How to Identify the Russian Blue Cat

Learn about cat breeds. The Russian Blue Cat is a purebred cat. The origin of the breed is unknown, but it is believed to have originated from the Archangel Islands in northern Russia. The winters there are extremely harsh, and that’s why the Russian Blue has a thick, fluffy coat to keep warm.

• The breed began to be introduced to other parts of the world in the second half of the 19th century and was introduced to the United States in the early 20th century ^{. [1]}

Pay attention to the size of the cat. The Russian Blue cat is about 25 cm tall at the shoulder, and has an average weight of about 5.5 kg; although they can be bigger or smaller, depending on your lifestyle, eating habits and activity level.

• The Russian Blue Cat has an average lifespan of 10-15 years. ^[2]

Identify the general appearance of the cat. The Russian Blue Cat impresses with its long, slim and elegant body. They have long necks that are graceful when stretched out, but their thick and fluffy coat makes the neck appear shorter.

• The cat’s body is toned with a small skeleton and slim, clear muscles. ^[3]

Observe the cat’s eyes. The Russian Blue Cat has characteristic green eyes. This trait begins to develop when cats are 4 months old and manifests in the outer rim around the pupil, which is also the part that gives color to the eyes. Newborn kittens all have blue eyes, but their eye color gradually changes as they grow older. ^[4]

Look at the shape of a cat’s head. The Russian Blue has a triangular face, often described as a cobra’s head with seven distinct planes, in contrast to the typical cat with a round, apple-shaped skull. This feature makes a difference for the Russian blue cat. ^{[5] [6]}

Check the color of the cat’s coat, nose, and paws. The most striking and unique feature of the Russian Blue cat is the coat that gives it its name. They have a silvery-gray coat but are often described as blue, with a dense, dense coat and soft, double-layered cotton.

• If you look closely at each cat’s hair, you will notice that the tips of the hairs are light gray or silver gray. ^{[7] [8]}
• The Russian blue cat’s nose is black, and the cat’s paws are lilac purple.

Consider the cat’s personality. The Russian Blue Cat is usually shy in front of strangers but is very affectionate when used to its owner. They are gentle and cheerful, making them perfect for first-time cat owners. A unique feature of the Russian Blue is that it loves to play with objects, a trait found only in dogs and quite unusual in cats.

• The Russian Blue cat usually only meows softly, unlike the oriental-looking cats with pointed faces, such as the Siamese or the Havanese, which are very loud and noisy.
• They have excellent observational abilities and are curious about everything going on around them, although they don’t always participate in them. Like many cats, they like a peaceful atmosphere and often retreat to quiet places when there is a lot of noise, such as the sound of a vacuum cleaner. ^[9]

Check cat breed records. Cats will not be recognized as purebred without a proven record. You can’t claim a beautiful blue cat is a Russian blue cat without proof. Without a record, the cat is only considered a domestic short-haired cat, the official term for non-breed cats. ^[10]

• This, of course, doesn’t mean that the cat doesn’t deserve a home, but the cat is completely unrecognized by the courts and cat breeders as a Russian Blue ^[11]

Consider the price. True Russian Blue Cats are quite rare and often very expensive. The average price of a Russian blue cat at a reputable cat farm is usually around 1,000 euros. A young Russian blue cat in the US costs an average of 400-600 USD. Most of the so-called “Blue Russian cats” at the animal shelter are actually short-haired domestic cats, as expensive cats like the Blue Russian will not be abandoned. ^[12]

• Cat breeders have very strict standards and often refuse to sell Russian Blue cats to families who cannot commit to taking care of the cat.
• All quality Russian cats are spayed on sale to prevent them from breeding and to prevent amateur breeders from selling Russian Blue kittens from flooding the market and reducing the breed’s value.