Russian Blue cats are known for their striking blue-grey coats and bright green eyes. They are intelligent, loving, and loyal, with an independent streak. These cats are native to Russia and were first exhibited in 1875, later being imported to the US in the early 20th century. Russian Blues are active, playful, and affectionate with their owners, but can be shy and cautious around strangers. They are also known for being vocal, especially when their needs are not being met. Russian Blues are a good choice for families with older children and can get along well with other pets if introduced properly. They are easily trainable and highly intelligent, making them great pets for first-time owners.
What You'll Learn
Russian Blue kitten facts
Russian Blue kittens are born with yellow eyes, which change to a gorgeous shade of green when they are three or four months old. They are born with a bluish-grey coat and are of medium stature, appearing larger due to their thick, double coat. They are known to be affectionate, playful, shy, and independent.
Russian Blues are highly intelligent, and can be easily trained to use a litter box and scratching post. They are also very vocal, and will happily converse with their owners. They are known to be quiet, gentle, and genteel, and are usually reserved or absent when strangers are around. However, they are playful and affectionate with their beloved humans. They are active, but not overly so, and love to pounce on their favourite toys or chase sunbeams. They are fine with being left alone for long periods of time, as they are highly independent.
Russian Blues are great for first-time pet owners, as they are hypoallergenic, easy to groom, and friendly towards humans and other pets. They are also good lap cats, and can tolerate being picked up. They are social, and can get along with children and other animals, including other cats and dogs, but they are calm and not clingy. They are also highly food-motivated, which makes them easy to train.
Russian Blues are moderately energetic and prefer to take their time with new situations. They are very vocal if their needs are not being met, and they love to eat, so be sure to only feed them during scheduled times and weigh them regularly. They are highly intelligent, so be sure to provide them with interactive toys to keep their minds occupied. They are also easily trainable, but they like to train their humans!
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Russian Blue characteristics
Russian Blue cats are known for their striking blue-grey coats and bright green eyes. Their soft, silky coats are a dark charcoal grey shade tipped with light, shimmering silver. They have long and slender limbs, with plush coats that stand straight up at a 45-degree angle. They are a medium-sized breed, with adult males growing to 10-12 pounds and females to 7-10 pounds.
Russian Blues are intelligent, loving, and loyal cats, with an independent streak. They are playful and affectionate, but can be cautious and shy around strangers. They are known to be quiet, gentle, and genteel, and are usually reserved when strangers are present. They are highly intelligent and require physical and mental stimulation, so they need plenty of toys to play with. They are also very vocal and will let you know when they need food, water, or attention. They are also very finicky about hygiene, especially their litter box, and can be prone to anxiety, so they are best kept as indoor cats.
Russian Blues are a good choice for families with older children. They are generally well-behaved and polite, and it is easy to teach them to stay off counters and out of off-limit areas. They are also active but not overly so, and they are happy to entertain themselves, although they prefer it when their owners take an active role in games. They are highly food-motivated, which makes them easy to train, and they are known to be deeply affectionate towards their owners. They are also known to be tolerant of being picked up, which is unusual for cats.
Russian Blues are a healthy breed, but they are prone to anxiety and can be susceptible to bladder stones, polycystic kidney disease, and progressive retinal atrophy, so regular vet check-ups are important. They have a long lifespan of 13-20 years.
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Russian Blue grooming and health needs
Russian Blue cats have a thick double coat that needs to be brushed out weekly. This will help to keep their coat healthy by removing dirt, debris, and dead hair, and will also reduce shedding. It is important to use the right tools for the job, such as a stainless steel comb, a slicker brush, or a bristle brush. Clippers can be useful for trimming fur in hard-to-reach areas like the belly and under the legs.
Russian Blues are prone to anxiety, so keeping them mostly indoors and away from loud noises is recommended. They are also easily trainable and highly intelligent, so interactive toys are a good idea to keep their minds occupied.
In addition to coat grooming, Russian Blues require regular nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing. Overgrown nails can make it difficult for your cat to walk, while ear mites and dental diseases are common issues for this breed.
Overall, regular grooming is an essential part of maintaining your Russian Blue cat's health and wellbeing.
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Who is the best human for a Russian Blue kitten?
Russian Blue kittens are best suited to families with older children. This is to prevent younger children from accidentally startling the kitten, as Russian Blues tend to be skittish and cautious in new environments. If they are raised with a cat-friendly dog or children, they can get along with everyone more easily.
Russian Blues are highly intelligent and require physical and mental stimulation. They are also very vocal if their needs are not met. They are social creatures but also enjoy alone time and will seek out a quiet, private space to sleep. They are independent and can be left alone for long periods of time. They are affectionate with their family members and are known to be loyal, gentle, and playful.
Russian Blues are easily trainable and are known to train their owners rather than the other way around! They are also highly food-motivated, so it is important to stick to a regular feeding schedule and avoid too many treats. They are moderately energetic and enjoy playing with feathered toys, as well as lounging in the sun.
This breed is prone to anxiety, so they are best suited to indoor environments that are mostly quiet and free from loud noises. They are ideal for pet parents with allergies, as they produce lower levels of the glycoprotein Fel d 1, a known allergen.
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Russian Blue history
The Russian Blue cat, or "Russkaya golubaya koshka" in Russian, is a naturally occurring breed that may have originated in the port of Arkhangelsk in Russia, leading to their other name, Archangel cats. They are also sometimes referred to as Archangel Blues. It is believed that sailors transported them from the Archangel Isles to Great Britain and Northern Europe in the 1860s. The first reference to an Archangel Cat in British print dates back to 1862, and their first recorded appearance in a show was in 1872 at The Crystal Palace in England.
Russian Blues were favoured by Russian royalty and czars, just as the ancient Egyptians worshipped tuxedo cats. They gained popularity among the nobility and were shipped to various parts of Europe, including England, where they were among the contestants in the first cat shows held in the 1880s. The breed continued to develop primarily in England and Scandinavia, where cat breeding and showing were popular.
After World War II, a lack of Russian Blues in the United States led to cross-breeding with Siamese cats. American breeders combined the bloodlines of Scandinavian and British Russian Blues, and the modern Russian Blue seen in the US today was born. The Siamese traits have now been mostly bred out.
Russian Blues are known for their plush, short-haired, shimmering pale blue-grey coats and emerald green or yellow eyes. Their short, dense double-layered coats indicate that they originated in a cold climate, as Archangel is only 150 miles from the Arctic Circle. Their dense coats can make them appear larger than they are.
Russian Blues are considered a medium-sized cat breed, with males typically larger than females. They have a signature upturn at the corners of their mouths, giving them a permanent smile. They are graceful, muscular, and known for their long, fine-boned legs. They are generally quiet, reserved around strangers, and thrive in quiet and stable homes. They are loyal and affectionate towards their favourite humans and can be trained to do tricks.
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Frequently asked questions
Russian Blues are a good choice for first-time owners as they are intelligent, affectionate, and independent. They are also hypoallergenic, which makes them a good option for those with allergies. However, they are prone to anxiety and can be easily startled, so they are best suited to calm households without frequent visitors.
Kittens from a reputable breeder typically cost between $400–$600.
Russian Blues are intelligent, loving, and loyal cats. They are playful and affectionate with their owners but can be cautious and shy around strangers. They are generally good with children and other pets but may need time to adjust to new animals in the home. They are also very vocal and will let you know when they need food, water, or attention.
Russian Blues have low grooming requirements. They require weekly brushing, regular nail trimming, and occasional baths. Their double coats need to be brushed out weekly to prevent matting and keep shedding to a minimum.