Are Russian Blue Cats High Maintenance [Essential Tips]

Are Russian Blue Cats High Maintenance

Have you been dreaming of adding an elegant, silvery blue-gray coated, bright green-eyed furry animal to your home? If yes, a Russian Blue cat fits this description to the T! On top of that, a Russian Blue cat is also a mild-mannered, intelligent, and sociable cat breed.

This means that if you are someone who works away from home, is looking for a low maintenance pet, and wants a graceful furry friend to come home to, a Russian Blue cat is a perfect fit for you. Because Russian Blue cats are known for being able to take care of themselves the majority of the time, they are considered one of the low maintenance cats amongst all cat breeds.

However, before you make the final decision of purchasing or adopting a Russian Blue cat, you need to be aware of certain facts. Hence, below I have made a compilation of information that will prove to be extremely helpful for you!

Are Russian Blue Cats High Maintenance?

Russian Blue cats are low maintenance pets because they like to have a hand, or a paw, in keeping themselves clean, feeding themselves, and are not very destructive of their surroundings.

Although, factors like health issues, getting them vaccinated, their diets, and the budget required for providing them with necessities, might change this label a bit.

Therefore, let us look at specific examples that make Russian Blue cats not so high maintenance.

Monthly Expenses Incurred by Owning a Russian Blue

If you have a Russian Blue kitten, it may seem that all you are doing is spending money on your pet. With vaccinations, food, food bowls, litter boxes, toys, maybe a scratching post, and even a regular health checkup, it can become costly to own a Russian Blue.

However, one main thing to remember is that once your Blue gets older, the expenses will not be as high. You will need to spend money only on food, cleaning solutions, shampoos, cat litter, and an occasional visit to the vet.

Hence, a rough estimation of the monthly expenses incurred by owning a Russian Blue would be $25 – $40. However, since you will eventually need to replace things like toys, brushes, toothpaste, other necessities, the cost could go up, for one odd month, by about $20.

Nonetheless, you can cut down on the cost of owning a Russian Blue. You can cut down on costs by making homemade food for them instead of buying cat food. Additionally, you can use a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water in place of cleaning solutions too!

Do Russian Blue Cats Have Health Issues?

I understand why you would be concerned about how strong a Russian Blue cat is in regards to their health. Because once you have a pet, it is terrible to watch them in pain or simply not feeling well.

However, Russian Blue cats are ordinarily very healthy cats. Moreover, they are not prone to suffering from any inherited diseases either. Hence, the lifespan of an ordinary Russian Blue cat is between 10-20 years. However, some Russian Blue cats have even lived up to a maximum of 25 years!

Although, if you want to get a Russian Blue cat, then you need to make sure you know what you are signing up for. Additionally, by knowing this, you may be able to prevent serious health issues in your cat too. So, let us keep reading to see exactly how resilient a Russian Blue cat’s health is.

How Easily Does Russian Blue Cat Get Sick?

Due to Russian Blue cats not being prone to having health issues because of genetic disorders, they are safer from getting critically ill. However, like any other cat breed, they are predisposed to being sick due to several reasons.

For instance, bladder stones are a common problem that most Russian Blue cats face in their lifetime.

Moreover, there are other diseases that Russian Blue cats are likely to be affected by. Some examples of these diseases are Feline Leukemia Virus or Cat Flu, ear infections, and other rare diseases that affect the brain and eyes, called Toxoplasmosis and Chlamydia respectively.

Furthermore, another common problem amongst Russian Blue cats is dental diseases. Hence, it is extremely important to pay close attention to keeping their dental hygiene in check. You can also find more information on preventing dental diseases down below under “Taking Care of Russian Blues”.

Finally, obesity is a leading cause of death amongst many cat breeds, and this applies to Russian Blue cats as well. For more information, read the “Do Russian Blue Cats Eat A Lot?” section below!

What Vaccines Do They Require? Are They Costly?

Now, luckily some diseases can be prevented by vaccinating your cat beforehand. You should also note that vaccinations start at the age of 8 weeks and that they might need boosters for some of these vaccines.

For instance, kittens will require upper respiratory and distemper vaccines once a month until they are 16 weeks old. The upper respiratory and distemper vaccines usually cost $25 – $50. This vaccine is especially important as it can cause serious illnesses!

The next step, as your kitten grows older, is to consider talking to your vet about what vaccines your cat should get. For example, if your cat stays mostly outdoors, then your vet will probably suggest a vaccine for Feline Leukemia Virus. This vaccine involves two shots given 4 weeks apart and costs $25 – $50.

Finally, a Rabies vaccine is also extremely important. As Rabies can cause many symptoms from aggression, loss of appetite, paralysis, seizures, and even death, you must remember to get this particular vaccine for your cat. The vaccine for preventing Rabies costs $25 – $100.

So, now that we know what vaccines are of utmost importance, let us remember that our vets will know better. Hence, do make sure to consult with a reputable vet, to decide what other vaccines your Russian Blue will require!

Do Russian Blue Cats Seek A Lot of Attention?

It is a known fact amongst Russian Blue cat owners that they are very sociable. However, the question about how sociable they are might be playing on your mind. The answer is, they are sociable but also love to have their downtime.

Hence, do not be shocked if you are playing with your Russian Blue and she suddenly decides to go to her favorite spot and simply take a nap.

Are Russian Blue Cats Clingy?

As I mentioned earlier, Russian Blue cats love their alone time. They do not enjoy being smothered by their owners. Although, they may require some attention occasionally. Hence, there are plenty of cat toys out there that will enable not only your Russian Blue to have fun but for you to bond with your cat too!

What Toys Does Russian Blue Cat Prefer to Play With?

First of all, it is important to note that Russian Blues love to expend their energy by remaining thoroughly active. They are also considered one of the most intelligent amongst all cat breeds. Hence, it is best to get them a toy, which will not only keep them busy but also stimulate them mentally.

Hence, some of the best toys to keep a Russian Blue cat fully entertained are as follows.

  • Cat Charmer or Cat Teaser
  • Laser Pointer
  • Crinkle Balls and Fur Balls
  • Interactive Toy and Food Dispenser
  • Scratching Post

These toys have prices ranging from $5 to $22. Hence, you can check out our article “What is the Best Toy for Your Russian Blue” to educate yourself more before deciding on what to purchase.

Are They Destructive?

The answer is no, Russian Blue cats are not destructive. They are moderately active cats that simply require something to keep them mentally stimulated. However, if you give them toys that do not present them with any challenge, then they may get bored.

This boredom may lead them to find entertainment somewhere else and cause damage to some of your valued items. Hence, it is of key importance to give them options for staying engaged, especially mentally!

Do Russian Blue Cats Eat A Lot?

You may have watched cats eating and even commented that they look adorable while doing so. However, once you own a cat yourself, it is very important to monitor what and how much your cat is eating.

This is especially important because Russian Blues love to eat! The fact that they have a good appetite may seem great at first. However, this could lead to obesity and eventually more dangerous issues. Such issues could consist of anything from Arthritis to Diabetes.

Therefore, let us look at what their ideal diet consists of and remember to feed them an appropriate amount every day!

What Does Their Ideal Diet Consist Of?

The first thing to make note of is that Russian Blue cats prefer to eat 10 – 15 times a day. However, by making sure that you place an appropriate amount of food in your cat’s food bowl every day, you can control your cat’s food intake.

Now, when choosing the best food for your Russian Blue, you need to know what your cat requires to remain healthy.

For instance, protein plays a huge role in muscle development in Russian Blues. Whereas, vegetables like carrots, asparagus, spinach, etc. are also equally important. Therefore, below is the list of 6 essential nutrients that should be included in a Russian Blue’s diet.

  • Animal proteins (ex: Turkey, Beef, Eggs, Chicken, Fish)
  • Animal fats (ex: foods that contain fatty acids like Omega 3 and Omega 6)
  • Carbohydrates (ex: wheat and rice which are usually included in canned cat foods)
  • Vitamins (ex: foods rich in Vitamin A, D, B1, B2, B3, B6)
  • Minerals (ex: foods rich in Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Chloride)
  • Water

Moreover, if you start looking into cat foods sold in the market, it may cause you to tumble down a never-ending hole because there are a lot of brands offering seemingly high-quality products. However, the main thing to remember is that high-moisture foods are important in a Russian Blue’s diet just as much as dry foods.

To make it a little easier for you, I have a list of brands that provide high-quality food, at a reasonable price!

  • Nom Nom
  • Fancy Feast
  • Blue Wilderness

However, remember that you can always opt to cook a meal for your Russian Blue too! All you need is to keep the 6 essential nutrients mentioned above in mind when choosing the ingredients.

Taking Care of Russian Blues (Cleaning and Grooming)

Taking care of a Russian Blue might be the easiest job of all if you have a little patience! This is mainly because Russian Blues love to remain clean. It is almost guaranteed that you will not find your Russian Blue rolling around in mud or going near dusty areas.

However, as a Russian Blue cat owner, you will need to ensure that your cat is cleaned and groomed regularly.

For instance, your Russian Blue will always want their litter box to be clean. If not, then there is a definite chance that they will use a different, cleaner, spot in your house to relieve themselves!

Moreover, there is also a misconception about cleaning your cat. It is not enough to simply bathe them and brush their coat of fur. You will also need to take responsibility for cleaning their teeth, ears, and eyes.

Although this may seem tedious, dental hygiene is of utmost importance. Hence, it would bode well for you to purchase a cat-safe toothbrush and toothpaste and use it to clean your cat’s teeth at least twice a week.

As for their ears and eyes, you can clean them by using a cotton gauze, dip them in cleaning solution, and gently wipe the inside of their ears and the corners of their eyes.

Furthermore, it is also useful to note here that despite a Russian Blue’s double coat, they do not shed fur as much as other cat breeds! Hence, this will make cleaning up after them much easier.

Another advantage to the fact that they do not shed as much of their fur is that the reduced amount of dander and allergens will ensure that people with mild allergies will not be affected as severely. Hence, if you know someone, who is allergic to cat dander, who spends a lot of time in your home, then with a Russian Blue cat they may not have any issues at all!

Is Owning a Russian Blue Too Expensive?

Finally, let us look at whether owning a Russian Blue is practical for you. Does it fit your budget? Will you be biting off more than you can chew?

Is it a Practical Choice for You?

With all of the above information, I am sure that you can guess how much the cost of owning a Russian Blue will turn out to be. However, if you do not have a fixed budget then focusing on whether the responsibilities that come with owning a Russian Blue is something you can handle.

The most important thing to remember is that although Russian Blue cats are easier to maintain, there are certain duties that you will have as a cat owner.

Therefore, if you want to add an intelligent, moderately active, partially independent, fairly clean, and very elegant cat to your home, then a Russian Blue is the way to go!

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