Russian Blues (Felis catus) Cats Description and Complete Care Guide
Russian Blues (Felis catus), also known simply as Russian Blue cats, are a type of feline whose hues range from a light, shimmering silver to a darker, slate grey. The breed has been known for its short, dense coat that stands out from the body for more than a century.
A naturally occurring breed, the Russian Blue may have its roots in the Russian harbor city of Arkhangelsk. They are also known as Archangel Blues on occasion.
In the 1860s, it is thought that seamen transported them from the Archangel Isles to Great Britain and Northern Europe. In British print, the term Archangel Cat first appears in 1862.
The term Archangel Cat first occurs in British print in 1862. One had its first recorded appearance in performance as the Archangel Cat in 1872 at the Crystal Palace in England.
However, Harrison Weir claimed in 1895 that the early exhibition cats known as Russian Blues were actually British-bred grey tabbies and that in the 1800s, distinct grey cats with traits like the modern breed arrived in Britain from Archangel.
The Russian Blue competed against all other blue cats in a class of its own up until 1912. The breed was predominantly created in Scandinavia and England up until the end of World War II.
Russian Blues were in short supply after the war, which encouraged cross-breeding with Siamese cats. Although Russian Blues were present in the country prior to the war, it wasn’t until after the war that American breeders developed the contemporary Russian blues that is now seen here.
Breeders in America united the Scandinavian and British Russian Blues’ ancestral lines. The Siamese characteristics have now mainly been bred out.
The short hair and slate-gray/blue color are frequently observed in mixed-breed cats, which can have an impact on breeders and showers due to mislabeling a cat as a Russian Blue.
The Russian Blue is a striking, medium-sized cat with a body that is somewhat “foreign” in appearance (in cat slang, “foreign” refers to “like a Siamese cat”), long and lithe, highly strong, yet graceful.
Despite having a wedge-shaped skull, Russian Blues have open, jovial faces that are framed by huge, flaring ears. With neat, tiny, oval-shaped paws, the legs are long and slim. Russian Blues are renowned for having thick, dense, and luxurious coats.
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The Russian Blue makes a charming and stylish companion. When interacting with strangers, they can be a little aloof. Rather than rushing in for head rubs and lap time, they prefer to observe from a distance and assess a stranger’s suitability for friendship.
A Russian Blue will expect you to satisfy all of their needs and wants once they have evaluated and approved you. They are very affectionate! They can make delightful and generally low-maintenance feline pals because they are playful and kind.
Russian Blues are soft-haired, pastel blue-gray cats with emerald eyes that glitter. The cat has characteristic silver-tipped guard hairs that give it a shiny or lustrous appearance.
They have occasionally been used to develop new breeds, like the Havana Brown, or to modify existing varieties, like the Nebelung. They are utilized in Italy as a method known as RUS4OSH in FIFe to make Oriental Shorthairs healthier and more resilient.
The Russian Blue has two layers of short, thick fur, vivid green eyes, pinkish lavender or mauve paws, and a blue-grey-black coat. The color is a bluish-gray that results from the black gene’s diluted expression.
A blue cat will always be born from two non-Color-Point Carrier (non-CPC) Russian Blues because dilute genes are recessive (“d”) and each parent will have a set of two recessive genes (“dd”).
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Behavioral Characteristics of the Russian Blues
The Russian Blue is a peaceful and curious animal. They are admired for their intelligence, sociability, and quiet demeanor. They have been observed to open doors and engage in fetch because they are perceptive to human emotions.
They like playing with a variety of toys and develop dedicated bonds with their family members and other pets. Even though they are generally considered a quiet breed, there are always exceptions. They are often reserved among strangers unless they came from a bustling home.
Many Russian Blues have received trick instructions. They can also become fierce hunters, often killing rodents, birds, rabbits, small animals, or reptiles.
Being active, Russian Blue kittens need enough playmates or toys to keep them entertained because, if bored, they can get naughty. They are exceptionally athletic, and their climbing and leaping prowess even surpass that of the Abyssinians.
Even much older Russian Blues can be readily persuaded to play by their owners because they are slow to develop and retain many of their adolescent qualities, both positive and negative until they are 3–4 years old. Also quite intelligent are Russian Blues.
They have a great memory and will discover where their favorite toys (like laser pointers) are hidden and direct their owners there when they want to play.
They also remember favored visitors well and would rush to welcome them even after a long time has gone since their last visit, which is a radical change from their typically very reserved demeanor with strangers.
Growth and Lifespan
Russian Blues typically survive 10 to 20 years, while some have reached 25. Since they often have few hereditary flaws and are not prone to illness, they typically have minimal health concerns.
When fully mature, they are small to medium-sized cats that weigh between 3.6 and 6.8 kg (8 and 15 lb). Usually, males will be bigger than females. They have a 64-day gestation period on average.
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Grooming the Russian Blue Cats Guide
The magnificent grey-blue coat and gorgeous emerald eyes of Russian Blues are what set them apart from other cats.
They are frequently linked to Russian aristocracy and have their roots in Russia. The Russian blues spread over Europe and North America in the latter half of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries.
Even though they tend to be a little cautious and timid, the breed, once they feel at ease in a new environment, may be very gregarious and devoted to family members. You must regularly supply food, grooming care, and socializing for a Russian Blue in order to take care of it.
1. Give your cat food twice daily: The Russian Blue enjoys eating and frequently tries to deceive owners into giving them too much. Stop this from happening because weight can bring serious health issues like diabetes.
Due to this, you ought to avoid free-range feeding and stick to planned feeding. By doing this, you’ll be able to keep an eye on your cat’s food consumption and immediately notice if it starts to eat less, which might indicate a health issue. To find out how frequently and how much food to feed your cat, read the food package.
2. Give your kitty some water: Water is a crucial component of a cat’s diet, and some cats don’t get enough of it because they don’t have strong thirst signals.
Water must therefore always be accessible to your cat throughout the day. If your cat does not drink enough water, it may experience issues with its kidneys or urinary system.
3. Once or twice a week, brush your cat: The gorgeous grey-blue coat of the Russian Blue sets it apart. Due to the two separate layers of the coat, which distort the cat’s actual size, it is known as a “double coat”.
A Russian Blue should be brushed 1-2 times per week to maintain its lovely, thick coat. Because they like the attention, Russian Blues often like being rubbed.
4. Take a look at your cat’s eyes: Make it a habit to perform a short eye exam at home before brushing your cat. This will assist you in determining any probable medical conditions like tearing, crust, cloudiness, or inflammation.
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5. Cut your cat’s claws: Cats’ nails should be cut every 10 days to 2 weeks to prevent splitting and breaking. The best place in your home to cut a cat’s nails is a peaceful, distraction-free space.
Avoid trying to trim your cat’s claws in front of a window because they can become distracted by outside noises or animals and try to escape your arms.
6. Examine your cat’s ears: Checking your cat’s ears frequently for wax accumulation and any other potential health issues is essential. Examine their ears once a week. If you notice any wax accumulation, just wipe it away with a Q-tip coated in olive oil.
7. Your cat’s molars: To maintain overall dental health, brush your cat’s teeth once every week. Speak with your veterinarian to find out what toothpaste and brush they suggest. You may purchase toothbrushes and toothpaste for cats at your local pet store.
Your cat’s teeth should be carefully brushed. To make the cat comfortable with this procedure, you must gradually introduce the toothbrush and toothpaste to her.
The easiest way to make sure your Russian Blue is clean might seem to be to give it a bath. In actuality, frequent bathing can actually remove your cat’s coat of the natural oils that still exist and make their fur appear much dryer.
As a result, it’s crucial to keep in mind that you only need to bathe them once every 4-6 weeks.
Additionally, always use a high-quality shampoo that contains essential oils. Wetting your Russian Blue with water that is at room temperature is the next step.
Next, carefully apply your cat with a mixture of one part cat-safe shampoo to five parts water. When putting the shampoo around their nose, ears, and eyes, remember to use particular caution.
After completing this procedure, thoroughly rinse your cat with water. After that, you may either use a towel or a hairdryer to pat them dry. Getting your cat as dry as possible is the key objective here.
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