Elegant, mysterious, and incredibly affectionate, the Russian Blue has captivated cat lovers for generations. With its silky silver coat, captivating green eyes, and gentle temperament, this feline is more than just a companion—it's a true member of the family.

In this article, discover everything you need to know about this breed—from its mysterious origins to its specific needs—to better understand how to give it a happy and fulfilling life.

Breed summary sheet

X = little, XXXXX = A lot

Its origins

Despite what its name suggests, the origins of the Russian Blue remain a subject of controversy; there are different versions of the story. However, the most widespread hypothesis confirms that the country of origin of this feline would indeed be Russia .

The Russian Blue was first described by Frances Simpson in a 1903 publication. The author reportedly reported that one of these cats arrived in England in 1860 aboard an English merchant ship. Sailors reportedly brought some of these felines on board during a stopover in the White Sea port city of Arkhangelsk to hunt rodents.

The breed is said to have begun to gain notoriety in 1871 at a cat show in London's Crystal Palace, where the cat was nicknamed the Blue Archangel. In 1912, the breed was recognized as a separate breed, distinct from the British Blue Shorthair. It wasn't until 1939 that its name, the Russian Blue, was officially adopted.

At the end of World War II, the Russian Blue almost became extinct, but British and Scandinavian breeders were able to preserve the breed. Later, in the United States, crossbreeding with European breeds was carried out, which explains why this cat breed has three coat colors: blue, white, and black.

Physical characteristics

Height and weight

The Russian Blue has an elegant, elongated body of about 30 cm . Its musculature is fine and elastic and its bone structure is delicate, even if it can appear robust due to the density of its hair. The weight of the female varies between 2 kg and 3 kg, while the weight of the male varies between 3 kg and 5 kg.

Face

Its head is triangular and its skull is long and flat. Its neck is long and graceful, but it can appear short due to its dense fur. Its muzzle is short and the corners of its mouth turn up so that the cat appears to be smiling. Its lips and nose are dark gray, and its whiskers are clearly visible.

Her upright ears with long hair inside are shaped like a rounded triangle, and are set well apart on top of her head. Her eyes are large and well spaced, they have a pretty oval shape with a slight slant and are emerald green in color . In kittens, the eye color is yellow and, around four months old, it begins to become more defined and become green.

Coat

The Russian Blue has a soft and silky coat due to its long and dense undercoat. The base color of the coat is a light blue-grey . Moreover, its color can be distinguished from that of the Chartreux by the silver reflection of the tips of each hair, which gives its coat a shiny and glittering appearance.

His character

The Russian Blue has a calm, shy, and gentle temperament . He loves to spend his long winter days in the warmth of a house or apartment. He adapts easily to domestic life and is quite loyal. Unlike other cat breeds, males do not tend to run away from home, even during the mating season.

This is a discreet and friendly cat who only shows courage when necessary. The Russian Blue is intelligent and always attentive to his surroundings. His liveliness is conducive to learning, but only when he wants to! He is a very good hunter and he will show it to you during play. Indeed, he can be active and playful when he wants. He always alternates between hunting and long periods of rest and tranquility.

Cohabitation

Quite shy by nature, he is rather reserved with strangers. It takes time for him to become attached to new people. However, it is very easy to live with the Russian Blue, as he is very affectionate with his family members.

Since he doesn't like solitude, he can spend a large part of the day near his owner, observing his every move and following him with great discretion. Very affectionate towards his human, the Russian Blue will stay curled up on his lap for hours. This cat breed needs an owner who interacts with him often and stimulates him.

This cat almost never meows ; when it does, it is to communicate its desires and feelings to its owner. Its delicate, calm voice is melodious. Females are generally more talkative, exclusive, and jealous than males.

Compatibility

This elegant little feline gets along very well with the canine race , provided that the introductions are done correctly and that it has enough height in the house to retreat to when it feels the need.

With its calm temperament and its need to chase away solitude, it adapts well to life with other cats . However, introductions must be done according to the rules of the art to hope for a harmonious understanding.

This cat needs a quiet environment away from noise, so young children are not really ideal companions for him.

The care

The Russian Blue does not require any special care and, as it hardly sheds its fur, maintenance is quite easy . However, regular brushing helps prevent hairballs from forming in the intestines when the cat does its daily grooming.

Like most cats, special attention should be paid to tartar buildup, ear cleaning and nail trimming.

Food

Due to their large appetite, their food must be carefully chosen to promote a healthy weight. It should be adapted to their age and activity level. You can even choose an interactive bowl that will slow down the speed of meal ingestion to limit their weight gain. It is important to choose a nutrient-rich, high-quality food.

Diseases and life expectancy

The Russian Blue is not prone to any hereditary diseases, and is not predisposed to any other diseases in particular. Its life expectancy is between 13 and 20 years. However, it is at risk of developing the same pathologies as other cats, such as oral and obesity problems .

Conclusion

The Russian Blue is much more than just an elegant cat: it's a loyal, calm, and intelligent companion that thrives in a warm and serene environment. By understanding its needs, providing it with quality food, suitable accessories, and lots of love, you can contribute to its daily well-being. At Animo etc., we have everything you need to pamper your Russian Blue the way it deserves. Come discover our range of products and accessories specially designed for exceptional felines!