Siberian
Siberians are one of the better choices for a family with children. Expect a big cat that is moderately active, sheds heavily and needs regular brushing. It is a committed lap animal, so expect company whether or not you asked for it.
The numbers
| Typical adult weight | Males 12–18 lb, females 8–12 lb at full size (about three years) |
|---|
Sources: Cat Fanciers’ Association.
What Siberians are actually like
Day to day. Moderately active — a couple of proper play sessions a day and somewhere to climb keeps this one content.
The coat, honestly. This breed sheds heavily and needs regular brushing. A brush a few times a week and the occasional tidy-up keeps it in good order.
Company and noise. This one is a committed lap animal and fairly chatty. Expect it on your lap, your keyboard and your chest at six in the morning — a cat bred for closeness does not negotiate.
Get one if…
- You want a cat that will put up with being picked up by a child
- You like the idea of a genuinely large cat and have the floor space for it
- You want an animal that actually sits on you, not just near you
Think again if…
- You cannot live with hair on the sofa, the car and your clothes
- You want a pet that entertains itself while you get on with things
- A surprise vet bill would be a real problem this year
- A shelter cat would do everything this one does for a fraction of the price
- You are short on floor space — a big cat needs a big litter tray and a sturdy cat tree
What it costs to keep one
Rough running cost: $$$ (one of the pricier cats on our list) — because it is a big cat, so food, medicines and anaesthetics all cost more.
Those are relative bands, not live prices. For real numbers across every pet we cover, see the pet cost study and the cost calculator.
Looking for one? Start at a shelter
Rescues do have Siberians and Siberian crosses, usually adults whose size, coat and temperament you can see rather than guess at.
Often compared with
❓ Common questions about Siberians
Is a Siberian good with kids?
Yes — Siberians have a strong reputation with children. As with any animal, an adult should supervise young kids and the cat together, and children need to learn to leave it alone while it eats or sleeps.
Do Siberians shed a lot?
Yes — heavily, and all year. If hair on the sofa and in the car would bother you, this is not the breed.
Can a Siberian be left alone during the day?
Less happily than most cats. This breed was bred for close human company and tends to be vocal and unsettled when the house is empty all day — two cats together suits it far better than one alone.
Is a Siberian a good first cat?
Yes — this is one of the easier-going breeds for a family new to cats.
Should I get a Siberian?
Siberians suit a home that keeps to a routine, is happy to be climbed on, and can live with the hair. Meet the cat itself before deciding. Get one if: You want a cat that will put up with being picked up by a child; You like the idea of a genuinely large cat and have the floor space for it; You want an animal that actually sits on you, not just near you. Think again if: You cannot live with hair on the sofa, the car and your clothes; You want a pet that entertains itself while you get on with things; A surprise vet bill would be a real problem this year; A shelter cat would do everything this one does for a fraction of the price; You are short on floor space — a big cat needs a big litter tray and a sturdy cat tree.
📚 Where this comes from
We check our care advice against vets, animal charities, and government health guidance. Here is what this page is built on.
Vets, charities & official guidance
- Breed profiles — The Cat Fanciers' Association
- Lovely lilies and curious cats — FDA
- Indoor and house cats — Blue Cross
- Cats — CDC Healthy Pets, Healthy People
- Feeding growing kittens — VCA Animal Hospitals
- Declawing position statement — Feline Veterinary Medical Association
Keeper & species-community guides
Checked August 2026. These are other people’s websites, and none of it replaces your own vet — if a pet seems unwell, call one.