Do Russian Blue Cats Shed Much? (Cat Breed Guide)

Russian Blue cats are some of the most adorable cats you could possibly imagine!

Their grey fur and blue eyes have made them a popular pet for many families, and you may be wondering if a Russian Blue cat may just be the right addition to your home.

However, you will certainly want to know before you commit – do Russian Blue cats shed much?

Russian Blue cats have a thick, double-layered coat, but because of their short hair they shed very little, in fact shedding less than most other cat breeds.

In this article, we are going to learn a little more about this wonderful breed including everything you need to know about their lustrous coat.

Russian Blue Cat on White Wicker Armchair

We’ll look at their shedding characteristics, how to properly groom them, if they are hypoallergenic, how to reduce their already minimal shedding, and even how much hair you can expect to find around the house.

What is a Russian Blue Cat’s Coat Like?

Let’s talk about fur! While every breed of cat has a slightly different coat, the Russian Blue cat’s fur is particularly interesting.

Even though they have a double-layered coat (two types of hair), their fur is especially dense. Their hairs are short and plush, and they actually shed less than many long-haired breeds.

If you have ever held or even seen a Russian Blue cat, you know they look and feel very fluffy!

They don’t actually have more fur than other cats, they simply look extra fluffy because their dense double-layered coat stands at a forty-five-degree angle instead of flat against their body.

While this special coat does make Russian Blue cats especially cuddly, you may be wondering if it means they need extra grooming?

When Do Russian Blue Cats Shed the Most?

Like many other animals, Russian Blue cats shed the most in the Spring, as their bodies are preparing for warmer weather.

During this time, you may want to increase your weekly brushing to two or even three times each week to ensure your house stays as fur-free as possible.

Of course, every cat, just like every human, has a different personality!

While there is a chance that the one you take home will not like to be brushed, most Russian Blue cats can be quite affectionate and usually come to love the feeling of being held and brushed by you.

How Much Hair Will Russian Blue Cats Leave Around the House?

If you stay consistent in your grooming schedule and slightly increase the frequency during shedding season in the Spring, you should not find an abundance of cat hair around your home.

It is important to note that Russian Blue cats are extremely playful – they are great climbers, explorers, and they even love to play fetch. So, you may notice some hairs in strange places, like on your countertops or dining room table (naughty kitty!).

There is no cat breed that does not leave at least a few trace hairs around unless of course, they are hairless, but if you really want to reduce shedding to as minimal as possible, there are a few tactics you can try.

How to Groom a Russian Blue Cat

Are you still considering adding a Russian Blue cat to your family? Well, you will be very excited to learn that they do not need much grooming at all.

You should brush a Russian Blue cat once or maybe twice a week. Not only will this reduce shedding, but it also helps distribute their natural skin oils, leaving you with a healthy cat and an (almost) hair-free home!

The best kind of brush to use on a Russian Blue cat is one with fine steel teeth and soft coated ends.

These brushes can be found at almost every pet store, or you could also use a brushing mitt if your cat is a little finicky when it comes to being brushed.

Whatever tool you use, ensure you always groom them gently, starting with just a few brush strokes and building up to longer grooming sessions over time as they grow to love it.

Other than that, your Russian Blue cat will essentially groom themselves. They are notoriously clean animals, however, that does mean that they may refuse to use their litter box if it is not emptied constantly!

How to Reduce Shedding

Other than consistently grooming a Russian Blue cat on a weekly basis, there are several more solutions you can try to make sure they shed as little as possible.

Bathing your Russian Blue cat can also help lessen their natural shedding. Just remember, when bathing cats, it’s essential that you use special cat shampoo as their skin is particularly sensitive.

Ensuring your cat is eating a healthy and nutritious diet will also decrease their shedding. To find out which diet is best for your Russian Blue cat, we recommend consulting your veterinarian.
Ensure your kitty has a pleasant stress-free life! Stressed cats tend to shed more, so if there is something upsetting your cat it’s best to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Monitor your cat for signs of allergic reactions to grasses and insect bites. Reactions can lead to irritated skin, dandruff, and scratching – all resulting in more shedding. Check your cat regularly for signs of fleas, and invest in a flea comb.

If you bring home a Russian Blue and they seem to be shedding more than you expected, lose tufts of hair, or are constantly scratching – you should take them to see a veterinarian.

Are Russian Blue Cats Hypoallergenic?

There is quite a lot of contradicting information to be found on the internet on whether Russian Blue cats are actually hypoallergenic, so we are here to set the record straight.

The simple answer is no, Russian Blue cats are not hypoallergenic. However, and this is a big however, they do have much less of the Fel d 1 protein, which is the chemical that causes human allergies to cats.

It can be found in most cats’ saliva and hair, and even though there are minimal traces in Russian Blue cats, any amount at all can cause an allergic reaction in some humans.

So, while these cats may not cause as much of a reaction in most people with cat allergies, they are not completely hypoallergenic.

The Final Hairball

There are certainly plenty of breeds of cats to choose from, and sometimes it can feel quite overwhelming as they each have such distinct characteristics, physical attributes, and even specific needs.

We hope that now you understand a little more about Russian Blue cats, and especially what to expect when it comes to shedding.

To quickly recap, Russian Blue cats are very light shedders. You can reduce their hair loss even further by giving them weekly grooming, feeding them a healthy diet, bathing them regularly, and ensuring they are stress-free.

Russian Blue cats are also particularly special because they are less likely to cause an allergic reaction than most other cats.

Most importantly, they are playful, joyful animals that will most likely be a beautiful addition to your home and family!