Russian Blue Cat Insurance

Russian Blue cat breed information and advice

Russian Blue cats are thought to have been brought to the rest of Europe by sailors in the 1860s from the port of Arkhangelsk in Russia. Sometimes known as Archangel cats or Archangel Blues, Russian Blue cats have the poise of the elegant with their plush, shimmering short-haired coat and vivid green eyes.

Intelligent and playful, they do make great pets and are happy to be kept as an indoor cat. If you’re looking to bring a Russian Blue cat breed home one day or want to know a little bit more them, you’re in the right place.

Russian Blue cat facts


Lifespan	15 - 20 years
How much	£350 to over £800
Size	medium
Weight	3.6 - 6.8 kg
Grooming	low
Temperament	intelligent, affectionate and loyal
Exercise	medium

It’s important to protect your Russian Blue cat with pet insurance. If they ever became poorly or have an accident, cat insurance can give you the peace of mind that their treatment costs would be looked after. Russian blue cat insurance can help you cover any vets’ bills as well as any complementary treatments.

Find out about Sainsbury’s Bank Cat Insurance here.

Sainsbury’s Bank Pet Insurance

You can take out a pet insurance policy at Sainsbury’s Bank for your Russian Blue cat as soon as they turn 8 weeks old. And if the policy is taken out before their 10th birthday, and you renew year on year, they’ll be looked after well into their senior years. So, no need to worry about increasing bills as your cat reaches old age.

How to care for a Russian Blue cat

Russian Blues cats are easy to care for. Like all other cats, they need a balanced diet and exercise to keep them in good condition.

Feeding and nutrition

The Russian Blue breed loves to eat and can easily become overweight which causes its own issues. To keep them in shape, keep the treats to a minimum, ask your vet which cat food they recommend to best fit its needs and measure out their food. This will make sure they’re not overfed and help to keep them at their ideal weight.

Russian Blues cats love a routine and are not keen on change, so it’s best to stick to regular breakfast and dinner times.

Grooming

That thick, plush coat may look like a lot to deal with, but a Russian Blue cat’s coat is surprisingly easy to maintain. A comb or brush once or twice a week is all they need to keep it in good condition. What they do have is a double coat - this means that they have two layers with the undercoat hairs the same length as the guard hairs. And it’s the tips of the guard hairs which are silver that gives the coat that glimmer.

Russian Blue cats have more hairs per square inch than any other breed, making their coat very thick. Something born from their ancestry and having to live through cold Russian winters.

If you’re looking for a hypoallergenic cat. Russian Blue cats are considered to be one of the better breeds to have if you suffer from cat allergies. While no cat is entirely hypoallergenic, they don’t shed much hair and produce lower levels of the glycoprotein Fel D1. This is the allergen known to cause cat allergies.

Excercise

While muscular and athletic in build, the Russian Blue cats don’t require a lot of exercise. However, being active is important to keep them strong, healthy and trim if they’ve had one treat too many. Provide them with toys, and opportunities for climbing and jumping, especially if kept indoors. A perch or cat tree is ideal for this, unless you’re happy to find them sitting on top of a bookcase or cabinet.

Training

The Russian Blue is one of the most intelligent cat breeds and can be trained to do tricks and play fetch. Being intelligent means picking up toilet training and litter training will be easy. But make sure you keep their litter box clean as they can be picky about using it if it’s dirty.

Temperament and behaviour

Russian Blues are intelligent, gentle, affectionate and quietly talkative. They’re loyal to their owners but can be a bit reserved with strangers. And they can be fussy about cleanliness and routine. Any changes to their environment, such as feeding times, unknown visitors, loud noises, etc. may not be appreciated.

They’re known to have dog-like traits and will follow their owner around the house. They enjoy playing and like to climb and jump. Russian Blue cats are happy to be indoor and left alone during the working day. But be prepared for playtime when you return home!

Most Russian Blue cats have a strong prey drive so you can expect them to be keen hunters. Keep small animals and fish at bay, and if you let them out regularly, don’t be surprised to brought home the odd present on occasion.

Common health problems

The Russian Blue is one of the healthiest cat breeds and there are no known genetic diseases associated with the breed. However, accidents happen, and they’ll still be prone to the same common illnesses and injuries as other cats so you should still consider pet insurance for your Russian blue cat.

Urolithiasis

Urolithiasis (or urinary or bladder stones) can affect Russian Blue cats. The stones can irritate the bladder and can cause blockages. If your cat is unable to urinate, take them to the vet as an emergency. Surgery may be needed to remove the stones. Your vet may advise that your cat be given a special diet and/or medication to prevent the condition from happening again. With the right level of cover from your pet insurance, you can ensure your Russian Blue cat is taken care of.

Kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common health problem in middle-aged and elderly cats. The condition is caused by a gradual reduction in the ability of the kidneys to do their job properly. Your vet may take blood or urine samples and examine the kidneys by x-rays or ultrasound. Changing your cat’s diet and feeding little and often can reduce the workload on the remaining healthy kidney tissue. Special renal diets are also available from your vet.

Obesity

As Russian Blue cats love their food, they can be prone to put on extra weight. Obesity can make it more likely for your cat to suffer from other conditions such as cystitis, liver problems, and diabetes. To make sure your cat maintains a healthy weight, only feed them the recommended amount of food and ignore their pleas for more.

How big do Russian Blue cats get?

The Russian Blue is a medium-sized cat and can grow to approximately 25.4 cm or 10 inches tall. They generally weigh 3.6-6.8 kg (8-15 lbs) with males typically larger than females.

How expensive are Russian Blue cats?

Russian Blues are a rare breed and the price can vary from £350 to over £800. You’ll also have to add on pet insurance, food, and other pet care costs.

Do Russian Blue cats like baths?

Some Russian Blue cats may tolerate a bath, but others will avoid a bath at all costs. They can keep their short, dense coats clean themselves and only need a comb once or twice a week to remove excess hair.

So, is a Russian Blue cat right for you?

With their short, luxurious blue coat, and intelligent nature, Russian Blue cats will be a welcome addition to most households. They make great companions but are just as happy to be left alone. But if you’re out at work all day, make sure you spare time to play together when you get back. They can make great pets for elderly people, working singles, and first-time cat parents but do like a consistent routine.

Not all Russian Blues like to be lap cats. But once they’ve decided you’re their favourite human, be prepared to be followed around and for them to curl up on your lap whenever they like.

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References

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis - www.vetstream.com/treat/felis

Vetstream Ltd (online) Russian Blue. In: Vetlexicon Felis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://vetstream.com/treat/felis/freeform/russian-blue.

Samantha Taylor, Penny Watson (online) Urolithiasis. In: Vetlexicon Felis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://vetstream.com/treat/felis/diseases/urolithiasis.

Vetstream Ltd (online) Bladder and kidney stones Owner Factsheet. In: Vetlexicon Felis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://vetstream.com/clinical-reference/felis/owner-factsheets/bladder-and-kidney-stones.

Penney Barber, Melissa Wallace, Nicki Reed (online) Kidney: chronic kidney disease. In: Vetlexicon Felis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://vetstream.com/treat/felis/diseases/kidney-chronic-kidney-disease.

Vetstream Ltd (online) Kidney disease in your cat Owner Factsheet. In: Vetlexicon Felis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://vetstream.com/treat/felis/owner-factsheets/kidney-disease-in-your-cat.

Martha Cannon, Marge Chandler, Allison German (online) Obesity. In: Vetlexicon Felis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://vetstream.com/treat/felis/freeform/obesity.

Vetstream Ltd (online) Obesity Owner Factsheet. In: Vetlexicon Felis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://vetstream.com/treat/felis/owner-factsheets/obesity.

Terms and conditions

Important information
Sainsbury's Bank plc, Registered Office, 33 Holborn, London EC1N 2HT (registered in England and Wales, no. 3279730) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register no. 184514). Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd is an appointed representative of Sainsbury's Bank plc.
Sainsbury's Bank plc acts as an introducer to Pinnacle Insurance plc who is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register number 110866). Registered Office: Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 2XX. Sainsbury’s Bank plc and Pinnacle Insurance plc are not part of the same corporate group.