ABOUT THE SIBERIAN BREED

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WHAT WE DO AT WHITE’S FARM

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All kittens have their own personalities, as does each individual family. We want to place each kitten with the best possible match, so that the cuddly loving kitten goes to a waiting lap, and the active playful kitten goes to the family with children. In order to make sure we’ve got it right, we offer a one week unconditional guarantee with each kitten.

EXTREMLY IMPORTANT – SAFETY CAUTION!

Use extreme care when there are exposed electrical wires and cords where Kittens/Cats roam!  Serious injury or death can absolutory occur if exposed cords and wires are chewed on!!

Below are some suggestions for providing needed protection for your valuable Kitten/Cat:

Food :  We feed dry food only. We leave it out so they may free feed as they wish. Dry food does not smell  or attract flies. They do like canned food, but it has a lot of water in it and can cause diarrhea. If you choose to use canned food, be careful not to over do it. We feed Royal Canin Kitten and Science Diet Indoor Kitten. We mix them together. Because they are used to both, it is easy to switch to whichever one you prefer. If you wish to change to a different food, remember to do it gradually to avoid digestive issues. For five or six days mix the old food with the new food half and half. By then their digestive system should have adjusted.

Water Dish :  We use water dishes that will not spill or splash – our kittens love to play with the water!! 

Litter :  We use the Breeze Litter Box System. Today it was listed at $25 at chewy.com. This is what our kittens are using. It is much easier than scooping traditional litter. Solid material can be discarded instantly, and moisture wicks down through a grated floor under the pellets onto an absorbent disposable pad.

Spay and neuter : Our vet recommends they be spayed (for the girls) or neutered (for the boys) at six months old. There is a great deal of variation in price between vets. We suggest you do some comparison shopping when it’s time. Our vet charges $90 for a neuter and $165 for a spay. Some vets charge up to $300 for a neuter and $600 for a spay.

Flea protection :  We use Bravecto. It is a prescription product which means you must get it through your veterinarian. It costs about $55 a dose and is effective for up to three months.

Grooming : These are the tools we use when we are grooming our cats.

Carrier : We recommend a medium size top opener.

Vet care : Your kitten will need to get its booster shots two to three weeks after the initial vaccinations. You will see the date of the first vaccination on the veterinary health certificate that you receive with the kitten. The rabies vaccination is due when the kitten is over four months old. Most people wait until the kitten is spayed or neutered to get the rabies shot.

THE SIBERIAN BREED

It is said that the Russian Siberian first appeared in recorded history around the year 1000. It was represented at the first cat show held in England in the 1700s. During the mid 1980s the Russians began to keep formal breeding records and pedigree information, and to develop a breed standard.

The Siberian first came to the US as an exchange for four American-bred Himalayan kittens. In June of 1990, after over a year of correspondence complicated by the language barrier, inconsistent Russian mail delivery, as well as other problems, Elizabeth Terrell of Baton Rouge, Louisiana was finally able to import three Siberian kittens – one male and two females, and thus start the Starpoint breeding program. At almost the same time David Boehm went to Russia and returned with several Siberians of his own. The first colorpoint Siberians were imported to the United States in 1997 by Dana Osburn of Willowbrook Siberians in California. Elizabeth Terrell also founded the TAIGA Siberian Breed Club in 1991 as a way for new owners and breeders to keep in contact with each other. The club serves multiple purposes; primarily, to protect and promote the breed. It is also a place for the exchange of ideas and information, as well as mentoring new breeders and show participants.

Since then, many other kittens have been imported by many of the American breeders to increase the genetic diversity available.

ALLERGIES

Many people with cat allergies can handle the Siberian with no problem. The allergen for most people is a protein in the cat’s saliva called Feld1. As they groom themselves, they spread the saliva over their coats. Feld1 is also present in the sebaceous glands (skin) and the anal glands, which explains sensitivity to litter boxes. There are two ways to test cats for their Feld1 levels – by saliva sampling, or fur sampling. Each test has its own set of values.

Note: Approximately 80% of those with a history of allergies to horses or rabbits, or food allergies to egg white or pork, or break out with hives around cats will still react to low Feld1 Siberians. These people are having secondary reactions to something other than Feld1. Please understand that hypoallertgenic means REDUCED ALLERGIC RESPONSE. It does NOT mean NO ALLERGIC RESPONSE.

Saliva Test Range for Adult Siberians is 0.25 to 16 mcg

50% of Siberians saliva test below 2.5 mcg
15% of Siberians saliva test below 1.0 mcg
4% of non Siberians saliva test below 2.5 mcg
0.25% of non Siberians saliva test below 1.0 mcg

Saliva Results for Siberians: 0.08 mcg – 27 mcg

Extremely low: 0.2 – 1.0
Very low: 1.0 – 1.7
Low level: 1.7 – 2.5
Medium Low: 2.5 – 4
Normal / High: 4 – 16
Very High: 16 – 27

Fur Test Range for Adult Siberians is 20mcg – 400 mcg

50% of Siberians fur test below 120 mcg
15% of Siberians fur test below 40 mcg
4% of non Siberians test below 120 mcg
4% of non Siberians test over 400 mcg

Fur Test Results for Siberians 7 mcg – 820 mcg

Extremely low: 10 – 40
Very low: 40 – 80
Low level: 80 – 120
Medium Low: 120 – 200
Normal / High: 200 – 400
Very High: 400 – 820