Russian Blue Cat
I got my Russian Blue three years ago. Her name is Mochi.
She's been the best decision we've made. I get asked about her constantly so I'm putting everything I know here.
Russian Blue Basics
What exactly is a Russian Blue?
Russian Blues are a natural breed that originated in the port of Arkhangelsk, Russia. They have a distinctive double coat that's bluish-gray with silver tips. Their eyes are green. Always green. If someone's selling you a "Russian Blue" with yellow eyes, walk away.
Are they actually hypoallergenic?
Sort of. They produce less Fel d 1 protein which is what triggers most cat allergies. My husband can bury his face in Mochi's fur with zero issues. His eyes used to swell shut around other cats within 20 minutes.
But this varies person to person. I'd recommend spending time around one before committing.
What's their personality like?
Quiet. Mochi has meowed maybe 15 times in three years. She follows me from room to room but won't demand attention. She picks one person (me) and tolerates everyone else (sorry, husband).
They're also weirdly routine-obsessed. Mochi eats at 7am and 6pm. If I'm late by 10 minutes she sits by her bowl staring at the wall. Not at me. At the wall.
Do they need a lot of grooming?
Less than you'd think. I brush her once a week with a slicker brush. Their double coat doesn't mat easily. I use the Safari brand brush — nothing fancy, like $8 on Amazon.
Shedding picks up in spring. I bump brushing to every 3-4 days in April and May.
How much do they cost?
I paid $1,200 from a breeder in Connecticut. Prices range from $800-$2,000 depending on lineage. Avoid anyone selling "purebred Russian Blues" for $300 on Craigslist. You'll end up with a gray domestic shorthair. Nothing wrong with that but it's not what you paid for.
Breeders I'd recommend: Velvet Blues Cattery, Bluemoon Russians. Both do health testing and let you visit before buying.
Living with a Russian Blue
Space
They adapt well to apartments. Mochi has never tried to bolt out the door. She has zero interest in outside. A cat tree by the window is enough for her.
I have this 5-tier tree from Chewy thats been solid for 3 years. She uses every level.
Food
I feed Mochi wet food in the morning, dry food at night. She's on Tiki Cat and Orijen. Took some trial and error to find foods she'd actually eat — Russian Blues can be picky. She rejected anything fish-based for the first year. Now she'll eat salmon but only the pate texture, not chunks.
Toys
She ignores most toys. The only thing she consistently plays with:
- Da Bird feather wand (the knockoffs don't work, has to be the real one)
- Hair ties (I know, I know — she doesn't chew them, just bats them around)
- Cardboard boxes
I've spent probably $200 on fancy interactive toys she's touched maybe twice.
Health stuff
Russian Blues are generally healthy. Main things to watch:
Mochi goes to the vet once a year. She's had no major issues. I pay about $180 per visit including vaccines.
My Setup
Here's what I use daily:
A few more things
She took about 2 weeks to warm up when I first brought her home. Hid under the bed constantly. This is normal for the breed. Don't force interaction. Let them come to you.
She still hides when strangers come over. Takes her about an hour to emerge. Some Russian Blues never fully warm up to visitors and thats just how they are.
If you work from home, they're ideal. Mochi sleeps on the chair next to my desk all day. Doesn't interrupt zoom calls. Doesn't walk across my keyboard like every other cat I've had.
One weird thing:
she's obsessed with watching me brush my teeth. Every single morning. Sits on the bathroom counter and stares. No idea why.