The Siberian is a large, strong, semi-longhaired cat with a thick, water-resistant triple coat. Siberians are playful and agile, and they mature slowly, often not reaching full size until they’re about 5 years old. Here’s how to feed a Siberian kitten and adult cat.
Does a Siberian Cat Need Special Food?
No cat breed needs a special food to be healthy. Like any cat, a Siberian needs a complete and balanced food (labeled as meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles in the US, or as a “complete” food under FEDIAF guidelines in the UK) that suits its age, weight, activity and health. Some brands make breed-specific foods, and they can be a convenient choice, but a good-quality complete food for the right life stage works just as well. Because Siberians have a long, thick coat, a food that supports healthy skin and coat, with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and helps with hairballs can be useful.
Feeding a Siberian Kitten
Siberian kittens grow steadily for a long time and need a high-quality kitten food rich in protein and energy. Because they grow so slowly, it’s important not to overfeed them: aim for steady growth, not a chubby kitten.
- when you bring your kitten home, keep feeding the food it ate at the breeder or shelter for the first week or two, then switch gradually;
- feed a complete kitten food (or an “all life stages” food) until about 12 months old (ask your vet whether your cat would benefit from staying on it a little longer);
- kittens under 6 months usually need three to four meals a day; from 6 months, two to three meals a day is usually enough;
- always provide fresh water;
- don’t give cow’s milk, which can cause diarrhea.
Read more about feeding a kitten.
Feeding an Adult Siberian
Adult Siberians are active and muscular, but neutered cats can still gain weight. Siberians shed heavily, especially in spring and autumn, so regular brushing combined with a diet that helps with hairballs can reduce the amount of hair they swallow. Read more about hairball cat food.
- feed measured portions, using the feeding guide on the pack as a starting point, and adjust to keep your cat at a healthy weight (you should be able to feel the ribs easily);
- include some wet food every day to help with hydration and urinary health;
- keep treats to no more than 10% of daily calories;
- weigh your cat regularly and see your vet for an annual checkup;
- if your cat has been spayed or neutered, its calorie needs will be lower. Read more about feeding a spayed cat and a neutered male cat.
Health Issues and Diet
- Hairballs, because of the long, dense coat.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a heart disease, can occur in the breed. Responsible breeders screen for it.
- Obesity in less active or neutered cats. Read more about obesity in cats.
If your cat has a health condition, your vet may recommend a specific or prescription diet. Don’t give supplements or change to a prescription diet without your vet’s advice, and see your vet if your cat’s appetite, weight, thirst, stools or coat change.
What About Homemade Food?
Homemade diets are very difficult to balance and are often missing essential nutrients, such as taurine and calcium. If you want to feed homemade food, use a recipe formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Never feed your cat foods that are toxic to cats. Read more: foods cats should never eat.
Read more about the Siberian breed and what to feed a cat.
