Russian Blue
The Russian Blue is one of the most naturally occurring cat breeds — a slate blue-grey cat with brilliant green eyes, said to have originated in the port city of Archangel (Arkhangelsk) in northern Russia, where sailors brought specimens to Britain and Northern Europe in the 1860s.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Russia
Lifespan
15–20 years
Weight
3–5.5 kg (7–12 lbs)
Height
23–28 cm (9–11 in)
Exercise
10 to 20 min/day
Diet
Obligate carnivore — high-quality wet and dry food. May be prone to overeating — structure mealtimes rather than free-feeding.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
The Story
The Russian Blue is one of the most naturally occurring cat breeds — a slate blue-grey cat with brilliant green eyes, said to have originated in the port city of Archangel (Arkhangelsk) in northern Russia, where sailors brought specimens to Britain and Northern Europe in the 1860s. The coat is double-layered and so dense that it stands away from the body — a finger pressed into the coat leaves an imprint. The characteristic blue coat has silver tipping that gives it a distinctive shimmering quality. The Russian Blue is notable for producing significantly lower levels of the cat allergen Fel d 1 than most other breeds — though not truly hypoallergenic, many mild cat allergy sufferers tolerate Russian Blues better.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
The Russian Blue has a distinctive moderately foreign body type — long, lithe, and well-muscled. The head is a distinctive wedge with a flat top, prominent whisker pads (giving a slightly smiling expression), and widely spaced, vivid green eyes. The coat is the most defining feature — a double coat of dense, plush blue-grey with silver tipping creating a shimmering effect. The coat stands away from the body and has a distinctive texture.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Low
Coat Length
short
Coat Type
plush
Brushing
1x-Weekly
Bathing
Rarely
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Russian Blues are gentle, reserved, and intensely loyal to their family. They are typically shy with strangers but deeply affectionate with their trusted people. They are quiet — one of the less vocal breeds. They are sensitive to routine and dislike change. They are intelligent and can be trained. They are more independent than Siamese or Burmese but more affectionate than British Shorthairs.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
4/5Attention Need
3/5Friendliness
3/5Playfulness
3/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
Apartment
Daily Exercise
10 to 20 min/day
Ideal Weather
5°C to 25°C
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor-Preferred
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
40%
Attention
30%
Playfulness
30%
Communication Style
Vocal Profile
silent
Stress Signals
hiding, shyness increase, litter box avoidance, appetite loss, over-grooming
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •The plush double coat requires minimal grooming — weekly brushing manages shedding. They are sensitive to routine disruption — introductions to new people or environments should be managed gently. They benefit from environmental enrichment but are not as demanding as Bengals or Abyssinians.
Nutrition Notes
One of the healthiest cat breeds. Lower Fel d 1 production than most breeds (better for some allergy sufferers, but NOT hypoallergenic). Obesity possible with indoor sedentary lifestyle. Few dietary restrictions.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
One of the healthiest natural breeds. Bladder stones (urolithiasis) in some lines. Obesity. Very shy with strangers — routine-dependent. Lower Fel d 1 (not hypoallergenic but better tolerated). Dense double coat — "silver-tipped" blue. Green eyes always. 15-20 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
350 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
250 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Generally a very healthy breed with few documented hereditary conditions. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) occurs occasionally. Bladder stones may occur. Progressive retinal atrophy has been occasionally documented. One of the healthiest natural breeds overall.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
One of the healthiest breeds. Lower Fel d 1 (better for some allergy sufferers). India: moderate climate fit.
Purchase Price
$800 to $2,000
Adoption Fee
$75 to $350
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
Russian Blues produce significantly lower levels of the Fel d 1 allergen than most other cat breeds — though not truly hypoallergenic, this makes them one of the better choices for mild cat allergy sufferers.
The characteristic "smiling" expression of the Russian Blue — from the prominent whisker pads and slightly upturned corners of the mouth — is thought to have inspired the Cheshire Cat smile along with the British Shorthair.
Russian Blues were near-extinction during World War II — so few remained that the breed was rebuilt after the war using Siamese crosses, which temporarily affected the breed's characteristic appearance and temperament.
