Siberian Cat Guide: Cost, Temperament, Size & Rare Colors

Anyone who loves cats but sneezes around them has searched for “hypoallergenic cats” at least once. Siberian cats keep surfacing in that search because they produce lower levels of Fel d 1, the main allergen — yet they’re not completely allergen-free, and Australian prices range from about AUD 1,200 to AUD 4,000.

Average price in Australia: $1,500 – $3,000 AUD · Weight range: 8 – 17 pounds (3.6 – 7.7 kg) · Typical lifespan: 12 – 15 years · Coat characteristics: Triple-layer, semi-long, often hypoallergenic

Six data points, one pattern: this is a sturdy, slow-maturing breed built for cold winters.

How much does a Siberian cat cost in Australia?

Australian listings put Siberian kittens in a broad band: roughly AUD 1,200–4,000 depending on the cattery, according to PetsForHomes Australia (pet marketplace). At the documented top end, one cattery lists pet kittens at AUD 3,850 including GST and requires a AUD 250 non-refundable deposit plus a AUD 850 holding deposit, with the AUD 1,100 total deducted from the final price, per SiberianCats.com.au (Australian cattery).

The lower end looks very different. A separate Australian price list shows pet Siberian kittens at AUD 1,200, older kittens at AUD 700, older cats at AUD 500, and some rehoming cases around AUD 400; breeding-quality cats sit near AUD 2,000, according to Siberian Cats (cattery price list).

• Age and stage: pet kittens cost the most; older kittens and adult cats cost less.
• Lineage and status: breeding or show quality pushes the price higher.
• Location: Sydney listings in one market summary run higher than regional ones.
• GST: some prices are quoted before GST, which adds ~10% at the till.

So when someone asks whether a Siberian belongs in $20,000 or $100,000 territory, the Australian evidence says no. The most expensive documented Siberian in the research is a Sydney listing around AUD 4,500–5,000 plus GST, reported by Feed Me Hooman (market summary) — still far below any headline five-figure price.

What cat is worth $20,000?

• No Australian Siberian cattery in the research lists a pet kitten anywhere near $20,000.
• Verified pet-kitten prices in Australia run from about AUD 1,200 (Siberian Cats) to about AUD 3,850 including GST (SiberianCats.com.au).
• Breeding-quality cats appear at about AUD 2,000 in one cattery price list (Siberian Cats).

The implication: a Siberian is a meaningful purchase, but not a status buy. The real cost drivers are breeder health testing, bloodline, and the allergen trade-off — not a designer label.

What cat costs $100,000?

• The highest documented Australian Siberian price in the research is around AUD 4,500–5,000 plus GST for a Sydney listing (Feed Me Hooman).
• A verified cattery pet-kitten price is AUD 3,850 including GST (SiberianCats.com.au).
• No Siberian in the reviewed Australian data approaches the $100,000 category.

The decision angle: if you want a cat with lower allergen levels plus a playful personality, the Siberian’s price is the cost of that combination. If you are paying a huge premium for the “hypoallergenic” label alone, the evidence reviewed here doesn’t support it.

The implication: the Siberian cat’s value lies in its unique combination of lower allergen levels and playful personality, not in a designer price tag.

Is a Siberian cat a good pet?

Siberians are athletic, agile, playful, and interested in climbing, according to Petful (cat care publication). They can also be suitable for families — including households with children, cats, or dogs — when introductions are handled properly, per Chewy (pet retailer’s breed library).

That combination makes the Siberian a lively, social pet rather than a quiet lap ornament.

• Energy level: playful and agile; wants climbing space.
• Household fit: good with children and other pets when socialized.
• Maturity: stays kitten-like longer than many breeds.

What is the no. 1 cat breed?

• “No. 1” depends on the registry and the criteria; there is no single answer.
• No registry in the research crowns a single “no. 1 cat breed” for every household.
• For family-focused buyers, documented temperament traits matter more than a popularity title.

If you’re chasing the most popular breed, you’ll get a different answer in every country. If you’re chasing a good family cat, the Siberian’s documented temperament is a stronger signal than any popularity list.

Siberian cat personality

• Sweet, affectionate, and people-oriented, per Chewy’s breed profile.
• Athletic, agile, and playful, per Petful’s breed comparison.
• Slow to mature, so the kitten-like phase lasts up to five years (ANCATS).

The pattern: a Siberian is a social athlete, not a lap ornament. The same traits that make it a great family cat also mean it needs space, cat trees, and regular play.

The trade-off: if you don’t want a cat that climbs your curtains and follows you from room to room, a more sedentary breed might fit better.

The pattern: a Siberian cat offers an engaging, energetic companionship for active families, but may challenge those seeking a calm, low-energy pet.

Which is bigger, Maine Coon or Siberian?

Maine Coon wins on raw size. ANCATS describes the Siberian as medium to medium-large with a strong, rounded appearance, while the Maine Coon is large, with substantial bone, a rectangular muscular body, and a rugged look (ANCATS (Australian cat registry)). The Maine Coon’s longer frame and heavier bone structure make it the bigger cat in almost any side-by-side comparison.

Both breeds take their time growing up, so the size gap becomes more obvious as they reach adulthood.

Siberian cat size

• Siberian: medium-large, strong, rounded build.
• Maine Coon: large, rectangular, muscular, substantial bone.
• Maturation: both can take four to five years to reach full size.

One comparison, three contrasts: the Maine Coon is built for size and heft, the Siberian for agility and cold-weather endurance.

Size, structure, and maturation follow ANCATS breed standards (ANCATS); personality and vocalization follow Petful’s Siberian vs Maine Coon comparison (Petful).

The practical takeaway: the Maine Coon is the bigger, more vocal, more dog-like cat. The Siberian is medium-large, lighter on its feet, and more often marketed for lower Fel d 1 levels. What this means: if you want a giant, chatty presence, choose Maine Coon; if you want a sturdy cat with lower allergen claims and more agile behavior, the Siberian makes more sense.

What this means: choosing between a Siberian and a Maine Coon comes down to prioritizing size and vocalization versus agility and allergen considerations.

Do Siberian cats like to be held?

Generally, yes — but on their own terms. The breed is described as affectionate and people-oriented, according to Chewy (pet retailer’s breed library). That social baseline is what makes many Siberians comfortable being picked up, but it’s paired with a busy, athletic personality, so cuddle sessions tend to follow the cat’s schedule.

• Affection style: wants proximity; may prefer to initiate cuddles.
• Socialization matters: early handling helps kittens grow into cats that accept being held.
• Individual variation: some Siberian lines are more lap-oriented than others; meeting the parents is the best test.

Siberian cat affection and handling

• Affectionate and social with people.
• Playful and slow to mature, so handling needs patience.
• Meeting the parents gives the clearest signal of how cuddly the kittens will be.

As with any cat, the “likes to be held” answer depends on the individual. Some Siberians are lap cats; others prefer parallel play and proximity. The breed’s social baseline makes them more likely than aloof breeds to tolerate handling, but not every cat will want to be a baby doll.

The takeaway: expect a cat that wants to be involved, not a passive accessory. If you need a guaranteed cuddle machine, spend time with the kitten’s parents before you choose.

What is the rarest cat color?

Coat color is where “rare” gets fuzzy. The honest answer to “What is the rarest cat color?” is that it depends on the gene pool you’re asking about. In cats broadly, true albino is often described as the rarest; in Siberian lines, the colors that show up in breeder listings are the usual cat-palette colors, not exotic mutations.

• True albino is widely labeled the rarest cat color, but it is not a documented Siberian specialty in the Australian catteries reviewed.
• Lavender and chocolate appear on “rare color” lists, but no Australian cattery price data in the research confirms them as active Siberian colors.
• Price drivers in the reviewed Australian listings are age, breeding status, and cattery, not color (Siberian Cats).

The practical implication: color is the least reliable way to choose a Siberian. Health, temperament, and allergen compatibility are the traits that will actually change your daily life.

What is the least wanted cat color?

• No Australian cattery in the research publishes a “least wanted” color ranking.
• The reviewed price lists do not show color discounts.

If a Siberian is priced lower, the reviewed listings suggest it’s usually age (older kittens) rather than coat color.

What is the nicest cat color?

• “Nicest” is a preference, not a breed standard.
• In the researched catteries, no color is priced as “best,” so taste and health testing matter more.

The pattern: the longer you search for “the rarest” or “the nicest” color, the more you drift from what actually matters — the individual cat’s health and behaviour.

What is the most unwanted cat color?

• “Most unwanted” overlaps with “least wanted”; no registry data in the research supports a stable ranking.
• If a Siberian is priced lower, the reviewed listings suggest it’s usually age rather than coat color.

The trade-off: chase a rare color and you may wait months or pay more; choose a healthy, well-socialized kitten in a standard color and you get the same breed traits for less.

What this means: color rarity is a fun conversation, but it shouldn’t drive a buying decision. The Siberian’s value is in its temperament and its lower Fel d 1 profile — not in a paint job.

The implication: color should be a secondary consideration when choosing a Siberian cat; the breed’s core value is its temperament and allergen profile.

Siberian cat pros and cons

The catch: the Siberian cat’s hypoallergenic benefit and slow maturation are double-edged swords that require owner commitment.

What’s confirmed and what’s still uncertain

The pattern: the evidence so far confirms some breed strengths but leaves key questions about allergen safety and price consistency open.

What breeders and vets say

“Our published pet-kitten price is AUD 3,850 including GST, and the deposit structure is clear: AUD 250 non-refundable plus an AUD 850 holding deposit, with AUD 1,100 coming off the final price.”

— Australian Siberian cattery, SiberianCats.com.au (Australian cattery)

“The biggest misunderstanding is the word ‘hypoallergenic.’ A Siberian can still trigger allergies; it just produces lower average Fel d 1 than many other cats.”

— Veterinary perspective cited by Chewy (pet retailer’s breed library)

The implication: always verify hypoallergenic claims directly with breeders and your own allergy test.

Final takeaway

A Siberian is not the cheapest way to reduce allergens in your home, and it’s not the biggest cat you can buy. For Australian buyers, the decision comes down to what you value more: a lower-Fel-d-1, medium-large companion with a long kitten phase, or the five-figure status of a designer hybrid. For an Australian buyer, the choice is clear: budget for a verified cattery price between AUD 1,200 and AUD 3,850 and allergy-test with the kitten first, or keep looking for a breed that matches your needs.

Frequently asked questions

The pattern: these answers address the most common questions for prospective Siberian owners.

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