Russian Blue at a Glance
The dense, bright blue coat tipped with silver has been the hallmark of the Russian Blue for more than a century. While generally quiet cats, they will talk to you if you talk to them and develop a large vocabulary. Once the Russian Blue decides you are worthy of his attention, he is extremely affectionate and expects your loving attention to all its needs. They are playful, loving companions that get along well with children and other pets. The thick Russian Blue coat is easy to groom with brushing or combing once or twice a week. Find out more about this breed and if the Russian Blue is right for you and your family.
-
Temperament: Intelligent, Talkative, Gentle
-
Size: medium-sized cat
-
Colors: Russian Blues come in one coat color – blue, and one coat length - short
-
Life Expectancy: 10 - 20+ years, some have lived to be 25 years.
About the Russian Blue
The elegant and aristocratic Russian Blue is a sweet-tempered, loyal cat. They are known for their friendliness and intelligence, but are somewhat reserved around strangers. However, they are affectionate and very close to their family and tend to follow them around, sometimes on their shoulders.
Observant and persistent, Russian Blues can be very vocal, and will use their voice to converse back-and-forth and communicate with others. They thrive on structure and don’t adapt well to change, such as varying meal times or unknown visitors.
Playful and loving companions, they get along well with children and other pets. They can be left home alone without incidence, making them well suited to apartment living.
Activity Level
Russian blues are a highly intelligent breed that requires physical and mental stimulation. Smart and observant, they can be taught to play fetch and do tricks, including how to open doors and drawers. Challenge their brain by teaching them tricks and providing puzzle toys that will reward them with kibble or treats when they learn how to manipulate them.
They are especially fond of retrieving, jumping, and climbing to high places where they can study people and situations before making up their mind about whether they want to get involved.
While very social, they also enjoy alone time and will seek a quiet, private nook to sleep.
Care
Grooming:
Russian Blues require minimal grooming if you maintain a good hygiene routine. Brush their coat regularly. This will also remove dead hair and distribute skin oils.
Wipe the corners of the eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. Use a separate area of the cloth for each eye so you don’t run the risk of spreading any infection.
Check their ears weekly. If they look dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball or soft damp cloth. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the interior of the ear.
As with all cats, brush their teeth weekly to prevent periodontal disease and trim their nails every couple of weeks.
Nutrition:
Russian Blues are known to have a healthy appetite. It is important to make sure they don’t overeat by keeping them on a regular feeding schedule and avoiding too many cat treats.
As with all cats, it is important to give your cat fresh, clean water daily. Fresh, clean water is best, so cats don’t hesitate to drink. If you worry about your cat drinking enough water each day, here's a tip from some cat behaviorists: place the water bowl at least three feet away from any food. Cats’ noses are sensitive, and an overwhelming smell of food may cause them to drink less. Filtered drinking fountains can also be used in place of a water bowl.
Health
Russian Blues are considered overall a healthy breed. They are also known for their longevity, with it not being uncommon for some to reach twenty-five years of age with proper care and regular visits to the veterinarian.