Siberian Cat

The Siberian cat, also known as the Siberian Forest Cat, is a very common cat in the Russian market and rural areas of Siberia.

This cat has a hard, smooth, and oily outer coat, a dense and thick undercoat, and a huge body size, weighing over 9 kilograms, making it one of the largest cat breeds.

Moreover, they are an active and interesting breed, enjoying games such as fetching and learning tricks to stimulate their minds. Their agility allows them to climb and perch from the highest places. This courageous cat enjoys playing in water and gets along well with other pets and children.

The Siberian Cat is native to Russia and has been around for at least a millennium. It is the largest and oldest natural breed among the existing cats and often appears in Russian folklore.

The Siberian Cat was first imported to the United States by the Russians in 1990 and recognized by the International Cat Association in 1996. The breed was accepted by the American Cat Fanciers Association in 1999 and later by the Cat Fanciers' Association in 2006. The breed has a reputation for being hypoallergenic - possibly true, possibly not, depending on the individual.

The Siberian cat is intelligent and active, suitable for families with children and other pets as well as single people.

1. Cat Ringworm

Cat ringworm is a common skin disease in cats, which is basically a fungal infection.

Cause: Kittens with poor constitution are more prone to ringworm. The other is fungal infection caused by warm and humid living environment.

Symptoms: The commonly occurring locations are the ears and chin. In the early stage, there will be small patches of ringworm, hair loss, dry flakes on the surface, and severe cases may include skin ulcers and extensive bald patches.

Solution: Isolate first - Shave the hair (shave the hair around the ringworm, mainly for easy application of medicine and to prevent fungal spread) - Oral medication (commonly used are Itraconazole/Fluconazole/Ketoconazole) - Topical ointment (Clotrimazole cream, Miconazole cream, Toltarazole cream, Terbinafine spray. Be sure to follow the doctor's advice before use) - Medicated bath (Ketoconazole solution, Miconazole solution, continue for 1-2 weeks until recovery) - Increase nutrition (cats infected with ringworm often have some issues with their immune system, they need to increase nutrition, cook more chicken breast + carrots) - Sunbathe more (sunshine and ventilation can help kill bacteria).

2. Cat Flu

Cat flu is also a common disease, and weak kittens are more susceptible to it.

Cause: Bacteria from a strain of herpes virus invade the cat's respiratory tract. This virus attaches to the cat's trachea and begins to invade their respiratory system.

Symptoms: Fever, mucus around the nose, frequent sneezing, excessive secretion around the eyes, and severe cases may include conjunctivitis.

Solution: When it is not too severe, taking Lysine and using antiviral eye drops can help. It is recommended to vaccinate kittens to reduce the chances of getting cat flu. Cat flu virus is highly resistant, so good disinfection and cleaning of the entire house should be done using formaldehyde and phenol.

3. Vomiting

Vomiting is also common in cats. Sometimes, cats will vomit their vomit as a protective mechanism, and they will generally recover after vomiting.

Cause: Inhaling too much hair, indigestion, ingesting foreign objects, rapid switch of food, catching a cold, and gastroenteritis can all cause vomiting in cats.

Symptoms: Hair and mucus in the vomit; or vomiting food, yellow water, and white foam, etc.

Solution: If the cat vomits hair, it is recommended to buy hairball gel or cat grass for the cat to eat.

When a cat vomits, it is recommended to fast the cat for a day, give it some warm water to drink, and then feed it some pet probiotics to regulate its intestinal flora. If the cat's vomiting symptoms stop, a small amount of soft cat food or canned food with more soup can be fed, which is easy to digest. If the vomiting condition does not improve, it is recommended to seek medical attention.

The Siberian cat's thick triple layer should be combed or brushed several times a week to prevent matting or mats. In spring and autumn, the coat will shed seasonally, and during this time, you may need to groom more frequently. A bath is rarely necessary, which is a good thing because the coat is highly water resistant. It can be difficult to wet a Siberian enough to wash him.

Brushing teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Daily oral hygiene is best, but brushing once a week is better than nothing. Trim nails every two weeks. Wipe the corners of the eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. Use separate cloth areas for each eye to avoid spreading any infections.

Check the ears weekly. If they look dirty, you can wipe them with a cotton ball or a soft damp cloth dipped in a mixture of 50-50 apple cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs that may damage the inside of the ears.

Most Siberians grow in their first year and a half of life. Your kitten's caretaker may advise you to feed him kitten food during that time to ensure he gets sufficient nutrition.

Keep the litter box clean. Cats are very particular about the cleanliness of the toilet, and a clean litter box also helps maintain the cleanliness of the long coat.

Grooming time: Recommended every three days

1. Relax the cat: Before grooming, you can give the cat a massage. After the kitten starts purring, proceed to the next step;

2. Brush along the hair: From the back → waist → hips → tail; you can wet the cat's fur with a small amount of water to reduce static electricity, and brush along the direction of hair growth, brushing from top to bottom;

3. Brush from the chest to the abdomen: Lift the cat, sit on your lap in a human-like posture, and brush from top to bottom. The cat's belly is more sensitive, so be quick and accurate when grooming;

4. Brush the cat's head and face area: You can brush from the cat's head or face towards the neck, but be careful of the cat's eyes;

5. Underarm and abdominal hair: At this time, the cat can lie on its side, lift up the cat's front paws, and brush from the underarm to the side of the abdomen;

6. Finally, use a fine-toothed comb for further grooming to remove excess hair, straighten the cat's fur, and complete the entire process.