Russian Blue cat breed profile

Whether your cat is a purebred Russian Blue, or a Russian Blue mix, learning about their breed can explain a lot about your pet’s personality, habits and overall health. Or, if you’re looking for a smaller, loyal cat that typically likes to play, you may want to consider adopting a Russian Blue cat. 

“They're very loyal to their families and are often shy or reserved around strangers,” Dr. Holly Jordan, DVM and veterinary consultant at Fidus Pet Concierge Communities, says. 

What do Russian Blues look like?

Russian Blues are medium-sized, athletic cats with gray-blue double coats, making their medium-length fur thick. Their fur is thicker due to their origins coming from a cooler climate. This breed's fur can range from a silver appearance to a darker slate color. 

One of the Russian Blues' most striking features is their eyes, which range in hue from yellow to green. These cats also have upturns at the corners of their lips, giving the appearance of a slight grin, Dr. Jordan says.

Although they're not hypoallergenic, this breed tends to produce a less severe allergy reaction, Dr. Jordan adds — due to their double coat, they also tend to shed less. 

Russian Blues can be confused with the Korat cat breed, as they're quite similar at first glance — but they have some differing features. Korats tend to have rounded ear tips that sit toward the top of their head, whereas Russian Blue ear tips tend to be pointed and positioned at the sides of their head. And while Russian Blues have a wedge-shaped head and leaner body, Korats tend to have a heart-shaped head with a compact body.

‍What are Russian Blues' personalities like?

As kittens, Russian Blues are calmer than most other breeds — but still playful. These cats tend to be shy at first, but as they acclimate to their environment, they come out of their shell more.

Russian Blues are a loyal breed to their families and shy around strangers —  they can be affectionate once comfortable, but they're not the snuggling type. They don't tolerate handling they don’t like and tend to be vocal and fight when being restrained for treatments in a clinical setting. 

You can expect Russian Blues to be clever and interactive: “They're quite athletic and do like to play; they often will even play fetch,” Dr. Jordan says.

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Common health issues in Russian Blues

This breed tends to be healthy and lives around 15-to-20 years. Some Russian Blues are predisposed to urinary tract disease. If they are free-fed and don't exercise often, they can become obese.  

Integrating Russian Blue’s into the home

Dr. Jordan recommends that these cats live in a home with less than three-or-four people — they're also best around adults or older children. This breed typically prefers to be an only pet unless introduced to other pets at a young age. 

“If adopting a Russian Blue that's older than a kitten, it would be best to be in a home without children or other pets to get the most out of their personality and the most quality interaction.” Dr. Jordan says. 

The best way to integrate Russian Blues into the home is by providing them with a safe, quiet room with limited commotion. This also allows them to get used to the scents of the home and residents on their own terms during the first week. Once they're accustomed to the residents, they come out of their shells, where they can start roaming the whole house gradually. 

Are you interested in adopting a Russian Blue cat, a Russian Blue mix or any pet at all? We think every pet deserves a home and encourage you to check out our shelter partners.  

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