Friday, November 7, 2014

Breed Focus: Siberian Cat

The other day we had a new little kitten come in that was a breed I had never heard of. It was a Siberian Cat. I immediately went to look up more information on this striking breed. They originated in Russia and are among some of the bigger domesticated cats we see. Overall they tend to be active but agreeable. They can adapt to most living situations.
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With their thick coat, they will require regularly brushing to avoid matted hair developing. While having a very thick coat likely served them well during the cold Russian winters, it does require a little extra up keep. It is also important to keep this active breed engaged and entertained. They will do well with puzzle toys and various perches around the house!
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In terms of health concerns, the biggest concern seems to be hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the bottom portion of the heart wall becomes very thickened and fails to pump blood normally, eventually leading to heart failure. Thoroughly investigating breeders and their breeding stock can help minimize the chances your own cat developing this condition.  For more inforation on HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) please click here. As with many of our house cats it is also important to regulate how much they eat and encourage activity. This will help minimize their risk for obesity and conditions associated with it (such as diabetes).
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Overall Siberian cats seem to make very agreeable pets if you are willing to put up with some maintenance brushing! For more information on this large and unique breed pleae visit the following websites here and here.

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