Comprehensive Caring Guide for Russian Blue Cats

With their glossy shimmery blue coats; striking awe-inspiring eyes, and their possible ties to Russian czars; Russian Blue cats are undoubtedly a breath of elegant air and an easily famed breed. These famous cats have a lot of stories to tell and with their gratefulness; you’ll learn everything there is to know when you keep Russian blue cats as pets.

Russian Blue: Breed Overview 

The Russian Blue Cat, commonly referred to just as Russian Blue; is a cat breed that manifests colors of light shimmering silver, to darker shades of gray. They do look gray; but blue is the specialized term used to describe the diluted version of black, as much as the pet world is concerned. These cats have a short dense coat; which makes them stand out from the rest of the breeds there are, and, as their name suggests; they have been the hallmark of the Russian breed, accounting for more than a century. 

The Eyes

Another great feature this cat breed has is they all have bright-green eyes, that you cannot really resist finding fascinating. They have pinkish lavender paws that are endearing; and soft and two layers of short fluffy fur and a blue-gray back coat that is noticeable for its shine and innate gloss. 

The Coat

The coat is a double coat, with the undercoat existing as soft, downy, smooth and equal in length to the guard hairs, which are in an even blue and also with silver tips. Anyhow, the cat’s tail may have a few very dull, almost invincible stripes. Describing their coat, words like thick, plush, and soft to touch are the words that often arise. The silver tips of them give their coats the innate gloss and shimmering appearance people get adored looking at. 

The Body Structure

The cat’s head is triangular, with large ears that are finely bowed; existing with a broad forehead and a straight nose, making the breed a very regal animal. Moreover, this breed is also known for acquiring a natural smile because of its slightly upturned mouth that has a resemblance to the famous simple Mona Lisa. 

Russian Blues are long and slender cats but even though; they exist very strong and muscular, although their thick fur often hides their neck and shoulder that gives off impressions that their frame is more robust looking. Lastly, they have long legs that allow them to run at impressively high speed. 

History of Russian Blues 

Russian Blue cats are an older, and naturally occurring breed of cats, suggesting that they were not man-made, or the result of any sort of cross-breeding like a few existing breeds of feline. The breed also has a long history, therefore its exact origin is really, accurately unknown. 

The Spruce, affirms that the Russian Blues originates on Archangel, an island in Northern Russia, the reason they were once referred to as Archangel cats. It is believed that sailors confiscated the breed from the Archangel Isles to Great Britain and Northern Europe in 1860. The first appearance of this cat outside Russia was recorded in 1875 at The Crystal Palace, in England, as the Archangel Cat. 

Moving forward, the Russian Blue competed in a class comprising all other blue cats until 1912, that it was then labeled as to its own distinct and unique classification. The breed was developed, in the main, in England and Scandinavia until after World War II. 

On Gaining Popularity

Luckily right after that, it has steadily gained popularity and most countries all over the world have begun trading and populating them. They were fortunate, as their gorgeous appearance and people’s love for them saved them from becoming almost extinct, alongside other breeds. 

 It is often discussed that these cats’ roots are no wonder to have such royal impressive roots because it is deserved with their sleek and sophisticated demeanor. Up to this day, the demand and its ranking in one of the most sought-after cat breeds prevails. It is the cat most people rely on for faithful companionship, and development for their roles as “cat therapists” in mentally challenged individuals has been in the buzz for quite a time now. 

Behavioral Characteristics and Personality of Russian Blues 

Intelligence and Curiosity 

Russian Blues are intelligent. They love immersing themselves in things that they find interesting. Their curiosity always stands out as you will likely catch them on their nose solving things such as escaping, opening their food storage, and many more. They are highly trainable and have been known to be as intelligent as golden retriever dogs as they are capable of playing fetch, opening doors, and other fun tricks. 

Because of their intelligence, they also recognize their given name set by their owners, and they perceive the faces of those who are close to them. They have a keen ability on remembering be it names, faces, toys, sounds, their favorite scents, and many more. They also, impressively, show sensitivity to human emotions. 

Sweetness 

Because we tend to have sensitivity to human emotions, these cats are sweet-tempered. They love to show affection in gentle ways to their owners as well as the family they belong to. Owning one, it is, as described to be therapeutic as these cats have their own way of caring for the ones they love, such as showing playfulness when their owner is happy, accepting gentleness and quietness when they are sad, and giving support in times of when their favorite people is down or having a bad day. 

Friendliness 

They love to foster relationships with other people their owners are drawn to. They go along with all sorts of people regardless of whether they are old and young, making them the perfect companion for anyone. Not only that, but they love and go along great with kids too. Also, animals are not an exception, and they too will bond happily with them. 

Liveliness 

Russian Blue Cats are energetic, they love to play with a variety of toys, their long legs account for their fondness for running, leaping, and climbing. With this, you may be thinking they need a lot of attention, as we generally know about lively cats. However, it is not the same with these adorable ones, as they are self-sufficient and also able to enjoy their own company, although of course, playmates are fun. Ultimately, you will not see them being destructive when bored and alone. 

Sophistication 

These cats are, generally, quiet ones. They possess calmness and gentleness in their being that makes them perceive to be sophisticated and elegant. They do, in the slightest sense, possess aggressiveness that is often seen in cats, they, at best, are reserved. 

Also, these cats are docile, and can immediately pick up certain rules or limitations, and they are glad to abide by those. This makes a lot of sense, as these cats have highly royal roots, and are believed to have picked up such grace, elegance, and sophistication they learn to fitness and grow with, generations for generations. 

Faithfulness

Another great trait Russian Blues has is their devotion to the ones they belong to. Their faithfulness is admirable and impressive, and they are in you, for a long time, for all their life. Much as with dogs, you are expected to be followed by your very own, whenever, wherever, but not to the extent of disturbance. They are such, selfless, wonderful fur souls. 

Are Russian Blues Hypoallergenic? 

The Russian Blues constantly appears on the list of hypoallergenic cat breeds, although the truth is there is really no cat breed that is hypoallergenic in a sense. Concluding, it seems that some allergy sufferers ought to live successfully with certain cat breeds, and that includes Russian Blue. 

Cat dander, is the main agency of cat allergies. Cat allergic humans are vulnerable to a protein called Fel D1, which is normally found in cats’ skin cells, as well as dried saliva and urine residing on cats’ fur. Although it has not been scientifically affirmed, it appears that certain cat breeds, including Russian blue, naturally produce less danger than other cats. This is to note that people, with mild allergies, can successfully live in a comfortable manner with them. 

Veterinarians and Physicians alike, advise that if you have cat allergies, and would want to learn if you will react to a Russian blue, one must find a local breeder. One who will allow you to come to visit their home or breeding facility and see what matters will yield from it.  

How to take care of a Russian Blue cat  

Now that we spend the good half of this article knowing them, I think it is optimum if we now go over how to clearly and accurately care for them. Spoiler, it is actually, really easy. 

Part 1: Feeding and Looking After a Russian Blue 

Your very own Russian Blue is to be fed two times a day at a fixed time. Russian Blues loves food, and will often playfully trick their owners into overfeeding. But, you must not let it happen as obesity can lead to major health problems such as diabetes. Feeding them two times a day will allow you to have a structure that will monitor your cat’s food intake, instead of just feeding them when you feel like it or when they tell you to. Avoid giving your cat too many treats as well, as they can contribute to weight gain. You must feed them a premium, grain-free dry cat food such as Halo, Acana, and Royal Canin. 

Russian Blues have a low thirst drive, thus water should be available for your cat at all times throughout the day. If your cat does not get enough water, it might, unfortunately, suffer from kidney or urinary tract problems. You might also opt for a water fountain, as cats are more likely to be drawn into drinking, running, or moving water. 

Cleaning your cat’s litter box must be done frequently, and consistently.

Russian Blues are a very nit-picky breed, with many refusing to enter their little box when it’s not cleaned. What can we say? They really are an air of elegance. As a result, you must scoop the feces daily and fully change the litter box at least twice a week. These cats are particular about their hygiene, thus the need for frequent and consistent cleaning. 

Part 2: Grooming a Russian Blue 

Comb your very own twice a week. As we have discussed, this particular breed stands out because of its beautiful gray-blue coat. The coat is also called a double coat, as it has two distinct layers. In order to maintain their beautiful, thick coats, you must brush your Russian blue 2-3 times per week, using a delicate medium to small toothed metal brush. You must not fear it, as your cat loves brushing because they like the attention. More importantly, brushing helps remove any loose hair that further protects your cat from ingesting a fur ball that is likely to cause digestive problems. 

Examine your cat’s eyes.

Prior to brushing your Russian Blue, you have to get into the habit of doing a quick, at-home, eye exam. This will account for identifying any potential health issues related to tearing, crust, inflammation, and cloudiness, and in order to conduct the right eye exam, here are the following steps to be taken: 

• In a brightly lit area of your house, face your cat directly and look into their eyes. The eyes must look clear and bright, and the area around its pupil should be white. 
• Roll up its eyelid using your thumb, and examine the lining of the eyelid. It must exist pink, not red nor white. 
• You are to gently remove any gunk or crust from your cat’s eyes, with the aid of a damp cotton ball. 
• Lastly, you must talk to your vet if you notice any cloudiness or discoloration, red or white eyelid lining, if excessive tearing is present or if there is an uncomfortable crust build-up. 

Trim your cat’s nails.

Your Russian Blue’s nails should be trimmed every 10 days, as this will aid in the avoidance of splitting and breaking. The best way to trim them is to find a quiet area, as your cat may get annoyed and disturbed with sounds. To do so, follow these steps: 

• Fondle the cat in your lap and gently press the bottom of their pads to display their nails. Russian Blues have clear nails, which makes it easier to see the pink vein that runs halfway down the nail. 
• Using a pair of cat nail clippers, clip the nail just below the pink vein. Do not clip the vein as it will cause bleeding, and your cat is in pain and not likely to trust you to cut its nail in the future. 
• If you accidentally cut the vein, stop the bleeding by using a styptic powder. It can be bought at a local pet store. 
• Last, give them a small treat to reward them for good behavior. 

Check your cat’s ear.

It is also important to examine your cat’s ear periodically for wax build-up and to rule out other health issues that may arise. You must check it weekly. If you notice any wax build-up, place some olive oil on a Q-tip, and swab it on the ear. Moreover, aside from wax removal, pay attention to the following sign below  when conducting  an ear exam: 

• Persistent scratching of the ears.
• Redness and swelling.
• Black or yellow discharge.
• Odors.
• Hearing loss.
• If any of these manifest, talk to your vet to aid healing. 

Brush your cat’s teeth.

In order to keep your Russian Blue in an overall good health condition, brush their teeth once a week. You can just purchase a feline toothpaste and gentle feline toothbrush at your local pet store. To do so, gently brush your cat’s teeth and be patient, as it really takes time for your cat to be comfortable in this hygiene practice. 

Part 3: Building Relationships with a Russian Blue

Introduce your cat to new people, pets, and places gradually.

Russian Blues are fairly timid amidst friendliness; they surely can take a while to adjust to new people, places, and pets. They love routine, and anything out of the ordinary will cause them discomfort and stress. Thus, when you first get your very own, introduce it slowly to your family members and home environment. 

• If you have another pet, keep them separated in the beginning until they both learn each other’s scent. It will show, they are comfortable. 
• When you have guests over, your Russian Blue might initially hide. However, from time to time, and as they come over to get too frequent, your cat is likely to go out as they now know that these people are not a threat. 

Bond and play with your cat every day.

As they can be self-sufficient, bonding and playing will help strengthen your relationship. It is beneficial both for you, to relieve your stress and take a break for whatever it is that is keeping you occupied. On the other hand, it aids in your cat keeping its body and mind active and stimulated. It also accounts greatly for their happiness. But, do not worry, as they can always play alone and entertain themselves while you are at work. 

Provide your cat with toys.

These Russian Blues adore playing and are especially fond of retrieving. Make sure to supply them a variety of toys, such as feather-like toys or ones that mimic a mouse or bird, to swat and chase. 

Consider climbing posts.

The breed also loves to climb, jump and run, and the climbing post is to do them a favor. Russian Blues loves to use their long legs, and this thing is their outlet in doing so. It is also a great way for them to maintain their muscular figure and burn off that fat if ever there is any extra. 

Is Russian Blue a Cat That Is Right for You?

Int this section, its pros and cons to further support the answer to whether, you, the particular reader is meant for this magnificent, and seemingly perfect cat. Let’s get started. 

Pros of a Russian Blue Cat 

• Lovable and Affectionate.
• Very attached to its guardian, sensitive, and tender. 
• Loves petting and all types of fun. They are very active and energetic, they love attention. 
• Self-sufficient. They are not needy nor demanding of consistent petting and attention, and are able to be happy and entertained alone.  
• Friendliness to all. Including other animals.
• Calm and Gentle.
• Adore both children and people of old age. 
• Is not aggressive at all.
• Very attractive, with its greatly endearing physical features. 
• Generally a very healthy cat with low to no risk of general health issues associated with cats.
• Cost-effective and cost-efficient. They do not have any special treatment or any special care that requires the extra resources of money.  

Cons of a Russian Blue Cat 

• Less outgoing in nature. They can be shy, timid, and protective of their own self at first, when introduced to new people, places, or things. Moreover, accounting for their quietness. 
• Not recommended for people with extreme allergies to felines. They are not fully hypoallergenic, as all cats are. 
• At risk for obesity as they are very fond of foods and treats. Consistent guidance in meal times and consciousness in giving treats are obligated.  

Conclusion

Russian Blue Cats are definitely one gem of a cat breed. Their endearing and very pleasing to the eyes appearance, match with great behavioral characteristics and charming personality is no doubt, great reasons to adore them. If you are looking for a sign to get one of them, may this be your much-needed, final encouragement that yes, caring for one Russian Blue is definitely worth it.