Owning a cat can be very pleasurable, but owning a Siberian cat is a very rewarding, life changing experience. Although the Siberian cat is a very old breed, it is fairly new to our country having been imported by myself in 2003. Siberians are a natural breed.

They are Russia's native cats and come from the unforgiving climate of Siberia. Siberian Cats first appeared in recorded history around the year 1000. Russian farmers and trades people were the primary people who cared for the Siberians. Siberian Cats were needed to protect grain and other products from small varmints, as Russia was an agricultural country. Shopkeepers in Moscow were known to compete with each other over whose cat was the biggest and thickest. Russian people like cats and most children in Russia grew up with a kitten and the favorite cats were the Siberian cats. Siberian cats even existed in Russian Fairy tales.

Siberian Cats are very personable and want to be near their owners. They will meet you at the door when you come home and explain their day to you. They love to sit in your lap and be groomed.

A favourite game of mine is to find something and bring it to me for me to throw so they can play fetch. All types of toys intrigue them and they will play with just about anything. Another thing that mine are intrigued with is the moving cursor on the computer screen. You will need to shut the door of your computer room if you want to get any typing done. If you own a Siberian you will never be alone.

They will watch TV with you, go to the bathroom with you, try to take a shower or bath with you, and then go to bed with you. And if you are trying to do something, they will insist on helping. Reading a newspaper, book, or magazine is next to impossible. In some ways they are like Gypsies, if they like something, they will take it and play with it and in the process, it will be lost. You can find toys and stolen items under every piece of furniture in my home.

The Siberian cat is also known for being hypoallergenic to many people. Although it has not been proven medically or scientifically, many people adamantly believe that the Siberian is hypoallergenic. They believe this because they are living proof. After living decades of being allergic to cats, I have seen adults so excited because these loving cats have climbed all over them and they had no allergic reactions. Many people that are allergic to cats have found that they can tolerate the Siberian and have little or no reaction to them. This is a cat-by-cat, person-by-person concept. If you are allergic to cats and want to try to see if you are allergic to Siberians, it is best to find someone near you with a Siberian or two so that you can spend a few hours with one and find out how you react. Personally, I have had very good luck with placing Siberians in allergy homes. About 85 percent of the people that come out to test have little or no reaction. Of these that have gotten a kitten, no one has had a problem having a Siberian or two in their home. There are no guarantees, but there is hope for allergy sufferers.

The Siberian is a medium-large cat with the overall appearance of excellent physical condition, strength, power and alertness, modified by a sweet facial expression. The general impression of the body is one of circles and roundness rather than rectangles and triangles, and taking as long as 5 years to reach full maturity. Females are considerable smaller than males. Their coat is semi-long, very dense and come in all colors. Their eyes vary in color from gold to green and all shades in-between.