Got a Russian Blue? Check your pet with Pawcode
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Cats
Russian Blue
A shimmering silver-blue, quietly devoted.
The Russian Blue is an elegant shorthair with a dense, shimmering blue-grey coat and vivid green eyes. A naturally occurring breed from northern Russia, it is gentle, reserved with strangers and deeply loyal to its chosen family.
OriginRussia
SizeMedium
Life span15–20 years
Weight3–5.5 kg (7–12 lb)
CoatShort, dense "double" coat that stands out from the body
Temperament & personality
- Gentle
- Reserved
- Loyal
- Intelligent
Russian Blues are quiet, sensitive cats that can be shy with visitors yet devoted and playful with their own people. They dislike disruption and loud environments, preferring routine, and often bond most strongly with one family member while remaining polite with the rest.
At a glance
Activity level2 / 3
Affection2 / 3
Shedding1 / 3
Grooming needs1 / 3
Vocalness1 / 3
Scale: low to high (1–3)
Grooming & care
The plush double coat is easy to maintain with a weekly brush and sheds relatively little. They are clean, food-motivated and can be prone to overeating, so measured meals and play help maintain their naturally lean, athletic build.
Common colours
- Blue (silver-tipped grey)
Good with
- Families
- Children
- Other pets
- First-time owners
- Apartment living
Health tendencies to watch
Every breed has predispositions. These are things worth discussing with your vet — not diagnoses.
- Generally very healthy and long-lived with few breed-specific conditions
- Prone to weight gain due to a strong appetite
- Bladder stones can occur — encourage water intake
- Sensitive temperament benefits from a stable, quiet home
Informational only. Pawcode is not a veterinary service and does not replace professional advice.
Fun facts
1
The silver tips on each hair give the coat its distinctive shimmer
2
They are sometimes said to be better tolerated by allergy sufferers (though no cat is truly hypoallergenic)
3
Russian folklore held them to be good-luck cats kept near royal households
Frequently asked questions
Are Russian Blue cats hypoallergenic?
Not truly, but they produce comparatively less Fel d 1 allergen, so some allergy sufferers tolerate them better than other breeds.
Are Russian Blues shy?
They can be reserved and cautious with strangers, but they are affectionate and playful once they trust you.
Similar breeds
Russian Blue EMS colour codes
Only the varieties FIFe actually recognises for each breed.