If you are in search of a cat that is affectionate, loving, shy, loyal and naturally well behaved, Russian Blue cats can very well be the perfect match for you.
Russian blues have a beautiful plush silver-grey coat that looks as if it is sprinkled with powdered snow. Their eyes are big bright and vividly green and their face looks as if they are always smiling on some secret joke.
But really, it’s their affectionate nature and playful attributes in addition to how beautiful they are, which renders them having such a devoted fanbase.
So, to answer the question.
Do Russian Blue Cats Get Along With Other Cats?
The answer is Yes, when introduced carefully, the affectionate nature of the Russian Blues allows for other cats to coexist with them. The Russian blue cats are sweet-tempered loyal cats who are capable of expressing their love with the entire family and demands it back in return. And as such these cats are great in playfully co-existing with other cats, pets and children.
While the Russian blue do tend to get along with other quite well.
There are certain pointers that you as a cat owner must be aware of.
So, I don’t want you to be satisfied yet.
In the subsequent sections we will discuss topics such as Russian blue personality traits, simple steps to introduce a Russian blue to your other cats and what to do on an off chance that your Russian Blue isn’t getting along with your other cats.
Russian Blue Personality: What Are Russian Blue Cats Really Like?
So, what is the world like when you own a Russian Blue cat (cat owners who already own one should confirm this).
Russian blue cats are thoughtful, intelligent and conservative felines who are capable of showering you with affection once they truly get to know you.
Anyone who is looking for a friend or a family member rather with whom you can share your love with and get some back in reciprocation Russian blues are the perfect fit for you.
And once she is comfortable in the environment you have created for her, don’t be surprised if she starts greeting you on the door when you come back home.
While Russian blues love being social and enjoy companionship, you will also occasionally find them by themselves having a quiet corner to sleep in.
Unlike, Bengal cats who need lots of active personal involvement and playtime, Russian blues do not demand you to be around all the time.
These cats won’t mind being alone at home while you are out at work all day.
But when you are around, they do enjoy an active playtime which is an essential activity for all cats.
Their looks are one of most distinctive aspect of their personality which I am guessing had a part to play in your attraction towards them.
They have beautiful thick grey and shiny fur which looks as if it is sprinkled with powdered snow.
The coat is soft, silky and plush and your fingers will leave distinct marks on their fur unless you smooth them away again.
You will find their fur very similar to the fur of a seal.
In addition to the luxurious silvery coat what makes their beauty even more profound are their big bright emerald green eyes.
Their eyes are large, round and distinct and you can very well get lost in them. That is if they allow you to look at them of course.
Living With Russian Blue Cats
The Russian blues are not the frankest of breeds.
Yes, they do enjoy company but in order for them to enjoy your company they need to know first hand that they are comfortable in your presence.
This of course varies from cat to cat but in general, the Russian blues are shy breeds that aren’t inclined to mingle with strangers immediately.
Just like making a new friend it may take you some time and effort to adjust themselves around you, but once the walls are down you will have a very affectionate friend in your circle.
This gives us an insight as to how you should go about introducing a new cat or pet in your home that already has a Russian blue.
Baby steps, patience and love.
Once truly settled in the ecosystem she and you are a part of.
That is when they truly start showing their colors. They may follow you from room to room, jump on your lap/shoulder, sleep besides you or rub their face against yours or start slow blinking at you.
You know all the stuff cats do to show you they love you.
Russian blues are very intelligent. They never forget.
They distinctly remember where their feather toys are kept, where the food is and don’t be surprised if you find the cat food shelf inspected thoroughly when you come back home.
While they are very cautious in trying something for the first time, they can be very stubborn once they put their mind to something.
Because they have a muscular physique, they are great jumpers and therefore, feather toys and high cat trees work best for them.
Russian blue cats require minimal grooming.
Just the basic grooming that every cat must periodically like combing, nail clipping and ear cleaning should suffice.
Tips To Introduce A Russian Cat To Other Cats Or Vice Versa,
See now that you are wholly aware of what is the nature and personality of Russian blues, I think you will intuitively know what you need to do to introduce a Russian blue to your other cats.
Still let me chart down a few pointers, in order for you to make sure your Russian blue gets along wit other cats or pets.
With respect to the topic under discussion I will assume the situation where you are introducing a Russian blue to a house that already has another cat.
You can just as well apply the steps if you already have a Russian Blue and you are introducing another cat.
Patience has to be the key with Russian Blue.
As previously mentioned, Russian Blues are inherently shy by nature.
They tend to gel well with strangers and new environment only when they know they are comfortable around them.
Therefore, don’t rush to greet your cats in order to make them get along with each other.
That’s the worst thing you can do.
A cat’s senses are far superior then ours. They will very easily perceive that there is a new candidate in their territory.
All you need to do know is make them understand that the new candidate is not a threat to their ecosystem.
Limit Her Exploring For The First Few Weeks
So, extending the point of patience here.
For the first few days or a week, ensure that your Russian Blue has her separate space or room to explore.
This will give her sufficient time and area to explore and get comfortable.
Here is the best way to do it.
Try and create a barrier between the areas of your two cats.
The barrier should be such that you can have your eyes on the reaction of both your cats.
Initially if there is some resistance in acceptance, that’s ok. That’s why the barrier is there.
And don’t worry if they can’t see each other. Their nose knows someone new has entered the family.
Making Them Eat On The Opposite Side Of The Barrier
So, this step is what is really going to get your cat to get along with your other cat.
When you have seen that your cats are individually comfortable with the other cat being in the house.
This is when you try and get them to eat and drink on the opposite side of the barrier.
You can do this on the opposite side of a door as well.
And slowly you can introduce a visibly smaller barrier where you can see both the cats.
Because when the cats realize that they can eat and drink comfortably around each other.
That is probably when they bring their biggest psychological barriers down.
So, making the eat in proximity is the next thing you should do after you know they are getting accustomed to each other’s presence.
Finally Increase Visual Access GRADUALLY Through The Barrier
Ok, so this is the most crucial steps of all.
All the steps you take before this are taken to get them comfortable with each other’s presence via their sense of smell and hearing basically.
When the steps above are successfully executed, its time to let them slowly and repeat slowly and gradually see each other while they eat.
Two very important cautionary steps before you do that.
- Keep the food bowls at a safe distance from the door or barrier that you are using, so that you know they can see each other but are far enough that there can be no immediate conflict.
- With every meal or if the situation permits move the bowls closer to the visual element so that they get accustomed to each other’s presence totally.
Another great tip here is to use a pet gate here as the barrier.
You can also then drape a blanket over the gate and kind of like “raise the curtain” over time.
This will give you a greater degree of control on how to make them visually appear to each other while they eat.
What To Do If My Russian Blue Doesn’t Get Along With Other Cats?
So, if you take it slowly just like the way I have taught you in the previous section of this post.
There are high chances that your Russian blue will start getting along with your other cat or vice versa, whatever the case may be.
While this is the ideal situation, there are chances that things may not get the way you want it.
Or maybe you are watching the video after the damage is done.
Don’t worry.
The thing that you need to understand here is that cats are not as complicated as we think they are.
The most important thing that you need to realize is that in cats, just like other animals the two strongest tendencies are that of survival and procreation.
As long as these two tendencies are properly addressed everything else will be fine.
I mean the personality and nature of animals differ from each other and this includes cats but all their life and action are rooted in these two tendencies.
In cats these tendencies find expression as food security and territorial behavior.
Now you have to see where these tendencies in each of your cat is getting suppressed.
Address it and you will see their conflict slowly gets resolved.
Yeah, its as subjective as that my dear.
Because here is the thing every situation, every cat and every ecosystem the cat is in for everyone reading this will be different.
Therefore, there is no one medicine that fits all. As much as we want that to be the case.
It’s just not like that.
Still here are a few pointers that you can try.
- Ensure that each one of them has their own food bowl, water bowl and litter box. For litter box the thumb rule is get one box for each cat and one more. So, for a house with two cats, it must have at least three litter boxes.
- Make sure each one of them individually gets their excess energy exhausted by playing with them till you can see them visibly exhausted. This is especially true with cats like Bengals who just have enormous amounts of energy. If you don’t do that guess where their energy will go to. That’s right aggression.
- If you see that cats are not mingling. Stop trying to mingle them. Never and I mean never have the careless attitude to leave them in a room to work things out. That is not how you deal with cats.
- Always remember with cats its all about scents. If you are finding that visible proximity is initiating conflict and aggression. Stop the proximity. First make them comfortable in each other’s scent and hen slowly advance towards visible proximity. Follow the steps I just told you in the section about introducing two cat above.
- Use pheromones to make them comfortable in your home and around each other. Pheromones mimic natural cat odour which humans can’t smell but it helps cats relax.
- Use treats and rewards when you see the cats are responding to each other in a friendly manner.
Should I get a Russian Blue?
Okay, so now I am hoping with the knowledge base you just went through you know almost everything you need to know about Russian Blues as a cat owner.
I am saying almost because that is the beauty about this existence, no matter how much we think we know it will always remain a mystery.
The same goes with cats too.
Every cat is unique, and has his or her own personality.
The one you will get to know only when you adopt them.
And don’t worry if you don’t know a lot about them, when you start living with them you will develop this intuitive understanding where you know what your cat needs in that moment.
For everything else, I am always here you see 😊.
So, should you get a Russian Blue cat?
If you are willing to include a being in of your love, responsibility and life, I way what the hell are you waiting for.
I have a request though, and you can decline it you want but please try and adopt one.
Instead of getting thoroughly fixed with specifics of a breed in your mind.
Because there are cats out there in rescue shelters who are in need of a forever home.
I mean if you can find a Russian Blue in one of those shelters fantastic.
That’s the best thing.
All I am saying is once you have decided to adopt a cat and you are going to visit a rescue centre, don’t come empty handed if you don’t find a Russian Blue in there.
I hope you understand.
Take great care of yourselves and I will see you in the next one.
Bbye. 😊
