The Russian Blue is an elegant, graceful cat with a dense, silvery-blue coat and bright green eyes. It’s generally a healthy, long-lived breed, but Russian Blues are known for loving their food, and they can easily become overweight. Here’s how to feed a Russian Blue kitten and adult.
Does a Russian Blue Need Special Food?
No cat breed needs a special food to be healthy. Like any cat, a Russian Blue needs a complete and balanced food (labeled as meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles in the US, or as a “complete” food under FEDIAF guidelines in the UK) that suits its age, weight, activity and health. Some brands make breed-specific foods, and they can be a convenient choice, but a good-quality complete food for the right life stage works just as well. The most important thing for this breed is measuring meals carefully and resisting those pleading green eyes.
Feeding a Russian Blue Kitten
Russian Blue kittens need a complete kitten food rich in protein and energy. They can be cautious about new things, including new foods, so make any changes slowly.
- when you bring your kitten home, keep feeding the food it ate at the breeder or shelter for the first week or two, then switch gradually;
- feed a complete kitten food (or an “all life stages” food) until about 12 months old;
- kittens under 6 months usually need three to four meals a day; from 6 months, two to three meals a day is usually enough;
- always provide fresh water;
- don’t give cow’s milk, which can cause diarrhea.
Read more about feeding a kitten.
Feeding an Adult Russian Blue
Adult Russian Blues are often very food-motivated and will happily eat more than they need. Feed measured meals at set times rather than leaving food out, and use puzzle feeders to slow eating and keep your cat busy. Russian Blues are creatures of habit and may be stressed by changes in their routine, which can affect their appetite.
- feed measured portions, using the feeding guide on the pack as a starting point, and adjust to keep your cat at a healthy weight (you should be able to feel the ribs easily);
- include some wet food every day to help with hydration and urinary health;
- keep treats to no more than 10% of daily calories;
- weigh your cat regularly and see your vet for an annual checkup;
- if your cat has been spayed or neutered, its calorie needs will be lower. Read more about feeding a spayed cat and a neutered male cat.
Health Issues and Diet
- Obesity, which is the most common diet-related problem in the breed. Read more about obesity in cats.
- Urinary problems, which are more common in overweight cats that drink little. Read more about cystitis in cats.
- Dental disease, as in all cats.
If your cat has a health condition, your vet may recommend a specific or prescription diet. Don’t give supplements or change to a prescription diet without your vet’s advice, and see your vet if your cat’s appetite, weight, thirst, stools or coat change.
What About Homemade Food?
Homemade diets are very difficult to balance and are often missing essential nutrients, such as taurine and calcium. If you want to feed homemade food, use a recipe formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Never feed your cat foods that are toxic to cats. Read more: foods cats should never eat.
Read more about the Russian Blue breed and what to feed a cat.
