Siberian vs Don Sphynx - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Of Rusian origin, the Don Sphynx is an interesting looking, hairless breed. The cat came about in 1987 when a hairless cat was seen in Rostov-on-Don, a Russian city.

Cat breeder Elena Kovaleva rescued the kitten and it was at about 4 months of age that the kitten began to lose its hair. Later it was mated with a local tomcat and produced kittens which became the founding stock of the Donskoy breed.

The cat breed was recognized by the World Cat Federation in 1997 as well as the International Cat Association later on in 2005.

The beautiful Siberian cat originated from Russia, a very cold area which explains his thick coat.

This is a natural variety of domestic cat. It is an ancient breed and it is believed that it is ancestral to all modern long-haired cats.

The Siberian is the national cat of Russia. The cat first arrived in the United States in 1990.

The Don Sphynx is a medium-sized cat known for its large ears and its long, webbed toes.

Their weight can be anything from 3 to 6 kg It’s a hairless cat but has different skin types that come in different shades – Flock, Rubber Bald, Velour and Brush.

The cat has this dominant hair loss gene that causes the coat they have at birth to thin and fall out. In fact, on close inspection, you’ll find that the cat isn’t entirely hairless but has a very fine layer of fuzz. The skin can be oily and the cat requires bathing fairly regularly.

These particular cats are also more susceptible to the cold and to sunburn. The legs of this cat are long and slender and they have a bit of a bow-legged appearance to them, but this is because of the barrel chest. The tail is long and hard.

Temperament:

These rare cats make excellent pets because they have all the characteristics needed that make them companionable. They are loving, companionable and playful. These are also intelligent, exploring cats which means you’ll need to provide them with games and toys that can keep them occupied.

They’re good with children and other pets and are even good for first-time cat owners. Breeders of these cats will tell you that they are even-tempered and amicable. They are gentle towards children and other pets.

Most of the time the cat has a calm demeanor but is highly sociable. As an entertainer too – he will do anything to get a laugh out of his human family.

The Siberian is a medium to large-sized cat that weighs between 3 and 7kg. They are known to be excellent jumpers.

It is a powerfully built cat with large paws and a full tail. The ears are medium in size with large round eyes. The cat has a slight arch to its back as the hind legs are a bit longer than the front legs.

The glossy coat is in three layers to protect it from extreme weather conditions. It comes in different colors such as tortoiseshell, colorpoint, tabby, and solid. He sheds a couple of times a year.

Temperament:

The Siberian cat is highly affectionate with family and playful too. In spite of that, he also loves curling up close to where his humans are.

This friendly cat will want to follow you and be where you are. They’re intelligent and can be taught a few tricks. Because they’re athletic, it will be a good idea to buy him a climbing tree as he loves to leap up to a perch and watch things going on. He gets on well with children and other pets.

The sphynx cat is an energetic feline that absolutely loves the attention of its human owners. In fact, he will even be willing to show off to get some kind of reaction from his humans.

This is certainly a cat that has a sense of humor. They’re friendly, loving cats who like to even follow you around the house to be where you are. They are loving and loyal, curious, intelligent and active.

It’s a hardy breed and you won’t have many health issues to contend with. We know that they are prone to skin conditions and periodontal disease so watch out for these with this amazing, but unusual looking cat.

Your Siberian loves to climb and explore and to keep this gorgeous cat mentally stimulated and physically active, provide him with some fun toys that require him to think.

They are nice and strong these cats as well as being curious and alert and you see this in the bright, shiny eyes.

They’ve got easygoing personalities and are also considered fairly low maintenance cats, making them the perfect choice for any cat lover.

They are devoted and loyal to their human family and one of these cats in your home is guaranteed to bring in joy, entertainment, fun, and solid companionship.

Hairless cats are prone to teeth and gum issues, and every Don Sphynx owner needs to regularly check their cat’s teeth as bad teeth can cause a lot of problems with health as well as discomfort with the teeth.

This cat breed is also fairly prone to skin problems. You will need to watch him for rashes and fungal infections. Remember, that this strange-looking cat also needs vaccinations and de-worming as well as regular veterinary health checks.

Siberian cats can succumb to stomach issues such as IBS. If you think your Siberian is in pain, he will need a visit to the vet. These cats are also susceptible to some hereditary health issues such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. If you buy a kitten, make sure you get your kitten from a reputable source.

To ensure the best health for your Siberian, he will need high-quality cat food. High-quality food can actually prevent many health issues in the cat. A good idea will be to feed your Siberian vet-recommended food and in the right portions to keep him at the ideal weight.

In spite of this being a hairless cat, it still requires frequent grooming, and yet you have to be careful that you don’t allow the cat to be bathed too often either.

Have your cat spayed or neutered to avoid kittens that you don’t want. This is beneficial for the cat’s health.

This is a unique cat and when it comes to food, if you can afford it, go for the very best food there is. Good food contributes to good health and this cat is a carnivore and requires food high in meat protein.

Of course, it requires other nutrients and the best commercially manufactured cat foods will have a list of ingredients in them that are important to your cat’s health.

Of course, with diet, there are other important considerations to think about and one of these is the right quantity of food to maintain the cat’s ideal weight. Too much weight gain can put pressure on the cat’s joints and contribute to health problems.

Prepare your home for the arrival of your Siberian cat. Cats are natural climbers and scratchers and he will need a scratching post, climbing tree, litter box, food and water bowls, bed as well as collar and tag. Also, invest in a large cat carrier, as your cat will need to be transported safely to the vet at certain times.

Provide toys for your Siberian cat. They’re intelligent and you don’t want to have him bored and listless. They need mental and physical stimulation so it will be fun to invest in some puzzle games for your pet.

Siberians have lovely thick coats and you want the right grooming accessories to brush him so that the coat doesn’t get dull and tangled. He will need to be brushed once or twice a week, especially when he sheds.

Keep your Siberian healthy by seeing he gets to the vet when he is sick. Also, if he is a kitten, he will need his vaccines. He will need to be checked over for parasites too – ticks, fleas, and worms, more so if he is an outdoor cat.

Trim your Siberian's nails as needed and also check the inside of his ears for signs of redness, dirt, and wax buildup as well as unpleasant odors. Many cat owners don’t like to probe around inside a cat’s ears as it can be damaging if you don’t know what you’re doing. Rather ask your vet to do it for you.

The vet can also check your cat’s teeth for signs of infection. Many people recommend cleaning the cat's teeth with a brush and cat toothpaste but this can be most traumatic for a cat and your pet groomer or vet can rather check his teeth for you.