Everything you need to know about Russian blue cats

Ash-blue color, a little lush coat, from one glance at which, it seems, it becomes warm and pleasant to the palm. All this is about the cat, the breed of which is called the Russian Blue. These plush animals are often seen in advertisements. Many breeders are eager to take such a cute pet under their wing. But they doubt a little: will it happen that they turn out to be obstinate and aggressive.

The Russian Blue is a domestic cat breed recognized by international felinological communities. Despite their name, these cats can be found all over the world. Of the short-haired breeds, the Russian blue cat is one of the most popular. Kittens of this breed are being sold with great success in Sweden, Czech Republic, Norway and Slovenia.

The current blue Russian cats come from Russia, which marks their name. But cats similar in all signs were met several centuries ago in England and in some other countries, so the history of the origin of these cats cannot be called for certain.

From them the European selective breeding of cats of this breed started. Difficulties in breeding, of course, were present: you could not find a pair for mating, so they took cats of other breeds of the same color. Even Siamese cats with blue markings were taken to procreate the Russian blue.

It cannot be said that these experiments were successful: the offspring showed a loss of some of the properties of the coat. By the beginning of World War II, the breed could be physically destroyed - selection became impossible. But after the war, true filologists zealously got down to business: they restored the breed, although it cannot be said that blue cats fell in love everywhere in the USSR. Only at the end of the 1980s a strong interest appeared in them.

Breeding the Russian blue, people took local phenotypic short-haired blue animals, which they crossed with Russian blue cats, exported from abroad. Babies were sold exclusively according to club regulations. For example, in the 90s, the formation of the breeding of the Russian blue in the Russian Federation took place.

Plush cats have an enviable grace: slender, plastic, sophisticated animals quickly become everyone's favorites. But not only how the animal looks can be written down to him as a plus - it is also tenderness, affection, responsiveness to contact with a person.

The characteristics of the blue Russian cat are described below.

• The weight. Smoky plush cats have an average weight - it is impossible to find giants among the representatives of this breed. The maximum weight of newborn kittens is 120 g, but they quickly begin to grow. An adult cat weighs 3-4 kg. If it is a cat, then its weight can reach 5.5 kg. If the cat is neutered and spayed, then he can reach a weight of one and a half times more.
• Height. These parameters are small. In length, the body of an animal usually reaches 55-60 cm, and in height - no higher than 26 cm, although individual deviations from the average norm are not excluded.
• Color. Everything is clear here - the smoky blue color is the hallmark of the breed, there are no drawings or inclusions. The color is clear and uniform, rarely a subtle banding on the tail.
• Intelligence. Russian blue cats are tactful, attentive, if that is how we can talk about animals. Cats respond well to the breeder's gestures, they catch his speech and intonation. Vindictive cats do not differ, they will not engage in sabotage.

Below are the signs of the blue Russian cat.

1. The torso. It is medium in size, slightly elongated, muscular, powerful. Grace is inherent in the cat.
2. Head. The skull is flat, along the line of the eyebrows you can see the formed angle. The chin is clear, the mustache pillows are outlined, the cat's forehead is longer than the nose, the nose is without kinks, its tip has a gray-blue tint.
3. Eyes. Attentive, set wide apart, oval in outline. The color of the cat's eyes is green.
4. Tail. This part of the cat's body is long, but absolutely in proportion to the body, the tip is rounded.
5. Neck. The coat is thin and long, but thick, giving the illusion of a short neck.
6. Paws. They are long and thin in a cat, have a clear oval shape. The end of the front legs is five toes, but the hind legs have only four toes. The paw pads are either purple or lavender-pink.
7. Ears. Large, slightly pointed, set wide apart, slightly inclined towards the muzzle. They look very thin, even transparent.
8. Wool... Soft, delicate in texture, with a short nap. The undercoat is long. The color of the coat can be either light gray or pronounced blue, without white spots.

The famous illusionist Harry Houdini was known as a lover of blue Russian cats. The magician actively used furry artists in complex tricks, for example, in those where it was necessary to make the cat mysteriously disappear. Moreover, these cats can "boast" of low allergenicity - they rarely cause an allergic reaction.

The pet is attentive and delicate, affectionate, playful. But at the same time, some shyness is characteristic of him. The docile nature of the cat is her great advantage.She is very attached to the house and owners, protects and cherishes the place where she lives. If you go on a trip with the cat (even to the dacha), you will see how happy she is to return home.

She is an excellent hunter, and these habits of her are easy to notice in the surrounding nature. She can catch a butterfly with a dexterous movement - the grace of the breed helps her in this. But if friends come to visit the owners, the cat becomes timid. It seems to everyone that she is cowardly: she will not show her nose from under the table, she will be ashamed to be stroked. But even this modesty suits the blue Russian cat.

Some consider such caution towards strangers a disadvantage. But this is just a trait, there is nothing negative about it. Also, the Russian blue is picky about cleanliness - sometimes its cleanliness annoys the owners.

When the owners take a pet into the house, their frequent question becomes the topic of the life expectancy of these animals. They can be understood. If the cat is not a long-liver, then it is even a pity to take it - it is very painful to part with the pets. Of course, any answer will be very average, because the animal may have genetic diseases, which affects the lifespan of a particular individual. This factor also depends on quality care.

Usually Russian blue cats live 14-16 years old. Some people live up to 20... This is the normal average age for these animals. Cats live on average two years longer than males, but not always.

It is customary today to divide Russian blue cats according to three standards: English, European and American. There is also an Australian association, but not all filologists agree with its allocation to the English standard, since it repeats it significantly.

• European... Recognized by WCF and FIFe. The most related type to the ancestors, who were noticed almost in the times of Peter the Great in the Russian open spaces. Cats are proportional, their eyes are almond-shaped, while they are slanted. The skeleton is powerful, jumping ability is enhanced.
• English. Considered the breed standard by the GCCF. These cats have wide-set, almond-shaped eyes. They have neat oval feet with soft bluish cushions.
• American. This standard has been recognized by TICA and CFA. American cats are the least similar to the traditional Russian breed. The eyes of these babies are not almond-shaped, but round. Their body is smaller, the skeleton is fragile. The coat is fluffy, blue, of the lightest shades. Feet are small, round, with warm pinkish pads.

It should be noted: if a cat does not meet the standards of one system, then experts of another filinological structure simply will not appreciate it. Some examples are presented below.

The American standard cats have an obvious, literally striking difference: wide-set ears. They seem to be bred to the side, which resembles the ears of the representatives of the Siamese breed. The inner part of the base of the ear should be high on the head and the bottom should be placed on the side. The width of the ears at the base should be slightly less than the height.

British pets (and all of Europe) have a slightly smaller ears and stand upright.

The head resembles a small elongated wedge. It must be said that, first of all, experts look at the cat's head. If you look at the pet in profile, it is easy to see some bulge at the junction of the forehead and nose. If this is noticeable, then the baby (this is especially visible in kittens) belongs to the European standard of Russian blues. In the American type, these protuberances are absent - there the transition is flat.

But other parameters regarding the head of the English and American standards are indistinguishable. For example, both those and others have a strong, rather pronounced chin.

Now about the eyes. Eye color and shape are often controversial. The two standards should have bright green eyes. A blue-eyed cat or cats with yellow eyes is not a purebred Russian blue. The British have almond-shaped eyes, while the Americans have oval and even roundish eyes.

By the American standard, even a cat's feet can be round rather than oval. A longhaired cat is a sign of a different breed or crossbreed. Russian blues always have short hair.

But it seems to be thick, because the undercoat and top coat are the same length. The color is preferable in the middle tone of blue. The nose of Europeans should be blue-gray, but for Americans it should be charcoal gray.

A striped cat, like a pet with long hair, is not a Russian blue. Perhaps this is a mixture, or maybe a completely different gray cat. It is worth recalling that in the Russian blue, barely noticeable stripes can only be on the tail.

It cannot be said that blue Russian cats are whimsical to caring for them. The animals themselves are naturally clean, therefore, as a rule, they look after themselves on their own.

Below are seven rules for caring for a Russian blue cat.

1. Wool... You should try to comb your pet's fur from time to time. In this case, you should use a natural bristle brush. This should usually be done during the moulting period. All the rest of the time, a neat cat does a good job on its own.
2. Ears... The cat should clean his ears once a month - this is the rule. For this, special means are used, which can be bought at a veterinary pharmacy. An alternative would be olive oil. To clean the ears, you should take a small piece of sterile gauze, and you should not use a cotton swab, which many people use just for this procedure, because it can easily injure the surface of the ears. Exclusively visible areas should be cleaned - you should not climb into the depths.
3. Eyes. Every day, you need to inspect your pet's visual analyzers. If discharge is found around the eyes, it must be removed very delicately with a clean napkin or piece of gauze.
4. Bathing... Like all other cats, Russian blues are not at all thrilled with bathing. For this reason, any water procedures should not be preventive or preventive, but strictly to the point. If the cat, for example, is doused with a puddle, then it should be washed. But a healthy, clean cat that takes good care of itself should not be washed. Another question is if the owner is preparing a pet for the show. In this case, the pet needs a bathroom with a special shampoo, no matter how hard he resists.
5. Claws. It is necessary to cut the claws of the cat in a timely manner. This should be done once every 1-1.5 months. Regular nail scissors will not work - you should buy a special nail clipper. The claws must be cut off very carefully, strictly the tips, you cannot touch the living area.
6. Teeth... It is important to monitor the condition of the cat's oral cavity - it is necessary to examine it every day. If the owner does not know, then special toothpastes are produced for cats today, and animal lovers should teach their pets to patiently endure these procedures. But so far this practice has not taken root very well.
7. Tray... The Russian Blue is not the kind of cat that will give the breeder problems with the litter box. She quickly gets used to the toilet. It is necessary to show the kitten the tray twice, put a diaper from the first "puddle" into it, and the baby will perfectly understand why the owner is doing this. The "pot" of the cat must always be kept clean.

When a small, smoky-blue kitten appeared, he is so touching, and seems immensely good, that you want to treat him with goodies as often as possible. A kitten is indeed fed more often than an adult cat, but this activity should be done no more than 5 times a day.When the cat is six months old, it needs to be switched to four meals a day. An adult cat will already withstand two meals a day, which is considered correct.

If a person takes a cat from a breeder, then it is worth discussing with him what kind of food he has already accustomed the pet to. If the cat is accustomed, it is not worth rebuilding it to a different diet. Russian gays are quite demanding to the quality of food, which is reflected in their feline "aristocracy".

The basic nutritional requirements of the Russian Blue are described below.

• Naturalness of food. A balanced diet is what a cat needs. Using conventional products, the pet owner is unlikely to be able to feed the animal. As a result, the pet will not receive all the valuable substances that are needed for its development, growth and health in general. For this reason, special food, balanced, formulated according to a clear recipe, is what veterinarians recommend.
• Feed quality. It will be good if the owner feeds the cat with premium or super premium food. This is the most useful cat food, because it contains all the vitamins and microelements necessary for the animal.
• Addition... You can supplement the cat's special diet with the introduction of fermented milk products. It is sometimes helpful to give your pet some liver and lean meat.
• From an early age, it is necessary to teach the animal not to ask for food from the master's table. He cannot eat smoked, sweet, fried, salty. Spices should also be avoided.

Don't experiment with cat food. From childhood, it is necessary to feed her correctly, according to the regimen.

The main requirement is that you can knit a purebred cat strictly within the framework of one breed. If a person joins a club and breaks this rule, they will most likely be expelled from the club. They may be banned from participating in exhibitions.

Below are some basic tips for breeders.

• The first mating is worth a while. Cats do not grow up very quickly, and you should not rush this delicate moment artificially. Until the cat is one and a half years old, you shouldn't even think about mating.
• Veterinary examination... Pets of both partners should be examined by a veterinarian before mating.
• Mating time. This usually happens 7-10 days after the onset of estrus.
• Special attention to the pregnant cat. During this time, the cat's nutrition should not be normal - it should be strengthened. In addition, you need to try to take care of her even more, stroke her, communicate. Sometimes pregnant cats change their character, so you need to be lenient towards them. Bearing kittens lasts 65 days.
• Childbirth is taken by a doctor. If the owner is a professional breeder, then this rule must be followed. It is not very wise to rely only on yourself.

Almost all owners of Russian blue cats note that after giving birth, cats change, become even more affectionate, calm. These cats are very caring mothers. They jealously protect their offspring, they may even react aggressively if they feel threatened.

Do not rush to admire the kittens. It is necessary to wait for the moment when the cat itself "proposes" it. The owner will feel her approval. Looking at the kittens, it is necessary to speak with them in a familiar voice, affectionate and attentive. The cat needs to feel that nothing has changed in relation to her and the owner, and he is supportive both to her and to her offspring.

If a person is not going to breed Russian blues, then the cat will probably have to be spayed. It's more humane than getting rid of the kittens later. If the cat asks all the time for "meetings" with the cat, and they are impossible, then pathological processes will begin to develop in her body, seriously weakening her health.

A cat that does not happen will be castrated, otherwise the dwelling will turn into solid cat marks: there is no other way to tame the instinct. If the pet wants to "lure" the cat, he marks the territory.

Representatives of this breed are strong, hardy, they rarely get sick. Special studies have been carried out, which have shown that cats of this breed do not suffer from genetic diseases - they actually do not have abnormalities. But if caring for your cat is not right, then things may not go according to plan.

Blue cats are more often affected:

• ailments of the gastrointestinal tract (due to improperly organized nutrition);
• disorders of the heart;
• polycystic kidney disease;
• eye diseases.

For treatment, you need to contact a veterinarian, because self-medication, with a high probability, will only aggravate the problem. The breeder issues a veterinary card to the buyer, which indicates the vaccinations already made. In the future, you need to vaccinate according to the schedule prescribed by the veterinarian.

It is very interesting to come up with a nickname for the animal. Below are the popular nicknames for boys:

• Smoke;
• Diamond;
• Volume;
• Yasha;
• Basil;
• Please;
• Trofim;
• Kis Kisych;
• Rob (Robert);
• Myshkin;
• Krosh;
• Rich;
• Lars;
• Prince;
• Billy;
• Down;
• House.

You can name the pet in an original way, for example, Serov (by name, in consonance with the color), Golubchik, Serenky.

Popular nicknames for girls:

• Haze;
• Mouse;
• Agatha;
• Leela;
• Chanel;
• Marcy;
• Cleo;
• Lesya;
• Matilda;
• Assolka;
• Lucy;
• Panti;
• Moore;
• Pushana;
• Lelya;
• Cassia.

From the original names, one can single out Marissa, Dominica, Arcadia, Josephine, Camilla, Flavia, Candy, Shari, Laura.

Sometimes a pet is named in connection with the profession of the owner. For example, a literary or philologist's kitten can be called Verse, an artist - Chalk, Pencil, Brush, a hairdresser - Bang.

Almost all owners of this interesting breed unanimously "sing odes" to Russian blue cats. They note their natural intelligence and aristocracy. Russian gays are appreciated for their cleanliness and commitment to order. They quickly become accustomed to the daily routine and require compliance with it from their master. The owners also like the fact that cats quickly "stick" to the household, they are sociable and affectionate, they love to play and just purr next to the owner while watching TV.

Some owners consider the delicate stomach of their beloved pet a problem. But, frankly, this can be said about virtually all cats. You just need to immediately decide on the food and not try to change it.

Cats are friends with the tray... Literally from the first time, kittens of blue cats get used to the litter box and subsequently do not walk past it. If the litter box is dirty, they defiantly will not go into it - usually cats have enough cunning to quickly show the owners the omission.

In rare cases, they can scratch and bite a little, but not all. This almost always happens in play and during childhood. Cats are not aggressive, modest, the soul of the company will not, as they get used to the owners, and not to guests, who are perceived as strangers in their well-established life, within a specific space.

We can say this about this breed: noble, graceful, calm and affectionate cats without aggression, "bad habits" and hereditary diseases.

For more information about Russian blue cats, see the next video.