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Siberian Cat Diet- Feeding Your Siberian the Right Way

comments-icon 52 Comments on Siberian Cat Diet- Feeding Your Siberian the Right Way
Medically reviewed by  Dr. Aisling O'Keeffe MVB CertSAM ISFMAdvCertFB MRCVS
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Any Siberian cat owner can tell you just how important it is that they receive the best cat food possible. Siberians, like all cats, require a high-quality, meat-based diet to look and feel their best. In this guide, you’ll learn about the best foods for Siberian cats and how to make sure your gorgeous Siberian gets the best nutrition.

What Do Siberian Cats Eat?

Cats are natural carnivores and require a diet of meat, which they would normally get in the wild through small prey such as birds, insects, and lizards.

Yet most cat diets contain unnecessary additives like corn, soy, potatoes, and wheat. These ingredients increase the food’s carbohydrate content and, while cats can metabolize them, this kind of excessive carbohydrate intake could lead to problems.

Also Read: 10 Questionable Cat Food Ingredients to Avoid

When you add on artificial colors, potentially harmful preservatives, and the wealth of gimmicky ingredients present in many foods, there are a lot of things to avoid when looking for the optimal diet for your cat.

It’s important to provide a healthy diet in order to prevent cancer, diabetes, and other illnesses.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Wet Cat Food for Siberian Cats

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Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.

Overall Best
10.0
Picked by 31 people today!

Smalls Ground Bird Fresh Cat Food

  • Rich in animal-sourced protein
  • Cod liver oil provides omega-3 fatty acids
  • Good source of hydration for your cat
GET 35% OFF ENTER "CATS35" TO GET 35% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER
RUNNER UP
9.8
Picked by 31 people today!

Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Chicken Frick ‘A Zee Chicken Recipe Au Jus Grain-Free Canned Cat Food

  • Chicken is the sole source of quality animal protein
  • Even picky cats seem to find the shredded texture
  • High in protein and very low in carbohydrate
BUDGET PICK
9.5
Picked by 25 people today!

Purina Pro Plan

  • Available in packs of twenty-four (24) 3-ounce cans
  • Rich in animal-derived protein
  • Specially formulated ingredients for adult cats

Sometimes we don’t have time to make homemade cat food. However, there are excellent cat food brands out there that will provide your Siberian cat with high-quality wet cat food for Siberian cats that complies with its dietary guidelines.

These brands might be a little pricier at times than the usual brands, but they include the very best ingredients in their products. You can find these brands’ cat food at your local cat shop, or choose to order online.

Why Should You Trust Us

Having reviewed over 230 of the world’s most popular cat food brands and hundreds of of formulas. We spent hours researching, contacting pet food companies, and analyzing labels. With the help of our cats, we also got hands-on experience with a few foods.

Between reviewing specific brands and researching feline nutrition, we’ve learned which brands and products are worth buying and putting in your cat’s bowl.

Based on that experience, we’ve chosen the cat food formulas described below as the best wet cat food for siberian cats you can buy in 2024.

Our Top 3 Recommended Wet Food for Siberian Cats

#1 Smalls Ground Bird Fresh Cat Food

  • Made In: United States
  • Guaranteed Protein: 13% Min
  • Age Range: All Life Stages
  • Calories Per Ounce: 40
  • Typical Cost Per Day: $4.00 per day

Formulated with your carnivorous cat’s needs in mind, Smalls offers fresh cat food formulas that are rich in animal protein and low in carbs. It’s a subscription-based service that sends monthly deliveries of frozen meals to your door. Simply provide some basic information about your cat and Smalls will develop a custom meal plan catered to your cat’s preferences and calorie needs.

Smalls offers a variety of fresh formulas in multiple textures, each featuring a single protein like chicken, turkey, beef, or fish. This Ground Bird recipe is chicken-based with chicken muscle meat and chicken liver as the top two ingredients. Cod liver oil delivers a species-appropriate source of omega-3 fatty acids to help keep your Siberian cat’s coat glossy and their skin healthy.

When you start a Smalls subscription, you’ll receive a sampler of ten 5-ounce packs of food. Adjust your cat’s meal plan in the customer portal as needed but, otherwise, you’ll then start receiving monthly deliveries. Each Smalls order comes with a bag of free cat treats.

Ingredients List

Chicken, Chicken Liver, Green Beans, Water Sufficient for Processing, Dried Yeast, Tricalcium Phosphate, Kale, Magnesium Proteinate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Dandelion Greens, Dried Kelp, Taurine, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Cod Liver Oil, Salt, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite, Biotin.

Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Cod Liver Oil

Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 13%
Crude Fat: 8.5%
Crude Fiber: 1.5%
Moisture: 73%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 48.15%
Fat: 31.48%
Fiber: 5.56%
Carbs: 14.81%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 34.54%
Fat: 54.84%
Carbs: 10.63%

What We Liked

  • Rich in animal-sourced protein
  • Cod liver oil provides omega-3 fatty acids
  • Good source of hydration for your cat
  • Very low in carbohydrates

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Only available as a subscription plan
  • No phone support (text and email only)

#2 Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Chicken Frick ‘A Zee Chicken Recipe Au Jus Grain-Free Canned Cat Food

  • Made In: Thailand
  • Guaranteed Protein: 10% Min
  • Age Range: Adult
  • Calories Per Ounce: 24
  • Typical Cost Per Day: $3.50 per day

Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Chicken Frick ‘A Zee Chicken Recipe Au Jus Grain-Free Canned Cat Food is a premium cat food option that prioritizes quality ingredients and palatable taste. This grain-free canned cat food features real chicken as the main ingredient, ensuring a protein-rich meal that cats will love.

The recipe is gently simmered in a flavorful au jus, enhancing the aroma and palatability of the food. Made without any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, it provides a wholesome and natural option for your cat

Ingredients List

Chicken, Chicken Broth, Sunflower Seed Oil, Locust Bean Gum, Calcium Lactate, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Nicotinic Acid (Vitamin B3), Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Copper Sulfate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Selenite, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement.

Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Fish Oil

Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Sunflower Seed Oil, Locust Bean Gum, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum

Common Allergens: Chicken

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 10%
Crude Fat: 2.5%
Crude Fiber: 0.5%
Moisture: 85%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 66.67%
Fat: 16.67%
Fiber: 3.33%
Carbs: 13.33%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 55.34%
Fat: 33.6%
Carbs: 11.07%

What We Liked

  • Chicken is the sole source of quality animal protein
  • Even picky cats seem to find the shredded texture
  • High in protein and very low in carbohydrate
  • Price: $0.38/ounce

#3 Purina Pro Plan

  • Made In: United States
  • Guaranteed Protein: 10% Min
  • Age Range: Adult
  • Calories Per Ounce: 24
  • Typical Cost Per Day: $4.48 per day

Purina Pro Plan Adult White Meat Chicken & Vegetable Entree in Gravy Canned Cat Food is a budget friendly cat food recipe designed specifically for adult cats.

Note the mix of clearly-named muscle meat and anonymous meats. The latter is sometimes indicative of a lower-quality product and poor digestibility values, but that’s not set in stone. Some meat by-products may be just as nutritious as any other muscle meat and organs.

Overall, this dry food has high protein content with moderate fat and moderate carbohydrate content.

Ingredients List

Water Sufficient For Processing, Chicken, Wheat Gluten, Liver, Meat By-Products, Rice, Corn Starch-Modified, Artificial And Natural Flavors, Salt, Soy Protein Concentrate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Added Color, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity), Copper Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Manganese Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Potassium Iodide. H-4657.

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 11%
Crude Fat: 2%
Crude Fiber: 1.5%
Moisture: 80%
Ash: 2.7%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 55%
Fat: 10%
Fiber: 7.5%
Carbs: 14%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 58.96%
Fat: 26.03%
Carbs: 15.01%

Pros

  • Rich in animal-derived protein.
  • Specially formulated ingredients for adult cats.
  • Available in packs of twenty-four (24) 3-ounce cans
  • Price: $2.56/5.5-oz

Our Top Picks for Best Dry Food for Siberian Cats

Overall Best
10.0
Picked by 31 people today!

Nature's Variety

  • Contains probiotics to aid in healthy digestion
  • Duck flavored food with natural ingredients
  • Protein rich food made from animal proteins
RUNNER UP
9.8
Picked by 31 people today!

Wysong

  • Has a low level of carbohydrates and glycemic index
  • No artificial additives
  • Great flavors to choose from
BUDGET PICK
9.5
Picked by 25 people today!

Natural Balance

  • Cooked in small batches
  • Suitable for cats of all ages
  • Contains Omega 3 and Omega 6 for the health of the cat's coat and skin

A well-balanced Siberian cat diet is one that consists of both wet and dry cat food, though we prefer feeding mostly wet food if your kitty likes it. Grain-free cat foods are the way to go.

The best dry food for Siberian cats is grain-free, meat-rich foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that may help prevent health issues such as diabetes and urinary blockage. Having that said, we went out and did a whole lot of research to bring you our top 3 recommended dry foods for your Siberian kitty.

#1 Nature’s Variety Instinct

  • Made In: United States
  • Guaranteed Protein: 47% Min
  • Age Range: Adult
  • Calories Per Pound: 2046
  • Typical Cost Per Day: $1.03 per day

This grain-free kibble is around 80% animal ingredients and oils with the remaining 20% of the recipe dedicated to “fruits, vegetables and other wholesome ingredients.”

The ingredient list starts with a mix of duck and chicken, chicken eggs, and Tapioca. Like many grain-free foods, this recipe includes peas as a grainless solution to the kibble binding problem. Unlike most grain-free foods, the food doesn’t contain any more legumes or starches, helping to keep the carbohydrate content relatively low.

Ingredients List

Duck, Chicken, Chicken Eggs, Tapioca, Ground Flaxseed, Canola Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Natural Flavor, Dried Tomato Pomace, Dried Whey Protein Concentrate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Montmorillonite Clay, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Freeze Dried Duck (including Freeze Dried Ground Duck Bone), Pumpkinseeds, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract.

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 47%
Crude Fat: 17%
Crude Fiber: 3%
Moisture: 10%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 52.22%
Fat: 18.89%
Fiber: 3.33%
Carbs: 25.56%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 42.23%
Fat: 37.1%
Carbs: 20.67%

What We Liked

  • Contains probiotics to aid in healthy digestion.
  • Duck flavored food with natural ingredients. It is a grain-free product with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
  • Protein-rich food made from animal proteins.
  • Suitable for all breeds of cats at all life stages.

#2 Wysong Optimal Vitality Adult Feline Formula Dry Cat Food

  • Made In: United States
  • Guaranteed Protein: 50% Min
  • Age Range: Adult
  • Calories Per Pound: 1721
  • Typical Cost Per Day: $0.55 per day

In a world where most dry foods require starchy binders, it’s exciting to see kibble that doesn’t contain starch. In addition to organic chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, and chicken fat, the recipe includes meat protein isolate as a concentrated source of animal protein.

It also contains potato protein, which is far from an ideal protein source for a carnivore like your cat. The ingredient list includes small amounts of additives like coconut oil, chia seeds, and yeast extract.

On a dry matter basis, this food is approximately 56% protein, 16.6% fat, and 22% carbohydrates. These levels are significantly better than those found in most dry foods, but it still contains more carbohydrate matter for an obligate carnivore that we’d like to see.

Ingredients List

Chicken Meal, Organic Chicken, Turkey Meal, Pea Protein, Potato Protein, Peas, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Flaxseeds, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Sesame Seeds, Montmorillonite Clay, Crab Meal, Dried Whey Protein Concentrate, Coconut Oil, Chia Seeds, Salt, Minerals (Potassium Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Taurine,

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 50%
Crude Fat: 14%
Crude Fiber: 5.5%
Moisture: 10%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 55.56%
Fat: 15.56%
Fiber: 6.11%
Carbs: 22.78%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 47.85%
Fat: 32.54%
Carbs: 19.62%

Pros

  • Has a low level of carbohydrates and glycemic index, which is found in numerous other dry food brands.
  • No artificial additives ingredients.
  • Great flavors to choose from.

#3 Natural Balance Original Ultra Indoor Chicken & Salmon Meal Dry Cat Food

  • Made In: United States
  • Guaranteed Protein: 30% Min
  • Age Range: Adult
  • Calories Per Pound: 1598
  • Typical Cost Per Day: $0.47 per day

With added fiber and important vitamins, Natural Balance Original Ultra Indoor Chicken & Salmon Meal Dry Cat Food helps your cat maintain a healthy weight and supports a strong immune system. This is particularly beneficial for indoor cats who may have unique dietary requirements due to their lifestyle.

While this dry food formula contains just 2 animal proteins as the first 5 ingredients, it does live up to its claims of being a limited ingredient diet. Aside from a handful of plant and animal proteins, the ingredients list is primarily made up of nutritional supplements.

Overall, this is a plant-based dry cat food with moderate protein, moderate fat content, and high levels of carbohydrate matter.

Ingredients List

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Tapioca Starch, Peas, Brewers Dried Yeast, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Salmon Meal, Pea Fiber, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Dried Vegetable Broth, Menhaden Fish Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Taurine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin), Cranberries, Spinach, Dried Egg Product, Carrots, Apples, Pumpkin, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, L-Tryptophan, Citric Acid (Preservative), Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, Blueberries, Dried Kelp, Rosemary Extract.

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 30%
Crude Fat: 14%
Crude Fiber: 8%
Moisture: 10%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 33.33%
Fat: 15.56%
Fiber: 8.89%
Carbs: 42.22%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 29.41%
Fat: 33.33%
Carbs: 37.25%

Pros

  • Suitable for cats of all ages. Contains 33% protein made from chicken and fish, as well as other wholesome ingredients.
  • Cooked in small batches to ensure proper nutrition for your cat.
  • Contains Omega oils for the health of the cat’s coat and skin.
  • Has calcium and phosphorus for strengthening bones and teeth.
  • Price: $2.6/Ib

Health Issues

Siberian cats can be prone to heart disease (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) and pyruvate kinase deficiency. Siberian cats can also develop food allergies just like other cats can. Normally, the side effects are itchy skin, excessive grooming and gastrointestinal signs.

You can try to determine what foods your cat is allergic to by conducting a food trial. This should be done with the help of your veterinarian. They may advise feeding a novel protein diet or hypoallergenic diet for at least 6 weeks to see if your cat’s symptoms improve.

Daily Calorie Content

Just like us, our Siberian cat requires a specific caloric intake to keep them happy, healthy, and energetic. You will also want to take into consideration the age and size of your Siberian when determining how many calories you should be feeding him or her on a daily basis.

Also Read: Cat Weight Calculator

Once you have the accurate weight of your cat, you can simply calculate how many calories per serving (as written on the product label) your cat needs in order to satisfy all of their dietary needs.

  • Kittens should get 100 calories per pound
  • Cats 40 weeks of age should receive 40 calories per pound
  • Adults require 25 to 35 calories per pound

Also Read:

Raw Food Diet for Siberian Cats

If you choose to feed your Siberian a homemade raw diet or commercial raw cat foods, you should be aware of the types of foods you can feed them. Make sure you use fresh ingredients and don’t recycle the food from one meal to the other. If your Siberian is pregnant, it is not recommended to feed it a raw diet, but rather one of cooked food.

The foods you can give your Siberian cat include:

  • Organic Ground Chicken – rich in protein and fiber.
  • Organic Ground Turkey – Great source of protein and omega 3 fats.
  • Ground Bone Powder
    • Protein can NOT be the sole component in a Siberian’s diet, vitamins and minerals must be included as well.
    • Raw meat may cause food poisoning if not prepared properly. The meat must be fresh and only be served once per meal. The raw food should not sit at room temperature for more than 30 minutes. Make sure to consult with your Vet first.

What You Should Never Feed Your Siberian Cat?

There are several human foods that you should never feed your cat. Some consider these foods to be allergies while others simply consider them to be poisonous to your furry friend. These foods may seem harmless, but you should never give them to your cat, as their bodies do not react well to them and could cause discomfort and even make them sick.

  • Raw Eggs – can contain salmonella, which can cause food poisoning.
  • Chocolate– contains theobromine, which is an alkaline that is poisonous to cats.
  • Avocados– have persin, which is toxic to Siberians.
  • Alcohol– can lead to brain and liver damage that can be fatal for your cat.

Being knowledgeable about your Siberian cat’s diet is incredibly helpful and can be of great benefit to your Siberian during their lifetime. Some have even found that providing a well-balanced natural diet has extended the lifespan of their furry friends and made them less susceptible to disease.

Other benefits include a healthier coat of fur, balanced weight, higher energy levels, and improved dental health.

See also: Persian Cat Diet

Note: The values in our nutrient charts are automatically calculated based on the guaranteed analysis and may not represent typical nutrient values. This may lead to discrepancies between the charts and the values mentioned in the body of the review.

About Mallory Crusta

Mallory is an NAVC-certified Pet Nutrition Coach. Having produced and managed multimedia content across several pet-related domains, Mallory is dedicated to ensuring that the information on Cats.com is accurate, clear, and engaging. When she’s not reviewing pet products or editing content, Mallory enjoys skiing, hiking, and trying out new recipes in the kitchen. She has two cats, Wessie and Forest.

52 thoughts on “Siberian Cat Diet- Feeding Your Siberian the Right Way”

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  1. gayle parmelee

    this was extremely helpful. my kitten is six months old. should I leave dry food out for him all day and feed canned in am and PM? I’ll weigh him to see how many calories he should get. hes always hungry

    Reply
  2. Denise

    I leave dry food out all the time in a different area than the wet food. I give Nina a 3.5 oz can of purina pro in the morning and then later between lunch and dinner. Sometimes she wants more so I give a little more. She loves the chicken and cheese can! But I buy several gravy types. The breeder said to leave dry food out or they would be hungry all the time. About 1/2 cup daily.

    Reply
  3. Kerry Dawson

    My male Siberian was seen by a vet for urinating all over my home. Diagnosed with crystals in urine and said it is a pattern. None of the vets we saw understood what breed my cat is. Vets need to be educated by breed. Very upset we have gone through so much expense. I have carpet and padding to replace in my home. Finally one of my daughters looked up our breed and saw we needed raw food which I originally had them on per the breeders but the vets told me it was bad for my cats. Super upset about this. Hoping going back to raw will help our male Siberian urinate in the litter box again. Do not trust every veterinarian is my new motto. They did not even have the breed in the medical records when we moved to them!! It was given to them.

    Reply
    1. All About Cats

      Hi Kerry,

      I’, sorry you had to go trough that.

      And I totally get the frustration that comes with misdiagnose. Urinary blockage is quite common with make cats and we had the same problem last year. One of our male cats had a severe case of urinary blockage, he was misdiagnose which almost left him with kidney failure. The problem which some of the commercial dry cat food is that they do not hydrate cats properly which can lead to crystals in urine among other problems. Incorporating healthy wet cat food, commercial raw cat food and homemade cat food could really help as these foods are moisture rich. Some vets also recommend certain probiotics to reduce the level of acidity in your cat’s urine.

      The most important thing though is to always get a second option when it comes to serious health issues.

    2. Sue Millman

      Hi – re bladder complications. I experienced this issue with my male Burmese and discontinued feeding any type of seafood or fish. Worked a treat. Also no dry food. Good luck.

    3. Leslie

      My Siberian is the only one that they’ve ever had in their Vet practice. I’m always educating them on the special needs of the breed. At least they listen.

  4. Shauna Leo

    My kitty loves raw beef. Like steak. So I will buy the little steak strips the butcher cuts up & puts out for fajitas. Also shredded beef raw. She’s kind of a little piglet

    Reply
    1. Mallory Crusta

      Hi Melody,

      Wellness is one of the better cat food brands you can buy. We recommended the Wellness CORE line on our list of the best wet cat food brands. Though I can’t recommend dry cat food over wet, their air-dried food is better than most and is listed in our article on the best dry food.

      If you want to learn more about Wellness, you might like our full Wellness brand review. Read it here: https://cats.com/wellness-cat-food-review

      Though Siberians take a little bit longer to reach maturity, they should be able to transition off kitten food when they’re about a year old. If you’re worried that your Siberian won’t get enough protein and other nutrients, look for food that meets the AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages. Wellness CORE’s canned paté foods, for example, are rated for all life stages and provide plenty of nutrition for cats at any stage of life.

      Hope this helps!

  5. Lisa

    Hi
    15 month old Siberian male. Approximately 12 pounds. Recently switched instinct kitten dry to Instinct Adult Rabbit Dry. Noticing some hair loss and dandruff and he’s not overly impressed with the flavour. Does not like Adult Chicken.
    Recommendations? Instinct Protein?
    Concerned about too much protein.

    Also eating Performatrin Ultra Tuna twice daily. Prefers chunky to pate.
    Any other grain free dry comparable?

    Thanks

    Reply
  6. Mallory Crusta

    Hi Lisa,

    Thanks for commenting!

    Dandruff and hair loss—real hair loss, not just shedding—are not necessarily signs of a bad diet. Before you blame your cat’s new food, I would rule out any health conditions. Once you’ve confirmed that he’s healthy, try instituting a brushing routine. Regular brushing will help to distribute those natural oils and control dandruff. Otherwise, the food may not have enough animal-sourced fat for your cat. Regardless of what you feed him, a fish oil supplement can help to keep his skin and coat in top condition.

    Feel free to experiment with other foods, potentially including those from the Ultimate Protein line. Please don’t be afraid of giving him too much protein! An animal that can subsist on nothing but fresh, raw mice is not going to have problems digesting the amount of protein in Ultimate Protein kibble.

    Other dry food brands and lines to consider:

    Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein
    Ziwi Peak air-dried food
    Tiki Cat Born Carnivore
    Simply Nourish Source

    Some of these dry foods are comparable to the Performatrin Ultra canned food. Some are better. Some are a little bit more plant-heavy. You’ll just have to give them a try and see which ones your cat enjoys. Remember that while they can thrive on a good dry diet, cats do best on high-moisture foods. Keeping some wet food in the rotation will help to keep your Siberian feeling his best.

    Hope this answers your questions and helps you to find the best food for your kitty!

    Take care,

    Mallory

    Reply
  7. Leslie

    My Siberian is an extremely picky eater. I try to feed her the best foods, but she tends to thwart my efforts to feed her well. I often get frustrated because the brands most-recommended are usually not available here in Ontario, Canada. I’ve never tried her on Purina, because I had a cat years ago who would get bloody diarrhea on Purina foods, so I tend to avoid that brand. I suppose I could try it and see how she does. Her favourite dry food is nulo. I haven’t tried Instinct dry, but she will only eat a few bites of their wet food and sometimes sniffs it and walks away. It’s frustrating trying to get this cat to eat sometimes. She just paws at me as if to say, “I want something else!”

    Reply
  8. Amy

    Hi there, I’ve had my Siberian’s since April and he is now just over one year old. I have been feeding him Blue Ridge Beef Company kitten grind or kitten mix for each meal and he is OBSESSED. From what I’ve been reading though, I am concerned he is not getting all that he needs but I don’t want to give him grains, etc. What would be a good supplement for him? Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Britt

      Hi Amy, I used to feed Blue Ridge Beef mixed with a high quality wet food to ensure that my Siberian was getting a complete balanced diet. I no longer feed raw because of the hassle of having to clean everything to prevent contamination. I mix Tiki Cat with Natural Balance dry because it has excellent hair ball control.

  9. Marion

    Could you please comment on the quality of the Weruva wet brand of cat food for Siberians? That is what we feed our female Siberian. Thank you ~

    Reply
  10. Valerie Wolf-Sonkin

    Hello!
    I have 2 Siberians (half siblings) that are just over 1.5 years old. They are PURRfect! I adore them. But… I used to make them raw food, but they went from devouring it to not being excited and wanting to graze (not great for raw). So I went to a can in the morning and dry at night. He hates the can and rarely eats it, she will eat some. I don’t only want to give dry. They do get tastes of what we are eating. (I know… bad mommy). (I usually mix more than one brand together of: dry brands: Rachael Ray Nutrish Peak Grain-Free, Purina Indoor Cat Chow, Purina Kit & Kaboodle, Purina Cat Chow Complete, Earthborn Holistic Primitive Grain Free; Wet brands: Purina Pro, Fancy Feast, Friskies Shreds, Friskies Extra Gravy Chunky, Friskies prime filets, 9 Lives Favorites Variety, Holistic Select)
    I don’t mind cooking for them if they will eat it. Cost is an issue, I have 5 kids in 5 years with 3 currently in college.
    Suggestions?

    Reply
    1. Mallory Crusta Post author

      Hello Valerie, you might consider a freeze-dried raw food. The brand Stella & Chewy’s is relatively affordable and could be a good option for your two kitties. If you find that your guy likes it, this could be a good option to mix with the canned food. Otherwise, you can also consider upgrading to a higher-quality dry food, which would satisfy your cats’ preferences while also delivering better nutrition. Here’s a guide to our picks for the best dry cat food on the market: https://cats.com/best-dry-cat-food
      Hope this helps! – Mallory

  11. Andreina

    Hi, what an useful website! Thanks for all the good tips.
    I have two Siberian kittens, half siblings. Olaf, the little one, has been vomiting quite often. Took him to the vet and she recommended us to change his diet to Hill’s I/d diet.
    I’m going to give it a try. However, reading your reviews and the ingredients in the package, I’m concerned about the content of animal byproducts and carbs in this dry and wet food.
    I.ve been feeding them Purizon for kittens as dry food and Carny, Animonda, Cosma, Hermans and other as wet food.

    What can you comment about that Purizon for kittens dry food?

    Reply
    1. Mallory Crusta Post author

      Hey Andreina, Purizon’s kitten food is a pretty good option, from what I can tell! The recipe appears to emphasize nourishing meats and animal fats above all else. It’s not ideal—of course, an ultra-simple meat-based food would be more species-appropriate—but I would certainly consider the Purizon diet a fair alternative to the Hills i/d. You may want to give both of them a try and see how they affect Olaf’s digestion. Hope this helps.

  12. Guillaume

    Hello,
    One thing really confuses me with Siberians. At what point should you stop feeding them kitten food/portions? As soon as they’ve been sterilized, after 40 weeks? But since they keep growing well after a year, wouldn’t “sterilized adult” food and reduced portions stunt their development?

    Reply
    1. Mallory Crusta Post author

      Hi there. Since kitten food is primarily intended to be more calorically-and-nutritionally-dense than adult food, your Siberian should be able to get just as much nutritional value from a food formulated for “all life stages”. These products have the nutritional density that kittens need, but they are often less calorically-dense and more options are available.

  13. Karolyn

    I adopted my cat about a year ago. I was told that she was a domestic shorthair but I suspect that she is a Siberian mix. I’ve heard that Siberians take longer to fully mature. Does that mean that I should keep her on kitten food for longer than a year?

    Reply
    1. Mallory Crusta Post author

      Karolyn, thanks for commenting. Especially considering that your cat is not fully Siberian and may not have any Siberian genetics, I wouldn’t opt for a kitten food for very long. Kitten food is rather expensive, so I would consider using a food that’s not marketed for kittens but formulated for “all life stages”. Foods formulated like this have the nutritional intensity that a kitten needs, but they are usually a bit lower in calories and more affordable, making them a nice choice for older cats.

  14. julie genter

    My Siberian forest kitten is only 4 mts old.
    He’s not satisfied with eating 3 meals a day.
    I feed him the Wellness brand of kitten food ( wet )
    but he wants more all the time. Can i feed him more than 3 times a day ?

    Reply
  15. Jessy Lau

    I read a line above saying don’t feed liver to Siberian but many wet food contains liver as an ingredient. My vet said no problem and I feed them with cooked chicken liver, they love so much. My sibs just turned 6 months, both are boys from the same litter. Should I stop feeding them liver?

    Reply
    1. Mallory Crusta Post author

      Hi Jessy, thank you for commenting. I’ve removed the section about liver from the article—I believe the author meant that very large quantities of liver should be avoided. In normal amounts like those seen in typical cat food, there’s absolutely no reason to avoid giving your cat liver to eat, whether they are a Siberian, moggy, or any other breed. In other words, your veterinarian is right, and we were mistaken. I’m sorry about the misleading content of the article.

  16. Laura

    My Siberian kitten is a!most 4 months old. She eats Royal Cabin kitten food (free feeds all day), p!is raw food for lunch (if she doesn’t nap through it), and at dinner when we eat. The article above mentioned the usual raw meats, what about raw shrimp or fish in general? She loves the raw shrimp. Is it okay for her to eat raw shrimp?

    Reply
    1. Mallory Crusta Post author

      While you do have to be aware of the usual hazards associated with raw meat, it is generally okay to give raw shrimp or fish as an occasional treat.

    1. Mallory Crusta Post author

      It’s okay! You’d be surprised by the number of times I’ve seen Royal Cabin mentioned in the comments on this site. 🙂 Thanks for clarifying and stopping by.

  17. Rozma

    Hi my Siberian kittens are 5 months old, both kittens will not drink water at all. They’re both happy eating raw food (Nutriments).
    I feel I should be worried even though I know they don’t have to drink a lot of water when they are eating raw food.

    Reply
    1. Mallory Crusta Post author

      You can encourage them to drink a bit more water by investing in a water fountain and perhaps adding some extra water to their food. As long as they’re getting a clean bill of health from the vet and not showing any signs of illness, I’d say there’s no reason to worry.

  18. Claudio

    Hi ! my siberian cat is 2y old. Since 1y old I’m giving him 2 fish meals a day ( fish4cats ) + dry food ( Royal Canin for Siberian). Only occasionaly I am giving meat to him . Is this wrong ? should he eat more meat then fish?

    Reply
    1. Mallory Crusta Post author

      Hi Claudio, I think this sounds fine, but it is true that too much fish can introduce an excess of heavy metals and certain minerals. Switching up one of those two normally-fish meals and adding in something non-fish might be a good choice.

  19. julie genter

    Good Afternoon,
    my Siberian cat is 15 months old . He’s been having a bout with diarrhea . For 3 days Iv’e been feeding him chicken and rice.
    Can I start mixing his hard cat food with a little soft cat food to see how he does.

    Thanks for your input , I really appreciate it.

    Julie Genter

    Reply
    1. Mallory Crusta Post author

      Hi Julie, apologies for the late reply. Yes, after three days, you can start adding in some regular cat food, but it’s best to monitor him closely to make sure things don’t get worse. Including the probiotic yeast s. Boulardii can also help. You can learn more about treating and feeding a cat with diarrhea here.

  20. Chloe R.

    Hello,
    I have two male Siberian Cats (brothers from the same litter) they’re 4 months old. I feed them Royal Canin Kitten dry food, and will occasionally feed them the same brand wet food. As a first time cat owner, and Siberian cat owner, after reading these comments l’m unsure if their diet is okay for their breed. The vet told me I should not be feeding them “human food” but it sounds like they can have more than what the vet says. These comments have been super informative. Any information or suggestion is extremely helpful! Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Mallory Crusta Post author

      Hello Chloe, really, the dietary requirements for a Siberian cat aren’t much different from those for any other breed. We don’t usually recommend Royal Canin foods as they tend to be higher in plant content, but it’s certainly not a bad brand. You can learn more about our assessment of it in our in-depth Royal Canin brand review here.

  21. Ami

    My siberian is 8 years old and his vet said that he needs more water in his diet (he gets wet food twice a day). We started adding a bit of water to his wet food, but I was also advised to from a urinary dry food option for him (he has earthborn out at all times to munch on as needed).

    Do you have a recommendation for a urinary dryfood that would be good for him? I would prefer to give him something semi-healthy.
    Thanks!

    Reply
  22. Rachel Bramhall

    Hi! I have a 7 month old Siberian, and from the first day we brought him home he has been always hungry. He tries to eat our two dogs’ food if we forget to put him in a different room when we feed them. He eats our food from the table if we leave for even a second. He is 10.4 lbs, and I am stumped about how much to feed him. If I go by the rib test, he is overweight. He also has a primordial pouch. Do all cats get one, or is that a sign of being overweight? They say to free feed kittens but I tried leaving out dry food and he just gorged himself. Can you put a kitten on a diet? Should I? Right now I feed him a mixture of Royal Canin’s neutered dry kitten food and Purina Live Clear Kitten food for dry food (1/4 c morning and night) and a can of Fancy Feast kitten food at lunch.

    Reply
    1. Mallory Crusta Post author

      Hi Rachel! Thank you for the comment. Some cats will have a more prominent primordial pouch than others—I believe it comes down to genetics, weight fluctuations, and age. I would be cautious about assuming that this cat is overweight. Have you talked with a vet about it? They may be able to put your mind at ease by palpating your cat’s body and giving an expert opinion on his size and weight. By 7 months old, a Siberian kitten should be able to switch to meals, like you’re feeding, so I wouldn’t worry about going back to free feeding. It sounds like he is getting about 337 calories per day, which is roughly in line with recommendations for this life stage.