There is an established stereotype that all cats are evil. Several accounts of people have laid out nightmare-ish stories about their feline pet being so aggressive and violent. In some instances, these cats would jump and attack anyone with their sharp claws! If you just got into the world of cats and have been instantly hooked by the looks of the charming Siberian cat, it’s reasonable to ask if the breed is friendly for all ages.
Photo from: mokaysilver.siberianos (IG)To get to the point, yes, this Russian Forest cat is genial. However, each cat is an individual and might express the contrary. If you just got your new pet, understanding his behavior right away and dealing with it properly can establish a healthy relationship. With that, this article is going to give you answers to your questions.
Can a Siberian Cat Show Signs of Aggression?
Photo from: ruskicat (IG)Absolutely. No matter how friendly your pet is, there is still a possibility of him showing aggression depending on circumstances or if he feels threatened. Cats are very territorial and would fight to the death to defend their place although the intensity of their hostility would vary.
To know exactly when it is not safe to approach a Siberian cat, here are the obvious signs that he will openly display:
- Dilated pupils
- Ears that go flat backward
- Tail gets erect and fluffier than usual
- An arched back
- Hissing, growling, or yowling
- Displaying his fangs
- Whiskers become more prominent
- Body stance about to attack
When most or all of these are what you see as you try to get close to a Russian Forest cat, it is wiser to stop the urge to pet him or even try to get near him. Cats such as this one can be ferocious and you wouldn’t want to go home with painful scratches all over your face.
What Makes a Siberian Cat Mean?
Several reasons could trigger the meanness of a Siberian kitten or an adult. For a pregnant Siberian, it could be that she’s trying to protect her kittens from dangerous animals. Another factor is if the cat has been raised in an unloving and too competitive environment.
Photo from: asor_4_ (IG)As cat lovers, we know how important it is to study the behavior of our pets so we could do something about the good and the bad ones. If the four-legged cute cat such as the Forest cat acts unfriendly, some factors lead him to that. Let’s check all the possible reasons:
He is Territorial
This usually happens when your pet feels like someone (either a new cat, dog, or a person) trespasses his territory. Should you decide to get a new family addition, if you know that your feline is unfriendly, the proper introduction must be done to prevent any future tension between the two.
He is Assertive
Have you experienced showing some affection to your dog or your other cat and your Siberian suddenly bites you? How about when you tried to ignore him and then he snatched your attention through an unexpected bite? If yes, then your Siberian cat is domineering and is trying to establish his status in the house.
He Has Health Problems
If your Siberian feline is experiencing extreme pain, then it is highly likely that he will get easily annoyed and irritated. This can eventually lead to aggression. Some of the medical problems that can cause aggressiveness are arthritis, trauma, infection, and dental disease. Aside from these, neurological problems and cognitive decline could also trigger meanness.
You Pet Him Too Much
Siberian cats love to receive love and affection. They might lay around with their bellies exposed as if they’re trying to invite you to pet or rub their stomachs. However, if you do this for too long, the bonding might turn from enjoyment to irritation.
Your Cat has Traumatic Experiences
Being hostile or mean can be a learned behavior of a Siberian cat. This will manifest if he feels threatened and that there isn’t any way to escape the situation at all. Knowing what the trauma is might not be an easy task, but if you got your cat from a shelter home, you can inquire about his history.
How Friendly Should My Siberian Cat Be?
It is necessary to make sure that the Siberian cat you’re about to get has no behavioral issues. It is always as if you hit the jackpot if the feline you’re aiming for is sweet, calm, and majestic in his every action.
Ideally, these should be the embodied qualities of the Russian cat, but let’s see how he’s more likely to behave around a certain group:
Kids
Due to the child-like personality of the Russian feline, he has been deemed a perfect playmate for children who are neither too young nor too rough at play. Exposing this pet to kids would improve his socialization skills and the attention he’d get won’t be left unappreciated. Siberian kitties love receiving affection and kids present it in a very pure and adorable way.
Other Pets
If your Siberian kitty grew up with other household pets, expect an unbreakable bond and friendship! Siberians are laid-back cats and wouldn’t mind tolerating other animals’ existence. In that case, Siberian cats and Scottish fold can get along too, if they were introduced with patience and proper introductions. However, it is still possible that your other pets will spark the Russian cat’s prey drive.
If it isn’t his natural hunting instinct that gets activated, it is the competitiveness that would drive him to threaten others especially if he feels like he has to fight for his owner’s attention.
Strangers
They are typically reserved towards strangers, but a significant amount of time spent on bonding would make Siberians switch from being aloof to friendly! Of course, although the cat is cheery, if the stranger doesn’t treat him properly, then friendliness would be out of the question.
7 Signs That Your Siberian Cat Likes You
Photo from: siriusthesibiz (IG)Cats display themselves far differently compared to dogs. However, it isn’t rocket science when it comes to deciphering whether he likes you and wants to be friendly with you. There are obvious hints that scream “pet me!”
- He rubs his body part against you. Ever witnessed your Russian kitten headbutt you? Well, that’s great news! That translates to “I consider you as my friend.” This is also one way of spreading his scent and marking you as his buddy.
- His tail is curled around you. For the most part, you can instantly read your cat’s mood through its tail. If you’re preparing meals in the kitchen and your kitten does this, you sure are his friend now.
- He purrs a lot. Purring is a sign that the cat is comfortable around a person. He only does this exclusively for his favorite human!
- He shows you his tummy. The stomach area is one of the vulnerable parts of a cat. Once he shows you his fluffy belly, that means he trusts you and he’s comfortable being around you.
- He gives you love bites. Expect to receive a habitual and gentle nibble from your Siberian cat. This usually takes place when you’re playing or petting him and then all of a sudden, a soft bite!
- He follows you anywhere. He wouldn’t care if you’re in the bathroom. Wherever you are, there will be your cat also!
- Your cat kneads you with its paws. Do you know that adult cats do this to make their owners feel cozy? This behavior tells that he loves to bond with you.
7 Tips on How to Make Friends With Your Siberian Cat
Photo from: maksim_thesiberian (IG)It is extremely crucial to develop a relationship with your Siberian cat as early as possible as you’ll be dealing with him for years to decades. Upbringing largely affects the affection level, manners, and other behaviors of a feline especially if your pet is still a kitten.
In becoming a dynamic duo, there are a few things an owner must do to ensure a healthy human-to-cat relationship. If you follow these science-based tips, your cat will start liking you by the end of the day!
- Play hard to get. Let the cat call the shots. He gets more attracted to people who don’t approach him first. Swiss research backs this up, so why not chill on the sofa and distract yourself with something else? Your Siberian pet is more likely to do the first move.
Moreover, your interaction will highly last longer and end on a positive note if you let your cat initiate the game and decide when to end it.
- Rub him on parts that he likes most. A Siberian cat has special places where they like to be petted. On top of that, he is extremely sensitive to touch, so you’ll see his reaction right away if you pet him on his head. A small study conducted in 2002 reveals that felines love feeling scratches on their cheeks and head. Although, of course, each cat has its preference, this is a nice hint to let you know where to start scratching!
- Greet your cat the cat way. Friendly cats greet each other from nose to nose. Not that you have to stick your nose against him, but rather offer your fingertip a few inches away while evenly leveled on his face. Usually, he’ll slowly get near it and sniff it. In some cases, he’d even rub his head against it.
- If your kitty doesn’t enjoy petting, give him space. It’s easy to spot if your cat doesn’t enjoy the way you handle him. If ever he shows any signs of irritation, it’s time to leave him alone. This is where most owners fail to recognize that the feline is no longer comfortable, so they just keep on petting him in areas he doesn’t like.
By letting him have his space, your cat will feel that you’re respecting his terms and he’s more likely to trust you next time.
- Keep your cat’s weight in check. Even though we have a misconception that feeding the cat often will make him like you more, this puts a strain on your relationship. Once he develops diabetes, arthritis, and other illnesses, his comfort is sacrificed. He will be less inclined to sleep on your lap as well.
- Play games with him often. A study shows that cats prefer interacting with humans over food. If we go deeper into this research, it also exposes that it is an interactive toy such as a feathered wand that can make a Russian cat happy. Do you know what that means? He’ll associate this happy moment with your presence!
- Make sure you pick the right Siberian kitten. You must spend time with your prospective cat before deciding to get him. Each feline has unique personalities and they need to align with your preferences. Moreover, try not to have presumptions regarding the cat’s fur color. Who knows, the one you didn’t choose was much more suitable for you.
Often, people associate black cats with bad luck, white cats as standoffish, and ginger cats as the nicest. These ideas are not true and don’t exude personality.
Friendliness is a good indicator that your relationship with the Siberian cat is going to be flourishing. There’ll be less potential tension and more time for affection! In choosing which Russian kitten is best for you, don’t just observe his personality, but rather evaluate yours too and see if you’d both synchronize.
If you got a mean cat, it is never too late to make him reveal his softer side. Simply follow this article and pair it with patience and love!
