As their name implies, Russian Blue cats hail from Russia and have blue-colored coats. Modern-day Russian Blues very closely resemble other cat breeds like the British Shorthair, the Chartreux of France and the Korat of Thailand, but they have their own unique characteristics when it comes to their appearance, personality and health. We will be covering the following topics in this overview:
Russian Blue cats are considered a medium-size cat breed. They have a signature upturn in the corners of their mouth, giving them a permanent Mona Lisa-like smile. They’re also known for their graceful, firm demeanor, muscular bodies and long, fine-boned legs.
The Russian Blue’s short, dense, double-layered coat is a clear indication that this breed originated in a cold climate — after all, Archangel is only 150 miles from the Arctic Circle. Their dense coats can also make a Russian Blue appear larger than they really are. Although they have thick coats, they don’t shed too often but should still be brushed at least once a week. Russian Blue cats have solid, velvety coat colors that can be varying shades of bluish gray, silver or slate. Petfinder explains that blue is the diluted version of black in the pet world, and the gene responsible for the breed’s blue-gray coloring is a form of the black hair gene.
Round, wide-set eyes in striking shades of green perfectly complement the Russian Blue’s beautiful coat.
Healthy adult Russian Blue cats should weigh between seven and 15 pounds, with males weighing more than females. The breed’s love of food can lead to excessive hunger and obesity, so it’s important to stick to a properly portioned nutrition plan that includes high-quality, minimally processed cat food.
If well cared for and kept indoors, Russian Blue cats can live to be 15 to 20 years old or even older.