Siberian cats are a Russian national treasure. They have been documented in Russia for hundreds of years and are mentioned in Russian fairy tales and children’s books. Siberians cats are known for their amazing loyalty and personalities, but these cats also have played a practical role on farms as rodent control. Meet the beautiful, fluffy cats here.
The Siberian is a medium to large cat with the overall appearance of excellent physical condition, strength, balance, power, and alertness, modified by a sweet facial expression. Siberians are a natural breed and reflect the climate in which they developed, with their very dense, medium to long, water repellent triple coat. This coat is accented with a ruff around the neck, full fluffy britches, and a bushy tail, normally carried up with pride but also quite useful to wrap around the face and paws to keep warm. Along with freezing cold winters, a small Siberian village outside of Barnaul, Russia, is also known for a high population of cats. The growth of resident felines is such that one local farmer, Alla Lebedeva, has started to name her property as “Catland.”
Fortunately, Siberians like to play in water, so if bathed regularly as kittens they may actually enjoy the attention of a bath. Siberian cats are very personable and want to be near their owners. In an interview, Lebedeva revealed that she and her husband Sergey are partially responsible for the town’s swelling number of feline residents. “How many do we have now? To such a question I usually answer ‘a million, maybe more,’” she said. The Lebedevas started feeding this especially large, furry breed when they realized how efficient Siberian cats were protecting their other farm animals.
“They have three ‘little bedrooms’ there where can they sleep according to how they feel,” Alla Lebedevas told about the cats’ permanent residence in her hen house, which is stuffed with straw. “Our cats protect the chickens and rabbits from rats and mice.”
The farmers’ feline family has been discussed on the Internet, sharing different point of views and suggestions. Many people showed the concern that these extra-furry animals shouldn’t be sleeping outdoors.
The cats enjoy the company of children, dogs, and other animals. They are fearless and easygoing, not much disturbs their natural calm and equanimity. One of the internet user shared his views, wrote:
“Those cats are beautiful and even though they love the snow I just wish they were all kept indoors where it is safe, warm and out of harm’s way,” “These cats have a very thick fur,” somebody else countered, pointing to their plush fur coats – and the lack of predators on a rural Siberian farm. “They are warm!”
But others thought that the colony’s fur coats were not enough to bear Siberia’s winter chill. “Just because some cats might like the cold, doesn’t mean it is safe to leave them outside on their own,” another user wrote.
“So many pet owners seem to think their only obligation is to provide food and water. These are domesticated pets not animals accustomed to living in the wild.”
Others noted that these cats being born and bred in one of the world’s coldest regions actually can survive in brisk weather. “These particular types of breeds naturally enjoy the snow and have great skills as hunters,” this person wrote.
“Not because they are forced to forage, but because it is the nature of the kitty. This of course and only if they are not kept indoors.”
