Dvorovoi Cattery

Frequently Asked Questions about the Siberian Cat

1. What are their personalities like?

The Siberians are very friendly and loyal. Here at Dvorovoi, we raise our kittens with a lot of love and attention to ensure that they are well socialized so that they will adjust well in their new homes. Our kittens and adults follow us around the house just to make sure they know what is going on at all times. They love to jump up on high objects, so it is important to have good climbing cat trees available for them. We had to go buy a king-sized bed so that we could accommodate all of our guests at night. They love to curl up with us at night and each one has a favorite spot on the bed. Their triple purr makes you think there are three cats inside each one of them! Siberians have adjusted well to children and other cats and/or dogs. As the parents and owners, only you know the personalities of your own kids and other pets, so only you can judge how they will react to the Siberians.

2. Do they shed much?

In the fall and winter months, there is very little shedding but in the late spring and summer they lose a lot more of the thick undercoat. The undercoat is shorter so it tends to matt less than other long-haired cats. They are generally very easy to comb and brush and most of them tolerate combing very well. We have never had matts on our females but a couple of our stud males have had underarm and britches matts, which comb out very easy and, I suppose, would be easily avoidable with more frequent combings!

3. How big do they get?

The females are usually smaller than the males with average sizes of 8-10 pounds at full maturity. The males (neutered) tend to get a lot bigger averaging between 12-14 pounds. Full maturity takes 4-5 years. Most of the size is reached in the first 18 months and after that the bones and muscles continue to develop and strengthen giving the Siberian a big and hefty look to them. Some males have gotten as big as 22 pounds or more!

4. How will they affect someone who is allergic to cats?

There are many reasons to be allergic to cats. A person can be allergic to their dander, urine, pheremones, saliva or hair. A person may be allergic to one breed of cat and not another, or even allergic to one cat within a breed and not another of the same breed. That said, dander is probably the main allergen that cats produce. Siberians produce less dander than most cats, probably due to their oily base fur. Since dander is just dry skin, the oils in the fur keep the skin from drying out. It also gives the Siberian fur the soft feel like that of a rabbit. Since allergies vary in severity from person to person, it is hard to say how one will react to these cats. Some people with mild allergies or mild asthma have been able to tolerate them just fine. Others, with more severe cases, cannot be in the same room with them for any length of time. Since adopting a Siberian should be thought of as a 16 year (or so) commitment, it is not a good idea to adopt any cat unless you have the opportunity to spend some time with a couple of adult Siberians first, if you suffer from cat allergies. Most breeders will be happy to allow you to do that, if you have one near you. If you don't have one near you, you must consider the cost of the cat plus shipping costs and carrier costs before you "experiment" with your allergies. Also, most reputable breeders are not going to ship a kitten with the potential of that kitten coming back a week later for a refund. The stress to the kitten would not be good, the hassle to the breeder would not be good, and the potential heartbreak and expense to the new adoptive owner would not be good.

5. How much do they cost?

Siberians are priced according to their quality. Pets usually run between $400.00 to $600.00 and breeder/show run from $700.00 to $850.00. Prices may vary from breeder to breeder. Shipping costs can run between $150.00 to $175.00 depending on the airlines. Overseas shipping will cost more. Carriers cost about $30.00 - $50.00. Kittens are usually shipped no earlier than 12 weeks. This gives them time to be wormed and vaccinated. We include rabies if they are over 4 months when shipped. Pets come with a neuter/spay agreement, and a requirement for no declawing and not to be allowed outdoors. We also require a non-refundable deposit of $200 to hold a kitten/cat. Deposits are refundable if the kitten dies before delivery or if the quality is not as promised.