About the Russian Blue

The Russian Blue

The Russian Blue is a short-haired breed with a plushy, silver-blue coat. They have slightly upturned mouths, giving them their very distinct smiling expressions. These cats get along quite well with children and with other pets, developing loyal bonds to their loved ones.

Life with a Russian blue is like having a tiny puppy that uses a litter box. They are very much people oriented cats. They love to be in your arms, sleep in your lap or watch you work. Many enjoy interrupting you to remind you that they require petting, showing you love by rubbing their face on yours, jumping on your shoulders, and even reaching up on your legs to ask you to hold them. They love cuddling with their human and are very spirited and playful.

History

The Russian Blue’s development as a breed took place primarily in Britain and Scandinavia, starting in the late nineteenth century when showing and breeding cats became a popular activity. A British cat fancier named Mrs. Carew-Cox began importing the cats in 1890 and bred and showed them against other blue cats of varying types. She described them as having short, silvery fur, large ears, wide-set eyes, and lean faces, with sweet, intelligent personalities—in short, much the same as the Russian Blue of today. In 1912, the cats were well enough established that they could be shown in a class of their own instead of being lumped together with other blue cats. Today they are popular show cats as well as companions to those who know the secret of their sweet beauty.

Personality

The Russian Blue has a reputation as a gentle, shy, and quiet cat. These cats may have a reserved nature, but they love to play (being especially fond of retrieving) and enjoy jumping or climbing to high places. Guests will not receive their immediate attention, but toward family members they are very loyal, following them through the house and even riding on shoulders. This is a breed who does best in a quiet, stable environment, and if you take the time to develop a relationship with a Russian Blue, your reward will be a deep bond with this loving cat.

Care

The Russian Blue’s dense coat should be combed weekly to remove dead hair and distribute skin oils. Trim the nails every couple of weeks. Keep the Russian Blue’s litter box spotlessly clean as they are very particular about bathroom hygiene. Russian Blue's should be kept as indoor-only cats to protect them from diseases spread by other cats, attacks by dogs, raccoons, and coyotes, and many other dangers that face cats who go outdoors, such as being hit by a car or being relocated by humans.

Children And Other Pets

Russian Blues have a tolerant nature toward children who treat them kindly and respectfully. They will even put up with the clumsy treatment given by toddlers as if they recognize that no harm is meant, and if necessary they will walk away or climb out of reach to escape being bonked on the head. That said, the patient and gentle Russian Blue should always be protected from rough treatment, so always supervise very young children when they want to pet the cat. The Russian Blue is also accepting of other animals, including dogs, as long as they aren’t chased or menaced by them. Introduce pets slowly and in controlled circumstances to ensure that they learn to get along together.

Are They Hypoallergenic?

No cat is truly non-allergenic. Please click here to learn more. We recommend you read the article by Teresa Keiger, Russian Blue breeder and CFA all-breed judge linked above.