About Russian Blues
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Russian Blues are some of the most lovable cats you could have as a pet. Of course, it’s always important to be informed about a breed before you make it apart of your family.
Hypoallergenic
One of their main perks of a Russian Blue is that they are hypoallergenic, which means they produce fewer allergens than other breeds. This is one reason why people with allergies are drawn to the Russian Blues, and why they can be such wonderful pets for a variety of people.
It is important to note, however, that there is no such thing as an 100% hypoallergenic pet. If you or a family member have very severe allergies, it may be wise to consult a doctor before investing in a pet, even a hypoallergenic one like the Russian Blue.
Physical Characteristics:
Russian Blues are a strong and beautiful breed, with firm muscles and a slender, elegant form. It sometimes appears bigger than it actually is because of its double coat, which is one of the most eye-catching things about them. Because their fur is so dense, they are a very low shed cat.
The coat is bright blue—which to the layman, means a gorgeous gray color. Silky and plush, the hair stands out at an angle, allowing you to literally trace patterns into it. According to some legends, the Russian Blue was at one time the target of hunters, who likened their luxuriant fur to the fur of seals.
Another captivating quality the Russian Blues have is their eye color. As kittens, their eyes change from dark blue to yellow, but around four months there is a bright green ring around the pupil. As the cat matures, the eye color evolves into a bright vivid green, very aesthetically pleasing along with their gray fur.
One curious feature of the breed is its “smile.” It has a slightly upturned mouth that makes it seem like it is smiling at you, and is often compared to the enigmatic Mona Lisa smile.
Note: While the “gray” Russian Blue hold the purest, most acceptable genes of the breed, there are defective genes that can make them “white” or “black.” They are not generally used for breeding and are excluded from cat shows, but they still make sweet pets, and people often seek them out to add their adorable, rare faces to their homes. For more information, read this article.
Personality and Temperament:
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Elegant and reserved, Russian blues are generally well behaved and known to be some of the smartest of their feline brethren. They are also very playful, loving to chase after toys or sunbeams. Yes, cats can play fetch too!
The Russian Blue can spend hours amusing itself, and doesn’t mind too much being left home alone. It will be very happy to see you when you return, however. They are excellent companions, sometimes following its owners about constantly.
This breed is easy to train, but make sure they don’t train you—the Russian Blue is known for actually appearing hurt when it has been ignored.
Generally a Russian Blue will prefer one human above the others in the family, but they get along well with almost everyone, including children. Their love of human company extends to purposely clowning around to help calm a crying baby, to showing sympathy when someone has the blues by patting the face of the person.
They are very loyal and loving to their people, but have a natural sense of shyness and nervousness around strangers and strange environments. One thing to note about this breed is they do not like change, preferring things to be predictable and on schedule. If you alter a set dinner time, it will remind you of its disapproval in any way possible. Russian Blues have been known to “talk” when they really want something—and some cats are louder than others.
Health
There are no specific health problems related to the Russian Blue, genetically they are a very sound breed. Brushing their coat is not essential, but a weekly grooming session can help with the smooth feel of the coat. Brushing its teeth and trimming its nails are also recommend in some situations.
One important thing to keep in mind with this breed is its love of food. Some Russian Blues do just fine with self-feeding from a cat dish, while others are more prone to overeating way beyond their needs. It just depends on the cat. Making sure their food is regulated and that they get plenty of exercise can keep them from developing unhealthy weight related conditions.
For foods and plants that are poisonous for cats, see the New Kitten Owner page.
Read more about Russian Blues: Pet MD, Russian Blues