This elegant and distinguished cat is like no other breed, both in looks and personality. The Russian Blue cat sports a short, dense ‘blue’ coat, with each hair tipped luxuriously in silver. This silver tipping gives the cat a striking silvery sheen, which is set off by its big emerald green eyes. There’s no mistaking a Russian Blue; this remarkable kitty wears a perpetual Mona Lisa smile, thanks to its prominent whisker pads and slightly upturned mouth.

Quiet, sensitive and usually shy with strangers, the Russian Blue cat is hard to get to know initially but will be tremendously loyal to its (carefully) chosen human being. Once bonded to you, it will adore your attention and be quite hurt if its affections are rejected.Playful and loving, this intelligent kitty will follow you around, unobtrusive but loyal, always eager to shower you with its special brand of affection. Highly sensitive to the mood of the house, a Russian Blue cat will play games to cheer up a crying child, or pat your face to chase away the blues. This sensitivity also means the Russian Blue cat suffers when its life is disrupted in any way - this is a breed that craves a quiet, predictable routine, even more than most cats.

History and Origin

Shrouded in legend and confusion, the origin of the Russian Blue cat isn’t clear. First known as the Archangel Cat (named for its possible home in the frigid northern Archangel Isles), at various times this cat has also been known as the Spanish Cat and the Maltese Cat, especially in the US where the latter name persisted until the 1900’s. Imported to the United States as early as 1900, it wasn’t until the 1960s that the Russian Blue’s popularity really took off. While still somewhat rare and hard to find, this treasured kitty is now beloved by cat fanciers all over the world.

Grooming requirements

A wonderfully low-maintenance breed, the Russian Blue cat requires only a bare minimum of grooming - the coat can be kept lustrous and healthy with nothing more than frequent petting and an occasional gentle combing.

Health Ailments

The Russian Blue cat exhibits excellent overall health, thanks to its hardy natural ancestry. This breed evolved in bitter cold Northern temperatures and consequently suffers from few of the respiratory ailments that can strike other breeds.

Selecting a qualified breeder or buying from a reputable pet store will help ensure that your Russian Blue cat will be free of any other hereditary purebred ailments. Maintaining your cat’s proper weight and grooming requirements will also help insure its good health, along with regular checkups at the vet.

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