Russian Blue Cat
Cat Facts

The Russian Blue Cat, along with the Korat and Chartreux cat are known as the three natural blue-coated cat breeds.

Russian Blues have plush, double coats with fine, short, silky fur and because of the thickness, the coat stands away from the body. The breed standard for this cat differs on both sides of the Atlantic. The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in the United States and GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy) in the United Kingdom call for minor variations in all aspects of the cat's features.

CFA for example dictates that the blue coat should be bright and lighter shades of blue are preferred. Silver-tipped guard hairs gives the coat a lustrous sheen and provides a distinct contrast between the ground color and tipping. On the other hand, GCCF standards call for a bright blue coat throughout with medium tones and the guard hairs should have no tipping.

Whilst the shape of the eyes varies in the USA and UK, both registries agree that the eyes color should be emerald green or vivid green. Kittens will have yellow to green eyes which mature to green at around 1 year.

White and Black Russian variants are called Russian Shorthairs and are only recognized by the Australian, New Zealand and South African registries.

Check all breeds of cat Breed standards in your country.

Personality and Temperament

Russian Blue cat's temperaments differ from cat to cat, but there are general personality traits.

This dignified cat is lively, athletic, playful and intelligent. They are shy cats and tend to be reserved with strangers. Russian Blues are dominant cats and hate limits being placed on them. They can be gentle and affectionate but this is reserved for their special owners or people who have earned their trust. They can be sociable, but it takes time for them to warm to strangers.

They do not adjust to change easily and are generally very cautious cats who subscribe to the 'look before you leap' theory.

These domestic cats enjoy a calm, quiet environment without upheaval. An ordered existence suits them best and they tolerate solitude well.

A multi-cat household or a home with younger children would probably not be suitable for a Russian Blue. These cats are not fond of being held or cuddled for long and will wriggle away. Their ideal home would be with a more mature cat-lover. If breeders have raised their kittens under foot in a household with children, the Russian may well adapt to children. The Russian Blue is a gentle cat with a soft, undemanding voice which is not used in excess.

Russian Blue Cat Information

Indoor or Outdoor Cats

The Russian Blue cat is a home-loving cat that will tolerate solitude for a while. They can adapt to indoor living, but are suited to cold weather and the outdoors, provided it is a safe, escape-proof garden.

Most cat lovers will agree that it is preferable to keep a cat indoors as a safety precaution. Cats that are allowed to roam are at risk of been injured by dogs, hostile cats, unfriendly neighbors and motor vehicles. Outdoor cats are also at greater risk of contracting infectious feline diseases.

Cats that are confined indoors do need sufficient space to exercise and explore and you will need to provide them with a cat-friendly environment filled with toys, cat gyms, cat scratchers and possibly even an indoor garden.

Cat Grooming and Cat Care

Russian Blue cats are easy to care for, in fact, less frequent grooming results in the coat having a deeper sheen whilst over-grooming can damage the coat. At a change of season when there is excess shedding, remove loose hair by dampening hands with water and stroking the coat.

Visit the chapter on cat hair care for great tips and advice on cat grooming and the chapter on cat dental care for advice on cleaning your cat's teeth.

Cat Health Concerns

Apart from the common infectious feline diseases this is a healthy cat breed with no known genetic health issues. Please do vaccinate your cat and as veterinary fees are expensive, you should always consider medical cat insurance for your pet.

Cat Diet and Nutrition

To keep your cat in good condition and healthy, you should feed them the best cat food possible. The chapter on cat food provides excellent information on the different types of feline foods and the cat nutrition guide reviews the importance of specific nutrients in your cat's diet. Water and not milk is also an essential part of the diet.

The Average Weight

Weight differs between male and female cats, but on average they should weigh between 3.0 - 5.5 kg (7 - 12 lb)

Life Expectancy

Life expectancy is dependent on numerous factors which are explained in detail in the chapter on how long do cats live. Generally speaking the average life expectancy for these cats is between 10 - 15 years.

Related Cat Pages:

Russian Blue - the history and origin of this blue cat breed

Russian Blue kitten Breeders - international breeder directory

Cat Photos courtesy of:

Top: © Photographer Theresa Fouche - Russian Blue kitten Silversheen Levi Aleksander; Owner: Leanne Hewitt

Center: © Photographer Irene McCullagh www.irene-mccullagh.com ; Owner: Leanne Hewitt

Bottom: © Photographer Theresa Fouche ; Owner: Leanne Hewitt; Russian Blue Cat - Azreal Sergei Stalin