Frequently Asked Questions.

FAQs

About Adopting a Kitten

  • A kitten from Inara Siberian Cats will cost $2,200.

    For more information go to our Adoption Information page.

  • When you buy a kitten from Inara Siberian Cats, it will be well-socialized and litter box-trained. The kitten will have received two rounds of vaccines for Feline Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calice Virus, and Panleukopenia. The kitten will also be de-wormed.

    In addition, each kitten comes with complimentary 30-day health insurance and a packet containing medical records and items for your kitten. Before your kitten goes home, it will be freshly bathed and have its claws trimmed.

    For more information, go to our Adoption Information page.

  • If you are interested in adopting a kitten from Inara Siberian Cats, the first step is to Contact Us and let us know you are interested. Next, we will arrange a video conference call to discuss your situation and give you a chance to look at the kitten you are interested in. After this, you will receive our Terms and Agreement. Finally, after signing the contract, we will set up a meeting to finalize the sale of the kitten. However, it is important to note that we reserve the right to refuse sales to anyone, ensuring our kittens' best interest and well-being.

    For more information, read our Adoption Information page.

  • Our kittens are ready to go to a new home when they are between 12 and 16 weeks old.

    You cannot adopt a kitten from us before they are 12 weeks old. They are still small and cute at 12 weeks, but it is healthier not to take them away from their mother before this time.

  • How your kitten arrives at your home is entirely dependent on your circumstances.

    If you live within a 2 hour driving radius of Sheridan Oregon we can deliver your kitten to you. You can have us deliver the kitten to your home, or we can meet at a prearranged location where you can pick up the kitten and bring it home.

    If you live further than 2 hours away, you can either drive to a prearranged meeting location and pick up your kitten, fly to us (Portland International Airport) and take your kitten home with you, or we can fly your kitten to you.

    Should you decide to have us come to you by air, there will be a fee for a first class/business class airplane ticket (an absolute must when traveling with a feline) and delivery charge. We fly with the cats ourselves and keep them with us throughout the flight. Your cat will stay with us in a cat carrier before being hand delivered to you.

  • Yes, at Inara Siberian Cats, we socialize all of our kittens. The kittens are hand-raised in my house with my husband and four children.

    We work on handling them and getting them used to being brushed and having their paws touched. We bring them on car rides to get them used to being moved around. We kennel train them and train them to stay off of counters and tables (although that is easier said than done).

    We do not have a dog, but we have seen our kittens adopted by families with dogs, and they get along just fine.

  • Generally, Siberian cats are social animals that enjoy the companionship of another feline friend. While there may be exceptions, it's usually recommended that Siberian cats have a playmate.

    If you already have a cat or dog in your household, your kitten may not require another playmate. However, if you don’t already have other pets, it's worth considering adopting two kittens. Even if you don't adopt them at the same time, having a companion can make a significant difference for your kitten.

    Siberian cats are highly intelligent and require constant mental stimulation, but not everyone works from home or has the time to entertain their cats. By adopting two cats, they will have someone to play with and keep them occupied. As a result, they will be less likely to get bored or exhibit destructive behavior.


 FAQs

About Siberian Cats

  • The term hypoallergenic means “relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction,” (Oxford Dictionary). So Siberians are considered hypoallergenic. They are also called low allergen which means that many people with cat allergies can live comfortably with them.

    Most cat allergies are caused by a protein called Fel-D1, which is found in a cat’s saliva. When cats groom themselves, the protein gets on their fur and skin, then dries and becomes airborne - triggering allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

    Siberian cats naturally produce lower levels of Fel-D1 compared to other breeds. While levels can vary between individual cats, many people with mild to moderate allergies report no reaction when living with a Siberian.

  • Siberian cats are medium to large-sized, with males typically weighing between 12 to 20 pounds and females ranging from 8 to 15 pounds. The exact size of a Siberian cat is determined by its parents; the larger the parents, the larger the kitten.

    What makes Siberians unique is that they take about 5 years to reach full maturity, including their height, weight, and coat color.

  • While every cat has its own unique personality, Siberian cats are generally known for their "dog-like" temperament. They are incredibly athletic and love to play with their humans or with other animals.

    Siberians are big fans of climbing and jumping, so a tall cat tree is a must-have for them to burn off their energy. Their intelligence and natural curiosity make them quick learners, and they thrive on mental stimulation. Unlike many other cats, they enjoy human interaction and often seek attention and affection. Siberians also tend to get along well with other pets, making them great in multi-pet households.

  • While every Siberian cat is unique, they generally make fantastic pets for families. With their boundless energy, they’re perfect for kids who love to play and have fun. They also enjoy being around people, so you can expect your Siberian to happily snuggle up with you during movie time or sit proudly beside you while you work on homework.

    If you're looking for a Siberian cat that's a great fit for kids, we’d be happy to help you find the perfect match from one of our kittens.

  • Please read the blog posts, “What to feed your Siberian cat“ and “Can my cat be a vegetarian?

  • Siberian cats and Norwegian forest cats are very similar, but they do have some big differences.


    Origins:

    Both the Siberian cat and the Norwegian Forest cat are natural breeds (people didn’t interfere to create them), but they originated in different places.

    Siberian cats came from the forests of Siberia, Russia, and have been there for thousands of years.

    Norwegian Forest cats came from (you guessed it) Norway. They were well adapted to the Scandinavian climate and could be found on Viking ships.


    Appearance:

    Norwegian Forest cats are medium-sized cats, but they tend to be slightly smaller than Siberian cats. They have long, sturdy bodies and bushy tails. They have rounded ears, and tufts on the top are a must. They have a triangular face, a strong chin, and almond-shaped eyes.

    Siberians are also medium-sized cats, but they are built differently than the Norwegians. They have strong hindquarters, and their back legs are slightly longer than their front legs, making them powerful jumpers. They tend to be stockier than other cats and have barrel-shaped bodies. They have round faces and round eyes.


    Personality:

    Norwegian forest cats are high-energy cats that enjoy being part of the family. They love to play games and can be vocal.

    Siberian cats are very energetic but a little more outgoing with other people than Norwegians. This is what gives them their dog-like reputation. They are very intelligent and are known to learn to play games like fetch. They are not as vocal but they do like showing off an interesting display of chirps and chortles.

  • Siberian cats and Maine Coons have some very similar traits, but they are very different cat breeds.

    Origins:

    Both the Siberian cat and the Maine Coon are natural breeds (people didn’t interfere to create them), but they originated in different places.

    Siberian cats came from the forests of Siberia, Russia, and have been there for thousands of years. References to them can be found in old Russian folk tales and books.

    Maine Coons are one of the oldest natural breeds in North America. They originated in what is now the U.S. state of Maine and are Maine’s state cat.

    Appearance:

    Maine Coons are the largest domestic cat breed, with some cats growing over 20 pounds. They have long, rectangular bodies and long, bushy tails. They have large paws, and some of them are born polydactyls, which means they have extra toes. They have a distinctively angular face with high cheekbones and a square muzzle. They have long, pointed ears with large tufts on the top.

    Siberians are medium-sized cats and are smaller than Maine Coons. They have strong hindquarters, and their back legs are slightly longer than their front legs, making them powerful jumpers. They tend to be stockier than other cats and have barrel-shaped bodies. They have round faces and round eyes.

    Personality:

    Maine Coons are often called “gentle giants” and are known to have a 'dog-like' personality. They are very kind and affectionate, but not big lap cats. Because of their steady temper, they can be certified as therapy cats.

    Siberian cats are very athletic and are also know to have a ‘dog-like- personality. They are a little more affectionate with people than Maine Coons and love to cuddle! They are very intelligent and are known to learn to play games like fetch.


 FAQs

About Our Cattery

  • The answer to this question, unfortunately, is no. We don’t offer in-person visits to our cattery, as it’s located in my home where my family lives. To protect the health and safety of my family and our cats, we keep the cattery closed to visitors.

    If you have any questions about the cattery, feel free to Contact Us.

  • To keep our cats healthy, we do not breed them constantly, so we do not always have kittens available.

    To see any available or upcoming litters, go to our Available Kittens page. To see our previous litters, go to our Kitten Alumni page.

  • We don’t do a traditional nonrefundable deposit and waitlist. You can have your name and number placed on our “Interested” list and we will contact you.

    After the kittens have reached 5 weeks of age a deposit (that will apply to the total price) can be placed to reserve your kitten.

    Go to our Contact Us page and let us know you are interested. We will then let you know what litters we have coming or if we have available kittens.

  • Yes. When you sign our contract you agree to get your kitten spayed or neutered no later than 7 months old.

  • To answer this question please read the blog post, “10 items you need for your Siberian kitten.”

    The top items we recommend from this post are tall cat trees, window lounges, and water fountains.

  • Absolutely not! Our contract strictly prohibits declawing at any point in your kitten’s life. Declawing is not just the removal of a nail - it’s an invasive procedure that involves amputating part of the toe and can cause lifelong pain, behavioral issues, and mobility problems. We believe every cat deserves to live a full, healthy life, and we do not allow any of our kittens to be subjected to this procedure.

    We’re happy to offer tips on ways to manage scratching behavior, and recommend alternatives like scratching posts, nail trimming, and soft nail caps.

  • Absolutely! Just because your kitten has gone home doesn’t mean you’re on your own—we’re always here and happy to help. Whether your kitty is feeling under the weather, turning up their nose at dinner, or you’re just wondering what toy might become their new favorite, we’re only a message away.

    And of course, if you ever want to share an adorable photo or a funny story, we’d be thrilled! Seeing our kittens grow up in loving homes is one of the best parts of what we do.