Anyone who sees a Russian Blue cat is soon taken aback at how stunning they are. It comes as no surprise that you may be looking to own one. But how much do they typically cost and what can you expect to pay upfront? With this breed on my wish list, I spent some time researching the financials involved with ownership; you’ll be able to find all such information here today.

So, how much do Russian blue cats cost? Russian blue cats cost between $500 to $750 on average to buy as kittens. However, high-pedigree Russian blue kittens from reputable breeders can cost upward of $1,500. There is a range of factors that influence the price you will be expected to pay, from the cat’s age, breeder reputation, cat lineage, and local availability in your region.

Russian blue cats are a relatively rare pedigree, and this of course does have an impact on their price.

Beyond this, their striking physical characteristics make them a popular choice with higher demand.

These cats have a long, slender body, a dark gray, silvery coat, large ears, but the most remarkable feature is their bright green eyes. They are just, so cute!

Better yet, this breed is a favorite among allergy sufferers since they are low-shedding and produce low levels of a specific protein (known as glycoprotein Fel d 1) which is one of the main allergens that cats produce.

Naturally, economics come into play here which is why this specific pedigree does come to impact Russian blue cat price.

Additional costs for adopting one of these cats include their bed, food, toys, health checks, litter, and waste disposal.

Those usual things you would need for a pet, but a cat in particular.

Thankfully, these cats are low maintenance for grooming and you should not expect a large weekly grooming bill!

However, they still require some baths and a weekly brushing to remove the low amount of shed hairs. Frequent nail trimming, ear, and eye cleaning are also essential.

Let us now take a closer look at the cost of these cats t buy as kitten, along with the average price of adoption if you are considering this route.

We’ll also be covering whether or not these cats can be considered expensive to buy or own.

From there we will break down the ongoing costs of care and where you can look to buy one of these beautiful cats, if, you are still interested!

How Much Do Russian Blue Cat Kittens Cost?

From a trustworthy breeder, Russian blue cat kittens typically cost between $500 to $750. Although this is just an average, and this price can fluctuate due to a number of different factors.

Let us now take a closer look at each one:

Breeder Reputation

First and foremost, whom you are looking to buy your Russian blue kitten from will largely determine the price.

Those with a more notable reputation; whom has sold healthy kittens from previous litters, are registered with the authorities and can provide papers for their breeding practices (to prove they are Pedigree) command a higher fee.

The more you pay, generally the better the breeder will be.

That being said, research and due diligence must be applied, as should go through the proper channels.

You’ll also mostly want to avoid any kittens with ‘too good to be true’ prices, as this often indicates that the breeder did not confirm to appropriate breeding practices.

Cat Lineage

The lineage of the kitten, or in other words, the cats in which they were produced from is of equal importance in pricing.

It goes without saying but the higher the pedigree the cat, the more you can expect to pay.

Lineage is important for aspects like health and potential health conditions.

So, it naturally follows that you want to purchase a kitten with genes and genetics that are not susceptible to them.

Availability

The number of Russian blue kittens available in your area will impact their price.

With more kittens on the market, you would expect the price to be lower as breeders will be competing with others to find buyers.

And vice versa; less kittens mean prices are likely to rise as buyers are competing with one another to get one.

However, due to the appearance and positive traits and characteristics of the Russian blue, availability is more likely to be on the lower side.

Then again, seasonality and time of year can be factors here.

As can region specifics.

It may mean you have to travel to get your kitten. Which again, will incur some cost.

Whether that be in transportation or getting your kitten from the breeder to your home.

How Much Do Russian Blue Cats Cost To Adopt?

It typically costs between $15-$200 to adopt a Russian blue cat over one year old. This is the same price you would expect to pay for most breeds.

As you can see, adopting a Russian blue cat from a rescue shelter costs less than buying a kitten from a breeder.

This is because the shelters are owned by non-profit organizations that rely on grants, donations, and fundraising to remain open.

The price to adopt a kitten is higher, as age is a factor that influences the price and this is typically what people would prefer (a younger kitten).

The price to adopt a kitten is usually between $100 to $300.

But again, there are factors that influence adoption fees – including: age, health condition, behavior, and local demand.

Adoption fees often cover: neutering, medical examinations, vaccines, flea treatment, and microchipping.

In the shelter’s care, additional treatments include a post-adoption medical exam from a veterinary clinic, a sample bag of food, and a cat or kitten care handbook. You can also expect some post-adoption support.

One thing to note however, there is no guarantee that your local shelter has a Russian blue cat in their care, let alone a kitten.

There is no harm in asking, but set your expectations accordingly.

Sometimes, they may be able to recommend another shelter with a Russian blue cat, or they might have information that could help you find a good price for this particular breed.

However, take heed and again do your research and due diligence.

Some so-called “Russian blues” at shelters are often domestic short hairs.

The truth is, cats of this high pedigree are rarely abandoned; so adoption is less likely than you may have hoped.

Are Russian Blue Cats Expensive?

Pedigree Russian blue cats are considered expensive. However, this is true of any pedigree breed of cat and in terms of upfront cost, they are relatively similar in price.

In Europe, the average reservation fee from a reputable breeder is around $1,000.
Whereas in the United States, Russian blue kittens cost between $500 to $750.
Russian blue cats for show can cost upward of $1500.

As you can see they are not cheap. And here is why:

Trustworthy breeders are rigorous about their standards, and are not often open to selling their kittens to people that cannot provide the right care for this cat.

Having a higher price is therefore a natural safeguard against this.

Equally, the majority of Russian blue cats are sold spayed or neutered in an effort to prevent careless reproduction.

In this way, the market is not flooded with Russian blue kittens, keeping their rarity and preventing their price from plummeting.

Lastly, to be termed a true Russian blue they will need to have papers. They will need to be registered by a recognized registration body to prove they are pedigree.

As you can imagine this all costs money on behalf of the breeder, and this cost is reflected in their price.

Nevertheless, it is essential that you do get your cat from a reputable breeder.

This will ensure you are getting the cat you desire and not a hybrid.

Remember, cats are not recognized as a distinctive breed unless they have the pedigree as proof.

As to the cost of ownership and whether this particular breed is expensive. They do not have any distinct or additional reason to cost anymore than any other cat.

Whether you deem this expensive is relative to your financials and your budget.

Compared to a dog, cats can be considered relatively inexpensive to care for. Although compared to a pet fish for example, they could be considered costly.

Its all relative.

Cost Of Owning A Russian Blue Cat

The upfront cost of buying your Russian blue kitten or cat is one thing, but you must also factor in the extra money you will need to spend to be able to take care of them.

Russian blue cats are long-lived, with an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years. So, you will need to account for this.

Your highest recurring cost will be food, but this will change over time as your cat will need to eat a different type and amount of food.

The exact diet will depend on your cats age, weight, activity level, whether you’re feeding wet or dry food, and whether you have a female who is pregnant or nursing.

Nevertheless, here is a good average baseline to go by for a full grown adult Russian blue:

A healthy 8-pound cat requires around 30 calories per pound a day, which comes to a total of 240 calories a day.
When it comes to dry food, an 8-pound cat requires about 4 to 5 cups
For wet food, a full 6 ounce can should be provided.

However, be sure to check the packaging of the specific brand and food you are offering your cat. They will give you guidelines as to what to feed and when.

Otherwise be sure to contact your vet whom will be able to advise and assist throughout cats life.

I digress.

Let’s breakdown the cost of supplies when owning a Russian blue cat:

Supply	Price Range	Average
Cat food (per week)	$10-$40	$25
Treats	$10-$20	$15
Food Bowls	$5-$10	$7.50
Specialist Feeders (Optional)	$50-$100	$75
Cat Bed	$25-$50	$37.50
Blankets	$10-$30	$20
Cat Collar	$5-$10	$7.50
Leash and Harness	$10-$20	$15
Furniture Scratches	$25-$50	$37.50
Brushes/Combs	$5-$25	$15
Clippers/Trimmers	$20-$50	$35
Cat Litter	$10-$30	$20
Litter Box(es)	$25-$75	$50
Toys	$10-$30	$20
Grand Total	$220-$540	$380

The table above is based on average cost. It does depend on where you go and where you buy said items.

Equally, while some are considered mandatory you may not get all of these right away, such as clippers; or you may even decide to forgo them altogether and take your cat to a groomers.

One of the best places to get all the necessary supplies however, is over at Amazon. they have an extensive range and collection of all the necessary items and you can see your basket value in real-time so you can see what you are spending and ensure that it doesn’t get out of control!

So, all in all, you should be looking to put aside:

$500 upfront for required accessories
~$150 per month for ongoing costs such as cat food, treats and litter.

One other likely cost not referenced above are veterinary.

These typically cost between $35-$50 per visit and vaccinations and jabs usually cost in the region of $50-$100 per time.

As to how much of these are required are going to come down to you and your cats own personal circumstances.

Where To Buy A Russian Blue Cat

If you definitely have your heart set on a Russian blue, you generally have three options; through a breeder, an rescue or through an animal shelter.

Either way, you should conduct a decent amount of research against each option and of specific locations.

It’s not a bad idea to seek recommendations from local vets, pet sitters, groomers, and other cat owners, you know. They will be able to give you advice on whom to contact and of their reputation.

Social media can help when looking for advice on certain pets; although proceed with caution. This is not the place you should be looking to buy your cat, instead, joining groups for advice on where to look is as far as you should go.

Depending on availability, you may also need to wait some time for a Russian blue to become available. This is more likely if you go down the adoption route.

Let us now take a closer look at what each option entails:

Adoption

Occasional Russian blue cats turn up at rescue organizations and animal shelters. However it must be said that this is rare. You’d need to be lucky.

Russian blue cats a desirable pedigree, and when they are put up for adoption, they are snatched up very quickly.

If you are lucky enough to find this cat, the benefits are that the shelter would have provided health checks, and would likely have microchipped, vaccinated and dewormed them too.

As previously mentioned, the Russian blues you find at shelters might not be authentic Russian blues, so don’t expect pedigree papers when adopting them!

Breeders

Buying a Russian blue cat from a trustworthy breeder is likely to be the expensive option.

Make sure you research breeders in your area, and be willing to contact and even visit several.

When searching for a breeder online, be cautious of scams. Look out for red flags like cheap cats, continuous kitten availability, and websites allowing you to purchase cats with a credit card and without physically seeing them.

Once you find a decent breeder, open the communication and be sure to ask plenty of questions about their cats, how they are bred and if they come with papers.

Do not expect a kitten to be handed to you the same day; you must allow the breeder time to respond and perhaps run a few of their own checks.

Organize to meet with the breeder; you can go to their house, see where the kittens live and ask further questions that arise.

Check-in with yourself to see if you feel comfortable with the breeder, as your instincts matter.

Breeders usually sell kittens between 12 to 16 weeks old.

At such a young age, after you purchase your kitten, you should take them to a vet for a full health check.

Should You Buy A Russian Blue Cat?

Whether or not you decide to purchase a Russian blue is a decision that you will need to make.

First and foremost you should consider whether you can realistically afford them. Both to buy upfront and for their continued care.

The guide above should help you do this.

From there, it is a good idea to consider their specific temperament and personality.

This Russian Blue has gained the reputation of being somewhat shy or aloof. Although, they can be very affectionate once they get to know you.

In fact, they are a sensitive cat who need quite a lot of love, attention and affection.

It helps that they are so cute and mesmerizing, but be sure that you can spend the time with them to meet their needs.

In doing so, Russian blues do make a sweet and loyal pet; known for being very gentle and keen to greet their owners at the door when they arrive home.

As kittens, they can be raised with children and other household pets, and they are typically very loving to them.

While they are highly energetic during the kitten stage, they do get much calmer with age.

Generally, Russian blues are intelligent and independent; but they love nothing more than to curl up on their owner’s lap come the evening.

Finally

Russian blue cats do not come cheap. There is no denying that.

But, most pedigree cats do.

And in the context of the Russian blue, it is not without reason.

They are one of the most beautiful breeds, they have a wonderful temperament and they are low in allergens making them great for allergy sufferers.

If you are serious about getting a Russian blue then you will need to spend some time researching and exploring your options.

It comes thoroughly recommended that you seek out a reputable breeder. You should demand papers of the pedigree, along with checks into the litter and the parental cats.

It’s also a good idea to have several conversations with various different breeders, vets, authorities, and cat organizations throughout the process.

At the end of the day, it is only fair that the breeder is completely open and transparent with you, especially if you are looking to spend a higher amount on this particular breed.

Wondering how much other cat breeds cost too? Find out in my respective finance guides below:

Jeremy Williams

I am an experienced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets, from traditional pets like dogs and cats, to the more exotic like reptiles and rodents. I currently own a Cockapoo (pictured) called Bailey. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site dedicated to sharing evidence-based insights and guidance, based on my vast pet ownership knowledge, experience, and extensive research.

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