Short-haired breeds
Russian Blue: personality, life span and weight
The Russian Blue is a short-haired breed with a silver-tipped blue-grey coat and emerald eyes. It is quiet and sensitive: affectionate with family and shy in front of strangers.
- Quiet
- Shy with strangers
- Bonds closely with one person
Russian Blue at a glance
- Adult weight
- 3–5.5 kg
- Life span
- 15–20 years
- Shedding
- low
- Activity
- moderate
- Origin
- Russia (said to come from the Arkhangelsk area)
- Coat
- Dense blue-grey double coat with a silver sheen, and green eyes
Russian Blue personality
Soft-voiced and calm. Many pick one person and follow them around, and watch visitors from a hiding place. They dislike changes of routine and feel settled when meals and play happen at the same times.
Coat care and daily care
The coat is dense but rarely mats, so brushing once or twice a week is enough. Many have a big appetite and gain weight easily, so measure the food. A high perch or a covered bed gives them a quiet place to rest.
Health problems Russian Blue keepers should know
- ObesityConsidered a healthy breed with few inherited diseases, but a good appetite makes weight the main thing to manage.
- Bladder and urinary problemsWet food and several water bowls help them drink enough.
These are problems reported relatively often in the breed. It does not mean every cat will have them. If a symptom worries you, see a vet.
Real Russian Blue photos from cat keepers
Photo tip The blue-grey coat shows its silver sheen in soft window light on a cloudy day more than in direct sun. Focus on the green eyes.
There are no public records yet. Your cat could be the first.
Add my cat and start a diaryRussian Blue questions and answers
- How long do Russian Blue cats live?
- An indoor Russian Blue typically lives about 15–20 years. Weight control, regular check-ups and indoor living all make a difference.
- How much does an adult Russian Blue weigh?
- A fully grown Russian Blue usually weighs 3–5.5 kg. Males tend to be larger than females, and a body shape where the ribs can be felt lightly matters more than the number.
- Do Russian Blue cats shed a lot?
- Shedding is low. Dense blue-grey double coat with a silver sheen, and green eyes. The coat is dense but rarely mats, so brushing once or twice a week is enough. Many have a big appetite and gain weight easily, so measure the food. A high perch or a covered bed gives them a quiet place to rest.
- What is the Russian Blue personality like?
- Soft-voiced and calm. Many pick one person and follow them around, and watch visitors from a hiding place. They dislike changes of routine and feel settled when meals and play happen at the same times.