Blue Russian vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison | MyCatBreeds

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 first thing to know is that a Bicolor cat isn’t in fact a breed. Bicolor is just a term that describes a certain look that a cat has with its coat. It’s a cat with two colors such as red and white or black and white.

A popular name for bi-color cats is also Piebald or Tuxedo, and in fact many cat breeds can produce bicolor kittens, or black and white kittens such as Cornish Rex, Maine Coon, Manx, and others.

There are different coat color combinations when it comes to bicolor cats and the black and white markings may be more common but there are other color combinations too such as orange and white.

Nobody seems to know the origins of the Bicolor cats so we are going to assume they come from the USA.

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.

Regardless of the breed they belong to, information on these cats suggests that they can have many different looks. Look at the amazing Turkish Van cat for instance – each of these cats is recognizable for its long, luxurious fur. You’ll find a few touches of color on the cat's ears and tail, making in a Bicolor. They also have an interesting characteristic – being fond of water!

These Bicolor cats weigh in the region of 3 – 7kg, and can tend towards the smaller or larger size. Some of them can have short or long hair, larger or smaller ears and green or yellow eyes.

Temperament:

Coming from different cat breeds, the bicolor cat can have a mix of wonderful characteristics – they can be vocal or quiet or confident or shy.

They’re always wonderful though and can be curious, intelligent, playful, loving and loyal. They make great companions who just love the interaction they have with their human owners.

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.

The Bicolor cat is such a steady, reliable cat-friend to have. When you start looking as these cats as your companion, you're going to get a smart, funny, adoring, playful family member who will be there for you whether you go to work each day or stay at home.

They’re such easygoing cats, with no airs and graces. They’re happy, relaxed, and uncomplicated cats and when you make a Bicolor your pet and friend, your life just becomes that much more meaningful.

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.

By providing your kitty cat with a loving home, you can ensure that he stays as healthy as possible. Unfortunately though, cats can get sick, regardless of how well you take care of them and then as a responsible pet owner, you will be able to take your pet to your local vet.

Some of the common cat problems you get can be kidney disease, ear infections, dental disease, parasites such as heartworm, cancer or something like feline immunodeficiency virus.

Whether your cat has a virus or an infection, remember that getting your cat to the vet can mean nipping the problem in the bud before it gets more serious.

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.

Caring for your Bicolor cat is much the same as with any other cat. Your Bicolor will shed, so brushing him will tickle him pink, especially if you do it lovingly and gently – it’s like a bonding session. The weekly brushing will get rid of loose hairs and dust and keep the coat healthy and shiny.

Spay or neuter your pet to avoid unwanted kittens. Stay up to date on veterinary visits and vaccinations.

Provide your cat with stimulating toys as well as all the equipment he needs to be comfortable – food and water bowls, litter box, grooming equipment, bedding, climbing- and scratching equipment.

All cat owners, whether their cats eat homemade food or wet- or dry food should read cat food labels and understand the nutrients content.

Certainly, as a carnivore, cats require certain vitamins, minerals, and proteins that only meat can provide.

Understand how to work out if the cat food is balanced or not and not packed with too many grains and carbohydrates.

How much your Bicolor eats will depend on his age and his activity levels. Be careful not to overfeed your cat as overfeeding is dangerous. When cats put on too much weight, it leads to problems such as diabetes, heart- and joint disease.