Ukrainian Levkoy vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison

The Ukrainian Levkoy is a distinctive looking cat with its folded ears. This is a new breed of cat, only being developed recently early in the 2000s.

The cat was first developed by Elena Biriukova in Ukraine, by crossing the hairless Donskoy cat with the Scottish Fold. Also, Oriental and domestic cats were also brought into the mix.

This particular cat breed was recognized in 2005 in Ukraine and recognized in Russia in 2010. The cat isn’t recognized by any of the major international 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.

With his distinctive appearance, the medium-sized, muscular but slender Ukrainian Levkoy cat weighs in the region of 3 to 6kg.

He has these inward-folding ears with very little hair. These are two distinctive features of this cat. The skin is soft and wrinkled, the eyes large and almond-shaped while the ears are also large and set wide apart and high on the wedge-shaped head.

He has long, slender legs and a narrow tail. The litter size of these cats is generally 3 to 6.

Temperament:

Friendly and playful, the Ukranian Levkoy is also intelligent and enjoys having human companionship.

He is social and will make friends of other pets in the house. He is also compatible with children.

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.

The Ukrainian Levkoy, even though he is fairly docile, is a very sociable cat that thrives on human interaction. He is able to get on well with children as well as with other pets. He is also quite a vocal cat and will let you know when he is hungry or wants to play. Some call them ugly and others call them sweet - whatever you make of the Ukranian Levkoy, he needs your love and care to be the best pet he can be.

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.

These cats are generally considered to be healthy cats. Having said that, they can be predisposed to the same conditions that the Donskoy and Scottish Fold breeds face.

It is always beneficial to know and recognize some of the symptoms of a sick cat - lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, heavy breathing and lack of appetite. Then it's time to schedule a visit to your local vet.

While there aren't any breed-specific health problems associated with the Ukrainian Levkoy, it is imperative to have him vaccinated against the deadly cat diseases that there are.

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.

As with all cats, it's important to keep up your Ukrainian Levkoy's regular veterinary checkups. This means you can get to any health concerns early so that your vet can come up with a treatment plan for your pet.

Some cat lovers make a point of scheduling yearly wellness visits with their vet, and this can be a good thing. Cats are natural scratchers so make sure you invest in a scratching post for him.

The inside of the Ukrainian Levkoy's ears should be examined regularly for signs of dirt and wax build-up. It can lead to infection. Speak to your vet about your cat's ears if yourself.

The Ukrainian Levkoy is an active cat and if he is an indoor cat, he will definitely need a climbing tree or some kind of cat perch to leap up onto.

The Ukrainian Levkoy is a hairless cat, so you won't brushing your cat's hair but he will need to have a bath. The skin can become oily and attract dirt. Diet is absolutely important. You'll need to make sure you're feeding your cat a high protein diet as every cat is a carnivore. A cat like this needs to stay in shape to avoid cat diseases related to being overweight.

Most Ukrainian Levkoys need to be kept warm, so you might well have to invest in a jacket or jersey to keep him warm on a cold day.

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.