Russian Blue Breed Guide (2024)

She's got style, she's got grace... meet the Russian Blue. With royal roots that hail back to Russian Czars and notable claims to fame (like appearing in one of the first-ever cat shows!), it’s easy to see why the Russian Blue cat has gained such popularity amongst cat enthusiasts. And that’s before we get into their winning personality, their playful dispositions, their high intelligence - or those striking, silvery feline good looks!

So, feline fanatics, rejoice: here, we explore the purr-dorable Blue Russian cat - from breed characteristics, origins, personality traits, grooming needs, and more.

Russian Blue characteristics

Origin: While their exact origins are a little hazy, many believe that these chic gray felines originated in the Archangel Isles of Northern Russia.

Size: They’re medium-sized cats weighing between 7 - 12 pounds.

Character: These good-natured, affectionate and loyal cats love being around their pet parents. They are sweet, social felines (although can be a bit aloof with strangers) who love to play and spend time with their favorite humans.

Grooming: Easy-as-pie. These silvery felines are easy to groom and require little more maintenance than a weekly brush to keep their coats neat and shedding to a minimum.

Health needs: As a naturally occurring breed, Russian Blues are generally very healthy cats with a relatively long lifespan.

Intelligence: As highly intelligent felines (with a penchant to play!), Russian Blues will benefit from mentally stimulating games that get their noggins ticking. Pet parents should invest in some interactive cat toys and be prepared to schedule regular play sessions!

Lifespan: 15 to 20 years.

Russian Blue looks & appearance

Bright green eyes, a sleek, silvery coat… in a word, striking.

Russian Blues have a sweet, endearing look to them - some even say they have a hint of the Mona Lisa about them, thanks to their upturned ‘smiling’ mouths (we totally see it).

While they are medium-sized, fine-boned cats, their dense, plush blue coats often make these silvery felines look bigger than they are. According to the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), Russian Blues are registered in one color only – that classic, shimmery blue-gray hue – and in one coat length – short.

Another thing that's hard to miss when it comes to these cute kitties: their eyes. While they are born with blue eyes, a Russian Blue kitten’s eyes will change color throughout the first year of its life. First, it will change to a golden yellow color, and later will develop a bright green ring around the eye. By adulthood, their eyes will fully transform into a bright, vivid green color.

Color-changing cats? We knew there was something pretty special about these fancy felines!

Russian Blue personality

The Russian Blue is a sweet-natured and affectionate feline - they have a tendency to attach themselves to their pet parents (often, one pet parent in particular - not we want to ignite any family feuds here...). They will happily follow their favorite humans around the home - some pet parents even say their blue buddy greets them home at the door!

While they are highly affectionate, like most other cats, they enjoy their downtime and are pretty happy to plod off and catch a couple of Zzzs and some me-time for a few hours.

That said, the Russian Blue cat personality is a playful one - this, combined with their high intelligence means that lots of playtime with their humans and interactive, boredom-busting cat toys are a must. They also have a pretty high-prey drive - so pet parents will do well to provide their Blue Russian bud with a plethora of feathered toys to scratch that hunter itch (and to avoid any - ahem - special presents…).

They can be a bit aloof with strangers, so it might take them a few days to warm up to your latest cat sitter. But trust us - once you win the affection (and approval) of a Russian Blue, there's no going back.

What's the ideal home for a Russian Blue?

Russian Blues thrive off routine - they like knowing what to expect, and when to expect it. They can be wary of strangers, and so a quiet home without a constant flurry of new visitors is best for these sweet felines.

Like most cats, they can make themselves home in most types of living space - but as an intelligent, playful breed, they will need a home equipped with lots of fun toys to play with, and a good cat tree that they can sink their paws into. If your Russian Blue is an indoor kitty, some indoor cat toys and windows where they can watch the world go by (and satiate that high-prey drive!) won’t go amiss.

What's the ideal human for a Russian Blue?

While highly affectionate, Russian Blues are also pretty independent. So, as long as they’re around a pet parent who can give them the love, snuggles, and playtime they need to thrive, they're pretty well-suited to most people, including first-time cat parents. They tend to do just fine in the company of other pets and older children, but maybe a little wary around smaller children.

They are intelligent and playful, so they'll be best suited to someone who can spend the time (and energy!) playing with them, and who’ll be happy to lend their lap for post-playtime snuggles. Fun fact: because of their high intelligence and playful nature, it’s not unheard of for pet parents of this breed to play fetch with their feline friend!

Grooming Russian Blues

Aside from their striking good looks, Russian Blues are known for their cleanliness, and in general, they're a pretty low-maintenance moggy with it comes to grooming. Despite all that thick, lush fur, pet parents will be pleased to know that a brush once or twice a week is usually enough to remove any excess hair and keep their furbaby looking tip-top. Other than that, schedule regular nail trimming, eye, and ear cleaning sessions, and you're good to go.

Russian Blue history

As a naturally occurring breed, the Russian Blue's background can get a little... hazy. However, there are strong theories that they originated from the Archangel Isles of Northen Russia (it's also where they get their nickname, the 'Archangel Cat'). According to the CFA, other rumors suggest that they were bred from cats kept by Russian Czars. In any case, it's likely that these plush, monochrome moggies made their way via ship to Great Britain and northern Europe, sometime in the mid-1860s.

According to the CFA, they were first exhibited in a cat show in Crystal Palace, London, in 1875 where they compete alongside other blue cats. A few years later (in the early 20th century), they were imported into the United States. In the 1960s, their popularity really boomed, where they took center stage in various cat shows and made themselves at home upon the laps of many an American pet parent.

Getting a Russian Blue

Believe it or not, it's entirely possible to come across a Russian Blue in a shelter. Usually, these kitties come about from pet parents who've sadly, for one reason or another, had to surrender their furbaby into the care of a rescue organization. You might need to wait a little longer, but in case we hadn't already convinced you of the fact, Russian Blues are most certainly worth the wait! Register your interest with your local rescue centers, or take a look online for an official Russian Blue rescue organization.

Of course, the other route that some pet parents choose to take, is to find a breeder. It's important to do your research with this one - unfortunately, kitten mills and online scams are rife, so it's important to scout out a reputable breeder only. Remember, a reputable breeder should be able to present you with the relevant papers and health checks, and you should be allowed to meet the mama cat and the rest of her litter.

Russian Blue quick-fire facts

Add these little-known tidbits about Russian Blues to your feline fact sheet, and get ready to ‘wow’ all the cat enthusiasts in your life.

1. Russian Blues are only registered in one coat length: short. They are often mistaken for the luscious-locked Nebelung cat, who is often referred to as a ‘long-hair Russian Blue cat’.
2. Russian Blues were shown at one of the world's first-ever cat shows, which took place in Crystal Palace in 1875. Talk about trailblazing!
3. They’re nicknamed the Archangel Cat, on account of many believing they originated from the Archangel Isles of Northern Russia. Legend has it they hopped aboard sailor ships in the mid-1860s, and soon become loved by locals in the Archangel Isle ports.
4. Everyone's favorite internet sensation, the cat-cum-pop tart Nyan Cat, was inspired by creator Chris Torres' very own cat, a Russian Blue named Marty McFly.
5. Not only were they popular with Russian royalty - they are considered to be good luck, and according to Russian legend were kept in the chambers of newborns to fend off evil spirits.
6. Their size can be deceiving. Russian Blues actually have quite slim frames, although their thick, dense double coat would soon enough have you believe that these kitties are bigger and bolder than they really are!
7. We hope you're in a chatty mood - because your Russian Blue sure will be! These metallic-colored moggies are known to be super vocal. They won't hesitate to let you know it's dinnertime (I mean… what cat would?), or meow when they’re ready to play or snuggle. Many cat parents even say their Blue Russian buddy 'talks' back to them!
8. They are a naturally occurring breed, meaning (unlike many other popular cat breeds) they didn't originate from breeding programs set up to ensure certain traits. As a result, their origin story is a little fuzzy!
9. These chic, silvery felines are believed to be hypoallergenic - or at least as close as a cat can come to being hypoallergenic. While there’s no such thing as an allergy-free cat, they are believed to be more suitable for allergy sufferers on account of them producing less of the Fel d1 protein - a common cat allergy trigger.
10. They almost became extinct. We know - it doesn't bear thinking about. During World War II, cat breeders were unable to continue usual breeding practices, meaning we almost lost these sweet kitties for good. Luckily, as the war ended, cat enthusiasts rallied together to breed remaining Russian Blues with Siamese and British Blue cats to bring the breed back from extinction.

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