30.08.2022

Ideal Siberian cat weight and how to maintain it

It could be hard not to give in to the gentle chirping next to a food bowl, but being firm about the portions you feed your Siberian cat is crucial. Obesity is the most common health issue plaguing domesticated felines, especially those living indoors.

Since Siberians are a bit larger than your average cat and quite muscular and strong, it's easy to cross the line between a healthy weight and a few extra pounds. Unfortunately, excess weight can seriously harm your kitty's health.

Untamed explains what the ideal Siberian cat weight is and how to manage it with proper diet and exercise, so your feline friend can live a long and happy life.

What is the average adult Siberian cat weight?

Initially, Siberian cats used to be larger and weighed around 9 kg or even more. Nowadays, these felines are significantly smaller. According to the breed standards, this is how much Siberian cats should weigh on average:

When do Siberian cats stop growing?

The greatest appeal of Siberian cats is that they remain kitten-like for years.

Source: Ali Khalil

A feline’s weight changes significantly as they grow. Keep in mind that Siberian cats mature slowly. Most of them reach their approximate full size around year two, but some kitties continue to grow and develop until they are four or five. It's where they significantly differ from most other breeds, which reach their full size by the age of two. Because of the long growth period, Siberians remain kitten-like for a long time and are a lot of fun to be around.

It is also worth noting that desexed Siberians tend to grow larger. While most other felines struggle with weight, especially neutered males, Siberians don't get fatter when sterilised (provided they are adequately fed and get enough physical activity).

Siberian cat growth stages

We can divide a Siberian cat's growth into four stages:

1. Kittenhood
2. Adolescence
3. Adulthood
4. Senior age

Kittenhood

Siberian kittens grow fast. Although your kitty will reach maturity when they are four or five, the most significant changes happen until they are 18 months old. You can also expect their growth to be sudden, and your Siberian will get much bigger than most other kittens very quickly.

You should monitor how your kitty progresses to ensure everything is on the right track. At birth, kittens typically weigh 2–3% of their mother’s weight and gain around 10% of their birth weight every day.

Siberian kittens should normally gain around 500–750 grams per month.

Adolescence

It’s impossible to say with certainty when your Siberian will get into the moody teenager phase, but you can expect it to happen around the age of three or four, later than other breeds. Although they will have gained most of their adult weight by this time, many Siberians will continue to grow bigger and stronger.

You will know your Siberian is at that difficult age when they start:

• Being restless at night
• Exhibiting new and weird behaviour
• Pushing boundaries

Adulthood

Siberian cats seem to behave like kittens for a long time, then gradually become teenagers, and then turn into adults overnight. That doesn't change their general personality. Once they reach adulthood, you can expect your Siberian to be less immature and change their behaviour slightly, but they will always remain cuddly and friendly to everyone.

Developing a strong bond with your kitty, teaching them boundaries, and socialising them in kittenhood will ensure your companion is cooperative and pleasant at any life stage.

At this stage, when they have finally stopped growing, your Siberian will reach their adult weight. 

Senior age

When your Siberian cat reaches old age, they may lose some weight. It can happen due to underlying health problems, such as hyperthyroidism or kidney disease, but it's usually because they start losing muscle tone.

Older felines tend to eat less, so feeding them a high-quality diet packed with all the essential nutrients is crucial.

How to know if your Siberian cat is overweight?

I’m fluffy, not fat.

Source: Sami Aksu

If your Siberian cat is happy and healthy, they probably won’t be overweight. You can check your kitty for fat rolls around their body. Keep in mind that Siberian cats often have a pouch on their tummies drooping slightly under their torso. While that is normal, this pouch shouldn't feel like it's full of fat.

Siberians are stocky and muscular and can seem too big even to vets that don’t have enough experience with this breed. Put your feline companion on a diet if:

• You can't feel the ribs or the spine
• If you have to press to feel the ribcage, your Siberian is probably slightly overweight
• If you can't feel the ribcage even when you press, your Siberian is obese and must lose weight 
• Fat deposits are visible at the base of the tail
• Their waistline is invisible when observed from above

What are the main causes of obesity in Siberian cats?

Many factors can cause weight problems, including:

• Lack of exercise—Although Siberians remain playful and active for a long time, once they reach adulthood, they often slow down and need encouragement to exercise
• Medical problems—If your kitty requires particular medication, weight gain may be the side effect. Some drugs can lower your feline's metabolic rate or increase their appetite. Particular illnesses, such as Cushing's disease, can also cause weight gain
• Free feeding—Some kitties have superb self-control—others, not so much. If your Siberian cat doesn't know when they should stop eating, controlled portions at pre-set times are necessary
• Too many snacks—Felines love snacks, but kitty candies are often full of calories, so don’t treat your furry friend to high-calorie snacks every day
• Poor diet choices—Cat food containing excess carbs in the form of grains, vegetables, and fruit is the primary culprit behind feline obesity. Cats don't need other ingredients in their meals besides lean meat or fish

How to help your Siberian cat stay at a healthy weight

You can manage your Siberian cat's weight with:

1. Exercise
2. A proper diet

Encourage your Siberian to exercise

Do I have to work out now? I don’t feel like getting up!

Source: Ivan Babydov

Siberian cats are surprisingly athletic and love showing off their sporting prowess. Even when they are young and playful, you must provide them with a sturdy cat condo that can support their weight and size while jumping and climbing. When your kitty gets older, encouraging them to stay active becomes crucial.

Cats love to hunt, climb, chase, and run, so stimulate those instincts by providing toys, such as:

• Laser pointers
• Moving mice
• Balls
• Teaser toys 

Don’t forget that toys cannot replace your attention, so spend at least 30 minutes playing with your Siberian every day.

Food puzzles are also fantastic because they:

• Enable cognitive stimulation 
• Prevent binge-eating
• Keep your Siberian physically involved
• Are more fun

Choose high-quality protein-based food

Your Siberian cat will stay healthy, active, and fit if you feed them meals consisting of:

• Loads of animal protein—Meat and fish are the best sources of essential amino acids, such as taurine, arginine, and lysine. Cats need them to grow and develop properly, maintain stable energy levels, and keep their digestive system healthy. Felines also get all the necessary vitamins and minerals from meat and fish
• Moderate amounts of animal fat—Fat is necessary because it delivers healthy fatty acids, crucial for coat and skin health, cell integrity, immune system, etc. It also adds a delicious taste to cat food
• Moisture—Hydration is critical for all bodily functions and digestion. Since cats don't have a strong drinking drive, they must hydrate through food. Feed your Siberian wet food, which contains much more moisture (78%) than dry food (around 10%)

How can Untamed help keep your Siberian's weight in check?

Untamed delivers all your Siberian cat needs to stay at a healthy weight.

Image (c) Untamed

If you are looking for high-quality, delicious cat food your picky Siberian won't refuse, try Untamed. Our tasty meals check all the boxes of healthy feline nutrition.

Every Untamed meal is:

• Packed with animal protein exclusively—Our dishes contain twice as much animal protein as the industry standard. We also use only the best-quality whole meat and fish and avoid ingredients that shouldn't be in cat food because they cause stomach problems and allergic reactions. You won’t find the following in Untamed dishes:
• Grains (rice, wheat, corn, sweetcorn, soya)
• Vegetables (peas, carrots, broccoli, beans, green beans, pumpkin, potatoes, and sweet potatoes)
• Dairy (milk, cheese, yoghurt)
• Eggs or eggshells
• Sugar
• Additives, artificial colourants, taste enhancers, etc.
• Formulated in collaboration with vets—We wanted to make sure nothing in our dishes can cause digestive problems or food allergies. Untamed created complete and balanced food suitable for kitties at all life stages
• Irresistibly delicious—Our meals are fussy cat-approved. Gentle steaming keeps all the nutrients locked together with the natural aroma and texture but destroys harmful pathogens

What to expect from Untamed?

Many cat parents shared with us the fantastic improvements they witnessed once their kitties started eating Untamed.

Check out how our diet can affect your Siberian in the table below:

How to order?

Ordering cat food online couldn't be easier with Untamed. You can get your first trial pack and become a member of the Untamed clowder in three simple steps:

1. Go to our Try Now page
2. Share some details about your Siberian cat
3. Choose the products you like and place your order

Your tailor-made starter pack will arrive in a day. Once your Siberian samples all the delicacies and decides whether they prefer gravies or jellies, we can ensure you never run out of fresh and healthy meals for your furry companion.