Traditional Siamese vs Russian Blue - Breed Comparison

There are now three types of Siamese cats. The Traditional Siamese is said to be the original cat imported from Thailand.

The Classic was the type that was common in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. The original Siamese cat became one of the most popular breeds in Europe and North America in the 19th century.

The Traditional Siamese is also called an applehead Siamese.

It is believed that this beautiful cat originates from Russia, and more specifically the Archangel Isles.

It is also thought that these cats descended from cats that were kept by the Russian Czars and that they arrived in England and Northern Europe during the 1860s. It appeared in cat shows and by 1912 it was given its own classification.

The cat was also introduced to the United States in the early 1900s and today it is a popular domesticated pet.

The Traditional Siamese cat is medium-sized, lean, and muscular and weighs between 3 and 6kg. The coat is short and he is considered a medium shedder.

The kittens of these cats are born white and the coloring comes in over the next days and weeks. The head of the Traditional Siamese is well proportioned to its body size.

The medium size ears are slightly rounded at the tip and the eyes are large and bright blue in color.  

The coat is short, sleek, and soft and accepted colors are cream with chocolate, brown, lilac, red, tortie or blue points.

Temperament:

The personality of the Traditional Siamese is loud, vocal, and demanding. These cats let you know precisely what they want and it is almost like having a human companion in the house.

They love to give their human owners lots of attention as well. They’re intelligent, curious, playful, and energetic.

The Traditional Siamese cat isn’t really recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) anymore as the breed’s temperament has changed so much.

The medium-sized Russian blue cat is slender, strong, and muscular with long legs. He can weigh between 3 and 6kg.

He has a beautiful blue, soft double coat that is short and thick. The coat is an even color with silver tips. What is an attractive feature of this cat too is that his double coat doesn’t shed much. The cat has a triangular-shaped head with yellow to green eyes.

Temperament:

The Russian Blue is such an amicable, sweet-tempered cat that likes nothing more than to be in the company of his human owners, He is calm and independent. They do well living with their human families but they do tend to form a deep bond with that one special person.

He will even follow his owner everywhere and is a loving, loyal companion. The Russian Blue is a social cat but also enjoys some quiet time out just to chill. He also isn’t too fond of visitors and may run away and hide if the occasion becomes too large and noisy.

This is a cat that will miss you when you’re at work all day but he is able to quietly wait for your arrival back home. Then he will appreciate some playtime.

The Traditional Siamese cat is such an amazingly intelligent animal and sometimes they can become quite human.

These are not your traditional cool, independent, sleep all day kind of felines and people liken them to having a dog as a pet. They love to play, and they are so active you could even put a leash on one and take it for a walk.

They are energetic, local, and lively. They are such affectionate cats too and they get on well with children and with other pets.

When you bring a Traditional Siamese cat into your life, it is like you are bringing in a human companion, except that the Traditional Siamese is far more amicable than many humans.

Your Russian Blue is such an intelligent cat and for this reason, when you bring one into your home, you’ll need to provide him with lots of stimulating toys and fun play times.

This is also a low maintenance cat and a brush once a week will be all that is required.

These are cats that love their mealtimes and you’ll want to work out a special eating program to ensure he gets all the nutrition he needs without over-eating.

Respond with lots of love and attention to your vocal Russian Blue, and you’ll soon see what a precious jewel this cat is as a companion and friend.

These are robust cats and you won’t find many health issues with it.

Avoid obesity. Siamese cats are prone to obesity and these slim cats can’t afford weight gain. Extra weight can put a whole lot of pressure on the cat’s joints and they can also develop other problems such as diabetes. The label of the commercial cat food you give your Traditional Siamese will indicate how much food your cat should get a day based on your cat’s weight.

Diet plays a massive role in the health of a cat, and inferior cat foods can mean you spending more money at the vet because of digestive issues.

If you are in any kind of doubt as to what to feed your cat, rather speak to your vet about what and how much to feed him. Your cat is a carnivore and it is most important to feed your cat foods high in protein.

Take your cat to the vet whenever he is sick and also just for a general check-up. You want to make sure that your Traditional Siamese is free from any health problems as well as parasites.

Also, make sure your cat is always up to date with his vaccinations as there are some cat illnesses such as feline panleukopenia, also known as distemper, that can kill your cat.

It is always a good idea as well to spay or neuter your Siamese to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

If your Traditional Siamese has any health conditions, your vet can help provide you and your pet with a treatment program.

Because the Russian Blue is a naturally occurring breed, they are fairly healthy cats. Watch out for obesity and urinary tract infections with your cat.

Obesity:

Obesity shortens a cat’s life. It puts extra pressure on the cat’s joints and it makes them more likely to develop disease. Then again, it is dangerous to suddenly put your obese cat on a strict diet so that he loses weight too quickly.

Your cat requires a gradual decrease in body weight. If you’re worried about your cat’s weight, rather speak to a veterinary surgeon who can explain to you and also draw up a weight loss program for your cat.

Remember too, that cats are carnivores and they simply have to have meat in their diet. Commercially manufactured cat foods of the highest quality are high in protein and low in carbohydrates.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease:

Feline lower urinary tract disease is no joke for a cat. This disease affects your pet’s lower urinary tract – the bladder. Causes include bladder stones or bladder infections and inflammation in the urinary bladder.

You may notice your cat battling to urinate. Your cat will also no doubt cry out while trying to urinate and this is because the process is so painful. There may also be blood in the urine.

You may notice that your cat isn’t using his litter box but urinating elsewhere. Your cat will need to get to the vet as soon as possible. It may not be a life-threatening disease but it can be highly uncomfortable for your cat.

To care for your Traditional Siamese, you need to feed him a high protein diet. Always read the labels of the cat food you buy to ensure that the proteins included come from animal sources and not from plants.

All cat food should contain taurine.

Provide your active cat with a climbing tree or perch.

Brush your Traditional Siamese cat regularly. He has a short coat so once a week will be enough to keep it shiny and clean.

You can feed your cat and provide all he needs, but nothing will be more important to your cat than showing your love for him by spending lots of time with him and showering him with love.

The Russian Blue’s beautiful blue coat is short and thick and will do well with a brush once a week. The cat just thrives on the attention during brush time too.

Trim your Russian blue’s nails regularly.

Provide your cat with everything he needs to make his life pleasant. Food and water bowls, a litter box, a collar and tag, a nice soft bed, grooming accessories, climbing tree, and a scratching post.

Make sure he has his cat vaccines and is treated for parasites.