Russian blue cat is one of the oldest and most popular cat breeds.
Russian Blue cats are one of the oldest breeds in existence and one of the most desirable cats because of their aristocratic appearance.
These cats with unique coats are intelligent and independent, but with good character and affectionate without being evasive which makes them perfect companions.
In this post, you will learn more about their origin, character, health, and much more!
Origin of the Russian Blue cat
As their name indicates, these cats come from Russia. They are one of the oldest cat breeds in existence today and there is no record that they have undergone genetic manipulation by humans.
There are several theories about the origin of the Russian blue cat, but it is said that it is a breed that appeared naturally in the surroundings of the port of Arkhangelsk and other port cities in the north of Russia, known as the archangel islands.
That is why in some places this breed is also nicknamed an archangel cat.
Other theories indicate that in 1860 an English or Russian merchant ship transported several of these kittens to Great Britain, where they were exhibited from 1871 onwards.
However, it was not until 1939 that the breed was officially recognized as Russian Blue. This breed won the hearts of animal lovers after World War II and has been gaining popularity since 1960.
They have also been known as "Spanish cat" and "Maltese cat", especially in the USA, where the latter name lasted until the beginning of the century.
Physical characteristics of the Russian Blue
Size: 20 - 25 cm
Weight: Males weigh between 4.5 - 5.5 kg and females between 3 - 4.5 kg.
Eyes: they are usually yellow with green rims when they are puppies and bright green when they are adults.
Coat: it is short, smooth, extremely dense, and plush-like, the texture of the Russian Blue cat's coat is very different from that of any other cat and is the true hallmark of this breed.
It is uniform bright blue, and also has a variation of dark gray with silver tips, they do not have a pattern, as puppies may have very light stripes but disappear in adulthood.
Life expectancy: 15 - 20 years.
The Russian Blue is a medium to large sized cat, long, slender but strong and sinewy with legs so long that they can run at great speed.
They have a triangular-shaped head and a slender build with large, pointed ears on top and their tail is quite long in proportion to their body size.
The European variant, the Russian Blue cats are smaller and slimmer, with a more plush appearance. While Scandinavian cats have a stronger build, with a slightly longer coat.
The character of the Russian Blue
They are sweet, intelligent, elegant, calm, and loyal cats that follow their owners everywhere so it will be common for them to greet you at the door.
They feel love for you, so you better reciprocate their love with lots of cuddles, otherwise, they will feel depressed and ignored.
Although they are very sociable, they also enjoy solitude and will actively seek out a quiet, private place to rest.
They also prefer to hide when visitors arrive and hide when there are large gatherings.
Russian Blue Cat Care
- You should brush their coat once a week to remove excess hair to avoid problems of Trichobezoars (accumulation of hairballs in the digestive tract).
- Brush their teeth at least once a month to avoid periodontal diseases.
- Their large ears need to be regularly sanitized with specific products. You should also pay attention to their eyes so that they are free of eye lint.
- It is necessary to trim their nails periodically and make sure you have a scratching post at home where they can sharpen them.
- They are extremely clean cats so their food bowl, water bowl, and tray should not have even half a speck of dust in them, or else they will not eat or drink from the bowls and will look for a better place to do their needs.
- Like any other feline, the Russian Blue cat must be properly dewormed and have their vaccines up to date.
Feeding
They are cats with a big appetite. This is why you should take care of their diet, if you can control it, you will avoid that they can reach a state of obesity.
You can feed them with dry or wet food, everything will depend on the brand you want to feed them, as there is a great variety.
But it must contain vitamins, minerals, and proteins, as well as it should not bring any consequences in terms of their coat.
Avoid feed with high grain content, as they are prone to food allergies.
The amounts of feed will depend on the age and activities of your Russian Blue cat, but they should be controlled portions to avoid being overweight.
Russian Blue Cat Health
The Russian Blue cat is a breed that enjoys good health, but like all cat breeds, they can suffer from some diseases due to genetic inheritance.
The diseases that most affect this breed are Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, polydactyly, and genetic mutations
They are also susceptible to contracting infectious or parasitic diseases more easily, such as feline AIDS, Giardiasis, Chlamydia, Bordetella, or Ringworm.
They can suffer from anemia when their immune system gets out of control and destroy red blood cells. This will make the cat very tired and feverish.
As well as diabetes mellitus, which causes higher than normal blood sugar levels.
So to keep your Russian Blue healthy, it is best to take him for regular vet visits, keep all his vaccinations up to date and feed him a quality diet.
Russian Blue cat for is ideal for families with children or for people who have time to spend with him.
Especially for a person who lives alone or for families who do not usually receive many visitors at home.
If you think this breed is the right one for you and you want to take him home, you should look for a responsible cattery specializing in this breed, so that you have guaranteed the health of the kitten and his origin.
