Siberian vs Japanese Bobtail - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

It is believed that these naurally-occuring short-tailed domestic cats in Japan arrived from the Asian continent about 1 000 years ago.

It was way back in 1602 that the Japanese authorities made it that all cats be released to tackle the rodent problem that were threatening the nation's silkworm population.

Bobtail cats were the street cats of Japan. In 1968, the cat was imported to the Western Hemisphere from Japan and in 1976 the shorthaired Japanese Bobtail was accepted for Championship status in the Cat Fanciers’ Association.

There are a number of cat’s breeders in North America and Europe, but it is still a rare cat. Today, the Japanese Bobtail is a recognized breed by all major registering bodies.

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 medium-sized, long, lean and muscled Japanese Bobtail, with long slender legs, is known for its unusual bobtail. People liken the tail to that of a rabbit. The tail must always be visible though.

The head has a triangular shape and the neck is neither too long or too short. The ears are upright and set wide apart. The oval-shaped eyes are large.

The hind legs are longer than the front legs. The cat weighs between 3 and 6kg and comes in almost any color and pattern but it is thought that the triple-colored ones are the most favored in Japan.

The coat is of medium length and is soft and silky. The head of the cat is triangular with the ears being large and wide apart. The eyes are large and oval-shaped.

Temperament:

The Japanese Bobtail makes a good feline pet for families. They get on well with children and are affectionate and loving with all their human family members.

They’re talkative cats too, enjoying communication with people and using soft noises. It’s an intelligent cat and one that happens to love water too, and is a playful cat, making a great loyal companion.

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 Japanese Bobtail is such a sweet, playful, loving cat. The cat loves to be with his human family and is highly intelligent.

They are quite capable of learning tricks and playing games much like a dog. They are social cats and while they aren’t lap cats, they seek out the company of their human family, making use of a soft voice to communicate.

They’re such sweet cats and are adored by those who have brought them into their home as a pet and friend.

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.

Just like any other cats, the Japanese Bobtail suffers from any one of the different health problems there are. The Japanese Bobtail is a healthy cat generally and he can easily reach 15 years of age with good care.

Look out for obesity. Obesity comes with a host of health issues, putting a strain on the cat’s joints as well.

You want to manage your furry friend’s food portions to ensure he remains lean and muscular. Feed your adult cat twice daily. Discover what your cat likes in terms of dry cat food, semi-wet or wet cat food.

Your cat is a carnivore and requires quality meaty foods. The best, high-quality cat foods always have meat at the top of the ingredients list as they need meat to get all the right nutrients in.

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.

The cat’s medium coat sheds moderately, and a brush once a week to remove the loose hairs will be sufficient. You’ll want to brush him more often during his shedding seasons.

Trim the nails when they become long.

Help with keeping your Japanese Bobtail clean by scooping his droppings out of the litterbox at least every day and also changing the litter at least every week.

When you bring your Japanese Bobtail kitten home, you’ll have to take him to the vet. This is because from 8 weeks of age your kitten will need to get his first vaccines. Booster vaccines for your cat will also be required later on.

Show interest in your Japanese Bobtails. Become involved with some of his games.

Provide your cat with a scratching post to prevent him from scratching your furniture.

Never leave your Japanese Bobtail without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Wash your cat’s water- and food bowls every second day to prevent bacteria from building up.

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.