All about mixed-breed cats: the pros and cons of crossbreeds, characters, habits and maintenance

A silver plush green-eyed archangel is what you get if you combine together the popular “names” of the Russian Blue cat breed. The soft and dense coat of these elegant beauties has a color that can only be described as blue with a silver tint.

She looks divine, especially when paired with exceptionally green eyes. But you shouldn’t look for wings in the description of the Russian blue cat; the British dubbed her “archangel” because of the homeland of her ancestors - the Arkhangelsk province.

What do Russian blue cats look like?

The northern city of Arkhangelsk is considered the birthplace of this breed. It was from there that, at the end of the 19th century, an English breeder took out a couple of animals, which are believed to have marked the beginning of breeding. During wartime in the first half of the 20th century, the breed was almost on the verge of extinction. Crossing with Siamese and other cats helped save her.

Russian Blues are very graceful cats. Photo: Dizfoto/Depositphotos

Russian Blue cats are medium-sized animals. The body is graceful, but at the same time strong and quite muscular. The tail is long. The head is not too large, proportional to the size of the body. The eyes are large and oval, green, and the color is finally established by the end of the first year of life.

The coat of the breed is short, dense, silky and almost plush to the touch. The axial hair in it is approximately the same length as the undercoat. The color is uniform gray-blue with a silver tint.

Brief characteristics of the breed

Advantages:

1. Smart, easy to learn.
2. Very flexible and obedient.
3. There are no negative traits, for example, meanness (a cat never spoils things).
4. They become attached to their owner, but tolerate loneliness well.
5. Get along well with children and other pets.
6. They are independent, entertain themselves if household members are busy with business.
7. Unpretentious in care.
8. Have good health. They have excellent immunity, no genetic diseases have been identified.
9. They live long. If you provide quality nutrition and proper care, your cat can live 18 years.
10. The fur does not cause allergies.
11. Cats of this breed do not mark territory.

Flaws:

1. They are very picky about the cleanliness of the toilet and bowls: they will not go into a dirty tray and will not eat and the dishes are not clean enough.
2. They are distrustful of strangers, show shyness and wariness.
3. They have a quiet voice, which makes it difficult to determine when they are in heat.
4. Excessive mobility and restlessness can become a disadvantage for those who love a calm, measured life.
5. Dependent on the psychological atmosphere in the house. If it is unfavorable (scandals, swearing), the pet will become apathetic and lethargic.

The origins of this breed are very controversial. According to one version, English sailors standing with their ship in Arkhangelsk noticed an unusually beautiful cat in the vicinity of the city and took it on board with them. According to another version, the animals, on the contrary, escaped from an English ship and took root in the northern port.

There is no information that would confirm either of these versions. The subsequent development of the breed was carried out in England. Since 1893, breeding began with animals probably brought from Russia. In 1935, the first standard was registered, which marked the official appearance of the breed.

The First World War put the animal in danger of extinction. To preserve the breed, the British crossed it with Siamese cats - their characteristics can still appear in modern Russian Blues today.

The restoration of the breed continued only in the 20th century, already by the Americans, and only in the 70s did the Russian blue cat regain its original appearance, and in the 80s it returned to Russia again.

The following description of the standards suits the appearance of the Russian Blue cat:

• Adult weight: 3-7 kg.
• The body is strong, muscular, long. The body shape is elegant.
• The paws are thin and long.
• The tail is long, maintaining proportions to the body.
• The head is wedge-shaped with a flat and long profile, the nose is without a break.
• The ears are set wide apart, wide at the base and tapering towards the tips, long.
• The eyes are round, green, and spaced apart.
• The coat feels plush to the touch, is soft, thick, and short. The coat has a double structure and does not adhere to the body.

The long-haired variation of the cat does not meet the standards; it belongs to a separate rare breed - the Nibelung.

We invite you to read: The history of the Maine Coon cat breed

The character of the Russian Blue is somewhat stubborn: it will obey only one owner, while preferring independence. However, wandering on the street is not at all typical for her - she is truly a pet.

This breed behaves cautiously and modestly with guests in the house; it will not be the first to make contact. With its owner, the Russian Blue cat is open and loyal, does not bother him, and is never intrusive. If you already have other animals at home, even small ones like a degu or a chinchilla, rest assured that the new pet will get along well with them.

If you read the reviews of the owners, many note the high intelligence of their pets: cats very quickly begin to understand the gestures and words of the owner. And when playing with a person, they release their claws, playing exclusively with their soft paws.

What is the character of Russian Blue cats?

Animals of this Russian Blue breed are smart, peaceful and calm, but at the same time they are not averse to sometimes frolicking and chasing real or toy prey.

How do Russian Blue cats get along with adults?

Such pets love human company and willingly spend time with the whole family, participating in everything that happens and willingly basking in their arms. They cannot be called intrusive: persistently demanding attention is not at all in the nature of the breed. They usually don't have a loud voice either. As for strangers, Russian Blues treat them rather with caution and suspicion.

These cats tolerate short-term loneliness quite calmly and always find something to do with themselves. At the same time, they are very neat and never cause chaos in the apartment, even if they actively explore all the cabinets, shelves and other high surfaces. And the return of family members is always welcomed.

How do Russian Blue cats get along with children?

Affectionate animals enjoy spending time in the company of younger family members. Russian Blues are not inclined to show aggression and are usually in no hurry to use their claws, even if the kids are literally cuddling them. Scratching can only be expected from kittens who participate in games with all the enthusiasm.

How do Russian Blue cats get along with other animals?

Pets of this breed live quietly under the same roof with cats and dogs and do not show hostility towards them. Of course, when a new pet appears in the house, some difficulties may arise, but over time the animals will get used to each other and the situation will improve.

Character traits

Russian Blues have an active and independent lifestyle, but despite this they are very attached to their owners. The feeling of love for a person does not reach extremes, and therefore if a pet is left at home alone, he will not be sad, but will find something to do on his own. This breed is ideal for those people who do not sit at home all the time.

The high intellectual characteristics of four-legged animals have already been mentioned above; cats are very inquisitive, and therefore the owner should not be surprised if the animal closely studies every new thing in the house. A pet with an unusual color carefully sniffs everything, examines it and sometimes tastes it. If given the opportunity, the animal will definitely study the object from the inside.

Possessing the instinct of hunters, Russian Blues can easily cope with rodents illegally living on the territory of their summer cottage. If the house contains decorative rats and mice, then the owner should show maximum attention so that the cat does not mistake the pet for potential prey.

If we talk about the relationship between cats and children, then they will not offend the kids, even if the child starts to pester the animal a lot. A four-legged pet in such a situation will simply go to a secluded corner. If there are other pets in the house, the likelihood of a strong friendship between a cat and another animal is very high, with the exception of decorative types of rodents.

What living conditions do Russian blue cats require?

Provide your pet with its own place to sleep and rest. A soft bed, basket or closed house is suitable for this.

Your cat will probably appreciate it if you set up a whole play complex especially for him with shelves, ladders and posts on which he can climb and jump. Although a curious animal will still explore every corner of the home and will not ignore a single closet.

Russian blue cats are not averse to hunting, so they will probably like different toys - balls or soft mice. When choosing such things, make sure that they are made of high-quality materials and do not have small, poorly secured parts that the cat could accidentally choke on.

To prevent your pet from getting bored, buy him toys. Photo: Dizfoto/Depositphotos

You will also need a convenient tray with filler, which can be installed in the bathroom or other place. It should be borne in mind that representatives of the breed are usually very sensitive to its purity. So it’s better not to delay cleaning.

It is advisable to install special protective nets on the windows of the apartment in which the Russian Blue cat lives. This will protect your pet from falling if he decides to hunt for birds or falling leaves. Such protection will not be superfluous even for residents of the first floors.

Having fallen out of a window from a small height, the animal, of course, will not receive serious injuries, but it will probably get scared and may run away. No less dangerous for a cat left unattended on the street are other animals, cars and even people.

How to feed Russian Blue cats

The diet for your pet can be customized at your discretion. The simplest option is ready-made food. Moreover, it is better to focus on products from well-known and well-established brands. The lines of such manufacturers usually include complete dry and canned food for kittens and adult animals. You can also choose a special treat for cats during pregnancy and lactation, as well as for animals suffering from various diseases.

Natural food based on meat, offal and vegetables prepared especially for them is also suitable for Russian Blue cats. At the same time, it is worth making sure that, along with the daily diet, the pet receives all the nutrients and beneficial substances necessary for its health in full.

Do not feed your pet the same food that you eat yourself. Many of the dishes we are familiar with are simply dangerous for the cat’s body. It is especially not recommended to treat your animal with sweet, spicy, smoked, salty and spicy dishes.

Watch what your pet eats. Photo: beornbjorn / Depositphotos

When buying a kitten, be sure to check with the breeder what kind of food the baby is accustomed to. Of course, over time, the diet can be changed and the animal can be switched from factory feed to natural feed or vice versa. But this needs to be done gradually so that the pet gets used to the new food without any problems.

In addition, regardless of the type of food chosen, the cat should always have a bowl of clean drinking water, which should be changed every day or at least once every couple of days.

And be sure to make sure your pet doesn’t overeat. Russian blue cats are often prone to obesity, which does not have the best effect on their health.

Training and education

Russian Blue cats chosen as pets are unlikely to be specifically trained to follow commands. The main skill of animals is to learn how to use the toilet correctly. Purrs master this wisdom quickly, since they themselves are very clean.

According to the experience of breeders, cats accept wood filler better. If a kitten is being removed from a cattery, it is better to immediately ask a professional about the type of litter box.

Toilet training your pet

A kitten must be toilet trained from the first days in the house. It is advisable to immediately place the baby in a new place in the tray and hold him in it for a while. For better training in the first weeks, it is recommended to limit the space for movement. The kitten will get used to the new place, the search for the toilet will go with a bang.

How to care for Russian Blue cats

Brush your pet every week and a half. During seasonal shedding, which occurs in spring and autumn, this procedure can be carried out more often: a couple of times every 7 days. To make the fur shiny and glossy, after combing it can be wiped with suede or a silk rag.

As for bathing, it is better to refuse it unless absolutely necessary: ​​a clean animal will cope well with this without your help. If, for example, your pet is very dirty, you need to wash it using special shampoos and conditioners that are sold in pet stores. Local stains are easier to remove with powder that acts like dry shampoo.

Trim your pet's nails about once a month, even if he actively uses a scratching post. This simple procedure will help protect your cat from potential injuries and will protect your furniture from attacks by the animal. Also check your pet's ears at least once a week. If dirt has accumulated in them, remove it using special products, such as lotions.

Natural nutrition

If it is not possible to feed ready-made food, you can switch your pet to natural food. The diet of cats of this breed should include:

1. Meat – turkey, chicken, beef, veal. The daily norm is 45-100 g. Meat should be given only in the form of small pieces.
2. By-products – heart, kidneys and lung. Before cooking, all layers of fat must be removed.
3. Fish – marine low-fat varieties. A Russian Blue cat should be given fish once a week, not more often. If the cat is neutered, then fish should be completely excluded from the diet.
4. Seafood – shrimp and shellfish. Can be given once a week.
5. Cereals – buckwheat, rice, oatmeal.
6. Dairy products - goat milk, fermented baked milk, kefir, cream, sour cream. These foods are best given in the morning.
7. Vegetables - potatoes, beets, zucchini. Plant foods are practically not digestible, but they should not be completely excluded from the diet. A small amount of vegetables helps the functioning of the gastrointestinal system. Vegetables need to be boiled and pureed.

Important! Natural food for a Russian Blue cat involves an abundance of meat and cereals. You should also give your pet special vitamin complexes.

Dishes for mustachioed gourmets are prepared simply: you need to boil cereals or vegetables and add finely chopped meat. An adult cat should eat 150-200 grams per day.

What diseases do Russian blue cats suffer from?

Animals that belong to this Russian Blue breed are in good health and have virtually no predisposition to genetic diseases. But this does not mean that they do not get sick at all. Like other cat breeds, Russian Blues can have digestive and genitourinary problems, suffer from infectious diseases, parasites and obesity.

Contact your veterinarian promptly. Photo: londondeposit / Depositphotos

Despite the good physical shape of representatives of this breed, if you suspect any ailments or sudden changes in behavior, you should definitely consult a specialist from a veterinary clinic. Diagnosing diseases at an early stage will help you take timely measures and avoid serious complications.

Tips for choosing a mixed-breed kitten

Since in the category of mestizos there are no clear requirements for breed qualities, when choosing a pet you should pay attention to other characteristics:

1. In a mixture of a British Shorthair and a regular cat, it is worth studying the animal's coat - the variety of colors sometimes leads to very unusual combinations and shapes. Each kitten will eventually find its owner, but not every owner wants to get a pet with an unusual color. For example, there are people who categorically do not accept black cats of any breed, while others intuitively avoid tortoiseshell coloring.
2. A mixed Siamese and British cat kitten may be born with thin “Siamese” paws. If a pet inherits a powerful body from a Briton, then it will be difficult for him to maintain a lot of weight. This may manifest itself as stiffness of movement during games. In the future, this symptom may disappear or develop into a serious problem with the musculoskeletal system.
3. An objective indicator of an animal’s good condition is its fur. If it bulges, does not lie flat, clumps into small icicles and does not shine, it means the kitten has health problems.

This is interesting! Mixed breeds have a low threshold for reblooming. The color tone, which is established by 3-4 months, as a rule, does not change later.

What to look for when buying a Russian Blue cat

When choosing a kitten, first decide on your plans. You can choose ordinary pets from the most budget class, which is called “pet”. Such Russian Blue cats are completely healthy, but are not intended for breeding and do not reach the standard that is highly valued at exhibitions. To obtain “high-quality” offspring, it is better to focus on the “breed” class, which represents potential sires.

If you dream of a show career for your pet and want him to become the owner of various titles, pay attention to “show” class animals. Their price is higher than all others, but these animals fully comply with breed standards and have excellent external characteristics.

Before purchasing, take a close look at your future pet. The baby should look healthy, be active, moderately well-fed, playful, not show aggression and be cooperative. If the kitten looks weak and sick, does not show activity, or, on the contrary, is too hostile, it is better to refrain from purchasing. Also evaluate the conditions of its detention and be sure to inquire about the vaccinations that should be given in accordance with the age of the animal.

As for documents, along with the kitten you must be given a purchase and sale agreement, a veterinary passport, which contains all the information about vaccinations, and a metric (in fact, this is a birth certificate), on the basis of which the pedigree is issued.

Of course, you can buy a kitten without any documents at all, for example through advertisements or at a bird market. But then you won’t be able to be sure about the pet’s health, its heredity, or even its origin. Therefore, when purchasing such an animal, first of all you need to give it a veterinary passport and take care of its vaccinations. As for the pedigree, it will not be possible to get one for a cat, even if it visually matches the breed standards.