The Lifespan Of Siberian Cat And Factors That Might Affect It

Siberian is a beautiful cat breed with a large body, striking green or green-gold eyes, and a lustrous, triple-layered coat.

The great look isn’t the best thing about this cat, since her personality is something that will just make you fall in love with her! The Siberian is affectionate, gentle, and playful.

She adores her humans, makes special bonds with children, and even tends to get on well with other pets. This cat is ready to adapt to any type of environment.

I’m sure another crucial thing for potential cat owners is knowing the expected health problems and lifespan of their future cat.

Let’s learn all the important information about the lifespan of Siberian cats, and some factors that can affect it.

How Long Are Siberians Expected To Live?

Siberians have an average lifespan in a feline world, typically ranging from 11 to 15 years.

Still, it’s not impossible for this cat to live longer, even up to 18 years! Of course, this requires a bit of luck, but it also necessitates providing the best possible care for your cat.

Also, some Siberians could live shorter than expected, due to health problems, accidents, and injuries.

In any case, what a responsible cat owner should do is ensure his cat has everything she needs inside his home, and that she gets regular veterinary care. 

What Factors Might Affect A Siberian’s Lifespan?

Certain factors in a Siberian cat’s life and surroundings can have an effect on their life expectancy.

Let’s learn a little bit more about each of these factors.

1. Quality Diet

Eating well is important for us and a quality diet can contribute to our general health. Well, the same thing is true for our furry companions.

As Cornell Feline Health Center points out, a cat needs proper nutrition to live a long and healthy life.

Since felines are obligate carnivores, your Siberian’s diet should be based on animal products. This means she should eat a high amount of protein, moderate amount of fat, and a minimal amount of carbohydrates.

Choosing the right diet can be challenging, especially if you’re a novice cat parent. Remember that you can always consult a veterinarian for any doubts regarding anything about your cat’s health.

Sometimes you’ll have to try a couple of different cat foods until you find the one that fits your Siberian the best.

2. Physical And Mental Stimulation

For your Siberian to stay healthy and happy, it’s essential she receives enough physical and mental stimulation.

This means that she should have daily opportunities to run and jump around, play with puzzle toys and even learn tricks, since this is a highly intelligent breed.

The video below shows two amazing Siberians performing tricks to get some treats as a reward!

Another important thing here is the time you spent playing with your cat. According to PetMD, one hour of play increases a cat’s healthy lifespan by four hours.

Also, regular play sessions improves a cat's mental health and decreases the possibility of her developing anxiety and showing destructive behaviors, such as scratching your walls.

3. Living Indoors Vs. Outdoors

Siberians are one of the breeds that can even live outside, since they are resilient and capable of adapting to different climates.

However, to increase your cat's chances of living a longer life, it's advisable to keep her indoors. 

Sarah Tan and her associates [1] explain how cats, while outdoors, are likely to interact with other animals which could potentially increase the risk of disease exposure and transmission. Road traffic accidents are also far more common with outdoor cats.

Of course, there are many benefits to letting your Siberian go outside, such as honing her hunting instincts and getting exercise.

These risks don’t mean that you should never let your cat go outside. But, you should definitely supervise her and don’t let her wander away from your home.

What Health Problems Can Occur In Siberians?

Siberians are a healthy breed in general, but there are certain health issues they are prone to that can affect their lifespan.

Let’s see the five most common health problems in Siberians.

Dental Disease

Siberian cats are prone to developing tooth or gum diseases at some point in their lives.

Prevention is crucial with this health problem. What you should do is brush your cat’s teeth regularly, with a cat toothpaste. You should never use human toothpaste on your pet.

Also, you should occasionally take your Siberian for a professional teeth cleaning, following the instructions of your veterinarian on the recommended frequency.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

This condition occurs when bacteria travels up the cat’s urethra and into her bladder, according to the VCA Animal Hospitals.

Some of the most common symptoms here are a cat trying to urinate frequently, straining to urinate, and crying while peeing. Blood in urine can also be a sign of UTI, according to the cat urine color chart.

This infection in cats is treated with antibiotics. It's worth noting that UTIs are more likely to affect female Siberians and individuals suffering from diabetes.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

The Siberian Cat Health Association points out how HCM is the most commonly diagnosed cardiac disease in cats which causes a thickening of the heart wall.

Some of the most common symptoms that can occur are weakness, difficulty breathing, lethargy, collapsing, and paralysis of the cat’s back legs.

Veterinarians use many different medications as a treatment for this condition, such as clopidogrel, beta blockers, aspirin, spironolactone, etc.

Polycystic Kidney Disease

Some Siberians could also develop Polycystic Kidney Disease, which is a condition characterized by chronic renal failure, leading to irreversible kidney failure.

There isn’t a specific cure for this disease. 

Cats diagnosed with it can only be prescribed with supportive life care, and potentially potassium supplements or IV fluids.

Cancers

Hereditary cancer can occur in white Siberians. This isn’t very common, but it’s still worth mentioning because it could affect this cat’s life expectancy.

Some of the common clinical signs here are lumps under a cat’s skin, weight loss, lack of energy, and poor appetite.

Of course, these symptoms are pretty general, so, it’s necessary to take a Siberian to a vet’s for thorough examination.

Cancers in felines can be treated with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or even surgery.

Conclusion

The Siberian cat’s lifespan can be described as an average cat’s lifespan, since it’s estimated to be from 11 to 15 years. 

There are some crucial factors that can affect how long your cat will live. Some of them are feeding her with a quality diet, providing her with physical and mental stimulation, and keeping her indoors.

Still, health problems like Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Polycystic Kidney Disease, or cancers could also affect this cat’s lifespan.

In many cases, as a cat parent, you may not have direct control over the course of your cat's illness. But, there is still something you can and should do.

Taking your cat for regular vet check-ups even when she seems to be completely healthy means taking care of her well-being. This can also greatly contribute to her life expectancy.

Finally, no matter how long you get to enjoy the company of your wonderful Siberian cat, make sure this period is filled with wonderful memories!

References:

Read Next: Do Siberian Cats Shed And Are They A High-maintenance Breed?