Russian blue is one of the most recognized and appreciated cat colors. If you own one or more Russian blues, it’s likely that many of your friends and family also do. That’s because this otherwise rare cat color is not only beautiful but also highly desirable among pet owners. However, if you are not familiar with what a Russian blue looks like, you may have trouble discerning them from other similarly colored cats. Fortunately, there are several clues that will help you quickly identify a Russian blue. These include the presence of blue eyes, a white collar around their neck, lighter-colored points on their ears (which distinguishes them from Siamese) and a blue tint to their fur.
This article will review some of the characteristics of this popular breed in detail so that you can recognize one the moment you see it.
How do you tell if you have a purebred Russian Blue?
All Russian blues are purebred, so purebred adults will have no other colors on their body but blue. They should also have a white collar around their neck and a light-colored point on their ear (usually the tip). Purebred kittens are also purebred and will have blue eyes and be lighter in color than mature adults. You can always ask your breeder to confirm that the kitten is a Russian blue.
This article will review some of the characteristics of this popular breed in detail so that you can recognize one the moment you see it.
Is my cat a Korat or Russian Blue?
The most important factor to determine whether your cat is a Russian blue or Korat is the color of the fur. The Russian blue’s coat has a blue tint that is not present in the Korat’s coat, which means if you see your cat with blue eyes, it’s likely an actual Russian blue. If your cat has a lighter-colored point on their ear (the one closest to their nose), they are most likely a Korat and not a Russian blue. The light color of this point distinguishes them from Siamese as well.
Another way to identify a Russian blue from other breeds is by looking for the white collar around their neck, which is also indicative of the breed. The last and final indicator for identifying your cat as being a Russian blue is by looking at its fur. They have white patches on their chest and face that are called “piebalding,” which is exclusive to this breed and can be found in only about 20 percent of other cats. These white patches may be difficult for some people to spot, but when you do find them, you will know!
Korats have whiter paws than russian blues because they have less melanin in their hair. Melanin provides pigmentation so that fur can appear darker or lighter depending on how much melanin there is in each hair follicle.
Is my cat a Russian Blue or a Chartreux?
It’s important to know the difference between Russian blue and Chartreux cats since they are similar-looking. In general, a Russian blue has darker blue shades of fur with lighter points on their ears and tail. A Chartreux, on the other hand, is more of a tawny color with yellow eyes.
Another way to quickly identify whether your cat is a Russian blue or a Chartreux is by looking at their paws. Some Russian blues have white rings around their paw pads while Chartreux don’t have them.
What color eyes do Russian Blue cats have?
Cats with blue eyes are the easiest Russian blues to identify. They typically have one or two patches of white around their eyes, and those white patches may extend down from their nose.
Russian blue cats with green eyes are also easy to identify because they’ll typically have a green dot on their forehead.
