04.09.2022

Do Russian Blue cats shed? A realistic perspective on their shedding pattern

Knowing your kitty’s shedding pattern is a vital aspect of cat-parenting. The truth is that all felines shed, irrespective of the breed. It’s the “How much is normal?” that you should focus on, and that depends on various factors like the coat length and genetics.

So, do Russian Blue cats shed moderately, or are you in for constant cleaning and grooming? The most common opinion is that they are low shedders, but then you also hear from hapless cat parents losing sanity over their RB’s massive fur dumps everywhere. We’ll give you a realistic insight into:

• The regular Russian Blue cat shedding pattern
• Abnormal shedding in RBs and how to fix it
• Suitable grooming regime for this breed

We’ll also explain why nutrition plays an essential role in controlling shedding and present the best food for Russian Blues.

Shedding blues? Let me look that up for you, hooman.

Source: Cory Doctorow

How much do Russian Blue cats shed?

To understand a Russian Blue’s normal shedding pattern, you must start with their coat type. Purebred RBs have that distinctive bluish-grey, dense double coat—so thick you can hardly see their skin through it. Similar to short-haired breeds like the Siamese and Bengal, a Russian Blue’s shedding should be minimal because of their thick hair roots and short fur. If your moggy is an RB mixed with a fluffy cat like a Maine Coon or a Persian, they may shed more.

Cat parents of healthy RBs usually find no strings of hair on their hands or clothes when they stroke or cuddle with their companion. Feline grooming experts say that’s because this breed’s silvery fur is shorter than that of similar breeds like the British Shorthair, so most parents don’t notice the minuscule odd strands of hair that come off. You can clearly see the ultra-mild shedding if you use a dark-toothed slicker brush on your kitty.

Russian Blues naturally shed more during the moulting seasons—spring and fall.

Russian Blue shedding seasons explained

Seasonal shedding is a biological process that helps cats get rid of dead fur and prepare for winter or summer. Double-coated kitties like Russian Blues, Maine Coons, and Scottish Folds must shed a particular coat as the seasons change. They will shed their fine winter undercoat during early spring as they don’t need the extra insulation anymore. Once fall sets in, Russian Blues will shed their light, glossy outer fur more to make room for the heavier winter coat.

Keep in mind that Russian Blues may not shed seasonally when they:

1. Experience a longer photoperiod—A photoperiod is the amount of time your kitty receives warmth and sunlight each day. A longer photoperiod impacts your cat’s hormones and accelerates the coat shedding process. Your Russian Blue will shed moderately throughout the year if they go out more or take frequent naps by sunlit windows or in indoor gardens
2. Stay in a temperature-controlled environment—If your Russian Blue stays indoors with controlled heating and air-conditioning, they won’t shed seasonally as the always-pleasant temperature confuses their system. Depending on the average temperature of your home, your kitty may lose fur minimally or moderately all year round

Russian Blues are a low-allergenic breed. People with mild to moderate cat allergies usually tolerate being around this breed even during moulting seasons, although you must talk to an allergy specialist if you ever had an allergic reaction to felines but would like to adopt a Russian Blue kitty.

Getting baked in the sun? No, thank you. Kitties don’t tan—we moult.

Source: Lana

When does a Russian Blue cat shed abnormally?

If your Russian Blue’s excessive shedding is not affected by seasonal or temperature factors, it can be considered abnormal. There are four primary culprits:

1. A medical condition
2. Prolonged stress
3. Inadequate grooming
4. Improper diet

Medical issues that can cause a Russian Blue to shed

A strong coat is one of the crucial indicators of a healthy immune function in a Russian Blue. Here are some common medical conditions associated with chronic shedding—medically called “hair loss”—in these kitties:

If your Russian Blue shows signs of pain, lethargy, or an imbalanced appetite (besides shedding), take them to the vet for a thorough medical evaluation.

Looks like there’s a direct correlation between my shedding and my worrywart hooman's panic attacks.

Source: Meryem

How stress turns Russian Blues into shedding cats

Acute psychological stress in Russian Blues can lead to hair loss, especially:

• During pregnancy
• After a sudden change in their environment
• When they’re left alone for a long time

Besides shedding, emotionally overwhelmed Russian Blues tend to suffer from constipation and IBS. They may also act reclusive and refuse to eat their regular wet or dry food.

The best way to deal with a high-strung RB is to address the stressor. You can talk to an animal behaviourist for help.

Russian Blue cat grooming tips to minimise shedding

Many Russian Blue parents avoid grooming their cats as they believe it:

• Hurts their skin
• Makes them “less fluffy”

Lack of grooming entails dirt and oil accumulation around fur strands, weakening them and making them brittle and prone to breakage. Here are some essential grooming tips to keep your RB kitty’s coat in good shape:

1. Brush your kitty once a week—two times during shedding seasons or if they’re exposed to heat and humidity
2. Use a brush with gentle bristles
3. Apply slow and light pressure so that the strokes draw out loose fur only and feel like a relaxing massage to your RB
4. Bathe them when they’re dirty or once every 4–6 weeks, using:
1. A moisturising hypoallergenic shampoo
2. Lukewarm water
5. Use positive reinforcement or treats to keep the session pleasant for your kitty

Besides brushing, you should also regularly clean your Russian Blue’s teeth, eyes, and ears for overall hygiene.

The GOAT tip—turn grooming rituals into bonding sessions with your kitty!

Source: shadow.korat

The link between a poor diet and shedding in Russian Blue cats

The symptoms of poor feline nutrition are so subtle and generalised that most cat parents fail to recognise them on time. Kitties on a less than optimal diet not only shed a lot but are also at risk of other health problems, such as:

• Regurgitation
• Frequent hairball expulsion
• Irregular weight (anorexia or obesity)
• Gastrointestinal issues and stomach sensitivity

To enjoy good skin, coat, and overall health, your kitty should be on a meal plan with:

1. Over 50% animal protein—Amino acids like taurine and lysine in animal protein maintain skin elasticity, promote fur thickness, and build muscle strength, helping Russian Blues keep their natural athletic physique and regal looks
2. Up to 20% healthy fats—Healthy fats include monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in chicken, salmon, tuna, turkey, mackerel and similar products
3. Less than 3% carbohydrates—Since cats are true carnivores, carbs do nothing for their skin or coat. We’ve added carbs to the list as many popular products, especially dry food, contain too many carbs in the form of sugar and rice starch. These products are usually low in animal protein and lead to problems like weight gain, dull coat, and round-the-year shedding

Give your Russian Blue grain-free wet food with whole meat (not meat derivatives or bone digests) to prevent abnormal shedding. Whole meat delivers essential micronutrients like taurine, iron, zinc, collagen, omega-3 fatty acids, and keratin that:

• Make hair follicles stronger
• Improve skin hydration and fur volume
• Promote wound healing

The whole meat factor—is your kitty’s food skin and coat friendly?

Image (c) Untamed

Make balanced nutrition a priority—try Untamed

No Russian Blue should lose their coat’s signature blue sheen because of subpar food. Get your kitty whole-meat meals from Untamed with all vitamins and minerals needed to keep their coat lustrous and strong inside out. Our wet food products come as jellies and gravies prepared with 60%–63% whole meat and fish—that’s twice more than what cats get with average food.

We go the extra mile by using human-grade meat for our recipes, as it is safer and more nutritious than nondescript pet-grade ingredients. Our dishes are:

1. Developed by vets—Untamed formulas are designed by vets to deliver animal protein, healthy fat, and other nutrients to your feline in suitable amounts. We don’t reduce the nutritional value with fillers like:
1. Animal by-products
2. Vegan and dairy proteins
3. Grains
4. Sugar
2. Steamed gently—We simmer the ingredients to:
1. Make the food soft, hydrating, and digestible
2. Preserve the flavour, colour, aroma, and nutritional value of meat
3. Allergen-free—We refrain from using harsh preservatives, colouring agents, taste enhancers, and known allergens. If you have a sickly kitten or a senior cat with frequent digestive issues, try our single-protein-source meals:
1. Tuck-in Tuna in Jelly with fresh tuna simmered in its own broth
2. Chocka Chicken in Jelly with shredded chicken breast and liver
4. Green-lit by fussy cats—Our whole-meat meals with duck, chicken, tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardine, ham, and shrimp taste like heaven to cats. Picky eaters cannot help but give in when you open an Untamed can!

Take our TRY NOW quiz and tell us about your kitty’s preferences to create a customised Untamed box!

My hooman nerds out on the nutrition calculations, but I’m only here for the drool-worthy taste.

Image (c) Untamed

Every day is a good hair day with Untamed

With a regular wet food diet of Untamed, your Russian Blue’s glossy, voluminous coat won’t go unnoticed! We also solve other nutrition-related problems for felines of all ages and breeds, such as:

• Helping kittens develop at the required growth rate (with a suitable meal schedule)
• Keeping adult cats lean, muscular, and active
• Boosting immunity and preventing diseases like diabetes, UTIs, and struvite stones
• Helping ageing kitties retain stable weight and appetite

Untamed is one of the best-reviewed cat food products in the UK. Our clients have shared how switching to Untamed benefited their kitties:

The ultimate fur-ever food for felines—it’s always Bon A-pet-treat with Untamed!

Image (c) Untamed

Do you appreciate fast deliveries? You’ll love Untamed’s service

You can introduce your kitty to Untamed within a day! Order our cat food online and enjoy free shipping for every delivery. Start the Untamed journey with our trial box—here’s what you should do:

1. Complete our TRY NOW quiz
2. Choose the products
3. Place the order

Let you Russian Blue sample our delicacies. If you opt for our cat food subscription, you’ll receive monthly supplies of your kitty’s favourite meals. You can modify, postpone, or cancel a delivery anytime!

Untamed is a carbon footprint neutral and ethically conscious business. Our:

• Packaging is fully recyclable 
• Meat comes from cruelty-free farms
• Seafood is sustainably caught and dolphin-safe