A Russian Blue Cat looking directly into the camera

Russian Blue Cat Insurance, Care and Health Advice

The Russian Blue cat breed is thought to have been first introduced into the UK from their native Russia in the 1860s. They were then known as Archangel cats as Russian Blues lived originally in the port of Arkhangelsk in Northern Russia. Sometimes known as 'Archangel Blues', they stand out with their aristocratic air, short hair and luxurious blue coat with silver glimmer, their vivid bright green eyes and large, high-set ears.

Home-loving, and happy to be indoors, these cats make ideal pets for most households. If you're looking to introduce this cat breed into your home, here‘s all the breed information and health facts you need to know.

Russian Blue Facts

Cat breed type icon
Type
Domestic
Cat breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
10 - 20+ years
Cat breed size icon
Size
Medium
Cat breed weight icon
Weight
3.6 - 6.8 kg
Cat breed height icon
Height icon
20 - 25 cm
Cat breed temperament icon
Temperament
Loyal, affectionate and sweet-tempered
Cat breed exercise icon
Exercise
15 mins 2x per day
Cat breed grooming icon
Grooming
Low maintenance

Is a Russian Blue Right for Me?

This cat shows affection but isn't too demanding, which means they can be great for elderly people. But they also tick the box for single people, first-time cat parents and working families - they're good with children, as long as the kids are gentle. All in all, they’ll fit in well in most households from experienced to new pet parents.

A Russian Blue Kitten being held in its owners lap

What are Russian Blue Kittens Like?

Russian Blue kittens are born with yellow eyes which turn into a beautiful green colour after three or four months. Like all kittens, they’re playful and curious. Make sure they’ve been well socialised so that they get used to new situations, noises and people. This will enable them to grow into confident and happy adults, you should know the breed can be shy with strangers. 

A screaming Russian Blue Cat

Life with a Russian Blue Cat

Russian blues are gentle with an affectionate personality. They’re loyal to their owners but can be a bit reserved with strangers until they get to know them. Not generally noisy cats, they can be quietly talkative, especially at mealtimes. They'll let you know if it's past their usual feeding time!

Caring for Your Russian Blue

Russian Blues tend to be quite greedy when it comes to food and can easily become overweight. To prevent them from piling on the pounds, make sure their food intake is measured and treats are limited. Cats are grazers by nature so feeding little and often at regular intervals is an ideal way to keep your cat feeling full while preventing them from eating the whole bowl in one sitting.

Your vet or weight management nurse can give you a weight loss plan to help your cat reach their healthy weight.

This breed has an eye catching thick "double coat". This means that they have two layers of fur, an undercoat and guard hairs. The double coat makes this breed suited to being outside in harsh winters. Despite this thick coat, Russian Blues have low grooming needs.

They only tend to shed a little bit in spring and again in autumn. So owners only need to brush their coats once or twice a week to help remove any dirt, or loose fur.

Russian Blues are highly intelligent and love to play games. They can be trained to play ‘fetch’ and other simple tricks. They need mental as well as physical stimulation to keep fit so provide them with lots of toys such as feather toys or laser pointers, perches, cat trees, and scratching posts.

Most Russian Blues have a strong hunting instinct so you can expect them to be keen hunters. Be prepared for your cat to bring home some surprises!

Russian Blue Cat Insurance

A Russian Blue may be one of the healthiest cats, but that doesn’t mean they won’t suffer from an illness or injury. So to try and keep those paws protected as best as you possibly can, it’s a good idea to think about Russian Blue Cat insurance.

Here at Everypaw, we’re all about the Lifetime and you can insure your Russian Blue kitten from 8 weeks of age, and new policies can start all the way up to their 10th birthday. But don’t worry, as long you’re covered with us before then, and don’t break cover, we’ll continue to cover your Blue well into their senior years.

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Common Russian Blue Cat Health Problems by Vetstream

The Russian Blue is one of the healthiest cat breeds around with no known genetic diseases or illnesses that you need to be aware of. But this doesn’t mean they won’t suffer from the usual illnesses that can affect cats, especially as they get older.

Everypaw has teamed up with veterinary experts Vetstream so you have the knowledge and know the signs of a few health conditions to keep an eye out for.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a common in middle-aged and elderly cats. The kidneys gradually stop working and an affected cat may appear depressed, vomit, lose weight, and have a dull coat. The damage is irreversible, but your cat may still live a good quality of life for many months following diagnosis. Medication and a specialist diet may be recommended.

Russian Blues like their food and if fed too much, they'll put on too much weight. Obesity can lead to various health problems such as diabetes mellitus, liver problems, and lower urinary tract disease. Make sure you feed the recommended amount of food and hold back on the treats. Your vet or weight management nurse can suggest a weight loss plan for your cat.

Dental disease is very common in cats. Try to brush their teeth every day and while doing this, check their teeth and gums for any problems. Inflammation and bleeding can indicate periodontal disease, and this can lead to receding gums and tooth loss. Bad breath or difficulty eating are other indicators of dental disease.

Regular appointments for a dental check and a scale and polish will help reduce the risk of periodontal problems.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is a term used to cover the various conditions that can affect a cat’s bladder and/or urethra. Bladder stones, blockages, and inflammation of the bladder (cystitis) can all cause pain and discomfort when your cat tries to pass urine. Another factor that can be involved in cystitis is stress.

Making sure your cat is drinking enough water and changing their diet to a moist cat food can help.

Quick Blue Q&A

Despite having a thick coat, Russian Blues only shed a small amount in spring and again in autumn. Brushing to help remove any dirt, or loose fur is only needed once or twice a week, making the Russian Blues low maintenance cats.

No cat is completely hypoallergenic, but the Russian Blue is one of the better breeds to have if you have a cat allergy. They don't shed their hair much and produce lower levels of glycoprotein Fel d 1, the allergen known to cause pet allergies. See if you can spend some time with a Russian Blue before you buy one, if you or someone in your family has a cat allergy.

Russian Blues are medium-sized cats. They’ll grow to be around 25 cm or 10 inches tall and weigh 3.6-6.8 kg (8-15 lbs). Males will typically be larger than females.

Russian Blue cats typically live 15 to 20 years, thanks to their robust health and proper care, including a balanced diet and regular vet visits.

Russian Blue cats are affectionate, intelligent, and reserved, forming strong bonds with their owners while maintaining a calm and gentle demeanor.

That’s All You Need to Know About Russian Blues

With beautiful short, luxurious blue coats and vivid green eyes, the aristocratic Russian Blue makes a great companion cat. Despite their thick coats, they’re low maintenance and a brush once or twice a week is all that’s needed. They’re happy to be left alone during the day and like their routine (any changes might not be appreciated). Home-loving and not too demanding, they’ll fit in well in most households.

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis.

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

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