Siberian cats have long won the love of their breeders. They are valued not only for character traits, but also for their special appearance. One of the favorites among connoisseurs of feline beauty is a blue cat. Since a considerable part of the owners still believe that Siberians have such a color, it is time to put an end to this issue. We will tell which cat is attributed the blue color, and what is the cause of the error.
General concepts
Often authors write not about a Siberian cat of a smoky color, but about a Russian blue breed of cats. Despite the conflicting opinions indicated on the Internet information portals, in nature there is no Siberian blue cat. The townsfolk often confuse it with Russian blue. However, its connection with the Siberian is not confirmed by anything. In addition, the Russian cat comes from Arkhangelsk and has short hair.
The name "Russian blue" is considered conditional. At one time, these animals were recognized in England, they were called cats of the "foreign type". The selection was approved abroad, while in Russian cats, only roots and name remained Russian. Otherwise, they have nothing to do with the Siberians.
Siberians descended from Bukhara cats, they are considered conditionally native breed. These pets originated from large and long-haired cats, and for breeding they selected the best animals of Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk and Kemerovo. They were recognized in Russia, where the breed standard was fixed, which happened not so long ago.
The name “blue” in the Siberian cat is explained characteristic smoky color with an admixture of barely noticeable blue (the so-called "blue smoke"). This explains why the cat is called Siberian blue.
In the further material of the article we will consider pets of precisely a smoky color, calling them conditionally “blue”.
Color features
The animals obtained a characteristic smoky blue color as a result of crossbreeding of congeners of silver color and recessive coloring with the absence of agouti. The color standard provides for monotonous coloring of the animal without any pronounced pattern or points. Whitish spots are not acceptable on the face, chest, or body. Outwardly, such a coloring looks noble, a fur coat, cast in the light with a silvery sheen, gives the appearance of pets a special status.
The degree of color saturation can be different (both light and dark), however, the shade should be the same in one animal. The shadowing of individual parts of the body is considered a drawback. Usually this is typical for small kittens: their legs and back are often darker, and a tabby pattern is traced along the body. However, with the first molt, this drawback is eliminated, the color is leveled to monophonic. So that the pet does not get rust spots, it must be protected from the sun.
Breed description
Siberian blue cats are distinguished by a large, rather developed and heavy body. They have a thick and long coat, powerful and developed legs, proportional to the body. The average weight of Siberians is 6 kg, however, often it reaches 12 kg. In this case, as a rule, less weight in females, the height at the withers can be 30-33 cm or more. These cats have pubescence between the fingers of rounded paws.
The head of the pet is rounded, the chin is rounded, not protruding. The length of the tail in these animals is average, it is proportional to the body, the width of the tail is greater at the base, at the end it is somewhat narrowed. The fur coat has a thick and double undercoat.
The ears of the Siberians can be small and large, they are slightly inclined forward, round at the ends. Ideally, the distance between them is equal to the width of one ear. The base of the ears is covered with pubescence. Lynx brushes may be at the ends of the ears. The eyes of Siberian blue cats are large, round, the outer corners are inclined towards the base of the ears. The upper part of the head has a flattening, the nose is slightly arched, has a small depression. The neck is round, strong, muscular. The life span of cats averages 15 years.
Character
Siberian smoky cats are characterized by waywardness and high self-esteem. They consider themselves important members of the family, requiring due respect, like the head of the family. Unlike other relatives, Siberians do not reconcile with the presence of other pets in the house. They always take a leadership position, and from households one authority is recognized as authority. As a rule, this is the person who pays them more attention, care, affection, the one who feeds them, walks and treats them.
In most cases, it is the rules of this person that the cat fulfills impeccably.
However, in the absence of proper and timely education, the animal may not recognize it. A well-bred cat sometimes obeys all household members, he is active and playful.
In general, the breed is considered peaceful and good-natured. In addition to devotion to their masters, the Siberians are tactful. They will never allow themselves to climb under their feet and beg for attention. These pets, on the contrary, will create the appearance that they allow themselves to be stroked, and do not beg for affection.
Smoky Siberians are distinguished by high intelligence and curiosity. Therefore, some owners try to train them in different teams. For example, pets very quickly understand their name, the commands “eat”, “let's play”, “walk”. They do not worry about a change of scenery, adjust to the new situation in a private house and apartment.
By nature, such cats are born hunters, which explains the playfulness of small kittens. Often, laziness is not unusual for adult cats, and therefore there should not be any birds or small domestic rodents in the house. Even a well-bred animal can succumb to temptation and eat moving “prey”. As for street rodents, Siberians destroy them not only on their territory, but also among their neighbors.
The body of hunters is well developed, for lazy individuals it is weak. In relation to people, pets behave differently. They do not like some and do not allow them to approach them, while others try to keep them away from their beloved master. Still others try to show indifference to everyone, despite the fact that nothing escapes their seemingly indifferent gaze.
Siberians love children, sometimes showing parental instincts. They can babysit children in their own way, protect their sleep, grumble at those who approach and interfere with pets playing with children. When communicating with babies, pets do not allow themselves to release claws. They look after themselves, and therefore do not flirt, so as not to hurt the kids.
Content Nuances
Both an adult cat of a relatively blue color and a small kitten need proper care. On the first day of appearance in the house, the kitten should have its own bed. If you put him in bed with him, he will not understand the division into “one's own” and “another's”. This will affect the disobedience and non-recognition of the authority of the owner. In addition to the couch, immediately buy a tray with low sides. The first toilet does not have to be big and expensive. It is better to buy another bigger one later, but going to a deep pot right away will be uncomfortable for a kitten.
In order to prevent the pet from creating problems with natural needs in the future, he can be taught to walk outside for this purpose.
A small kitten is brought out for walks more often, and walks at first should not be long. You can take your baby out after vaccination. After each walk, it is necessary to inspect the fur coat so as not to miss the infection with parasites (ticks or fleas). If they are available, you must immediately consult a veterinarian who will quickly and effectively help solve the problem.
As for hair care, these procedures will require a lot of time, but they will save the pet from dead coat, which he can wear for months. In addition, combing will help reduce the number of hairs lying around the house and sow the weight of the thing during molting. In addition to combs and slickers, you have to buy furminator. He can’t save a cat from tricks, but it will quickly and efficiently remove dead hair after combing it with an ordinary comb.
As it gets dirty, you’ll have to clean your pet’s ears and teeth.. If you do not monitor the condition of the teeth, the enamel becomes covered with yellowness, in addition, tooth erasing will accelerate. For care, you will have to pick up a special brush and paste. Those hygiene products that people use are not suitable for cats. Ears should be disposed of using ear wax using a cotton pad dipped in warm boiled water. From time to time it is necessary to visit the veterinarian and carry out antiparasitic treatment.
Claws Siberians need to be trimmed regularly, for which the owners buy a special device - a nail clipper. It will save the cat from the tedious clipping of claws, reduce the duration of the procedure. To prevent the pet from tearing wallpaper, furniture and carpets, it should have its own claws. Ideally, there should be at least two. You need to feed the kitten more often than an adult. Nutrition should be balanced and complete. The animal needs vitamins and nutrients.
The feed can be natural or industrial, while mixing wet with dry is not recommended.
It is necessary to accustom a pet to a new feed gradually so as not to upset its digestive system. Given an active lifestyle, Siberians need high-calorie foods. However, it should not be oily.In order to strengthen tooth enamel, it is necessary to ensure that the pet receives the necessary vitamin and mineral complexes with food.
You can’t feed kittens and adult cats with smoked sausage, dumplings, sausages, chips, smoked fish. The meat in the diet can be raw or boiled. If natural food is chosen as the basis of nutrition, it is not recommended to give the cat too often a cat. The diet must include fish, kefir, eggs, cottage cheese and seafood. To rid a pet of wool accumulating in the body, it is necessary to give it sprouted cereals.
About the features of the breed, see the next video.
