Superior Siberian Behavior

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The Siberian’s heart is as warm as his homeland is cold. He loves people and wants to be near them, so expect this affectionate cat to follow you around, including to the bathroom, and to “help” you with all of your reading, TV viewing, computer work and meal prep. Sitting in your lap while you comb his fur may well be the highlight of his day. When you come home from work, he might not have a martini waiting, but he will be pleased to tell you all about his day in quiet, pleasant trills and chirps, interspersed with a few meows and purrs. Guests will find him to be a genial host; this is not typically a cat who is shy in the presence of strangers.

Besides being loving and attentive, the Siberian is also active and playful. He will instigate games of fetch by bringing you a favorite toy to throw. Any item can become a plaything for this clever cat, so keep jewelry or other potentially intriguing items out of his sight. Teaching him tricks is a fun and easy way to challenge his agile brain.

Because of his heritage as a forest dweller, he likes playing with water—perhaps it’s a genetic memory of going fishing for his supper. Don’t be surprised if he enjoys splashing you in the tub, drinking from a fountain or faucet, or making puddles by batting his paw in his water dish. As befits a working and hunting cat, he’s highly athletic and you may find him balancing atop a doorway or propelling himself to the highest point in the room. In fact, Siberian coaches may well be the secret to the success of Russian gymnasts.

Activity and noise won’t bother him a bit. His calm nature gives him the potential to be a therapy cat. If nothing else, he will be happy to snuggle with you when you’re down with a cold or other illness. And although he loves attention, he’s not needy and will wait patiently until you have time to devote to him.

There are very few animals that make purring sounds, but these small breeds of cats do. Smaller breeds of cats, such as lions and tigers, do not make purring sounds. Researchers have been studying the cause and purpose of this mystical sound for decades. What differentiates a purr from other vocal sounds is that it is produced during the entire respiratory cycle (that is, inhaling and exhaling as well). While air moves across the vocal cords by oscillating these muscles, a distinct sound is created.

The purpose of purring, according to a number of behaviorists, was to let a kitten know that everything is fine with its mother. Purring became a universal signal of contentment between mother and kitten because a kitten cannot meow (exhale while meowing) during nursing. Purring is often seen as a means of communication, as older cats purr when they play, approach other cats, and even when they are distressed, afraid, or ill.

Cats are predatory animals, hunting is hard-wired into cats chase and roam. Whether your cats gaze is aimed at a gazelle in the African Savannah or at your new feather toy in the living room, these activities require a great deal of energy. The cat must spend more than 15 hours a day sleeping to make up for its fierce predatory lifestyle. As crepuscular animals, they are most active at dawn and dusk, so their days are devoted to storing energy. 

When a cat rubs their cheeks against your hand, the doorway, furniture, or other objects around the house they are essentially marking their territory. Cats have scent glands around their mouth, chin, and cheeks that leave behind their unique scent when rubbed. This behavior is known as “bunting.” 

Cats rely heavily on their strong sense of smell to give them information about food, prey, and their general surroundings. When a cat sniffs your face, they’re simply trying to commit your scent to memory. It helps them build trust and familiarity, so let your cat sniff away! 

You may have noticed your cat studying you from afar, with a relaxed gaze and a slow-motion blink. When your cat slow-blinks, they’re telling you they are comfortable in your presence and enjoy your company. You can return the gesture by slowing shutting your eyes and opening them. 

When it comes to showing affection, our feline friends don’t hold back. Some cats like to butt their heads against your hand or face to ask for attention or head scratches. This is a friendly and loving gesture between cat and human, and means your cat is in the mood to be social. 

Also known as “making biscuits,” cats sometimes make a kneading gesture with their front paws. This behavior has its roots in kittens’ activity when nursing, and it can be comforting and calming to cats of any age. It used to be believed that this behavior was a sign the cat was weaned from their mother too soon, but there is little evidence to support this. 

Cats are known for their excellent hunting abilities, and although housecats no longer need these skills to feed themselves, their instinct to hunt is still strong. It’s not uncommon for cats to bring their humans the remains of a dead (or live!) rodent or bird. If your cat does this, it’s because they are trying to mother you or teach you to hunt. 

Cats are known for their excellent hunting abilities, and although housecats no longer need these skills to feed themselves, their instinct to hunt is still strong. It’s not uncommon for cats to bring their humans the remains of a dead (or live!) rodent or bird. If your cat does this, it’s because they are trying to mother you or teach you to hunt. 

A cat is at their most vulnerable state when lying with an upturned belly and legs spread out. Lying belly up means your cat is comfortable, relaxed, and trusting. When they lie in this position, they are saying, “I feel safe around you.” Flopping down and rolling over at your feet might also be an invitation for petting or snuggles. 

Cats aren’t always so If your cat snuggles up to you and wraps their tail around you, he or she is giving you a hug!