Russian Blue

By 1000 Ventures · Last reviewed

An elegant gray cat with a silvery shimmer and vivid green eyes.

A Russian Blue cat sitting, full body
Size
Medium
Weight
7 to 12 lb (3 to 5.4 kg)
Lifespan
15 to 20 years
Coat
Short, dense double coat with silver tips
Colors
Blue-gray only
Origin
Russia, said to come from the port of Arkhangelsk
100% of the time, our scanner puts a Russian Blue in its top three. It names it first 97% of the time. How we tested

What does a Russian Blue look like?

The Russian Blue has a short, dense double coat in even blue-gray, with silver-tipped hairs that make it shimmer. The body is fine-boned and graceful, the head a short wedge with large, pointed ears and a slight upturn at the corners of the mouth, like a smile. The eyes are vivid green in adults, yellow in kittens.

Russian Blue personality

Russian Blues are gentle and loyal, often shy with strangers. They like routine and quiet homes.

How to care for a Russian Blue

Brush weekly. These cats are often long-lived and do well with a steady routine.

How do I know if my cat is a Russian Blue?

Gray is a common house cat color, and many gray cats get called Russian Blues. A real Russian Blue is slim with green eyes and a silver sheen. A round gray cat with copper eyes is a British Shorthair, and a gray cat with yellow eyes is most likely a house cat.

A photo can only tell you what your cat looks like. Pedigree papers from a breeder, or a cat DNA test, are the only ways to prove a breed. For a quick first answer, upload a photo to our free cat breed identifier. It compares your cat with 31 breeds and the ordinary house cat and shows the three closest matches.

Curious which breed your own cat looks like? Upload one photo to the free cat breed identifier and see the three closest matches in seconds.

Identify my cat

Breeds that look like the Russian Blue

British Shorthair British ShorthairA round, calm cat with chubby cheeks, copper eyes and a thick, plush coat. House cat House catA mixed-breed cat, called a domestic shorthair or longhair. Most pet cats in the world are house cats, not purebreds. Bombay BombayA sleek black cat with a patent-leather shine and big copper eyes, bred to look like a mini panther.

Or browse all 31 cat breeds side by side.

Frequently asked questions

Is my gray cat a Russian Blue?
Probably not, unless it has papers. Gray is common in house cats. Russian Blues are slim, with a silver-tipped coat and green eyes.
Are Russian Blues good for allergies?
Some people say they react less, but no cat is allergen-free. Spend time with the cat before you bring one home.

What breed is your cat?

Upload one photo and the free cat breed identifier shows the three closest breeds in seconds, or tells you it is a classic house cat.

Identify my cat