The Russian blue cat is undoubtedly one of the most popular and beautiful felines. If you are thinking of adopting a cat of this breed, it will be convenient for you to inform yourself beforehand about its character, hair care or the characteristics it possesses. On our site we will explain everything you need to know about the Russian blue cat, including the types, photographs and interesting information about its care. Keep reading and discover more about this feline breed:
Origin of the Russian Blue Cat
There are various theories about the origin of the Russian Blue cat, but the most popular is undoubtedly the archangel cat The first mentions of of this breed explain how the first specimens of the Russian Blue cat were found in the port cities of northern Russia, on the Archangel Islands. Hence his nickname. Another story suggests that the breed had been kept secret for generations because it was considered a very exclusive cat, which should only accompany the Czars
Since their appearance, Russian Blue cats became popular and the British decided to export them to United Kingdom To avoid excessive inbreeding that supposed to breed cats with a significant degree of kinship, it was decided to cross the Russian blue cat with the british shorthair and the blue Siamese The fruit of this union was The result is a spectacular Russian Blue cat with striking green eyes. Later, the miscegenation ceased to be carried out because it gave rise to "improper" shapes in Russian blue.
In the US some breeders imported Russian Blues and dedicated themselves to breeding them, obtaining more stylized kittens, due to the different crosses that have been made today we have several types to distinguish between Russian Blue cats.
Physical Characteristics of the Russian Blue Cat
The main feature that makes the Russian Blue cat unmistakable is its short, silky, dense, plush-looking coat. It is a uniform color, bright blue It has large, rounded eyes that are intense green, which contrast with the impeccable mantle. The head shape is a medium broad wedge, with a flat top and a straight nose in profile. The ears are wide at the base and slightly turned outwards. He is medium in size, fine boned and muscular.
Types of Russian Blue Cat:
- English: The English type is larger and the head appears more rounded. The base of the ears is wider and the eyes are slightly smaller.
- Continental: is finer and more stylized than English. The limbs stand out, long and thin, and the size of the eyes is slightly larger.
- Scandinavian: This type is muscular, just like the English, but more slender.
- American: The American is by far the longest, slimmest, and most slender type of Russian Blue cat.
Russian Blue Cat Character
Russian Blue cats often have very strong bonds with their family and especially with one of the members. They are calm and affectionate, however, they tend to be reserved with strangers, as is the case with practically all cats. We must be aware that it is a very tolerant cat with children, but we must be firm in explaining to them that they cannot play with them by pulling their tails or disturbing them.
He's perfectly suited to apartment life, as long as he gets constant affection and hours of play just for him. Loneliness is not a good ally for this breed, which will undoubtedly need a loving and homely family.
They stand out for their intelligence They will quickly learn to associate their names and use the different elements, such as the scratching post or the litter box, but they can go further, learning to sit, to pick up toys, etc. To do this we must enhance his skills from an early age and stimulate him regularly.
Russian Blue Cat Care
To ensure that our Russian Blue cat is well cared for, we won't need many things, it will suffice with regular brushing of the coat to keep it spotless and we will not need to bathe him, unless he is really dirty. Let's remember that cats clean themselves and don't need regular baths like we do with dogs.
If you have learned to use the scraper correctly, we will not need to cut your nails. We'll just need to check his ears occasionally to make sure he doesn't have a mite infestation as well as his mouth and body in general to spot any problems early.
We will choose a quality feed and the corresponding gamma (junior, adult or senior) or we can choose to makehomemade recipes , yes, always consulting the vet so as not to cause deficiencies in their diet. Do not forget that the food provided to your cat will be reflected directly on its coat, much brighter and more beautiful, as well as directly affecting its he alth.
Don't forget to place the litter box, the food box and their bed in very separate areas, as cats do not usually accept that these elements are too close. It is also advisable to get various toys, especially the "fishing rod" type, which is very positive for them, since they interact with us.
Russian Blue Cat Diseases
In general, it is often stated that the breed has a high he alth status, however, especially those Russian Blue cats that are pedigree holders, can suffer a series of congenital diseases, especially if inbreeding has been practiced (not only father-daughter, but also grandfather-granddaughter). The diseases that most affect this breed are:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Polydactyly
- Genetic mutations
We should also point out that the Russian blue cat is more easily susceptible to contracting infectious or parasitic diseases, such as:
- Feline AIDS
- Giardiasis
- Chlamydia
- Bordetella
- Tub
To maintain an optimal state of he alth in our feline, it is always advisable to strictly follow the cat's vaccination schedule, as well as dewormingexternal and internal, especially if our cat has access to the outside. Following these tips, the Russian Blue cat can live between 10 and 15 years, although the record for this breed is 21 years.
