Russian BlueCharacteristics, history, behaviour and care

The breed comes from a natural population of cats, probably from the port of Arkhangelsk. That is why it is also called the “Archangel Blue”. The FIFe profile also mentions a legend: the cats are said to descend from those kept by the Russian tsar.

Sailors are believed to have taken them to Britain and northern Europe around 1860. The first mention of an “Archangel cat” in a British publication dates from 1862, and its first appearance at a show, at the Crystal Palace, from 1872. Until 1912 it competed together with all blue cats; that year it got its own class. After the Second World War, because there were too few of them, they were crossed with Siamese cats.

How the breed developed

• Around 1860 – sailors take the cats from Arkhangelsk to Britain.
• 1872 – first show, at the Crystal Palace.
• 1912 – gets its own class at shows.
• After 1945 – crosses with Siamese, for lack of cats.
• 1949 – recognised by FIFe.

• People with a regular schedule. It does not like change and prefers routine.
• Apartments. German Wikipedia says it suits them very well.
• Quiet families. It is quiet and can be reserved with strangers.
• People who want a cat to play with. It keeps playing into old age.

The FIFe profile says that at first sight it looks like a small grey cat, but it has a slender, athletic body, long legs and a long tail that moves “like silk”. The large ears and fine profile give it a delicate, porcelain-like air. Adults weigh 3.6–6.8 kg on average; males are larger.

General appearance

The eyes are almond-shaped and a bright emerald green. The paw pads are pinkish lavender. Yellow eyes in an adult or white patches are show faults.

The coat is double: the soft undercoat is the same length as the guard hairs. The guard hairs are blue with silver tips, which give the typical shimmer. Very faint stripes may appear on the tail. Because of the crosses with Siamese, some lines carry the pointed gene; “point” kittens cannot be registered with most associations.

Related breeds and how to tell them apart

The Korat and the Chartreux are also blue cats; the Korat has a single coat and a heart-shaped head, the Chartreux a cobby body and copper eyes. The British Blue has a much more solid body and copper eyes.

The FIFe profile says some cats are reserved, others charming from the start; once you win their trust, the bond is deep. They do not ask for constant attention, but they want to be part of the family. They are skilled hunters, playful and curious.

Wikipedia says it is usually quiet and reserved with strangers. It does not like change and prefers a predictable schedule. It is very intelligent: it remembers where its favourite toys are and leads its owners there when it wants to play.

Socialisation

It remembers its favourite visitors well and runs to greet them, even after a long time. German Wikipedia says it should not be kept alone.

A kitten gets used to new people, noises and other animals most easily in its first months of life.

Habits at home

Like all cats, it sleeps a lot: usually 12–16 hours a day. It is most active early in the morning and in the evening, but partly adapts to the family's routine.

Cats instinctively bury their droppings, so it quickly learns to use a litter tray. It scratches rough surfaces to shed the old outer layer of its claws, so it needs a scratching post or board.

It is athletic: it jumps and climbs as well as the Abyssinian. Kittens are very energetic and can get up to mischief if bored; adults, too, are easily drawn into play.

Tips for a balanced life

• Change its toys from time to time, so it does not get bored.
• Play with it in short sessions, several times a day.
• If it goes outside, let it do so in a fenced area or on a balcony with a safety net.

Coat care

The dense coat is easy to look after: one brushing a week. German Wikipedia says it hardly sheds.

Common health problems

The sources consulted do not describe any breed-specific diseases. As with any cat, a yearly check-up and the right weight are important.

Recommended genetic tests

There is no genetic test required for the breed. Ask for the parents' health records.

Is it hypoallergenic?

Cat allergy is caused mainly by the Fel d 1 protein, found in saliva and skin glands; it is behind the allergy in 90% of people who are allergic to cats. Kittens, females and neutered males produce less of it, but still enough to trigger symptoms. No breed is completely hypoallergenic.

The Russian Blue is among the breeds said to cause milder allergic reactions. However, research on whole breeds is not complete, so someone with allergies should spend time with the cat before taking it home.

Other care

• A check-up at the vet once a year.
• Vaccinations and parasite treatment on the schedule set by the vet.
• Trim the claws if they do not wear down on their own.
• Clean its teeth or give it food that helps keep them clean.

The cat is a carnivore: it needs animal protein. Unlike a dog, it must get vitamin A, arachidonic acid and taurine from its food. Water is very important, because cats usually drink little; several water bowls around the house encourage it to drink.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual for a healthy adult cat. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram. If you also feed wet food, reduce the dry portion.

• Adjust the portion to its weight: neutered cats put on weight easily.
• Weigh it monthly; the ribs should be easy to feel under your fingers.
• Kittens need more calories: Merck recommends 2.5 times the resting energy requirement.

Dangerous foods and substances

Some common household items are dangerous for cats:

• Lilies (and daylilies): they can destroy a cat's kidneys. Even the pollen or the water in the vase is dangerous.
• Paracetamol: extremely toxic to cats, which lack the enzyme that breaks it down. Never give it human medicines.
• Flea spot-ons and collars for dogs containing permethrin: the concentration meant for dogs is dangerous for cats.
• Foods: chocolate, coffee, alcohol, onions, garlic, grapes and raisins.

Maturity

Females usually reach sexual maturity at 5–10 months, and males at 5–7 months. The age varies from breed to breed.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 64 days. Only healthy cats that match the breed standard are used for breeding.

Blood type

Cats have blood type A, B or AB. Type A is the most common: in a study from England, 87.1% of non-pedigree cats and 54.6% of pedigree cats had type A. This matters for breeding: if the mother is type B and the kittens are type A, the antibodies in her first milk (colostrum) can destroy their red blood cells. The condition is called neonatal isoerythrolysis. That is why breeders test the blood type of both parents.

We found no published data on how common type B is in this breed; the test is done before mating anyway.

Caring for the kittens

Kittens are weaned at 6–7 weeks. They are ready to go to their new home at about 12 weeks, when they can be separated from their mother.

Neutering

Neutering used to be done at 6–9 months, but it is more and more often done before puberty, at around 3–6 months. It prevents unwanted kittens, urine marking in males and the loud “calling” of females in heat. A 2024 study found that neutered cats live one year longer on average. After the operation, the metabolism slows down and appetite increases, so the portion has to be reduced.

How to choose a kitten

• Ask for the pedigree from a recognised cat association (for example, a FIFe member).
• The kitten leaves its mother at about 12 weeks.
• Look at the mother and at the place where the kittens are raised: it should be clean, with kittens used to people.
• Ask about vaccinations, parasite treatment and the blood type of the parents.

• The Archangel cat. Its first appearance at a show, in 1872, was under the name “Archangel Cat”.
• It remembers people. It recognises its favourite visitors even after a long time.
• A teenager until 3–4. It matures slowly and stays playful for a long time.
• The tsar's legend. It is said to descend from the cats of the Russian tsar.

In film

In the film “Garfield”, the cat Arlene is played by a Russian Blue. In the film “Cats & Dogs”, a Russian Blue kitten plays an assassin; several kittens were used, because they grew too fast.

In literature

Felicity, a character in the novel and film “Felidae”, is a Russian Blue.

Is it hypoallergenic?

No cat is completely hypoallergenic, but the Russian Blue is among the breeds said to cause milder reactions.

Is it a quiet cat?

Yes, it is usually quiet and loves routine.

How much does it weigh?

On average 3.6–6.8 kg; males are larger.

What colour are its eyes?

A bright emerald green.