Siberian cats are the cats of Russia, originating from the taiga in Siberia. They are long-haired cats accustomed to forested areas in a subarctic climate, so they have a thick double coat.
Siberians are known for being quite a large cat, but what about when they are compared to other common domestic cat breeds? How do they shape up, and which ones are the best choices for a family or companionship?
Stats for a Siberian Cat
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A Siberian Cat’s average size is between 8 and 17 pounds, with the males typically weighing slightly more than the females. They measure about 17 to 25 inches in length from the tip of their nose to their tail.
On average, Siberian cats live between 11 to 18 years. Their genetic health plays a large part in this, as well as their diet and activity level as they grow older. They are a glamorous cat with beautiful fur color and patterns and green or blue eyes that glow with mischief and fun.
Siberian cats originated from Russia more than 1,000 years ago and often played a role in Russian folktales. They weren’t imported into the United States until 1990 and were only officially recognized by the International Cat Association in 1996. They have a reputation for being hypoallergenic, which isn’t always the case, but this has helped them gain popularity.
Are Siberian Cats Bigger Than …
Maine Coons?
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Maine Coon cats are more massive than Siberians. Maine Coon cats are the largest breeds of domesticated cats that you can find, particularly in North America.
Maine Coon cats weigh an average of 18 pounds and are typically at least 3 feet long from nose to tail. Although Siberians can be similar in size, they are not as average. Siberians weigh up to 17 pounds, and their average size is quite a bit smaller.
Siberians and Maine Coons both make lovely family pets, though. Both of them are lovable and tend to have quirky personalities. They are highly social and enjoy being around other animals, making them suitable matches for homes with more animals.
Norwegian Forest Cats?
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Another cat breed imported from a cold region of the world that has snowballed in popularity is the Norwegian Forest cat. They share many of the same personality characteristics as lovable, larger cats. However, their size difference is the most noticeable when comparing their typical character traits.
The Siberian cat is noticeably larger than a Norwegian Forest cat on average, although sizeable Norwegian Forest cats can look similar in size to small Siberians.
The average size of a Norwegian Forest cat is anywhere from 9 to 16 pounds, with males being somewhat larger than females typically. They are long animals with large bushy tails. They are between 12 and 18 inches in length from tip to tail.
Ragdoll Cats?
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Ragdoll cats are another large domesticated cat breed. They are typically bigger than Siberian cats, with the females weighing about the same as male Siberians.
A fully grown Ragdoll can weigh anywhere from 8 to 20 pounds or more, depending upon their heritage and diet. Excluding their tail, a Ragdoll still measures 17 to 21 inches from the tip of their nose.
These cats are easily recognized due to their color-point coat. They are soft cream throughout most of their body, with a brown mask and brown, pointed ears. They are also well-known for their blue eyes. These cats have a similar affectionate nature as the Maine Coon cat.
British Shorthair Cats?
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British Shorthair cats are another large breed among domesticated cats. However, these cats tend to be longer and thinner than other cats. British Shorthair cats are longer than typical Siberians, measuring about 22 to 25 inches, excluding the tail.
They are often less bulky than a Siberian, though. British Shorthairs weigh anywhere from 7 to 17 pounds, putting them longer and less heavy than a Siberian cat.
Siamese Cats?
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Siamese cats are not known for their size or their friendly natures. They are thought to be quite moody and an overall handful when it comes to pleasing them. However, their beauty is often why people are so drawn to them, since they have remarkable coats and angular faces.
Siamese cats are much smaller than Siberian cats. They have an average length of 11 to 14 inches long and only weigh between 8 and 10 pounds. They are thought to be a small to medium-sized breed and have much more aristocratic features than the strong, robust bodies of the Siberian.
Savannah Cat?
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A Savannah cat is a beautiful, almost leopard-like cat with a coat of spots on their back and neck and with rings around their legs. They are a medium to large breed cat that can be quite large the closer in the line they are to the Savannah cat’s original species.
F1 to F2 Savannahs weigh between 12 and 24 pounds and measure 16 to 20 inches from their nose. They tower above many other breeds at around 18 inches tall.
Once you get to the F3 to F6 Savannah cats, they are only medium-sized at about 13-17 inches in length and weighing around 10 pounds. Less than an F6, and you simply have a Domestic Shorthair cat.
Whatever generation they are, Savannahs are still slightly smaller on average than a Siberian, although they do tend to be taller if they’re an F1 or F2 generation.
Are Siberian Cats Good Family Cats?
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If you are basing your choice for a cat breed partially on their size, then it is good to know that Siberian cats are a large breed, but not the largest domestic cat breed in North America.
Christian is the Editor-in-Chief of Excited Cats and one of its original and primary contributors. A lifelong cat lover, now based in South East Asia, Christian and his wife are the proud parents of an 11-year-old son and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
