The Russian Blue cat is a slender, regal, and sweet-tempered feline. This cat has a unique but beautiful name. It is also known as Archangel Blue. 

Russian Blues are aptly-mannered cat breeds that make great indoor companions. The dark grayish/blue plush coat and its Russian origin are the two core physical characteristics that gave this cat its unique name. 

Interestingly you don’t have to worry about adopting a Russian Blue if you are hypoallergic to cat fur because they produce fewer allergens than other cat breeds. 

Russian Blue cats have strong-willed personalities. They will do as they please or even what they enjoy doing. A Russian Blue will, for instance, frequently meet you at the doorstep whenever you arrive home with treats for them. 

Breed Overview 

• Origin: Arkhangelsk Isles, Northern Russia
• Another name: Archangel Blue 
• Length: About 2 feet from the head to the tip of the tail. 
• Weight: Female: 7-12 pounds, Male: 7-15 pounds
• Coat color: Black, Blue, or Gray-silver. However, the GCCF and the ACF recognize Russian Blue in Black and white. The ACFA, on the other hand, recognizes the Russian Blue in Black, white, and Blue. 
• Life expectancy: 15-20 years. 
• Eye color: Varies significantly. Greenish-yellow. 
• Appearance: Russian Blues are medium-sized cats with rectangular/wedge-shaped heads. They have a double-shorthaired coat that makes them stockier and more muscular. The silk shimmering silver coat gives these cats a royal appearance. The mouth is upturned and makes them assume an ever-smiling face. 

Physical Attributes of Russian Blue Cats

• Body: The Body of a Russian Blue is slender but appears muscular to make them assume an athletic posture. 
• Head: The Head is triangular and medium in size but long. The neck is long and thin but proportionate to the body. Also, the neck does not appear long because of the thick fur that covers its body. 
• Face: The face is slightly flat but appears broad because of the dense fur. The muzzle looks blunt and smooth, while the mouth is smiling. 
• Ears: The base of the ear is large and wide with a pointed tip. Also, the ear is soft and covered with translucent skin and fine hair. 
• Eyes: The Eyes are big and wide apart and round. They also appear vivid green.
• Legs, paws, and toes: Legs are steady with round Paws. The paws are soft and mauve/lavender-pink. Russian Blues have five toes on the front legs and four at the back. 
• Tail: The tail is long, thin, and proportional to the cat’s body. 
• Coat: The coat is short but dense due to its double coat. The fur also shimmers in the light. It is silky and plush to the touch. Also, the undercoat is soft but the same length as the guard hairs.
• Color: A lustrous bright blue look. Several Russian Blue cats have tabby markings on their coats, while others assume a slate grey appearance. 

Personality 

The Russian Blue is a tranquil but curious cat breed. They can occasionally be reserved if brought up in an inactive home setting. 

These felines are also friendly to family members and other pet buddies. 

The kittens are playful, enthusiastic, and mischievous. Thus you can adopt a pet playmate or provide toys to keep them occupied. 

Characteristics 

Russian Blue cats also have specific characteristics. 

You can see some traits and different temperament levels in the table below. 

TRAIT	LEVEL
Playfulness	Medium-High
Independence	High
Grooming	Medium
Kid and pet-friendliness	Medium-High
Friendliness to strangers	Low
Vocality	Low
Intelligence	High
Affectionate	Medium
Docility	Medium
Attention & Curiosity	High
Energy	Medium-High

History of the Russian Blue Cat Breed

The origin of the Russian Blue is not accurately well-known. However, history traces this cat breed to Archangel Island in Northern Russia. They were known as Archangel Cats then. 

Russian Czars and royals were the initial owners of Russian Blues. 

This cat breed found its way into Great Britain via the British sailors who traveled from Archangel Island. Russian Blues sailed with other shorthaired cat breeds from Russia with similar distinct characteristics. 

Russian Blue cats were then taken to the first cat show in England in the late 1800s. They competed in several cat shows, thus skyrocketing their fame. 

The breed found its way to other Europe and the nearby Scandinavian countries. 

Russian Blues found their way to the United States in the early 1900s, where American breeders created the modern Russian Blue version we see today. The American Russian Blue combines Scandinavian and British Russian Blue. 

Back in 1912, The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) officially recognized the breed. Today, this cat is recognized by other international cat associations as a unique cat breed. 

These include: 

• The American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA)
• Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF)
• The Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFé)
• The Australian Cat Federation (ACF)
• The Canadian Cat Association (CCA-AFC)
• The International Cat Association (TICA)

Fun Facts 

• Russian folktales believe the Russian Blues help bring good luck and cast out evil spirits. 
• The cat’s smiling appearance resembles Mona Lisa’s smile 
• The Russian cat featured as a trained assassin in the hit movie ‘Warner Bros.’ 

Russian Blue Cats as an Indoor Cat Breed

The Russian Blue cat has high energy levels and is very intelligent. These cats automatically know when to feed. So, always provide the correct diet at the recommended time. 

If you are busy, this cat is right for you. A Russian blue is independent and will do great even alone for long hours. These cat breeds prefer to enjoy peaceful moments alone. Though, you can occasionally leave your pet with interactive toys. 

A Russian blue, just like most cat breeds, need physical and mental stimulation. Pet your cat whenever you are home and spend quality time with her. You can even cuddle with your pet on unpleasant nights or play fetch with her.  

These cats have distinct hunting skills. You will occasionally notice your pet keenly watching and prey for birds, reptiles, mammals, and other small animals through the window.

Russian Blues are observant and persistent. Therefore, always communicate with your cat to maintain an excellent social life. 

An unpredictable, noisy, and crowded setting is not the best environment for your feline pet. They enjoy peace and tranquil environments to sleep or rest. 

Also, remember that Russian blue cats can be shy and curious. Most Russian Blues do not enjoy sitting around strangers. They will occasionally hide in case of sudden or surprising moves. 

Bottom line 

So, the Russian Blue is the right pet for you if you love calm-tempered indoor cats that do not require excessive grooming attention and affection. 

Caring for your Russian Blue Pet Cat

Russian Blues require minimum fur maintenance but maximum oral hygiene. This is because they do not shed frequently. 

A proper grooming routine prevents infections and diseases and guarantees comfort for your cat. 

Proper grooming tips for your pet include skin and fur maintenance, nail trimming, dental hygiene, and ear, eye, and litter box maintenance. 

Skin and Coat  

Weekly brushing of your Russian Blue’s fur is recommended to help maintain a healthy coat. 

Nail Trimming

Trim your cat’s nails every three weeks to guarantee safety while handling your feline pet. Trimming the nails also prevents your cat from scratching the sofa and carpet. 

Step-by-step process 

1. Place your cat on your lap and gently rub the paws for a few seconds to make her comfortable. 

2. Use a clipper or a cat nail trimmer to cut the long nails 

3. Do Not trim close to the pick areas of the paw 

4. Do Not declaw your cat 

Paws  

Most pet parents neglect/forget to groom their paws. 

Remember that Russian Blues are active and playful cat breeds. Thus, paw maintenance is necessary to ensure no infections. 

How to maintain your cat’s paws:

1. Place your cat on a grooming table or your lap and ensure she is comfortable. 

2. Turn her on its back and tickle her to ease the tension 

3. Check for sores, redness, dirt, or infections on the paws 

4. Damp a clean cloth in warm water and gently wipe the paws 

5. Repeat until the area is clean 

Caution: Take your cat to the vet if you notice infection or redness on the paws. 

Dental Hygiene 

Dental hygiene prevents periodontal diseases. Unfortunately, Russian Blues are no exception to oral infections. 

So, weekly teeth hygiene is necessary to ensure teeth and gum diseases do not happen. 

How to help your cat with Dental Hygiene:

1. Place your cat on a high table and apply cat toothpaste to the brush 

2. Use your index finger/toothbrush to brush the cat’s mouth 

3. Gently massage the cat’s gums using the brush 

4. Repeat until the teeth and gums are clean 

Ear Cleaning

Check the inside and outside areas weekly for wax, dirt, or infections. 

Eye Care

The eyes are susceptible to infections. If the eyes of your Russian Blue are not clean, you will notice discharge or staining. 

So, always clean your cat’s eyes at least once a week. 

Step-by-step procedure 

1. Dip a clean cloth soaked in warm water.

2. Wring the excess liquid and wipe the eye corners to remove any discharge or debris.

3. Use a separate towel for each eye. 

4. Take your cat to the Veterinary in case of infections.

Diet and Nutrition 

Always feed your Russian Blue the recommended diet for her to have a healthy diet full of nutrients. 

Here are the most recommended nutrients 

Vitamins and Minerals 

Vitamins help keep the cat’s body healthy, and minerals help strengthen the bones, joints, and teeth. 

Proteins 

Russian Blues require sufficient proteins in the body to help in muscle development. Chicken and turkey are the primary sources of proteins because they provide 35% of the protein necessary for the cat’s body. 

Fats 

Fat is necessary for the skin and coat’s health, metabolism, and excretion.  

Carbohydrates 

Russian blues are active and need carbohydrates as a source of energy. 

Carbohydrate is available in rice and oats. Nonetheless, provide lower carbs to prevent your cat from becoming obese. 

Here is a list of the recommended commercial canned food for Russian Blue cats:

• Smalls Cat food
• Hill’s Science Diet Indoor Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
• Wysong Optimal Vitality Adult Feline Formula Dry Cat Food
• Instinct Original Grain-Free with Real Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Dry Cat Food
• Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Wet Canned Cat Food
• AvoDerm Natural Indoor Weight Support Recipe Adult Canned Cat Food 

These foods contain all the necessary nutrients that a Russian Blue Cat breed requires for growth and development. 

Some ingredients in most canned food include chicken, turkey, beef, liver, salmon, and green peas. 

Food Allergies  

Russian Blues are allergic to particular foods. Thus, always check for any adverse response from your pet. 

Here is a list of the most common food to which Russian Blues are allergic. 

• Soy 
• Gluten 
• Dairy products 
• Corn 

Check a few signs and symptoms like scratching, vomiting, diarrhea, and itchiness (that causes soreness on the skin) if your pet is allergic to any of the mentioned products. 

Common Health Problems in Russian Blue Cats

Russian Blues have minimum health conditions. They can live up to their 20 years of life expectancy. 

Nonetheless, there are a few common hereditary diseases Russian Blues are susceptible to. 

Obesity is among the top concerns in Russian Blues. These cat breeds have a big appetite for meat products. Thus, too much intake can lead to excessive weight gain. 

The other health concern is Progressive Retinal Atrophy. This particular condition leads to the deterioration of eye vision. 

Like most cats, Russian Blues are also prone to kidney complications like kidney failure, urinary tract disease, and bladder stones. 

Luckily, all the mentioned complications can be prevented or even treated early.  

Frequently Asked Questions About Russian Blue Cats

Russian Blue Cats Make Wonderful Family Pets

Russian Blues are introverts and neurotic cat breeds. They make great indoor companions because of their royal and sleek look. 

These particular cat breeds are energetic. They are also social and make great pets to communicate with at home. 

Russian Blue cats do great in homes with children, seniors, and other pets. They are, however, shy with strangers and do not like younger children who are not gentle. They prefer older children who can handle them gently. 

Also, these cats can learn new tricks easily with their intelligence level, energy, and curiosity. 

When you leave for work, leave interactive toys to distract them and keep them from mischievousness. 

Your Russian Blue cat will often meet and welcome you at the door whenever you arrive home from a busy day at work. 

Lastly, Russian Blues rarely get sick nor require excessive grooming.