Russian Blue

The Russian Blue is a naturally occurring cat breed. That means their exact origin and history are mostly unknown. If we have to guess their history based on their coats, we would say they certainly come from colder climates. Most cat historians believe this breed comes from Russia, which is why they’re named “Russian Blue.”

The first Russian Blue was exhibited in London Crystal Palace Cat Show in 1875. This cat was lumped in a group with other blue cats. Once Mrs. Carew-Cox noticed the breed, she started importing them in the UK. She is credited for the initial rise of the breed’s popularity. However, World War II nearly drove the breed to extinction. Luckily, Scandinavian and British breeders combined their efforts and restored the breed to its previous looks and temperament.

Many unique characteristics make them attractive to cat owners across the globe. The Russian Blue has mesmerizing green eyes, which will surely capture your heart. They are lean and muscular, but they retain the undying elegance of felines. Here are the most important characteristics we will focus on.

Coat

Talking about the Russian Blue without mentioning its coat should be considered illegal. These cats have thick double coats, one of the softest and plushest coats in the feline kingdom. They make fantastic cuddling partners. You will feel like you’re cuddling with a cloud.

Coat color

As the name suggests, these cats mostly come in blue color. You might think they are gray, but to all feline insiders, this cat is bright blue with silver-tipped hairs. However, some registries allow Russian Blues in black, white, and black and white (bi-color).

Size

One thing that will be important to future Russian Blue owners is the cat’s size. These cats are considered medium-sized. Most adult cats weigh 7 - 12 pounds.

Temperament

The cat’s physical appearance might be important, but its temperament is what we should focus on. That is exactly what will make them great pets. Luckily, the Russian Blue has a fantastic temperament. They might seem shy, especially towards strangers, but they are actually very playful and affectionate with their owners. These cats love climbing and jumping, so you will have to create an environment where they’ll be able to do that. These cats are intelligent, and they can quickly learn tricks. They are especially fond of retrieving toys. They are social and enjoy their owner’s company, but unlike other intelligent cat breeds, the Russian Blue does pretty well on its own. It might be a good choice for cat lovers with busy schedules.

Health

no matter which breed you have at home, chances are, they are prone to breed-specific health issues. In the case of Russian Blue, those health issues are relatively rare. These cats have a life expectancy of 15 - 20 years, but some live up to 25 years. Some of the health issues owners and vets noticed were;

• Progressive retinal atrophy - This issue is not necessarily connected with the breed. It is a hereditary eye condition that can cause blindness.
• Polycystic kidney disease - This condition will cause the cat’s kidneys to develop cysts all over themselves.
• Obesity - The Russian Blue loves eating, so you should be careful how much you feed it.

World Cat Finder Team