Whether you’re planning to get a Russian Blue cat or you’re curious about the awesome and rare breed, this article will have everything you might be looking for!
In today’s post, I’ll walk you through a Russian Blue cats guide, which includes information about the breed’s origin, personality, health status.
Additionally, I’ll be answering some frequently asked questions regarding the breed. So without further ado let’s dive in!
Russian Blue Cat Origin
The Russian blue breed is a naturally occurring cat breed, which means that it’s found in a wide variety of areas, so you don’t know the exact origin.
However, they’re said to originate from the cold northwestern regions in Russia and Scandinavia, hence the name.
The original name of the Russian Blue cat is the Archangel cat because many historians believe that the cat arrived in European lands from a Russian port known as the ”Arkhangelsk”.
They’re called the Rusian Blue because of their typical bluish fur coat. However, they were crossbred with Siamese and British Blue cats to keep the breed alive during World War II. This resulted in other varieties of the cat with white, grey, and black coats.
Up until the late 1900s, the Russian Blue cat was known as the Maltese cat in the U.S., which is also one of its other names in addition to Spanish Blue Cat (Azul Ruso).
Russian Blue Cat Physical Description
The Russian Blue cats aren’t actually blue. However, they come in various shades of silver and gray all with a hint of blue tinge, depending on the lighting around them.
Another characteristic feature of the Russian Blue cat is the beautiful green eyes that are also relatively wide.
They’re one of the cats that are mostly homogeneous in color. In other words, they don’t have a lot of patching going around.
Despite that, their fur coat is one of their most characteristic features. As it has a double-layered coat that’s quite reflective and shimmery if the cat is healthy.
Although they’re considered a shorthair breed, they’re known for having a remarkably thick and smooth coat that has a fleece feel to it.
In fact, they even have the same effect as fleece, where you can draw patterns on their coat with your fingers and they’ll retain that pattern until you smooth the skin out.
A male Russian Blue cat will weigh anywhere between 10 and 15 lbs and have a length of about 18 inches including the tail
Female Russian Blues are usually a bit smaller, weighing around 7 to 11 lbs and having a maximum length of about 15 inches.
They’re fine-boned cats with a lean body but tend to look larger due to their dense hair coats. Also, they have pointed and wide ears on top of a triangular head.
What Causes the Bluish Tinge in the Russian Blue Cat?
The reason they have this remarkably unique effect is the dense/dilute pigment, which is a black coloring gene in their body.
This gene creates a primary coat called melanophilin, which causes the alteration or dilution of the light, causing the black to appear greyish, coupled with the silvery tips of their hair, the resultant color is reflected as partially grey.
This phenomenon is often found in nature, which explains the iridescent bluish tinge in some creatures.
Russian Blue Cat Personality & Temperament
Russian Blue Cats have a unique and lovely personality. They’re quite friendly and curious cats that can be very social if they’re raised in an inviting environment.
However, they can sometimes keep their distance and prefer to be alone. Despite that, they’re among cats that might suffer from anxiety and might be depressed if they live alone for quite some time.
Moreover, they’re gentle, quiet, devoted, and a bit brighter and more intelligent than many cat breeds.
This allows them to have a relatively better memory, so they will quickly get used to your most frequent visitors as well.
Similar to ragdolls, they’re also a huge fan of “following”. So expect them to curiously follow you around regularly!
Although they’re not the absolute best, they’re quite nice with children especially when they’re introduced properly.
If you’re planning to add a Russian Blue Cat to your existing family of multiple cat breeds, you shouldn’t think twice! They’re super friendly and “chill” with other cats and don’t resort to aggression easily.
Russian Blue Cat Health Status
Since they belong to a naturally occurring breed, Russian Blue cats enjoy a pretty good health state with minimal concerns.
Typically, a Russian Blue cat has a lifespan of about 10 to 20 years, depending on the level of health care they get.
Since they’re generally healthy, the only problem with this breed of cat is obesity and minimal concerns for some kidney stones.
That’s why you’ll need to watch for their food intake and dosing to maintain their health, which is pretty easy when compared to some cats with popular health issues. Also, make sure that you get your cat vaccinated against common cat issues
Russian Blue Cat Grooming
Since a Russian Blue is a shorthair hair breed, your cat won’t require as much grooming. Instead, you can brush it with a soft brush and that will be enough for them to stay healthy.
Russian Blue Cat Activity level
Russian blue cats are medium-sized cats, so they aren’t too active nor they’re a lazy couch potato type.
Not only that, but they’re also quite intelligent. For those reasons, you’ll need to keep them stimulated both physically and mentally.
The best way to do that is by using a cat-proof fishing-pole toy, as this kind of toy helps them stay engaged and entertained.
FAQs
Are Russian blue cats cuddly?
The Russian Blue cats aren’t only known for their exceptional fur coat, but also for having an amazingly loving and devoted personality.
They’re emotionally intelligent cats that can develop close and powerful bonds with their human friends, especially the owner and family members.
They don’t mind being handled by the people they know and you’ll be encouraged to cuddle them because of their super plushy and soft hair coat.
However, you should keep in mind that, like all cats, they might not be open to cuddles sometimes, so you have to look out for and respect the signs of non-approval.
Are Russian blue cats really hypoallergenic?
The allergies produced after handling and playing with a cat is exacerbated due to a protein known as Fel d1.
This protein is produced in the cats’ saliva and skin. While some people might think that Russian Blue cats are hypoallergenic, they’re actually not!
Instead, they produce a lot less Fel d1, so they might still cause some sneezing and allergies but not as much as some other cats do.
Additionally, you should know that Russian Blue cats produce dander, which can also be an allergen and irritant to some people.
How much do Blue Russian cats cost?
The Russian Blue Cats are a relatively rare breed compared to some other species of cats. For that reason, they’re quite expensive.
If you’re planning to buy a Blue Russian cat in the U.S., you should expect that to set you back anywhere between $400 and $800, especially if you buy it from a breeder.
What’s more important than finding a good deal on a Russian blue is finding a trustworthy breeder, because some breeders brand gray Domestic Shorthairs as Russian Blues.
Are Russian Blues good indoor cats?
A lot of the Russian Blue behaviors and personality traits qualify it to be a great indoor cat. For instance, most Russian Blue cats are relatively quiet cats and don’t meow a lot. In fact, their meows aren’t even loud at all.
Additionally, they’re extremely sociable, loving, and friendly cats that are good with family and children, especially if they’re introduced from old age.
In a calm and loving environment, you should expect a Russian Blue cat to be comfortable and therefore extremely suitable for indoor life.
Wrap Up
There you have it. A complete guide that walks you through everything you need to know about Russian Blue cats.
As you can see, this amazingly unique breed is a great addition to anyone’s house. It’s a great companion and an awesome family member!
