Best Cat Food for Russian Blue Cats & Kittens

Do you find yourself feeling lonely most weekends or in the evening after work? If that’s the case, Russian Blue cats can be the best companion for you. Russian Blue cats have the most vivacious personality, which makes them dear to many. This cat breed may be a bit on the shy side, but it is the sleekest and most playful, elegant, lovable and bright natured.

For you to maintain such a cat personality, it's important to understand what the best cat food for Russian Blue breeds are. You must feed them well to keep them healthy and active, and to boost their immune system. These foods will maintain that jovial distinctive and natural individuality your Russian blue cat exhibits.

Cats are more popular pets than dogs in North America, according to a US Pet Ownership report. There are 63 million pet dogs compared to 73 million pet cats. That statistic shows that over 30% of households own one or more pet cat(s). The beloved purring friends are, indeed, popular, and Russian Blue cats make one of the best cat breeds. If you are a Russian Blue cat owner, read on to learn all you need to know about Russian Blue cat food and general caring of this breed.

Quick Snapshot: Top 4 Russian Blue Cat Foods​

About Russian Blue Cats

Russian Blue cats are classified in the same class as the Korat of Thailand, the British Blue and the Chartreux of France. However, that does not mean that the Russian Blues are identical to these other breeds; they are one distinctive and unique breed. Russian Blue cats have a wedge-shaped head, bright, beautiful eyes, and a slender body. Their other breed cousins have rounder faces and stockier eyes.

Origins​

The true origin of Russian blues is less known, but from the point of their domestication, much is known. It was in the 1860s that some Russian sailors are believed to have befriended these felines, and brought them to Russia as their on bound companions to the port city of Arkhangelsk. It is not this reason that this cat is sometimes known as the Archangel Blue, after “Arkhangelsk" the city where this breed’s history began. The name is translated as “Archangel,” and it continues to honor the city where the history of Russian Blue in northern Europe and Great Britain was born.

Physique, Appearance & Longevity​

When it comes to the physical attributes of this breed, a well-fed Russian Blue cat can weigh between 7 and 15 lbs, and grow to a length of about 10 inches. If you feed the Russian Blue right, this cat can live for 15 to 20 years, and some live even longer. Although they are called Russian Blue, they can be found in a range of bluish and greyish colors, ranging from light silver to deep slate. These beautiful cats have glowing green eyes and pink paws.

Russian Blue cats have a perfect undercoat comprising a soft layer, which is sometimes silver in color. Although you have to comb or brush these cats almost twice a week to get rid of excess hair and give their skin oil ample time to distribute, creating the alluring shimmering look the breed is known for. It is because of this luminescent look that this breed managed to win so many hearts at 1875’s London Crystal Palace first cat show, even though it didn’t take any prize home.

Russian Blues have a well-structured lean, fine-boned, although muscular, body. Their heads are triangular shaped with pointed ears, with eyes that exhibit their friendliness and curiosity.

Russian Blue Diet & Nutrition Requirements

The same way you are careful during the selection of your diet, Russian Blue cats also need a well-planned diet schedule. One point that you must understand when choosing your feline’s diet is they are predators. Have you ever seen a lion, cheetah or tiger eat some grass? Then you must be careful when deciding which food your Russian Blue should eat.

If you don't know the type and amount of food to feed your Russian Blue cat; consult your vet. There is a wide range of foods to choose from but make sure you select the best mix of wet food and dry food. Always ensure you read food labels to understand what nutrients are contained in them.

How Many Calories?

A ten-pound Russian Blue cat needs about 220 - 350 calories a day, and that’s what you should provide.

When it comes to a feeding schedule, Russian Blue cats should be fed twice a day. Never let them eat anything more throughout the day, except when they are young. In the case of kittens that are less than seven months old, you can feed them kitten food three times a day. A quarter to half a cup of Royal Canin, Halo, Acana or Orijen is enough per serving. If you stick to that schedule and serving size, your cat should stay at a healthy weight and have optimum health.

Obesity​ & Food Allergies

Obesity and food allergies are prevalent in Russian Blue cats. Today, about 50% of cats in the industrialized counties are obese. Obesity has become very common, and can be difficult to treat.

If you wish to check if your cat is obese, hold her and try locating her ribs. If you are unable to feel the ribs by a simple touch and you have to put pressure on your finger to feel the ribs, then that cat is overweight.

Food allergies are also common in most cats if they're regularly supplied with the wrong food combination. Anytime you are planning to introduce any new type of food, it's best not to do so abruptly. Introducing new food slowly, bit by bit is advised. Do this until your fur baby gets used to the new food and likes it. After that, you can make it a primary type of food if you wish to.

Food for Fur

Weight isn't the only factor when it comes to your Russian Blue’s health. Your beautiful cat’s hair, its growth and the avoidance of accumulated hair patches are also important, and medications like Laxatone can be used for that purpose.

If you find your cat’s hair is drying up so much, add a couple of Lipiderm tablets or even flax oil and mix it into their wet food. Omega fatty acids and lipiderm supplement will help in improving skin and fur texture.

Macronutrients & Micronutrients​

A micronutrient dietary combination of vitamin D & A, protein, taurine, arachidonic acid, cysteine & methionine, niacin, amino acids, fatty acids and pyridoxine should be maintained, as well.

Russian Blue cats were predators in nature, and they evolved feeding on a low carb diet, so their carb metabolism is very sensitive. Any excess of carbohydrates can lead to obesity and diabetes mellitus. That’s why moderate carb feeding and carb type selection is essential.

Common Health Problems with Russian Blue Cats

Russian Blue cats are mostly healthy, although they are at risk of suffering from bladder stones and a few urinary tract issues. If you don’t give your cat enough water, she can develop polycystic kidney illness as well. This is why you should always provide them with clean, fresh water.

Though not a necessity, routine care of your Russian Blue should include combing them twice a week. This is because Russian Blues have a poor hair shedding ability, and they need to be brushed to maintain their good looks.

Lastly, obesity is a real risk for this cat breed. If you provide them with a kind of food they love; they're bound to eat and ask for seconds. That’s why you need to feed them cat food with balanced nutrients and stick to the recommended serving count and size. If you let your beloved cat eat as much as she pleases, you are putting her at risk of obesity. Russian Blues can eat much more than necessary, putting them at risk of being obese.

Recommended: The 4 Best Cat Foods for Russian Blues

Below are some short reviews of the cat foods that we highly recommend for Russian Blues and why we love them.

1. Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition

This food contains kibbles that are shaped to enhance chewing, and grasp between Russian Blue teeth. The beautifully colored shiny coats you see always depend on the cat’s diet, and this type of food can help your cat’s fur shine.

Royal Canine Feline Health Nutrition contains enough omega six fatty acids and L-tyrosine to achieve optimal hair growth, and help in the development of a beautifully colored coat.

Insoluble and soluble fiber are packed into this food type in order to prevent hairballs from forming, even when the cat is not combed. The fibers also boost digestion for your Russian Blue cat.

2. Wysong “Optimal Vitality” Adult Feline

With the high obesity risk of Russian Blues, carb content is one thing you do not want to mess with. In this dry food, the carb content is reduced, and 50% of this food is protein made of fresh, frozen and dried meat. This food is totally grain free, high in fat, high in protein and low in starch.

It is also very rich in omega three and six and has a low glycemic index, high enzyme/micronutrients/probiotics, and organic ingredients, and it doesn’t have a single artificial or even non-nutritional additive.

3. Purina “Fancy Feast” Poultry & Beef Feast Collection

This is one of the best wet food brands that Russian Blue cats love. The tasty flavor is made up from a combination of turkey, chicken and beef succulents, producing a taste that felines fall in love with it. This wet food’s tender texture does not only make it easy to bite, but it also helps in smooth digestion.

In addition to taste and easy chewing, this food type has balanced nutrients that will boost your cat’s health. The feeding ratio is straightforward: for every two and a half pounds of Russian Blue body weight, you need only one can of this food a day. For growing kittens, you can feed twice as much.

4. Wellness Natural Grain-Free Canned Wet Pate

If you are looking for the perfect food for your Russian Blue cats, this wet food should be on your list. This is a perfect food type made of proteins and grains. The food’s formula of preparation is healthy and uses nutritious chicken products, and no artificial flavor, meat byproduct, preservative or color additive.

This is one of the best cat foods for Russian Blue, providing a complete balanced diet for your cat with a guarantee on sweetness, high protein, vitamins and mineral content.

In Summary​

​Russian Blue cats are jovial, playful, good looking and well cultured. For your cat’s personality to shine, however, you need to provide her with proper care and good nutrition. Remember that maintaining a suitably balanced diet is one of the best things you can do for your cat.

The information above can help you to plan a proper diet plan and to choose the best cat food for Russian Blue cats and kittens. If in doubt about your Russian Blues dietary requirements or health in general, always consult your vet.