Russian Blue Cat: Cat Breed Information, Characteristics & Facts

As with such a large number of feline breeds, little is known about the Russian Blue’s beginnings. He presumably comes from Russia—his thick coat is clearly that of a feline from colder climates—and he is viewed as a characteristic breed, which means nature made him, not the handicraft of people. The Russian Blue’s advancement as a breed, be that as it may, occurred principally in Britain and Scandinavia, beginning in the late nineteenth century, when appearing reproducing felines turned into a famous movement. The Russian Blue showed up on the world phase of the feline extravagant at a display of felines held at London’s Crystal Palace in 1875. Marked an Archangel Cat, since he was said to be from the Russian island of Archangel, he contended with other blue felines of differing types. A paper report of the show depicted the Russian Blue as “exceptionally attractive” and “especially textured,” including “They take after for the most part the normal wild dark rabbit.”

Other early names by which the breed was known were Maltese and Foreign Blue. A British feline fancier named Mrs. Carew-Cox started bringing in the felines in 1890 and reproduced and demonstrated them through the turn of the century. She depicted them as having short, brilliant hide, huge ears, wide-set eyes and lean appearances, with sweet, astute identities—to put it plainly, much equivalent to the Russian Blue of today. In 1912, the felines were all around settled that they could be appeared in their very own class as opposed to being lumped together with other blue felines. World War II about put a conclusion to the breed. Not many felines endure the long stretches of privation, and British and Scandinavian raisers swung to different breeds, fundamentally the Siamese and the British Blue, to help restore their bloodlines.

Quick Facts

• The Russian Blue is Probably From Russia

The Russian Blue’s genealogical roots are lost in time. A few people guess that they’re dropped from the pet felines of Russian autocrats, yet there’s likely more truth to the case that the breed began in northwest Russia. As indicated by legend, the dark kitties lived in the wild, and were prized—and tragically chased—for their thick, warm hide. Today, it’s said that dark felines looking like the Russian Blue still live in the nation’s coldest areas.

It’s trusted that mariners brought the Russian from the port city of Arkhangelsk—which sits on the Northern Dvina River in the northwestern piece of the nation—to Great Britain and Northern Europe during the 1860s. The city was a standout amongst the most significant ports in the Russian Empire. Its name implies Archangel in English, which may clarify why the Russian Blue was once known as the Archangel Blue.

• Russian Blues Were At Some of The World’s Top Cat Shows

The “Lead celestial host Cat” showed up at one of the world’s first feline shows, held at London’s Crystal Palace in 1875. The breed purportedly drew commendations from one author in participation, who depicted it as “an attractive feline.”

Unfortunately, the Russian Blue didn’t win any prizes: Harrison Weir—the show’s originator who’s today recognized as “the dad of the feline extravagant”— gathered all the short-haired blue felines into one classification, and he favored the stockier, round-confronted British Blue.

• Russian Blues Were Nearly Lost During World War II

England’s Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) perceived the Russian Blue as a particular breed in 1912. The feline was frequently alluded to as a “Blue Foreign sort” or the “Remote Blue.” But World War II inevitably broke out, and numerous raisers never again had the assets to proceed with the kitty’s bloodline. The Russian Blue dwindled in number, yet after the war finished, feline sweethearts in nations including Britain, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark spared the feline by crossbreeding it with other cat types.

Today, the Russian Blue’s appearance shifts around Europe. Scandinavians mated the feline with Siamese felines, bringing about a more drawn out, increasingly rakish look. Also, in Britain, the kitty was crossbred with bluepoint Siamese felines and British Blues, so they built up a stockier outline.

Russian Blues previously landed in America at some point during the 1900s, yet it wasn’t until a lot later that the nation’s feline aficionados began rearing them vigorously. They imported Russian Blues from Scandinavia and England, and after some time, joined their one of a kind highlights into the blue-furred, green-looked at feline we know and love today.

• Nyan Cat Was Inspired By a Russian Blue

A Russian Blue feline roused the Internet’s most well known 8-bit vivified cat. Nyan Cat—the YouTube video-turned-viral Internet-image of a flying feline Pop Tart half breed flying through space, leaving a rainbow trail afterward—was made in 2011 by then-25-year-old artist Chris Torres, who claimed a Russian Blue named Marty.

Torres was taking an interest in a Red Cross gift drive, and got clashing proposals on what to draw. One individual needed him to portray a feline; another, a Pop Tart. Torres wound up illustration a crossover of both, however on the off chance that you look carefully, you’ll see that the catlike part of Nyan Cat firmly takes after Torres’ darling feline.

• The Russian Blue Isn’t 100% Hypoallergenic

A few people say that the Russian Blue is a decent pet for individuals with sensitivities. It doesn’t shed a great deal, in addition to the dark kitty purportedly creates lower dimensions of Fel d 1 protein, the allergenic protein in feline spit and skin discharges that makes your skin tingle and eyes water. However, even little measures of Fel d 1 can reason you to endure an unfavorably susceptible response, in addition to Russian Blues still have dander. There are a lot of motivations to need the dim feline; simply remember that it won’t be the answer for your sensitivity hardships.

• The Russian Blue Is Very Different From Other Breeds

With its slate-hued hide, the Russian Blue looks like other “blue” short-haired felines like the Chartreux and the British Blue. Be that as it may, in the event that you look carefully, you’ll see inconspicuous contrasts between the three breeds. For one, the Russian Blue has green eyes, though the Chartreux has splendid orange pupils, and the British Blue’s are gold, copper, or blue-green. Additionally, the Russian Blue and Chartreux have round countenances and stocky (if not somewhat stout) bodies, while the Russian Blue is significantly more prolonged and flexible, with a wedge-formed head. At long last, the Russian Blue’s thick, twofold layered coat is sleek to the touch. Interestingly, the British Blue’s rich hide feels marginally fresh, and the Chartreux’s is tufted and wooly.

• The Russian Blue Has Unique Genes

The Russian Blue gets its shiny hide from a weakened rendition of the quality that is in charge of dark hairs. On the off chance that you mate two Russian Blues together, they’ll produce a litter of every single coloured cat. Be that as it may, if the Russian Blue is reared with another feline kind, the dark Russian Shorthair, the association will result in a blend of blue and dark cats. (Mate the Russian Blue with a white cat, and their kids will be white, blue, and dark.)

• Russian Blues Like Schedules

The Russian Blue is a feline that adheres to their customs and ceremonies. For instance, you get your Russian Blue feline acclimated with having their morning meal at 7AM sharp every morning. You BETTER be prepared to adhere to this feeding time! The Russian Blue is careful in everything prepping, and somewhat specific about their preferred feeding time– just as most loved human. They are a very keen feline breed that prides themselves on a severe timetable. What’s more, don’t mull over giving their feline a chance to litter box get untidy, they won’t have that. They’re vocal like their inaccessible cousins, the Siamese, as well. They’re certain to give you an earful of disliking howls about it should it not fulfill their high guidelines.

• Russian Blues Make Great Companions

The Russian Blue may be a savage hunter– whether it’s over a genuine mouse or a toy mouse. However, they are without a doubt sweet to the general population that lives in their home. This feline breed is regularly revealed by their owners as being clingy. Many even pursue their owners around the house! While they are destitute in your essence, they do fine when taken off alone for longer time frames. Purportedly however, they modest far from outsiders and new faces they aren’t acquainted with.

• Russian Blues Created Other Breeds

The Blues have been effectively crossbred with different breeds to make the Havana Brown. In the most punctual rearing, English feline fanciers incorporated a Siamese kind of Russian Blue in the reproducing procedure for making the Havana Brown. They were added to the arranged rearing which occurred with residential dark felines and conventional Siamese felines. At last, none of the Russian Blue qualities stayed in the quality pool, and this was exhibited with present day hereditary testing. Russian Blues were likewise reared with since a long time ago haired dim felines to change the new breed called the Nebelung. The Nebelung likewise have thick, smooth blue-dark hide. Blues were likewise used to improve the wellbeing of the Oriental Shorthair in Italy. They have been reared with white residential shorthaired felines to make Russian Whites. They have additionally been reared with dark residential shorthaired felines to make Russian Blacks. These varieties are perceived in the United Kingdom, Australia, and South Africa, however are not perceived as official by FIFe or CFA. The CFA (Cat Fanciers Association) awarded a male Russian Blue the 1964 Grand Championship. His name was GC Maja Acre Igor II.

Things You Should Know

• Training

Training a Russian Blue feline is definitely not an overwhelming assignment. They are exceedingly clever and discerning felines and reasonable training can assist them with becoming adorable sidekicks. At first, they might be somewhat frightful of the outsiders, yet with socialization preparing, they can gel well with outsiders. It rapidly learns an assortment of engaging traps to satisfy their owners and demonstrate their enormous love for them. Socialization of this feline isn’t as troublesome as other feline breeds. An assortment of apparatuses and hardware are accessible in the market that aids the training of this feline. A clicker making sharp sounds is commonly utilized when training the Russian Blue Cat. This sound is made when the feline carries on in an attractive way. The uproarious sound made by the clicker influences the feline to comprehend the activities and habits expected by the coach. By remunerations and treats, the owners can guarantee satisfying conduct in their catlike companions.

• Feeding

Like the majority of his hairy cat brethren, the Russian Blue is a commit meat eater, which implies that he requires a high protein diet so as to endure and flourish. Felines, in contrast to hounds, just don’t extricate supplements well from plant-based fixings. While all cats need a great, high protein diet, the Russian Blue is additionally inclined to a few conditions that may profit by a dietary change. A few investigations have demonstrated that this sublime moggie is inclined to urinary tract issues, including bladder stones. What’s more, numerous owners depict these extravagant cats as having an amazing craving which can prompt stoutness if not held within proper limits! Protein is significant for a weight the executives diet since it enables felines to keep up muscle uprightness while in the meantime keeping up a legitimate weight. What’s more, foods wealthy in omega unsaturated fats are critical to supporting a solid skin and coat, an issue that is of specific significance in keeping the Russian Blue’s ultra-extravagant and lavish hide looking its best.

For more guides on choosing the right cat food, you may wish to check out our reviews of the best wet cat food, senior cat food, cat food for sensitive stomachs, cat food for constipation and high fiber cat food.

• Grooming

Russian Blue felines love to stay clean. Their blue coats barely get grimy and are anything but difficult to comb. They have thick short haired coats which sheds more in spring when the coat changes. Otherwise they needn’t bother with cleaning so often. It is prescribed to begin a cleaning session by prepping with your hands. Make your hands wet and begin cleaning delicately from head to tail. In along these lines you can check any sort of rashes, loss of hair or any skin issue if present. Your Russian Blue does not require prepping by hair brush regularly.  Always utilize a metal brush, exceptionally intended for cats.You would first be able to utilize a wide toothed hair brush and after that a tight one.

For more help on cat grooming, you may wish to read our guides on the best cat ear cleaners, cat nail clippers, cat brushes, cat grooming gloves and cat shampoos.

• Health

There are no particular medical issues identified with the Russian Blue. It is a hereditarily stable breed, mostly because of it being a healthy breed. Brushing the coat isn’t fundamental, yet is a pleasant expansion to the week after week schedule of other prepping, for example, brushing the teeth. This breed has a specific affection for human attention and will sit cheerfully while being brushed, since it is investing energy with the one it thinks about. One significant note to remember with this breed is its adoration for food. It will eat past its need and request seconds, making it a beyond any doubt possibility for weight related conditions on the off chance that it is permitted to eat as much as it needs. The best aversion is estimating the food and giving it just at doled out occasions of the day, and ensuring that everybody in the house realizes that they can’t give the feline an excessive number of cat treats or scraps.

• Temperament

It is being informed that eventually of their history, some time before they have turned out to be home pets, Russian Blues were chased for their delicate and exceptional silver coats. This hypothesis is upheld by the cutting edge frames of mind and qualities of russian blues, for example, insight, snappy footness and sharp detects. Because of all these joined with the mindful nature the Russian Blues share, influence this hypothesis to appear to be exceptionally valid. The cutting edge Russian blues still offer these qualities with their wild predecessors and are effectively unnerved and surprised. They fear solid commotions and will run and stow away in safe spots when they hear the vacuum cleaner for instance. At the point when in tense circumstances that your Russian blue is vexed have this as a top priority, take it with you someplace very quiet and calm him/her down as you would with an unnerved infant.

While picking your Russian Blue you should search for a legitimate reproducer, who will without a doubt have a progression of inquiries for you intended to ensure that you and the Russian Blue are perfect. Try not to be astonished if there is a hold up or some likeness thereof. These brilliant relatives are justified, despite all the trouble. Normally raisers make cats accessible somewhere in the range of twelve and four months of age when they have had adequate time with their mom and littermates to be all around mingled and mature enough to have been completely inoculated. Keeping your Russian Blue inside, fixing or neutering, and giving adequate surfaces (scratching posts) for the regular conduct of scratching are basic components for keeping up a sound, long, and upbeat life. For more data, contact a local animal shelter or veterinarian in your area.

Sources:

1. Russian Blue – PetMD
2. About the Russian Blue – CFA