Longevity
Life expectancy
Its life expectancy is generally between 13 and 20 years. A balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, regular activity and annual veterinary follow-up help preserve its quality of life, with more frequent check-ups in older cats.
Build
A robust breed?
Its constitution is generally robust and its dense undercoat provides it with good protection. The absence of any reported specific predisposition does not exempt it from standard preventive monitoring or from particular attention to its weight.
Watch points
What to watch for
Vigilance mainly concerns weight gain, oral and dental health, parasites and common feline diseases. Any decrease in appetite, weight variation, change in behavior or difficulty urinating warrants prompt veterinary advice.
Overweight : An overly generous ration or insufficient activity can promote weight gain; monitoring body condition and portions is important.
Climate
Cold and heat tolerance
Its double, dense coat provides good protection against cold and bad weather. Nevertheless, it prefers the comfort and safety of a calm indoor environment. In hot periods, it must have access to cool, shaded and well-ventilated areas as well as water at will.
Weight
Tendency to gain weight
The Russian Blue being able to be prone to overweight, its ration must be measured and adjusted to its age, its weight, its activity level and its body condition. Daily play sessions and regular weigh-ins help to prevent a gradual weight gain.
Daily life
Good habits to keep it healthy
- Regularly monitor weight and body condition.
- Keep vaccines and antiparasitic treatments adapted to the lifestyle up to date.
- Brush the coat every week and every day during shedding.
- Inspect the ears and maintain the claws regularly.
Vaccination
Russian Blue vaccines: vaccination schedule
Which vaccines for a Russian Blue? Like all dogs, the Russian Blue receives essential vaccines from 8 weeks old: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. The puppy primary vaccination for Russian Blue is given in several injections 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on its lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may complete the protocol with vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary series | First booster | Then | Who for? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All pets |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All pets |
RabiesLifestyle-based Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughLifestyle-based Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisLifestyle-based Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseLifestyle-based Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisLifestyle-based Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Russian Blue vaccine boosters are annual for leptospirosis and rabies; for distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often sufficient after the first booster. Your veterinarian will adjust the schedule to your dog’s actual risk.
Which boosters for your Russian Blue?
Enter your companion’s age: we list the vaccines to do now and the next boosters.
Adopting well
Adopting a healthy Russian Blue
An annual veterinary examination is recommended, more frequent in seniors. Monitoring includes in particular weight and body condition, teeth, heart, kidneys, skin and ears, as well as adapting the vaccination and antiparasitic program to the lifestyle.
This information is provided for guidance only and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, consult a professional.
