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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask about your Siberian Kitten experiences? *Will include pic if asked!*

75 replies

SabrinaSpellmann · 01/12/2018 15:42

Hello everyone.

I’m from the UK and I’m going to be welcoming a beautiful little girl to my family in 2019, she’ll be 4 months. I’ve researched Siberian’s and have got a pretty decent picture but I’d love some advice from you experienced owners.

I realize every cat is different but I’d like to ask:

(1) What litter box would you recommend? Best for the cat type and reducing odours would be much appreciated! I know Siberian’s are a medium - large breed but as babies they’re still so small so I’m not sure if a kitten would be able to get in and out of a covered in box?

(2) On that note, what litter would be the best suited to long haired cats and have a good quality odour control?

(3) I know they’re ‘supposed’ to be hypoallergenic but is there any products (sprays, shampoos etc) that can help those with allergies? Any personal experiences here? I have some friends with allergies so I’d love some advice!

(4) Does anyone have any advice/experience of introducing my new kitty to my 4 year old beagle? He’s a big softie but will want to play! I’ve taught him to be gentle with my toddler but a little kitty is a different ball game.

(5) Anyone who has dogs + cats, do your dogs ever try to eat your cat’s food/litter? If they do best way to stop this?

(6) Sleeping arrangements - should I keep kitty in a bed near her litter box or keep her bed in my room and litter box downstairs? I was going to keep the litter box in our downstairs bathroom as it’s well ventilated and tiled.

(7) Should I stick with the breeder’s food choice or is there a better choice for this particular type of cat?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
13
StuntNun · 01/12/2018 16:35

I'm on my second Siberian, about to get a third and possibly a fourth if DH agrees next month. The photo is an old one - the kitten is an adult now.

Can you let us know the breeder name? You can DM me if you like and I can see whether I know them. There is a difference between dedicated breeders that register all their cats and go to cat shows - they will be constantly aiming to improve the breed - and hobby breeders that have a pet that they breed to a stud just to have kittens without necessarily choosing the best pairing that will improve the line.

To ask about your Siberian Kitten experiences? *Will include pic if asked!*
Celebelly · 01/12/2018 16:35

Have you been to see the kitten with its mum
and litter and met the breeder?

Was there a waiting list?

Did they ask lots of questions of you?

Leighhalfpennysthigh · 01/12/2018 16:37

I know nothing about cats. Only here for the pics. Sorry

Beaverhausen · 01/12/2018 16:42

Oh my goodness cuteness overload.

OP have you considered a raw diet?

As for toilet, I use wood pebbles and have long haired coats with no problem although I do trim their bums with a bikini trimmer.

Original poster
SabrinaSpellmann · 01/12/2018 16:47

StunNun, pm’d you!

OP posts:
Laiste · 01/12/2018 17:01

It's a nightmare negotiating good breeders from bad. The bad one's have made a business out of fooling people and if this is the case you're not the first and won't be the last so don't feel bad.

I wish you the best of luck and i hope you find a good one and get a great kitty :)

AwkwardPaws27 · 01/12/2018 17:09

Health wise, you should also ask if your kittens parents have both been tested for HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - its a potentially fatal heart disease).

Itsear · 01/12/2018 17:22

You’ve got a lot to learn. Cats sleep where they like, buy an expensive bed but you will find the cat asleep in your bed/on the sofa/on top of the wardrobe.....

AloneLonelyLoner · 01/12/2018 17:49

Oh no....

StuntNun · 01/12/2018 18:10

(1) What litter box would you recommend?
For a female Siberian then a regular litter box is fine. Male Sibs are much bigger and would need a large litter box. With a clumping litter and scooped daily you don't get much smell so an open box is okay. If you are bothered about the smell, depending on where it is, then a covered litter box might be better. You could take the door off temporarily if the kitten can't get in.

(2) On that note, what litter would be the best suited to long haired cats and have a good quality odour control?
I prefer a clumping litter but I don't think they're suitable for kittens - wood pellets are often recommended.

(3) I know they’re ‘supposed’ to be hypoallergenic but is there any products (sprays, shampoos etc) that can help those with allergies?
My Sibs are very low allergy. My DH and I are both allergic and we don't use any products.

(4) Does anyone have any advice/experience of introducing my new kitty to my 4 year old beagle?
I would keep the kitten confined to one room for a week or so to get used to the sounds and smells of the house before introducing her to other pets.

(5) Anyone who has dogs + cats, do your dogs ever try to eat your cat’s food/litter?
Food - yes so the cat was fed on a high surface. The dog never went near the cat litter but I'm guessing a covered litter tray would solve that issue.

(6) Sleeping arrangements - should I keep kitty in a bed near her litter box or keep her bed in my room and litter box downstairs?
She will sleep where she wants and may well ignore a cat bed.

(7) Should I stick with the breeder’s food choice or is there a better choice for this particular type of cat?
Most breeders suggest a raw diet. I feed my cats a grain-free wet food and a dry food for Maine Coons since the kibble pieces are bigger.

myrtleWilson · 01/12/2018 18:18

We have three Siberians - they are a delight! They all sleep in our bedroom at some points during the night - but roam spare bedrooms too - we use the enclosed litter trays and used to use worlds best litter but we've just switched and can't remember the new brand - sorry... Photos attached cat bundle, cat hug and solo cat!

To ask about your Siberian Kitten experiences? *Will include pic if asked!*
To ask about your Siberian Kitten experiences? *Will include pic if asked!*
To ask about your Siberian Kitten experiences? *Will include pic if asked!*
thethoughtfox · 01/12/2018 18:24

I was advised by my breeder not to use an enclosed litter box with long hair particularly large ones like Persians. I don't know about how big Siberians get.

thethoughtfox · 01/12/2018 18:24

Long haired cats!

ScienceIsTruth · 01/12/2018 18:25

Looks like my old moggy I had as a child, if I'm honest. It's very cute Grin , but looks like any other long haired moggy, you me anyway. Shock Do they have any special traits or something? Otherwise I don't get spending so much money on one. Confused

CurlsLDN · 01/12/2018 18:28

In the kindest way... Good luck shampooing a cat!

fussychica · 01/12/2018 18:38

Absolutely gorgeous, all of them. One of my moggies looked just like that though he was just a moggie. Still miss him.

Wildernesstips · 01/12/2018 19:19

I would absolutely love a Siberian (currently have a very spoilt Maine Coon). We had to buy an XXL covered litter tray because he got too large and ended up seeing over the side of the smaller one. The Worlds Best litter really is the best but expensive - we use a cheaper wood pellet one from our local pet shop.

Good luck!

deeplybaffled · 01/12/2018 19:32

We have a Siberian but she isn’t a house cat. The breeder recommended that she should be, but she was miserable and kept trying to escape every time we opened a door or window.
She can jump higher than you think possible - often found on top of the eye level kitchen cabinets.
She’s really nosy and opinionated- if things aren’t to her liking, she pushes things off the shelves on to the floor in protest.
In a nutshell, I wouldn’t make too many hard and fast plans about what / how, as if she’s anything like ours, she’ll do stuff her way or no way!
Photo of disapproving cat just because.

To ask about your Siberian Kitten experiences? *Will include pic if asked!*
StuntNun · 01/12/2018 20:05

ScienceisTruth Siberians are less allergenic than other cats. My DH and I are both allergic to cats but can tolerate our Sibs sleeping on the bed.

StuntNun · 01/12/2018 20:13

Plus they're gorgeous great fluffy beasts!

To ask about your Siberian Kitten experiences? *Will include pic if asked!*
MooseBeTimeForSnow · 01/12/2018 20:24

My Sib is an indoor cat. Breeder required it but in any event it’s -30 outside in winter and we have wolves and coyotes around us.

Like a PP, ours is very dog like. She plays fetch and loves a running tap. She doesn’t use the basket we bought - prefers to sleep on any available chair.

She has been known to bite my foot if she thinks it’s time to be fed.

To ask about your Siberian Kitten experiences? *Will include pic if asked!*
To ask about your Siberian Kitten experiences? *Will include pic if asked!*
Doobigetta · 01/12/2018 20:51

StuntNun if you’d shown me a photo of your silver tabby and told me it was mine, I’d have believed you. Is yours from Esaya, by any chance?

myrtleWilson · 01/12/2018 21:01

Ours (well one of them) plays fetch too! - that (plus the fact I have a teenage DD) accounts for the myriad of hair bobbles we have throughout the house!
They are very vocal as well and will bop us on the nose in the morning to tells its time to get up....

Doobigetta · 01/12/2018 21:04

OP, both my husband and I are usually quite badly allergic to cats, but our symptoms around Siberians are completely manageable with over the counter antihistamines. And she sleeps on our bed. My sister in law is allergic to the point her throat swells up around most cats, and she has two Siberians and is fine. Everyone is different though.

Be warned, they are feisty little fuckers. Ours is just over 18 months old now, and if she doesn’t get at least five hours a day outside she’s a total nightmare- attacks plants, rugs, everything she can because she just has too much energy to burn off. And she totally destroyed the Christmas tree last year, and has killed 12 squirrels since September. They aren’t lazy lap cats. But they are smart as buttons and absolutely hilarious.

Amallamard · 01/12/2018 21:29

Lots of advice here OP: icatcare.org/advice/getting-cat