Blue Russian vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison

The Blue Russian is a rare cat and not much is known about its origins, but it is believed that the cat comes from northern Russia.

The Cat Fanciers Association believes that the cat descended from cats kept by Russian Czars. Research tells us that there is no mention of the Blue Russian until the 19th century. The Russia Blue made its first public appearance in 1875, being exhibited at London’s Crystal Palace as the ‘Archangel Cat’.

By 1912, the Russia Bue was given its own classification after its introduction to the USA in the early 1900s.

The handsome American Longhair cat is thought to be the result of attempts by breeders to have a cat that portrayed some Persian varieties.

American shorthairs have characteristics and looks from both breeds. The American Longhair, although it comes from champion bloodlines, isn’t actually recognized by larger cat organizations.

The Russian Blue is a medium-sized cat with a long, finely-boned boy. It is a slender cat, but he appears larger because of his dense double coat.

He weighs in the region of 3 – 6kg. In spite of the dense and luxurious short silvery coat, the cat doesn’t shed much. The coat can in fact be a silvery shade to a dark slate grey. The eyes are a beautiful green, the ears widely spaced and slightly rounded at the top.

Temperament:

The Russian Blue is a sweet-tempered cat who becomes attached to his human owner and who will even follow his owner much like a dog.

This particular cat breed may be quite shy, but he becomes social around his family members and may even be reluctant to share time with strangers.

He also doesn’t mind spending some time alone if you have to work. Curious and intelligent the Russian Blue is somewhat reserved but he makes a great companion as he is sensitive to his owner's moods.

You’ll find that there are quite a few American Longhairs that have the snub nose of the Persian cat which is part of its ancestry.

This is a well-muscled, medium to large sized athletic cat with a thick double coat of many colors and patterns that sheds fairly heavily.

Temperament:

This isn’t a particularly vocal cat, but in true cat-fashion, it is independent and doesn’t require a lot of attention.

This cat will make a nice companion for older people and it is calm enough to enjoy a leisurely stroll outdoors with a harness on. They’re adaptable to different situations, but the American Longhair isn’t the ideal choice for children as it isn’t your playful, lover of noise and games type of cat, preferring the attention of other animals.

They love going into barns and being buffeted and licked by the cows and other barnyard animals.

Russian blue cats are such intelligent creatures and he will require some mental stimulation because of it.

He loves mealtimes, but remember to not overfeed him as this shortens his lifespan.

He is a vocal cat and will tell you when he is hungry or he wants to play.

These cats don’t like too many changes so keep things the same for him.

When you try to keep your lovely Blue Russian happy, you’ll be rewarded by having a fantastic feline companion.

Your American Longhair is an easy-going, friendly social cat that doesn’t demand a lot from his human owners.

These cats are intelligent too and you can even teach them a trick or two. They enjoy the company of their humans and will even follow you around.

Bringing one into your home promises to be a rewarding pet-ownership experience.

The Blue Russian has a life expectancy of around 12–20 years, but with excellent care, these cats can reach 25 years of age. They don’t have many health issues but may succumb to any of the common cat diseases there are.

Always get your pet to the vet if you suspect your pet is in any way ill.

The American Longhair doesn’t have many health concerns and you can expect him to live up to 18, 19 or 20 years of age with good care.

There are some American Longhairs that come with that shortened face of the Persian, and this may mean him battling with breathing problems.

Also, be aware of Polycystic kidney disease where you get cysts that form in the kidneys and which can become larger over time and eventually affect kidney function, leading to kidney failure.

Part of caring for a cat as a responsible pet owner comes from feeding your pet. The Russian Blue is a cat that enjoys his food so you will have to look out for overfeeding.

A cat that is overweight can start developing joint problems and diabetes. Rather stick to scheduled meals so that you can know exactly what your feline pet is getting. Such a beautiful cat needs the best food there is to keep the coat shiny and healthy and to prevent illness.

Always read the food labels to ensure the best ingredients and the right portion sizes. Make sure your cat gets food that is meat protein-rich as a cat is a carnivore.

Water is another important part of your Blue Russian’s diet. Fresh cool water should be available for your cat night and day. Water bowls are good but a water fountain is a tantalizingly attractive way for your pet to be attracted to drinking more water.

Make sure that you rake up all your cat’s droppings from the litter box every day as the Russian Blue is a hygienic cat and wants a clean litter box. Make sure the litter box is in a nice quiet spot for your cat.

The cat has a dense coat but isn’t a heavy shedder and requires very little grooming.

Ensure a decent bed for your Bombay cat. Any soft cat bedding will do, and while some cats like a simple flat mattress-type bedding arrangement, other cats like the idea of getting into a bed that provides some privacy.

You just have to find yourself a decent pet shop because when you do, you’ll find a host of soft, warm, fully washable blankets and pillows for your pet. Once you’ve decided on the right bed and a nice quiet spot, your cat will have a complex issue sorted out as some cats can be fussy with their sleeping arrangments.

Make sure your cat is neutered or spayed to avoid unwanted kittens. Neutering offers health benefits, reducing the risk of different cancers. Your cat also no longer has the desire to fight over mates and territory.

The long coat of the American Longhair will require some brushing to keep it shiny and smooth and free from dust but also to remove all those loose hairs.

Make sure your cat’s food and water dishes are in an appropriate spot and keep them separate from your cat’s litter box. House train your cat immediately on how to use a litter box. Keep the litter box clean and rake up your cat's droppings regularly and dispose of them.

Before you get a cat, know that they scratch. It is normal for a cat. Provide your cat with a scratching post as well as climbing equipment such as a cat climbing tree.

Diet:

Always feed your cat a meat-based diet, after all, cats in the wild are carnivores. There are some ingredients that a cat must have and they require certain amino acids found in meat-based proteins or else they could become ill.

The top quality cat foods provide cats with all the nutrients they need to keep them healthy. There are some cat owners who opt to feed their cats home-prepared meals because then they know exactly what’s going into their beloved pets food.

There are other cat owners who choose to provide their pet with a raw diet because they believe that this comes close to the cat's natural diet in the wild.

Always speak to your vet if you are in any way uncertain about the best foods for your cat. He should always have access to fresh cool water.

Parasites:

Check your cat for problems such as parasites such as ticks and fleas. You will also need to have your cat checked for worms. Your vet can diagnose worms with a physical exam. If it is discovered that your cat does have worms, the vet will recommend some safe, effective medications for your pet.

You will also need to check its body for skin problems such as unusual lumps.

If you are able to, get your cat regular veterinary examinations to ensure he is always in tip-top condition.

Have your cat spayed or neutered to prevent unwelcome kittens in a world where there are just too many unwanted kittens. These procedures can have health benefits for your cat as well.

American Longhairs are lively playful cats so give your cat toys to play with to ensure mental stimulation.