How to Buy a Siberian Forest Cat

The Siberian Forest Cat, more commonly referred to as the Siberian is the largest long-haired domesticated cat in the world. This breed hails from Russia. He prefers to live in cold climates. It wasn't until the fall of the Soviet Union that cats were really allowed to be kept as pets so finding pedigree Siberians is difficult and expensive.This breed wasn't brought to America until 1990, so only a few specialized breeders will have them. Siberian Forest Cats are quickly gaining in popularity. They are very loving and affectionate, playful, live well around other animals and children, and are uniformly in good health and long lived. One thing to remember is that this cat is programmed to survive well on its own, and they like to roam. You still want one. I know it. Here you will find how you can buy one of your own.

How To Prepare For A Siberian Forest Cat
Step 1:
Go out and purchase a litter box, good cat litter, food bowls, water bowls, and a good supply of pet food. Dry food is best to give daily with the occasional can of cat food for a treat. Such things are available in any supermarket, though a pet supply store will likely have a better selection. You'll want to get food specifically made for the cat you have in mind. If you want an adult, don't get it kitten chow, and vice versa.

Step 2:
Find a room or part of the house that can be sectioned off. When getting a new cat it will need some time to acclimatize to its new surroundings. To do this make a little room for it to live in for a few days until it calms down and gets used to your presence. A small bathroom works best.

Step 3:
Place the food and water bowls, the litter box, and a nest made from an old basket or a bunk of old clean towels in the cat's new room. With this done you're ready to go and buy yourself and Siberian Forest Cat

How To Buy A Siberian Forest Cat
Step 1:
Check the local newspaper for any local listings for cat breeders. In small towns finding a Siberian breeder isn't likely, but in large cities there's a good chance there'll be at least one. If you happen to find one make sure to ask the breeder to see their license to breed and sell animals; such licenses are required throughout all the US.

Step 2:
If you find a cat you like and negotiate on a price, make sure to receive a bill of sale from the breeder as well as a cat carrier, the breeder should have plenty of these. Then take the animal directly to a veterinarian.

Step 3:
From the breeder take the cat immediately to a veterinarian for a checkup. I'm sad to say that many animal breeders put the animals in very poor living conditions with bad food and dirty water. This combined with a lack of sanitation and close living conditions means a cat that looks healthy may in fact be very sick. It's heartbreaking that such an animal be treated like this, but there are situations were you have to get a refund from the breeder should the animal be incurably sick. If the cat can be treated then it's legally the breeder's obligation to pay for the animal's medical costs. If the cat is sick then you should ask the veterinarian about how to go about reporting the animal breeder for what accounts to a negligent criminal act.

Step 4:
If the cat has no health problems, make sure to have it get its shots and vaccinations. You may also want to consider having the cat spayed or neutered, as it’s the more responsible thing to do.

Step 5:
Take the cat home and put it in the room you've prepared for it for at least three days. It may be very hard to resist the urge to pet and play with your new pet, but the cat needs to understand that its new environment is safe, and that can't happen if you or others intrude on it often. What you can do is go into the cat's room each day at the same time. Clean the litter box, give it fresh food and water, and let it get used to you. If the animal approaches you and rubs against you leg or wants to be petted in some way then it’s alright to pet the cat, but do not be the one to initiate contact. It will likely become skittish.

Step 6:
When the animal is acclimatized, let it out of its room to roam the house. Any cat, especially one as curious as the Siberian will look over every inch of its new home. Take the time to move the litter box, food, and water dish to somewhere in the house convenient for both you and the cat. make sure that cat closely watches you move the bowls so it will know where to find them in the house. Siberians are very smart, they'll make the connection.

Step 7:
The next step will be to housetrain your cat, Siberian Forest Cats are a very outgoing outdoor kinda cat and will prefer to walk outside to do its business in the yard. If you live in a house with a yard then that's great. You don't have to worry about buying litter or cleaning the cat box. If you live in an apartment then this can be a problem. If the cat can't be let out it will look for a place to go discretely in a corner somewhere. This can lead to some nasty surprises. Should this happen simply bring the cat over to wherever it had its accident, place the litter box in the exact same spot, and place the cat in the litter box. This may take several tries but they will eventually get the message.

Step 8:
Think about training the cat in social interaction. The Siberian is an energetic cat that likes to play, and a big cat's idea of playing may involve the rough and tumble use of its claws. It's how litter-mates play as kittens. To dissuade the cat from using its claws you will want to issue a stern "NO" and tap it lightly on the top of the head with two fingers when it does this. This is not harmful to the cat but is an unpleasant sensation. The cat will learn quickly to associate using its claws with being tapped on the head. If this proves ineffective use a spray bottle filled with water. They hate that.

How To Purchase A Siberian Forest Cat Online
Step 1:
If you cannot find a good or trustworthy cat breeder locally, the internet may be your next best option. Search for 'Siberian Cat Breeders". I find that http://www.siberian-cat.net/ is particularly good, though the choice is ultimately up to you.

Step 2:
Make sure to check the breeder's references before contacting one. I find that www.breederinfocenter.com is a great site that provides reliable information about a breeder as well as reviews given by previous buyers. It's possible to actually order a cat from Russia, they will be of a purer genetic stock than those cats that've been interbred in this country. You might also get it for a better price than you would from an American cattery, but you'll end up paying a great deal more in shipping costs, so it evens out. You're greatest difficulty here will be finding the time to talk with a Russian cat breeder. If you don't understand the written Cyrillic language and they don't understand the English alphabet then your only option is to speak by phone. Assuming you can speak Russian or the breeder can speak English, you'll still have between a nine and eleven hour time difference, so finding a time to call when its convenient for both of you will be difficult.

Step 3:
Make your cat selection and use your credit card to order the kitty you want. You will have to pay extra in shipping and handling because a live animal is being transported. You should also receive a bill of sale and documentation of the cat's vaccinations.

Step 4:
When your new pet arrives put it in the room you've prepared for it for at least three days. It may be very hard to resist the urge to pet and play with your new pet, but the cat needs to understand that its new environment is safe, and that can't happen if you or others intrude on it often. What you can do is go into the cat's room each day at the same time. Clean the litter box, give it fresh food and water, and let it get used to you. If the animal approaches you and rubs against you leg or wants to be petted in some way then it’s alright to pet the cat, but do not be the one to initiate contact. It will likely become skittish.

Step 5:
When the animal is acclimatized, let it out of its room to roam the house. Any cat, especially one as curious as the Siberian will look over every inch of its new home. Take the time to move the litter box, food, and water dish to somewhere in the house convenient for both you and the cat. make sure that cat closely watches you move the bowls so it will know where to find them in the house. Siberians are very smart, they'll make the connection.

Step 6:
The next step will be to housetrain your cat, Siberian Forest Cats are a very outgoing outdoor kinda cat and will prefer to walk outside to do its business in the yard. If you live in a house with a yard then that's great. You don't have to worry about buying litter or cleaning the cat box. If you live in an apartment then this can be a problem. If the cat can't be let out it will look for a place to go discretely in a corner somewhere. This can lead to some nasty surprises. Should this happen simply bring the cat over to wherever it had its accident, place the litter box in the exact same spot, and place the cat in the litter box. This may take several tries but they will eventually get the message.

Step 7:
Think about training the cat in social interaction. The Siberian is an energetic cat that likes to play, and a big cat's idea of playing may involve the rough and tumble use of its claws. It's how litter-mates play as kittens. To dissuade the cat from using its claws you will want to issue a stern "NO" and tap it lightly on the top of the head with two fingers when it does this. This is not harmful to the cat but is an unpleasant sensation. The cat will learn quickly to associate using its claws with being tapped on the head. If this proves ineffective use a spray bottle filled with water. They hate that.

Tips & Warnings
This species does not produce the FEL D1 chemical that most people are allergic to; as such Siberians are one of the only hypo allergenic cats in the world. Only pedigree Siberians were ever sent to America, their breeding was closely monitored too, so you're not likely to find one in your local animal shelter.
Siberians are very energetic and strong cats don't purchase one unless you have a lot of room, indoors and out, to let them roam. Though mildly independent, they also have a strong need to feel like a valued member of the family; as such don't buy one unless you can provide it with several hours of attention per day.