Siberian cats are unusual from many other breeds in their affinity for water. Discern your cat’s interest in water by running a bath or the faucet at the sink. Does it come over to bat at the water or drink a bit? If so, it could be a Siberian. Siberian cats’ coats are also waterproof. If your cat doesn’t seem bothered by the water, try putting a couple drops of water on its coat to see if the water beads up or soaks in. Siberians enjoy engaging with their caretakers. Try playing with a feather or piece of string to see if your cat likes play. Siberians are known to be vocal as well, so watch for vocalizations—like chirps, trills, meows—while engaging in play with your cat. Some Siberians have even been known to play fetch like dogs. If your cat fits the other criteria and likes to do this, it may very well be a Siberian. Siberian cats are unusual from other breeds in that they are typically not bothered by noise. Some people even describe them as “fearless.” To put your cat’s temperament to the test, drop something loud, like a spoon on a hard surface, near the cat to see if it startles.  If your cool cat is unfazed, you may have a Siberian on your hands. Don’t drop anything on your cat or drop any dangerous object such as a pair of scissors. Blunt kitchen utensils such as spoons, whisks, or spatulas are good. Siberian cats are social, affectionate cats who often enjoy sitting in their owner’s laps. They’ve also been known to follow their owners from room to room to keep them company. Observe your cat’s behavior to see if they enjoy affection or prefer to be on their own.

Summary: Find out if the cat likes water. Look for a playful, active cat. Figure out if your cat is bothered by noise. Determine if your cat likes to sit in your lap.


Water can be extremely damaging to unfinished wood. Being exposed to water can cause unfinished wood to swell or become warped in size and shape. At the very least, it will most likely leave you with a finished product that is different from what you expected or intended to happen. Using a wet cleaning method can also cause the wood to become harder to finish later, if that is part of your eventual plan for the unfinished wood.

Summary: Avoid wet cleaning methods.


Protect yourself from disease and parasites, as well as the sharp beaks and talons of the bird by using gloves. You should also wash your hands before and after handling the bird, even if you are wearing gloves. If the bird’s nest is clearly destroyed but the bird’s parents are close by, you can create a simple hanging nest for the birds.  Use a small basket or a small tupperware container. Punch or cut holes on the bottom of the container and line the container with paper towels. Hang the nest with duct tape to a branch near the old nest. Place the baby bird in the hanging nest. The parent should then locate the new nest and the baby bird. It is important that you do not put the baby bird back in the original nest if it is injured and its parents are missing, as the nest may contain parasites that could weaken the bird further. Instead, build a temporary nest for the bird using a small plastic bowl or a berry box. You should line the bowl with unscented paper towel to provide some cushioning for the bird.  Avoid using a wire cage as the wire can injure the bird’s delicate feathers. If you do not have access to a plastic bowl, you can use a paper bag with air holes. This will keep the bird warm and protect it when it is in the temporary nest. If the bird is shivering, you can warm it up by putting one end of the cardboard box on a heating pad set to low. You can also fill a hot water bottle and place it next to the bird in the bowl. Make sure the bottle does not touch the bird, as this could burn it, or leak, as this could chill the bird even further. Once you place the bird in the lined plastic bowl, you can put the bowl in a cardboard box and tape the box shut.  Put the box in a spare room or a bathroom away from pets and children. Noise can be very stressful for the bird so make sure all radios and televisions are turned off. You should limit your contact with the baby bird so you do not make its injury or illness worse. Make sure the baby bird’s legs are tucked underneath its body, not stretched out. Every species of bird requires a specific diet, so avoid making the bird more ill or weak by giving it food it should not eat. When a bird is injured, it will use all its energy to fight shock and the injury so do not force it to devote its energy to eating as well. You should also avoid giving the bird water, as it can potentially drown the bird. If you touch the bird, you should wash your hands well to prevent the transfer of any diseases or parasites. You should also wash any items the bird was in contact with, like towels, blankets or jackets.
Summary: Wear gloves when handling the bird. Make a hanging nest if the bird’s parents are nearby but the nest is destroyed. Create a nest from a small plastic bowl and paper towel if the bird is orphaned. Place the bird in the nest and cover it with a paper towel. Put the nest in a warm, quiet, and dark area. Do not feed the baby bird. Wash your hands after handling the bird.