Bringing home your first Siberian is exciting, but the first month can also feel intense. After placing more than 200 kittens with families across the U.S., here's what I tell every new family before pickup day.
Before The Kitten Arrives
Set up one quiet room as the kitten's "base camp" for the first 3-5 days. A spare bedroom or bathroom works fine. They need:
- Litter box (low sided, with the same litter we use, ask your breeder)
- Food and water bowls (ceramic or stainless, not plastic)
- The same kibble we've been feeding (sudden food changes cause loose stool)
- A cat tree or shelf to climb, Siberians need vertical space
- 2-3 safe toys (no string, no small parts)
- A soft hiding spot, a cardboard box turned on its side is perfect
Day 1: Decompression
Your kitten will be in a carrier for hours, then thrust into a new world. Take them straight to their base-camp room. Open the carrier, sit on the floor, and let them come out on their own time. Some kittens explore right away. Others hide for a few hours. Both are normal.
Resist the urge to invite the whole family in. Two visitors max for day one. Keep voices low. Offer food and water but don't force interaction.
Days 2-7: Building Trust
Spend time in the room reading, working on a laptop, scrolling your phone. Just exist near the kitten without demanding attention. By day 3 most Siberians will start initiating play and lap time on their own. By day 5 you'll usually have a shadow.
Two things to watch:
- Eating: kittens should eat within 24 hours. If 36 hours pass with no food, call your breeder.
- Litter box: first poop usually within 24-48 hours. If past 72 hours, call your vet.
Week 2: Expanding Territory
Once your kitten is eating, sleeping, and playing normally in their base room, open the door and let them explore the rest of the house at their own pace. Don't carry them out, let them choose. Block off any rooms with hazards (open dryers, plants like lilies, exposed cords).
Introduce other pets slowly, scent first (swap blankets), then sight through a baby gate or cracked door, then supervised meetings.
Common Surprises With Siberians
They follow you. Everywhere.
Siberians are dog-like. Bathroom, kitchen, shower, expect company. This is the breed's character, not separation anxiety.
They love water
Don't be alarmed if they jump in your bath, paw the faucet, or stick their head in your water glass. It's a Siberian thing.
The "Siberian voice"
Many Siberians are conversational, with a soft chirp/trill rather than a meow. Talk back. They love it.
They take a year to fully grow up
Siberians are slow to mature. Expect kitten energy until ~18 months. Full size and coat development takes 3-5 years.
Vet Visit & Health
Schedule the first vet visit within the first 72 hours, this protects your health guarantee. Bring the medical records we send home. Most reputable breeders (us included) require this visit in writing.
What I Wish Every Family Knew
Your kitten will not be the same animal at week 1 as at week 4. The first few days are not their personality. Give them space, follow your breeder's feeding schedule, and resist the urge to over-handle. By month two you'll have a confident, bonded Siberian who runs the house.
Have Questions? I'm Here
Lifetime breeder support is included with every SiberianSnow kitten. Email anytime.
Email Hannah
TICA registered Siberian breeder, 10+ years · SiberianSnow Cattery, Galveston TX