Siberian kitten/general kitten advice

[Invisiblewoman1]

Hi all
I am looking to get a Siberian cat. I have allergies and have read they are a good option. Anyone have any experience with them or any tips?

Does anyone also have any tips on how much work a kitten is?

We got one in February and I'm a TOTAL convert, she is just gorgeous and fully adorable! Our old DCat was a rescue and died, but when we looked for another rescue there literally weren't any to be found.

As there were no rescue cats we got a Siberian kitten (I posted on here at the time as I was really skeptical about buying a cat rather than getting a rescue).

She is really playful and affectionate, but also patient with my DD. She is lovely tempered and comes and sits on my knee or shoulder while I'm working. The fact she is hypoallergenic was a massive bonus, and fur-wise we just brush her each night while we are watching tv. I really recommend Siberians, they have fantastic dispositions.

In terms of work, she is a little bit more needy than my previous cat, but he was quite damaged from his previous owner so never sat on our laps.

She does obviously love having us at home but she doesn't seem to stress when we go out.

The only mildly annoying thing is that she eats everything including trying to steal prawns off our dinner plates when we are eating!

We have had our Siberian for 6y. She came to us at 17 weeks, so fully potty trained, vaccinated and spayed. They do take a lot of playing with, but they're a very train-able breed. CatBaby can play fetch, catch treats in her front paws and will jump onto any surface I click my fingers over.

Kittens can be hard work, they do like to get themselves into situations too so you need to kitten proof and tie up blind cords.

Siberians are fabulous. Be very careful what breeder you go to, though.

We have a siberian, hes currently 3 years old and had him since a kitten. I would say hes definitely more like a dog than a cat. He plays fetch, knows how to sit and do paw and is harness trained to go out in the garden. However, in turn I would say he is much more needy than a normal kitten. He wants to play alot and will not settle until he has a playfriend! They do need brushing everyday but ours likes being brushed. I would not change his quirks and love him dearly

They are super cats, if you are allergic to the protein in saliva they will be suitable, however, if you allergic to fur or dander they may not be suitable. In most people it is allergy to the saliva protein and Siberian's do not make this protein.
Be very careful choosing breeders there has been a huge upsurge in popularity in particular in the fancy colours (tabby, red and silver are the traditional colours) and there are a lot of unscrupulous breeders out there. We have two colourpoint Siberian's on our books under 6 months old, one has FIP and the other has chronic ( likely lifelong) respiratory disease.
My classic tabby Siberian is a beautiful, loving car.

Yes, I'm going through hell with a calicivirus cat. The Siberian breeder denies all responsibility, actually said he could have caught it in my home. Which doesn't explain why two other kittens from the same litter also have it.

I have had Siberians for years and currently have three. DH and I are both allergic to cats but don't react to Siberians after an initial few weeks acclimation to them. My cats can sleep on my pillow, drool on me, headbutt me in the face, I can groom them... and I don't react at all. Siberians produce less Fel D1 protein in their saliva and skin but they do produce some and it varies from cat to cat. If you can do an allergy sitting with your breeder's cats then you'll have a better idea. Some people (5-15% of those with cat allergy) are allergic to one or more of the other seven cat allergens in which case you will still react to a Siberian cat. But there are plenty of people with allergies that can cope well with Siberians.

Thank you all.
I have found a breeder via the Siberian cat club website. I’ve said I don’t want one until end of the year as I will be moving house and so we’ve begun chatting. No deposit required as freel homing cats should be about finding the right person not a contract, allergy sitting agreed upon where I can meet the parents and be in their home for 2 hours. Also doesn’t sell until 4 months. All this sounded promising to me. Is there anything I should ask or look out for?

Can we have some piccies ❤️

Our first cat was a Siberian. We lost her st 3 to a congenital kidney issue. Also: she was not hypoallergenic. Also: she was as much "like a dog" as any cat which means-not at all. Breeder said she should be an indoor cat - also very, very bad advice. She really did have a bit of a wild element to her. Gorgeous, gorgeous fluffy girl. Am so sad hiw things turned out

I have a Persian now.

OP that sounds quite encouraging. Could I ask which breeder?