The Siberian breed is very affectionate and playful, and makes a wonderful companion, especially for families with children.
Besides her loveable personality, the Siberian also has amazing looks, with an accent on her luxurious fur.
But, this fur does look like it’s a lot to handle, which might not be the most eligible trait many cat fanciers want their future cat to have.
Does lush fur mean expecting a lot of their cats around your home? Do Siberian cats shed? Are their coats challenging to take care of?
Let’s discover answers to these questions.
Do Siberains Shed A Lot?
Siberians do shed. But, you should’t be discouraged by this answer right at the beginning, because things aren’t that simple.
You see, all cats shed, even shorthaired ones, at least to some extent. Siberian cats have long, water-resistant, triple-layered coats, and it's expected for felines like these to shed.
Actually, in normal circumstances, Siberains will usually shed less than some people expect – considering their furs.
In general, Siberians can be described as moderate shedders. Therefore, some other breeds with similar coat types might shed a lot more than a Siberian.
Interesting Read: When Do Cats Start Shedding, With Tips On Their Coat Care
What Factors Can Increase A Siberain’s Shedding Level?
Exceptions and special situations are always possible, and the same holds true for Siberian cat shedding levels.
Therefore, there might be situations where you’ll see an extensive amount of hair around your home.
Let’s check them out and discover whether you should consult a veterinarian if you notice your Siberian is shedding more than usual.
1. Season Changes
All cats are expected to shedd more due to seasonal changes, and this happens twice a year – in spring and fall.
As Spruce Pets explains, cats will shed more in spring to lose their heavy winter coat and to prepare for warmer summertime. In fall, on the contrary, they shed to make way for the growth of their new winter coat.
Since Siberians have long coats, their seasonal shedding can be far more visible than in some other felines with shorter furs.
If you notice this excess shedding in fall and spring, you have nothing to worry about, since this is completely normal.
2. Poor Diet
An inadequate diet could also be a reason why your Siberian sheds so much.
A cat’s levels of shedding might increase drastically if she isn’t getting all necessary nutrients from her diet. To change this, you should ensure your Siberian gets food high in protein and high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
If you might need to completely change your cat’s diet, the best would be to consult a veterinarian.
3. Stress
Stressful situations are another potential cause of increased shedding in Siberian cats.
When cats are stressed, shedding is their normal physiological response, according to VetStreet. It’s believed that a cat’s tiny arrector pili muscles, which are attached to their hair follicles, become activated when a cat is stressed, releasing the telogen hairs.
Many things can make a Siberian cat stressed, such as any kind of change in their environment, loud noises, unknown people, conflict with other animals, etc.
The most important thing here is to be able to recognize the source of stress and try to eliminate it from a Siberian’s environment.
4. Health Problems
Some medical problems, such as allergies, parasite infections, or hyperthyroidism, might also cause a Siberain to shed more than usual.
If you have any doubts your cat might be facing an underlying illness, or you have noticed any suspicious behaviors or symptoms in her, you should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.
The wisest course of action when you're worried about your cat's health is to schedule a vet check-up rather than trying to guess what might be affecting her.
Is It Difficult To Take Care Of A Siberian’s Coat?
Considering the description of their coats, many people will expect it to be a challenging task to take care of a Siberian cat’s grooming needs.
However, this actually isn’t a high-maintenance breed in terms of their fur care. This cat’s coat doesn’t tend to tangle or mat. Therefore, grooming once or twice a week should be enough to keep a Siberian’s coat in a good condition.
You should brush this cat with a slick, soft brush. When necessary, for instance, due to seasonality, you might need to brush your Siberian a bit more often.
In total, grooming a Siberian is far more easy in comparison to other long-haired breeds.
Are Siberian Cats Hypoallergenic?
The most important thing to understand here is that no cat is one hundred percent hypoallergenic. This means that there’s always a chance that a certain breed might cause allergic reactions in humans.
However, there are significant differences here. There are some breeds considered like really bad choices for allergy sufferers, and there are some that are recommended to have if you or your family members struggle with allergies.
Luckily, Siberians are the ones that are eligible for people with these problems. In a way, Siberians can be classified as hypoallergenic, as their fur contains less Fel d 1 protein than other breeds, which is a protein responsible for allergy triggering.
Furthermore, it's worth noting once again that Siberians aren't heavy shedders, which is a significant advantage for allergy sufferers.
This doesn’t mean that you’ll be perfectly safe with a Siberian, but it does promise a good chance to live with a furry companion, with minimal chances of having symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and respiratory difficulties as a consequence of a cat allergy.
My advice would still be to spend some time with a Siberain before you finally decide to welcome it to your home – just to be sure how you react to this kitty.
Wrapping It Up
Do Siberians cats shed?
Yes, they do, just like every other breed does. But, considering their long and heavy coats, they don’t shed excessively. The best word to describe their shedding amount is moderate.
Still, some health problems, seasonal changes, and stressful situations can cause a Siberian to shed more than normally. To face this problem, the best idea is to reach out to a veterinarian.
Finally, a Siberian isn’t a high-maintenance breed, as her coat is relatively easy to take care of. Moreover, Siberians can even be considered as hypoallergenic, making it a good choice for individuals that suffer from cat allergies.
