Do Russian Blue Cats Shed A Lot? Cat Breed Info Sheet

So, you’re thinking about adopting a Russian Blue cat, but you’re worried about their shedding habits? Fret not! We’ll answer all of your frequently asked questions about this breed. Plus, we’ll let you in on some need-to-know facts about Russian Blue cats.

If you’re looking for more information on this rare breed, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled all the details you should know before you bring them to their forever home, where we know you’ll take great care of them.

Once you finish this article, check out our cute cat apparel - every purchase helps a needy kitty.

We’ll cover topics such as:

• Russian Blue shedding habits
• physical characteristics and personality
• are they allergy-friendly?
• health and longevity of this breed
• and much more!

Do Russian Blue Cats Shed?

It’s time to breathe a sigh of relief: your Russian Blue won’t leave too much of a mess for you to clean up - at least when it comes to fur! These cats make great pets because they don’t shed much and require minimal grooming - just enough to keep their skin in peak health. 

Long Hair

Longhaired Russian Blues go by an entirely different name: Nebelung. It can take almost two years for these kittens to fully develop their fluffy coats that you know and love.

Luckily, Nebelungs don’t shed excessively, but they will need one good weekly brushing to save their luscious fur from becoming tangled or matted. 

Learn more about cat hair color genetics.

Short Hair

True Russian Blues are short-haired and low maintenance in the shedding department. However, it’s best to keep giving your cat a good grooming every now and then to catch any loose hairs and distribute healthy oils around their skin.

This breed has an attention-loving personality, so your cat will happily soak up some quality cuddling time. If your pet is shedding more than usual, bathe them. This can help rid your cat of excess hair quickly and in a central location.

Russian Blue Fur: Why Is It So Soft?

If you have a Russian Blue in your family, you already know that your cat’s fur resembles a plush blanket - and you probably hear it from guests, too!

You can thank their double coat for crafting this soft, luxurious fur. A double coat comprises a lengthy, coarse, protective outer layer with a fine, silky undercoat beneath. As you can probably guess, history experts believe that these blue-gray cats first originated in Northern Russia.

A lack of information on this breed makes it hard to confirm this, but their warm, thick coats indicate that they came from a colder climate. They can survive without these now that they inhabit the United States, but they once needed that dense fur to insulate them!

Russian Blue Fur Texture

A Russian Blue cat has thick fur that is wonderfully velvety and often compared to a seal or beaver. History suggests that these fluffy friends were sadly once hunted for pelts.

Uniquely, their hairs sit at a 45° angle. Because of this, you can use your finger to draw patterns along your cat’s back that will stay visible until you wipe them away.  

Are Russian Blue Cats Hypoallergenic?

Don’t worry if you have allergies; Russian Blue cats are hypoallergenic. This means you won’t have to keep popping the antihistamines to prevent allergic reactions. Rejoice!

Essentially, hypoallergenic means these cats produce fewer allergens than most breeds. Do note that, despite this, Russian Blues still produce some degree of pet dander, a common allergen from their skin. Don’t blame these felines for it, though!

Unfortunately, it’s unavoidable. Dander is universal among all cat breeds. Don't panic if even your Russian Blue gives you red, itchy eyes and a runny nose. There are some ways you can combat your allergies. Address the problem right at the source!

Giving your cat a good wash down can help rinse allergens such as dander, hair, and saliva down the drain. Try to bathe your cat monthly - if they’ll let you. If not, regular brushings can catch some hair before it sheds.

Keeping your house as clean as possible, especially floors and carpets where dander loves to hide, may also provide you some relief. An air purifier can also filter some of these allergens out of the air.

Remember, Russian Blue cats don’t shed much and are considered hypoallergenic, so there’s definite hope that your allergic response will get along with your cat as well as you do. 

Types of Russian Blue Coats: What Do They Look Like?

Your typical Russian Blue will have a shiny, gray topcoat that darkens down the shaft until you hit its blueish-lavender roots. Their fur is densely packed and plush in both appearance and texture. These aren’t the only animals with fur similar to this, though - there are other breeds with blue coats, too!

Russian Blue Fox Coat

Russian Blue foxes are more commonly known as the Arctic fox. You might be surprised to hear this, but Arctic foxes don’t always have that iconic snow-white fur.

When the weather gets warmer in places such as Northern Russia, these foxes shed their fur, and some even develop blue-gray coats in the summertime, hence their name. These silver foxes have a thick, beautiful coat that usually isn’t solid blue. Instead, it can feature brown tones as well. 

Nebelung Coat

Nebelungs bear that classic Russian Blue shiny blue-gray coat, but their silver-tipped guard hairs only stand out much more on their heads and shoulders.

This longer-haired breed has medium-length fur that grows longer between the shoulders and tails. Some people might even think their hairstyle resembles a lion’s mane.

British Blue Coat

According to the Cat Fanciers Association, the British Blue was one of England’s first cat breeds, with its history dating back to Rome. Despite their name, these short-haired British Blues come in various colors.

Many people adore this breed at cat shows, and one reason for this is because of their awe-inspiring plush coat.

Are Russian Blue Cats Friendly?

While this breed may have a shy side, these cats are loyal, loving pets with a friendly personality. They love playing and could spend hours chasing toys or climbing furniture.

They’re also intuitive, empathetic animals that care deeply about their family members. They hang around a loved one if they sense someone is sad or upset.

These cats are tolerant and patient by nature. Most of them will take a liking to young family members and other pets so long as they feel respected. Still, it might take some time before your furry one will grow comfortable around guests.

These cats can startle easily! Some think this may be because the breed used to be hunted in Northern Russia, but others dispute this.

They thrive on schedules and predictability, so change can be difficult. You might find your cat withdraws around people at first or needs to watch from the sidelines before they get adjusted. Either way, let your pet open up to new people. 

Are They Cuddly?

It may take a bit to develop a relationship, but once one of these cats grows fond of you, they’ll love having your attention. This breed has a sensitive personality, so cuddling your Russian Blue cat can help prove to them that you care about them.

This is important to do because they’ve been known to appear hurt if ignored. There’s no better way to show your love for your pet cat than curling up with them, and one of our cat hoodies or sweatshirts is perfect for the occasion.  

How Long Do Russian Blue Cats Live?

These cats are typically in great health, leading an average life span between 10 and 15 years. If your pet cat spends more of its time indoors and has less unsupervised time outside, its expected lifespan will be on the higher end of this range, sometimes up to 20 years.

Your cat can live a lengthy, happy life if you care for them well. Generally speaking, this is a healthy breed. You can enjoy peace of mind knowing that no particular health problems plague these cats.

However, they also have an affinity for food and will eat as much as you give them. It can be hard to resist their relentless pleas for more, but if you’re not careful, your cat can easily become overweight, making them susceptible to many weight-related health concerns.

It’s best to measure their food and watch for anyone passing them any table scraps. 

How To Tell If A Cat Is A Russian Blue

Russian Blues are rare cats, making them very highly sought-after companions, but more on that soon. First, let’s dive deeper into how you can identify them. No matter what, remember that your cat is special regardless of its breed. 

Difference Between A Grey Cat

Grey cats are quite common, so there is a good chance your kitty is a different breed. Look at these characteristics that set a Russian Blue apart from other grey cat breeds like the British Blue.

Russian Blues are fine-boned and have a lengthy, muscular body. Their heads are quite flat; some even describe their skulls as cobra-like. These cats have quite a thin neck, but their thick double coat makes them appear small and wide.

Their pointed ears also sit to the sides of their head, as opposed to others’ that are more straight on. One way to tell if your pet is a member of the Russian Blue breed is by tracing a pattern into your cat’s blue fur and see if it stays put. The angle of a Russian Blue’s hair will hold these shapes until they’ve been brushed away. 

Tabby vs. Russian Blue

Occasionally, a Russian Blue may have what is known as a “ghost stripe.” This is a faint marking that tabby cats are famous for. Typically, kittens grow out of these, but distinguishing the two can be difficult.

Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy way to determine if your cat is a tabby or a Russian Blue. The most accurate way would be to check out their DNA, which is still difficult.

Unless your cat mates with another Russian Blue and produces similarly colored kittens, or you have papers to prove it, it’s hard to say whether it’s a Russian Blue or a tabby cat.

Otherwise, you can use the process of elimination. If your cat doesn’t have a dense, short, uniformly gray coat with silver tips and bright green eyes, it’s not a Russian Blue. 

How Big Do They Get?

You can expect your cat to grow between 15-18 inches (38-46 centimeters) long (tail not included) and weigh between 7-15 pounds (3-7 kilograms). 

Are They Rare?

Feel free to rave about your kitty (even more than usual) when you bring a Russian Blue into your family. Though they are growing in popularity in the United States, specifically in cat shows, these felines are rare!

If you find yourself constantly gushing facts about this hard-to-come-by breed, you might be the type to call yourself “cat-obsessed.”

Don’t worry, though. We’re into it. We made these cat merch so you can announce that title proudly. 

What Color Are Russian Blue Eyes?

Russian Blues have intense green eyes that sharply contrast with the rest of their gray coats. However, their eyes aren’t always like that - they change. 

What Age Do They Change?

Fun fact: Russian Blues’ eyes shift colors starting at a mere four months of age, adding all the more magic to these already beautiful beings. These kittens are born with yellow eyes but begin to develop an emerald-green ring around the pupil. As they grow, the color evolves and becomes even more of a vivid green tone.

Final Thoughts

Russian Blue cats are relatively allergy-friendly cats who shed infrequently. Their thick, silvery double coat is incredibly soft and well-insulating. These loyal cats can make fantastic lifelong companions for many people.

Though Russian Blues have heavy enough coats to keep warm without layering up, their two-legged counterparts don’t. Check out these cat shirts for humans to show your love for your feline friends.

FAQ

How often do Russian blues shed?

Shedding can vary from cat to cat, but Russian Blues generally shed moderately throughout the year.

When do Russian blues shed?

This breed typically has two shedding seasons, one in the spring and one in the fall. They may shed more noticeably during these seasons, and you may need to groom them more frequently to manage the loose fur.

Are Russian Blue cats hypoallergenic?

Russian Blue cats are often considered to be a hypoallergenic breed. However, while Russian Blues may produce fewer allergens and trigger fewer allergic reactions in some individuals than other cat breeds, there is no guarantee that they will not cause allergies.