Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison

The Domestic Longhaired cat came about because of various attempts by breeders to bring in certain Persian cat varieties in the American Shorthairs.

The cat comes from champion bloodlines but one of the most remarkable traits of the Domestic Longhair cat is that they are just typical cats with long hair. In other words, Domestic Longhairs are a product of various cat breedings and it is thought they arrived in the USA with the early settlers.

They shouldn’t be confused with the purebred American Longhair cat. The ancestry of the Domestic Longhair cat is unknown but for people who own them, they are a longhaired cat that becomes special to their owners. The cat isn’t recognized by the larger cat organizations.

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.

These Domestic long-haired cats are hugely popular in the United States. They can be of any color and the coat can have different patterns too, including bi-color, tortoiseshell and tabby.

With his muscled, athletic body he can weigh between 3 and 6kg. He can have a variety of eye colors, ear sizes, and shapes Essentially, their size and shape is influenced by the breed that dominates.

Temperament:

These are just your regular, balanced cats and they make splendid pets for first-time cat owners, single pet owners, those with kids in the home and seniors. You can’t really tell how their personality will be and some will be more quiet than others and some more loving than others too. A lot depends on how you raise- and socialize your cat.

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.

Domestic Longhairs are such wonderful cats and slot into a host of different lifestyles.

They are generally content cats with the different lifestyles they find themselves in. Some are smart, some playful, some quiet and some naughty, some are very vocal and some are content to be lap cats.

They're all different but they all have needs and concerns – to be part of a loving human family and to be treated with love, care and respect for the companionship they offer.

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.

It is their mixed breeding that ensures that the Domestic Longhaired cat doesn’t have any health issues. Like any cat, things such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes and kidney disease can plague your cat.

A good diet, exercise, lots of love and care can all help to ensure your kitty kat doesn’t succumb to anything that your vet can’t handle.

As soon as your cat shows any sign of illness, get him to the vet. If you look after your cat well, he can avoid a lot of vet visits and can reach 15 to 20 years of age.

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 hair of the Domestic Longhair will need to be tackled and you will need a firm brush to gently brush your cat once a week. This ensures the hair remains silky and tangle-free.

Remember, there are always professional cat groomers who specialize in grooming cats and ensuring their teeth, inside of ears, their nails and their fur is in tip-top condition.

Keeping your cat healthy is always going to require a trip to the vet. Your Domestic Longhair is going to require certain vaccines and deworming to ensure he remains free of deadly cat diseases. Also, if your cat is acting in a lethargic, ‘sick’ way, it could well be a sign that he is ill and a trip to the vet will be imperative as the condition could become worse.

To ensure your cat has the best chance at health, make sure you feed him well. Gut health is absolutely imperative and feeding your cat too many carbs will give him plenty of digestive problems.

A cat is a carnivore – a meat eater – and therefore his food needs to be meat. A kitten will require 4 small meals a day and an adult cat – over the age of 1 year – will require 2 meals a day. Any questions you have about feeding your cat can be answered by your local veterinarian.

Speak to your vet about spaying or neutering your Domestic Longhaired Cat as this will prevent unwanted kittens, particularly if your cat is allowed outdoors and wanders off.

Also, neutering and spaying have a host of health benefits for your cat and it also improves their personality.

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.