How Big Do Russian Blue Cats Get? [Average Size Guide]

If you are looking at the Russian Blue cat breed, then it is only natural to consider their size and what this can mean regarding their ownership and care. How big do they get; both in terms of height and weight? When can you expect them to reach their full adult size and leave their days as a kitten behind? I spent some time researching this mesmerizing breed and will be sharing with you all the information I could find regarding their proportions here today.

So, how big do Russian blue cats get? Russian blue cats typically grow to a height of 10 inches and weighing between 7 to 15 pounds, on average. Russian cats usually stop growing by the time they are 12 months of age, although some individuals take a few more months to reach their full adult size. Equally, some cats of this breed have been known to bloom early and complete their growth before 12 months.

The Russian blue cat is certainly one of the best cat breeds to own as a pet.

It comes as no surprise that this cat breed is growing in popularity. There are many reasons for it.

Elegant in appearance, a low-shedding coat, and sweet and affectionate temperament and nature to name but a few.

Equally, they do not possess the typical cat personality; being somewhat aloof and easily frustrated by us humans.

Instead, the Russian blue cat is renowned for developing a deep and loving bond with its owners, being very loyal and open to attentiveness.

Let us now take a closer look at the average size of this breed, along with those factors that can influence their final size.

We also look at if they are considered a small breed, and some size considerations for owners.

So, if you are serious about taking in one of these majestic felines, be sure to keep reading to set your expectations and be able to consider what is involved.

Average Russian Blue Cat Height, Weight And Size

Russian blue cats are a medium-sized pedigree, tending to reach up to 10 inches in height and weighing between 7 and 15 pounds at their full adult size.

Male Russian blues are often larger than females, but other than that, they do look the same.

If you are looking at other breeds and would like a point of reference; these cats would be in the same category as the Oriental short hair and the Korat in terms of their physicality.

Long, elegant, and slender; medium-sized yet relatively muscular.

There are some factors that are known to influence their final size however. Some of these are out of your control, whereas others will be somewhat influenced by an owners care.

These factors include:

• Gender – males are often larger than females,
• Genetics – kittens often grow to a similar size of their parents. So, larger parents naturally mean larger kittens (adult cats).
• Nutrition – better quality nutrition and appropriate feeding servings/schedules ensure optimal growth and prevent malnourishment or obesity.
• Internal Parasites – can prevent a cat from obtaining the minerals and vitamins from the food they need to grow and develop.
• Health conditions/complications – can impact proper growth of bones/joints, or even have an impact on posture which can give the illusion of being smaller.

These are perhaps the mains ones to consider. But there are others.

For example, neutering and spaying can influence your cat’s final size. Its also known that cats neutered from an early age, tend to grow larger than those spayed or neutered later.

One thing to note with this breed is that they are often sold already having been spayed or neutered. This is to protect the lineage of the cats and also the supply and demand.

While this does give you one less thing to worry about, its also something you may want to consider.

Here’s another interesting point.

The Russian blue cat can often appear larger than other cats; due to its thick double coat.

The hair does stand out at a 45-degree angle, and you can quite literally trace patterns in it if you were to inspect it closer.

Interestingly it is their eyes that can help give an indication as to their age and in relation to their size.

As kittens, this breed’s eyes are yellow until they are four months old when a bright ring appears around their pupils.

As this cat ages, the eye color develops a more vivid green; this is a real indication of your cat’s adulthood.

In terms of their frame, Russian blues have defined muscles that rest on their slender, fine-boned body. This gives them somewhat of an elegant and royal appearance.

Perhaps the most distinguishing feature this cat possesses outside of their eyes however, has to be their “smile” – their slightly upturned mouth.

Are Russian Blue Cats Small?

Russian blue cats are not small, instead being classified as a medium-sized cat.

That being said, as with any animal, there could be complications that result in them not reaching their full size and potential.

It’s also normal and entirely natural for an owner to panic when their kitten doesn’t reach certain milestones for their age.

Some Russian blues do take longer than the expected 12 months to reach their maximum growth, so it’s important not to compare your cat with others.

Every cat is different and so long as your take good care of your cat, and ensure they are growing without issues, then all should be fine.

Its also entirely normal for some cats to be smaller than the average.

Getting your cat regularly checked by a vet, along with having an open dialogue with them will help you to ensure that your cat reaches their potential – whatever this may be.

Beyond this, there are some things you can do, and that will fall on you as a responsibility for being an owner.

For starters, you will want to ensure that your Russian blue is getting adequate and appropriate nutrition for each development stage.

Consider that dietary requirements and needs differ over the course of your cats life.

Generally, if you are using a high quality cat food and feeding it as per the instructions, or are using a food recommended by your vet, you should be okay.

Still, you vet will let you know if they are concerned about your cats size.

For a cat so slim, this cat does actually love to eat. Do not be surprised if they look for or seek out seconds!

While you do not want your beloved cat to go hungry, at the same time, this particular breed is easy to overfeed, so watch out for that too!

Let us now take a closer look at some of the reasons why a Russian blue may be smaller than expected.

Insufficient Diet

In some cases, Russian blue cats may be small because they have not received an adequate diet with all the nutrients that they require.

Consider the following essential nutrients that cats need for balanced nutrition:

Animal Protein

Cats are obligate carnivores requiring amino acids from meat.

This helps to develop their organs, bones, and tissues. They need meats like chicken, turkey, beef, and fish.

The better brands of food will be based around these protein sources and should be sought out.

Fats

Cats require good fats in the form of specific fatty acids like Omega 3 and 6. These are the kind you’ll find in fish.

These fats help regulate your cat’s body temperature, give energy, and absorb vitamins like A, D, E, and K.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates equip a cats body with energy and help a number of bodily processes involved with growth. Good sources of carbohydrates to include in your cat’s diet can include specific grains like wheat, oats, barley and rice.

These are often found in cat foods alongside the required proteins and fats.

Vitamins

Cats need vitamins like A for a robust immune system, Vitamin D for good vision and sufficient vitamin B1 for the metabolism of carbohydrates and energy

Vitamin B2 is important in particular for healthy growth.

Minerals

Cats require minerals for transporting oxygen, creating necessary enzymes, and using and utilizing nutrients.

Essential minerals include calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium, and chloride.

Water

Cats are not natural water drinkers. They get most of their hydration that they require from their diet.

However, water is still essential for cats. It maintains their temperature, eliminates toxins, distributes and metabolizes nutrients within their bodies.

Ensuring your cat has sufficient and regular access to water is recommended.

Nutritional Pitfalls To Avoid

Either too little or an overabundance of the incorrect minerals can cause growth issues with your cat.

They should be eating the right balance of sodium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, and calcium.

For calcium in particular, an insufficient amount can make bones softer; more likely to fracture and less likely to solidify and develop as required.

Other Reasons A Russian Blue Cat Can Be Too Small

The Russian blue cat has no specific health issues related exclusively to its pedigree.

Generally, this cat is quite a healthy one.

But this does not mean that they are not prone to health issues of cats, as animals.

Russian blues may be too small if they have inherited a condition known as hyperthyroidism, or diabetes.

Both have similar symptoms such as changes to appetite, significant weight loss, excessive thirst, diarrhea, and frequent urination.

A worm infestation can also cause a cat issues with growth and preventing the required weight gain.

Symptoms here include weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, constant coughing, a bloated belly, and even worm segments in the anus or feces.

Regular and routine worming helps prevent the issue, and you can discuss this with your vet during their routine examinations.

The only other issue that can impact their size, and as previously mentioned, is their obsession with food.

They can become overweight, which can result in a number of health problems.

As with most pets, if a cat develops a condition, they are likely to lose their appetite which if goes on for long enough, can result in them being smaller than they should be for their age.

At What Age Are Russian Blue Cats Fully Grown?

A medium-sized cat like the Russian blue usually reaches adulthood between 12 months to 18 months.

Although, some cats have been known to take as long as four years old to reach their full adult size. This is however the exception rather than the norm.

Kittens grow the fastest in the first week of their birth, where they literally double in size!

During this time, their diet plays a key role. Kittens require plenty of calories during the early stages of life to support it or otherwise stunted growth can occur.

As mentioned above, certain health problems can also prevent a Russian blue cat from fully developing.

However, aside from diet and health, a spayed or neutered cat will grow larger than one that didn’t have the same procedure until adulthood.

While it’s true that some cats continue to grow after 12 months, their growth tends to be slow.

So slow in fact that it can even go unnoticed.

The only real way to determine your cat has stopped growing is to weigh and measure her each month.

Russian Blue Cat Size Considerations For Owners

One other aspect of owning a pet, is how their size could impact your life and lifestyle.

For the Russian Blue, you’ll be pleased to know that they suit a number of different owners.

This is due in part to their size, but also their temperament and personality.

Let us quickly look at the main considerations you may have and how this breed typically fares.

Home and Space

Russian Blue cats are great for all size homes, and this even includes smaller apartments.

They are a nice combination of being both relaxed and playful, affectionate and independent.

Equally, they are not known for being destructive or tearing up furniture because they are bored!

They do not require a lot of space and do quite well in intimate environments.

That being said, they’ll also do well in a larger home, where they can come and find you if and when required.

This is true for both Russian Blue kittens and cats.

Diet

As your cute little Russian blue kitten matures into a gorgeous adult cat, you must change their diet to meet their new level of nutritional requirements.

This means switching from kitten food to adult food as soon as she reaches one year of age.

Cat owners must realize that they must provide smaller portion sizes when their cats become adults, particularly if they have been either spayed or neutered.

Russian Blue cats usually are sold de-sexed (breeders term for spayed). This prevents further breeding, which in turn keeps them rare.

Each Russian blue cat is unique and will have their particular preferences when it comes to food.

Remember that cats are strictly carnivores, yet they must receive over 40 different and specific nutrients from their food.

Portion sizes depend on their age, activity levels, and general health.

Always keep in mind your pet’s optimum body condition when serving their food. You must strive to feed your pet according to the guidelines while catering to her preference concerning wet or dry food recipes.

Finally

The Russian blue cat is a wonderful breed; not only are they generally healthy, but they are also a long-lived cat with an average life expectancy of 15 to 20 years.

This is a medium-sized cat with an average height of 10 inches and weighing between 7 to 15 pounds.

You can help your cat reach their expected size by feeding them the right foods in accordance with their age.

Naturally, kittens need more calories than older cats as they have more energy to burn.

Remember that your cat needs a high-quality diet with the right balance of nutrients from day one.

The right food will support your cats growth and promote their overall health and wellbeing, which will be evident in her appearance.

They will have a shiny, pristine coat, bright eyes, healthy teeth, claws, and appropriate energy levels.

Russian blue cats famously love their food, if your cat isn’t eating, this is a cause for concern, and you should look to seek out some veterinary attention.

If your cat has a healthy appetite, is not showing any other reasons for concern, but is a little smaller than the average, this is usually not a significant worry. Unless your vet tells you otherwise.

All in all, if you came here today wondering if their full adult size could be a showstopper in you getting one; thankfully it should not pose any issues.

Although the cost is another matter altogether. So if you are still looking at bringing one of these cats into your life, be sure to read our cost guide here.

Are you wondering how big other cat breeds get? Then my following size guide may be of interest:

• How Big Do Cats Get? [The Definitive Size Guide]