Russian Blue | Cat Breed Information & Facts – Pictures

Last Updated on May 23, 2023 by Pets Feed

The Russian blue cat is without a doubt one of the most popular and most beautiful cats. He is a cat that loves his humans very much and likes to play. Of course, he is not one of those who go to the feet of strangers. He has a shy and distrustful character with people outside his circle, but it is only a matter of time before he gains confidence and becomes your best friend.

Breed name	Russian Blue
Country of origin	Russia
Weight	5 – 6 kg
Size	Medium
Life expectancy	10 – 16 years
Hair type	Short

The main characteristic of the Russian Blue cat breed is, without a doubt, its fur. Beyond the fact that it is short, very soft to the touch and dense, it has a coat whose coloring is practically unique among all cats. This black or bluish gray which also serves to give a name to the breed itself.

• The Russian Blue cat has a standard (medium) sized body. He is quite muscular and elongated.
• The cat’s ears are set high, tilted slightly forward and set wide apart.
• The eyes of this gray pet are large, oval in shape. They have a rich green color.
• Cats have a graceful neck, thin paws with oval paws.
• The cat’s long tail is slightly curved at the end.
• Wool has one feature – it is the same length as the undercoat. So that seems like a lot. In addition, the coat does not adhere to the body of the animal. It is silky and short.
• According to the standard, only one color is allowed – gray with a slight silver tint.

To fully understand the breed of the Russian blue cat, it is necessary to know the differences between the types of Russian blue according to their place of origin. There are two types of Russian blue cats:

• American type: Developed in the United States, this cat has lines that strongly resemble Asian cats. Due to the breed crossing with the Siamese cat. They are stylish and a bit smaller than their European counterparts. They also highlight larger, rounder eyes, lower insertion ears and a silver tone at the ends of the coat which is very marked.
• European type: On the other hand, in the European type, three subtypes are distinguished according to the area of ​​Europe. So, you can find English Russian blue, continental and Scandinavian. The differences between them are minimal, especially with regard to size, girth and coat. In general terms, the three lines are larger than the American, although there are variations by subtype. The most stylized would be the mainland, which is mainly found in Spain.
• English: the English type is thicker and the head seems more rounded. The base of the ears is wider and the eyes are slightly smaller.
• Continental: it is thinner and more stylized than English. The limbs stand out, long and thin, and the size of the eyes is slightly larger.
• Scandinavian: This guy is muscular, just like English, but he is more elegant.

The Russian Blue cat generally shows a calm character. It is one of those animals that generates a strong bond with its family, choosing one of the members to be its leader, and it will be with him that it will trust the most.

In addition, he gets along well with people of all ages and is very patient with children, although it is always necessary to ensure that children do not play badly with animals. Remember that they are somewhat reserved with strangers, a common behavior with most cats.

With a good education and good socialization of the Russian blue kitten, it is easy to get him to be also tolerant of visitors. It is an easy to train and very adaptable cat, with an affable and affectionate temperament. He’s not the most playful of cats, but he’ll always look forward to spending time with you and getting your attention.

It is a breed that also stands out for its great intelligence. He is able to learn commands and tricks over time, the Russian blue cat is also able to learn to recognize his name and to use different elements, such as the scraper or the sandbox, and he can go more away, learn to sit, take toys, etc. To do this, you must improve your skills from an early age and stimulate them regularly.

The Russian Blue cat is perfectly suited to apartment life, provided it receives constant affection and hours of exclusive playtime. Loneliness is not a good ally for this breed, which will undoubtedly need a loving and warm family.

In general, the Russian Blue cat is quite resistant to health problems, but here are some diseases to which there is a predisposition:

• Feline lower urinary tract disease (MFUF) is a disease that affects the bladder and urethra. Cats with FLUTD experience pain when urinating and blood may be seen in the urine. The frequency of cravings also increases and the animal can urinate all over the house.
• Polycystic kidney disease. It is hereditary, the appearance of symptoms is possible even at an early age. An adequate, balanced diet and clean water can significantly reduce the risk.
• Progressive retinal atrophy refers to eye diseases, night vision begins to suffer first, then daytime vision.

This breed does not require any special care, especially the coat, as it is quite short. To maintain the beauty and freshness of the fur cut, weekly brushing is sufficient.

Teeth cleaning should ideally be done daily, with ears and eyes cleaned at least several times a week, or as needed. Also, do not forget to cut the claws of your pet, especially if you live not in a private house, but in a city apartment, and the cat is deprived of the opportunity to constantly walk outside in its natural environment.

• The eyes of the Russian blue cat should always be green when the cat is an adult. However, when they are born, they have a completely blue appearance, which changes color when the kitten grows.
• It is a breed which generally remains silent and does not meow. This is why it is considered so quiet and suitable for families looking for a low noise pet.
• Its intelligence, obedience and tendency to be cleaner and cleaner than other breeds also make it one of the favorites of those who want a pet with certain characteristics.

The Russian blue was originally called “archangel cat” because it was said that he had arrived in Europe aboard ships from the Russian port of the same name (Arkhangel’sk). It has also been known as “Spanish cat” and “Maltese cat”, especially in the US. Where this last name lasted until the beginning of the century. However, there is powerful evidence linking this cat with Russia. Many cats with similar fur colors have been found in Scandinavia.

In addition, the density of the coat indicates that it belongs to a northern climate. Although the typical color of this breed is blue, there are also black and white specimens. These colors emerged during World War II, when the few specimens of surviving Russian blues were crossed with British blue and Siamese to avoid their disappearance.