Russian Blue

A naturally occurring breed, the Russian Blue is said to have first emerged in Arkhangelsk, a Russian port city facing the White Sea. Legend has it that this grey beauty thrived in the Russian wilderness and was hunted for its dense fur. Today, grey cats looking very similar to the Russian Blue are still present in the coldest areas of the country.

This feline was previously called “Archangel Cat” in a nod to its place of origin. Its luxurious coat and glittering green eyes reportedly drew the favour of the royalty and the wealthy. As such, it has become the pet of some Russian czars. After sailors took this cat on their voyages, the Russian Blue started arriving at other shores, particularly European ones.

It arrived in Great Britain in the 1860s. Then, in 1875, it was featured in one of the first cat shows in the world. The exhibition was held at the Crystal Palace in London, which marks the first time the breed was recorded outside its native country.

In 1912, the Russian Blue was entered in competition with other blue cat breeds. It was also the year when the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) gave it its own class and was named “Foreign Blue.” It was also known then as the Maltese. Later, in 1948, this breed’s name was changed to Russian Blue.

During World War II, the breed nearly died out as breeders were no longer unable to develop it further. After the war ended, cat fanciers from European countries, including Britain, attempted to save the breed. As there were very few Russian Blues, they crossed the feline with blue point Siamese and British Blue Shorthairs. Eventually, these crossbred traits were bred out of the Russian Blue as it rose in numbers. Its gene pool remains healthy.

This breed has a distinctly exquisite and elegant look. It has a lean, medium to large body size with an average weight ranging from 8-15 lbs.

The Russian Blue’s body is muscular, long and lean. Its outline is graceful and is one of its distinguishing features. It has a wedge-shaped head that is topped by a pair of large, flared ears, giving this feline a distinctly foreign look.

Its eyes are large and emerald green, complemented by high, wide cheekbones. The shape of its muzzle lends the cat a perpetually smiling expression, adding to its appeal. Its tail, the length of which is proportionate to its body, has a faint set of stripes. This breed’s legs are long and finely boned and end in paws that are oval-shaped and small.

Further, the Russian Blue cat has a lovely blue-grey coat, although the hue is more grey than blue. This breed comes in one colour, pattern, and hair length. However, some Russian cats still carrying the Siamese colourpoint gene may produce black, white, or pointed Russian Blue kittens.

Its soft, short-haired double coat has a shimmering effect, thanks to the silver tip of each strand of its fur. Dense and plush, the Russian Blue coat is silky to the touch. This texture distinguishes it from the British Blue Shorthair’s rather “crisp” coat texture. Due to its thick undercoat, this cat should be combed once weekly to keep it healthy and good-looking.

The Russian Blue cat temperament matches its elegant looks. It is well-behaved, shy, quiet, gentle, clean, and sweet. It tends to be wary of strangers. It will observe new faces at a distance and only approach once it decides the person is worth its attention. Once it is assured of a person’s friendship, its loyal and affectionate nature will shine through.

This feline has dog-like traits in that it is interested in its human’s activities in the home. It will follow its owners around and enjoy a game of fetch. Despite being very affectionate and relishing attention, the Russian Blue is not demanding. It is also not very vocal and when it does talk, it speaks in a “quiet” voice. As such, it is a fantastic companion animal for senior people.

It also makes a good house pet as it is good with children, provided that the domestic routine remains consistent. Russian Blues do not like changes to its environment or routine, even with the positioning of household furnishings.

This cat breed is among the smartest. It enjoys mentally stimulating tasks and may even learn to open doors on its own. It has very good memory and can also be taught tricks. Its climbing and leaping skills are also impressive.

The Russian Blue cat should be provided with a nutritious diet that fulfils its nutritional needs. It should be consistently given the same food following the same feeding schedule. If there are changes to its diet, those must be done gradually to prevent digestive problems.

The serving portions should depend on the cat’s weight, age, and activity level. Its diet must include at least 25% protein and just 5% carbohydrates.

The Russian blue’s life expectancy is between 15 - 20 years. The Russian blue has no known genetically related health issues. However, some Russian blues may acquire diseases that generally affect any cat breed. Some of these conditions include:

• Cruciate disease
• Diabetes mellitus
• Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Weight-related problems

Early detection and regular vet check-up can help prevent the occurrence of these diseases.

Russian blue is athletic by nature, thanks to her lean and strong body. She often shows off her gymnastics skills by leaping into the air and landing on high places. She is known to be playful and enjoys playing fetch and chasing mid-flying insects.

The Russian blue cat breed loves human company, but she can occasionally be left alone at home. She can keep herself busy by playing with interactive cat toys or climbing and jumping from high places whilst her owners are away. Provide her with a good assortment of toys, cat towers, and scratching posts. These items will not only keep her occupied but will also discourage her from climbing on curtains and wardrobes.

True Russian Blues are expensive cats with a price tag running from £400–£1,800 due to their rarity. Feed your Russian Blue high-quality cat food so that she acquires premium-quality essential nutrients. The estimated monthly cost of her food ranges from £20–£55.

Your Russian Blue will need a cat bed, litter tray, scratching posts, and other basic necessities to feel comfortable in her new home. Prepare around £50–£400 to purchase all of these items.

When caring for a young Russian Blue, make sure that she gets vaccinated so she has low susceptibility to contagious diseases. The cost for vaccine shots runs around £40–100.

Parasites tend to be hosts of various feline illnesses. Keep your pet protected from them by providing them with preventatives. Tick and flea treatments come for £50–£60, whilst heartworm treatments cost £60–£120.

Visiting the vet for routine examinations will help you know if your Russian Blue is free from diseases. Each check-up session has a fee of £30–£60.

Having a pet insurance will help you save money. Picking a time-limited coverage will add £6–£15 to your monthly bill. If you prefer a lifetime package, prepare to spend over £10 each month.