East in subsequent breeding work, they selected the best representatives of the cat family, collecting an exterior group of individuals living in Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk and Kemerovo. To highlight the striking features of the breed, animals with large dimensions, massive bones, a heavy head and a long, coarse fur coat were selected.

Breeding work to breed a truly Russian breed of cats of the Siberian type was complex and thorough. However, in 1991, felinologist Olga Mironova was able to achieve recognition of the breed standard by the World Cat Federation. The standard was approved as a working one, and it became official 3 years later.

Americans also began to notice Siberians: the official recognition of the breed by the TICA organization took place in 1996

About a year later, another prestigious organization, FIFE, drew attention to cats. Today, felinologists are working to consolidate the breed type

Lifespan

How long do Siberian cats live in a house or apartment, in our Siberian region and its climatic conditions? The breed makes us happy with these indicators. They live longer than other breeds. Even though this figure hasn’t gone up much, it’s still nice.

Recently, experts, according to statistics, have found that the life expectancy of the cat world and its inhabitants has increased significantly thanks to modern veterinary medicine, modern medications and healthy food.

On average, a Siberian cat lives up to 15 years. It is unknown how many years your pet has. Everything is determined by external factors and care. Timely sterilization and castration will bring many happy years of life.

It is difficult to say to what age Siberians grow. There are different colors and breeds of Siberian cats. Some grow up to a year, others are fully formed over several years.

Nutrition plays an important role in life expectancy. Specialized food, according to experts, prolongs life, unlike cats that eat anywhere and anything. The longer the kitten eats mother's milk, the better for it. It contains all the strength and nutritional elements.

Heredity and genes influence how many years a kitty will live. Diseases, health, and many other factors affecting life are transmitted from ancestors along the line. But there are also individuals who live 20 years or longer, but this is rare.

How long do Siberian cats live in the harsh conditions of apartment living? They may get injured or poisoned. Contact your veterinarian promptly for help if something happens to your pet. Do not delay under any circumstances.

Temperament

Character of Siberian cats

Siberian cats are distinguished by their leadership qualities and capricious character. At a young age, kittens are playful and restless, but in maturity they become serious and calm. They grow up slowly, reaching adulthood only at 5 years of age. Siberians become strongly attached to their owner and remain faithful for life. In the absence of family members, they are very bored and are waiting for a speedy return.

Siberian cats exhibit the habits of a predator; they are excellent mousecatchers and protectors. It is good to keep such pets in country houses, where their hunting instinct manifests itself. In apartments, Siberians also adapt and find something to do to their liking. Not only do they become full-fledged members of the family, but they also feel like the main ones in the house in relation to other pets. The cat allows itself to be stroked and only goes into the arms of someone who inspires trust.

The Siberian cat will be an excellent pet for a family with small children. Even if a child overdoes it with games and hurts the cat, she will never touch him. But an adult in a similar situation will definitely fight back. This animal is very smart and even trainable to some extent. Purebred Siberians can take part in various exhibitions and acquire honorary titles.

Personality of Russian Blue cats

The Russian Blue cat stands out for its grace, aristocracy and independence. This cat does not allow strangers in and does not accept them until they become her own. The character of representatives of this breed is wonderful: affectionate, playful. These cats love to rub against the legs of their owners, as well as purr and sleep next to them. Russian Blue cats are believed to have healing qualities.

Cats of this breed are active and inquisitive. Catching mice is their favorite pastime. Therefore, it is preferable to keep such pets in a country house so that they can splash out their energy.

Health

The Russian Siberian cat has good health indicators. But you can't resist genes. A kitten, even at birth, can get a heart defect. Which has an adverse effect on his future life. But proper care and proper education will help you live a healthy life. But this is a rare case.

When all is well, it is necessary to follow the vaccination list, regularly visit the veterinarian, undergo a parasitic program, clean the ears and, if possible, teeth. To do this, you can buy something at a pet store.

If you live in the private sector, then do not be afraid to let this creature out into the street. They adapt very well to Siberian frosts, because they are originally Siberians. Moreover, walks are even recommended for them for good and good health.

The cat breed is considered to be hypoallergenic. Therefore, it will not harm your baby. But you need to bathe her with a special shampoo. The playground will become a cozy place for your pet to spend time. Don't forget to change the litter tray regularly to prevent your cat from getting an infection.