03.08.2022

The best of two worlds—learn all about the Maine Coon Russian Blue mix

Maine Coons and Russian Blues are not usually bred together because of the difference in size, but accidents happen all the time!

The internet goes eerily silent if you’re looking for info on the Maine Coon Russian Blue mix, although you may have spotted cute pictures of these unique cats on social media. We have prepared this guide to discuss issues like:

• How Maine Coons and Russian Blues differ from each other
• What happens when a Russian Blue cat is mixed with a Maine Coon cat
• How to keep a Russian Blue Maine Coon hybrid healthy

We’ll also address some crucial health issues that plague kitties of this genetic mix and learn how to prevent them with a solid nutrition plan.

Russian Blue vs Maine Coon—main differences

Russian Blues and Maine Coons are two of the most loved house cats in the UK. To understand what their mix would look like, you should explore individual characteristics of these breeds.

Russian Blues originated from the Archangel Isles in Russia and were brought to the UK by sailors in the 1860s. Although they were not classified as a particular breed, RBs were part of many cat shows back then. By 1912, they earned a separate breed status due to their popularity. Even today, Russian Blue are famous for their dazzling short blue coats and demure personalities that make them perfect indoor cats.

Maine Coons are larger-than-average felines with long-haired coats. This breed was developed in the Northeastern United States and imported to the UK only in the late 1980s. They used to be hardworking farm or ship cats with a playful demeanour, quite in contrast to the introverted nature of Russian Blues. 

You can easily tell a Russian Blue and Maine Coon apart by their:

1. Physical differences
2. Personalities

Identity crisis? Me? No! There’s no room for that once you bask in your uniqueness!

Source: felinegood.pt

Physical distinctions between a Maine Coon and a Russian Blue

The differences in the physical traits of purebred Maine Coons and Russian Blues are obvious. Go through the table below to check them out:

Trick question for you, hooman—who’s more handsome?

Source: (left/right) zhang kaiyv/Monica Oprea

Personality traits of Coons and Russian Blues

Maine Coons are extroverted, outgoing cats, while Russian Blues are shy and reserved. Still, there are many characteristics that they share, namely:

1. Intelligent, observant, and trainable—Russian Blues and Maine Coons display high trainability because they are quick to understand their human’s needs and like to be of help
2. Independent—Both breeds can be affectionate without being clingy. You can leave them alone for a few hours if you provide them with interactive toys like cat towers and catnip chew sticks
3. Protective and loyal—Maine Coons and Russian Blues can be territorial when it comes to their household, so they are protective of their families. They’re especially watchful around kids and toddlers
4. Considerate towards others—Both breeds are caring and dutiful towards their humans. Since they are pretty perceptive, they may comfort you when you’re sad

Their principal differences are:

• Vocalisation—Maine Coons love expressing themselves with high-pitched purring and yowling. Russian Blues are rather quiet and prefer using a mellow tone of voice
• Living space requirements—Unlike Russian Blues, Maine Coons require a large living space, whether indoors or outdoors, because of their enormous bodies and the need to explore their environment and hunt mice, insects, frogs, and other critters
• Aggression—Maine Coons are friendly with dogs and other pets but can get impatient and hissy if something doesn’t go their way (the behaviour can be neutralised with social training). Russian Blues are polite but aloof with strangers. These kitties always keep their cool and rarely do anything to harm others

Maine Coon mixed with Russian Blue—what to expect

Breeds like Siamese and Ragdolls have been mixed with other breeds to create kittens of various colours and patterns. Most breeders avoid cross-breeding Maine Coons and Russian Blues because the contrast in size can lead to life-threatening pregnancy complications, especially if the queen is a Russian Blue.

Maine Coon Russian Blue hybrids are currently not classified as a separate breed, and there's little information on how they look or behave. It’s all about which gene takes prominence in a particular offspring—and nature is the boss of that.

Physical features of a Russian Blue Maine Coon mix

Here are some of the dominant physical features observed in a hybrid of a Russian Blue and a Maine Coon:

1. Fluffy, blue fur—A Maine Coon Russian Blue mix cat usually has a long-haired, grey-blue coat fluffier than that of the average Russian Blue. They may also shed more often. Most cats end up having the signature lion-like Maine Coon mane. If the Russian Blue gene is predominant, the kitty would have plush medium-sized fur, resembling a short-haired Maine Coon
2. Solid coat—Most kittens of this mix have solid-coloured coats, but bicoloured (grey and white) coats and tabby markings (acquired from the Maine Coon parent) are not uncommon
3. Medium-sized body—A Russian Blue and Maine Coon mix kitten grows up to be neither enormous nor petite. They can weigh between four to eight kilos and have a robust bone structure and musculature
4. Wide face—Most Russian Blue Maine Coon mixes get the facial features of Maine Coons. They have wide rather than oriental faces, while their snouts are prominent but not pointy
5. Green eyes—It’s common to find adult Russian Blue Maine Coon cross-breeds with green eyes and yellow rims. The shape can be oval or round
6. Not hypoallergenic—Russian Blues don’t overproduce cat allergens, but Maine Coons produce a normal amount. Their offspring is usually not low-allergenic

Keep in mind that long-haired grey moggies of indeterminable origins don’t have to be Russian Blue Maine Coon mixes. They can also come from other breeds like Norwegian Forest, British Shorthair, Korat, Siberian, or even be a Nebelung!

The mix-breed flex—when mummy and daddy are from two different planets, you gotta end up somewhere in the middle!

Source: smaragdeyeloona

The personality of a Russian Blue Maine Coon mix

The personality of a Russian Blue Maine Coon mix depends on which breed dominates their genetic makeup. If a kitty looks more like a Maine Coon, they would naturally grow into an adventurous, talkative, and sociable feline. They will love the outdoors, and you may need to train them to control their hyperactive side, especially if they are not neutered.

If a kitty resembles a Russian Blue, they would likely be shy and mild-mannered with a preference for a pampered, indoor lifestyle. These kitties may get overwhelmed when surrounded by strangers or unfamiliar pets.

Keep in mind that a mixed breed’s personality and behavioural patterns are unpredictable and depend on how you raise and socialise them.

Are Russian Blue Maine Coon hybrids healthy?

Mixed-breed cats are usually healthier than purebreds because of the wider gene pool. While they can develop breed-specific diseases, the chances of that are lower than in purebreds. To understand Russian Blue Maine Coon hybrids, you should look into the general health status of both breeds.

Russian Blues are relatively healthy felines with a lifespan of 15–20 years. Maine Coons have poor longevity–around 13 to 15 years—due to various age-related health problems. Here are some common health issues faced by both breeds as they get older:

There’s no research on the average longevity of Russian Blue Maine Coon hybrids, but they are susceptible to illnesses common to both breeds, such as:

• Diabetes and obesity—Both breeds tend to suffer from blood sugar and weight gain issues, which get worse because of lifestyle choices like:
• A dry-food diet (it contains a lot of carbs and fat, increasing the risk of insulin resistance)
• Lack of physical activity
• Too many snacks and treats, including eggs, pork, and crisps
• Bone and joint diseases—Russian Blue Maine Coon mix kitties are likely to suffer from issues like hip dysplasia and arthritis due to their large bodies. These conditions are further aggravated by obesity and a diet lacking in protein

An anomaly or a blessing—my health can be anything depending on the care I receive from my hoomans.

Source: smaragdeyeloona

Keeping mix-breed cats healthy—pay attention to the proteins in cat food

Most health problems of a Russian Blue Maine Coon hybrid stem from a low-protein diet. When choosing cat food, opt for products that:

1. Offer more than 50% animal protein—A Russian Blue-Maine Coon can maintain their health only if their regular meals have more than 50% animal protein. A lower value would mean the food has unhealthy carbs and fats that deplete muscle mass and bone density over time. Steer clear of products with nutritionally insignificant (or even harmful) fillers like dairy, corn, sugar, and veggies
2. Are made of lean meat and fish—Cat food often contains processed meat derivatives and bone meals as well as vegan and synthetic proteins, which don’t benefit your kitty because they are not suitable for the carnivore digestive system
3. Have clearly-stated ingredients—The labels on kibble and wet food products can state unknown ingredients and chemical additives that can be harsh on the stomach and cause allergies or gastrointestinal issues like gagging, regurgitation, vomiting, constipation, etc.

If your kitty needs quality wet cat food for everyday consumption, opt for Untamed. Our products tick all the right boxes because they are:

• High-protein (60%–63%)
• Grain-free
• Sugar-free
• Not filled with plant protein and meat derivatives

Untamed is all about enticing your kitty’s senses with whole meat!

Image (c) Untamed

Take no chances with your kitty’s health—get them Untamed!

Whether you have a purebred or a moggy, their dietary requirements are the same. Untamed meets the nutritional needs of every kitty. Our catalogue includes:

1. Gravy meals—Complete cat food providing all the nutrients kitties need, including taurine, vitamin E, and calcium
2. Jelly meals—Complementary cat food perfect as a snack, supper, or topping on biscuits

Untamed products are made with fresh whole meat from the human supply chain, offering optimal nutritional values. Our recipes work for every feline because:

• We pack two times more protein than average cat food. Our diverse menu includes fresh chicken, tuna, duck, salmon, mackerel, prawns, shrimp, and sardines to keep your furry friend strong, healthy, and happy
• Untamed gently steams the meals to eliminate the pathogens and preserve the taste and nutrients
• There are no common allergens in our food that could trigger food allergies in cats. If you have a kitten or a senior with a sensitive stomach, choose our single-source-protein meals:
• Chocka Chicken in Jelly
• Tuck-in Tuna in Jelly
• Many fussy cats who had rejected wet food before have been licking their dishes clean after switching to Untamed

Take our TRY NOW quiz to create a tailor-made meal plan for your kitty and order our trial box at a competitive price!

Lip-smacking good—moggy or pedigree, you can’t go wrong with Untamed on the menu!

Image (c) Untamed

Untamed makes the cat-parenting job easier!

With appropriate serving sizes and the right feeding schedule, keeping your kitty fit and energetic on Untamed will be effortless. Our cans don’t require heating or freezing—store them at room temperature, and they’ll entice your kitty whenever opened. Many cat parents have opted for our monthly cat food subscription and noticed the gradual improvements in their kitty’s health, as summarised below:

Untamed can also help your kitty:

• Gain healthy weight during kittenhood or while recuperating from an illness
• Delay or prevent chronic diseases like diabetes and arthritis
• Maintain kidney health and avoid painful conditions like bladder stones
• Retain suitable weight and appetite during senior years

Investment in Untamed means saving on vet bills down the line—order our trial box online and treat your kitty to a real feast!

Why settle for subpar products when your kitty deserves real food? Untamed is the best choice for your precious companion!

Image (c) Untamed

The Untamed trial pack—a box full of health and happiness!

Get started with our trial box with a week’s worth of meals—here’s how:

1. Visit our TRY NOW page
2. Provide deets about your kitty
3. Create a meal selection and place the order

Our delivery service is super efficient and free of charge—you’ll get your package within a day.

If you decide to subscribe to our service, we'll deliver a fresh batch of your kitty's faves around the same time every month. Managing your order is easy, and you can do it from your account.

We are committed to ethical food production, so we:

• Use recyclable packing
• Get our meat from cruelty-free farmers
• Buy fish and seafood from dolphin-safe suppliers