Russian Blues are beautifully elegant cats and there is no doubt they make wonderful pets, but how much does a Russian Blue cat cost?
You may be surprised about the price of a Russian Blue!
Russian Blue Cat Price – Everything you need to know about buying a purebred
The first thing to know is that buying a Russian Blue is not cheap – especially if you are buying a kitten. A kitten from a reputable breed is likely to set you back a massive £900-£1700. Unlike other breeds, such as the Maine Coon, the colouring will not affect the price – as Russian Blues’ only come in one colour – Blue!
(The price of a Russian Blue is roughly the same as the price of a Sphynx cat – this is because they are a lot rarer than other breeds such as Ragdolls.)
When purchasing from a respected breeder, you may find some of your initial Veterinary fees are included in this – for example, the kitten may come with their primary vaccinations and even a microchip. It is a good idea to discuss this when trying to find a breeder and deciding who to purchase your kitten from.
Do not be tempted to go for the cheapest option
When buying a Russian Blue cat (or any pet!) it is not always a good idea to go for the cheapest price. While you do not want to get ripped off, you also do not want to buy from a backstreet breeder.
Do your research and buy from a respected breeder. By doing this you will ensure you are purchasing a healthy kitten who comes from a long line of well-bred Russian Blues’, it can also be a good idea to ask to see evidence of the kitten’s family line (this will also help to ensure you are actually buying a Russian Blue and not a domestic grey kitten).
While the cheapest option does not always mean bad, it is best to be suspicious and query how they are able to sell the kittens for a low price – especially if they are trying to re-home them quickly. A reputable breeder will always want to ensure their kittens are going to good, safe homes.
Why are Russian Blue Cats so expensive?
As previously mentioned – the main reason is that they are rare – especially in the UK.
Secondly, this all goes back to the reputation and standards of the breeder. If you are looking for a pure, well-bred Russian, it is going to cost you. A good, respected breeder will not be looking to make a quick buck, they will be breeding the kittens because they have a love for the breed.
A respected breeder will most likely only breed from the same Queen once a year and when finding a stud (male) will have to ensure there is no cross in the lineage (to prevent any inbreeding). Many respected breeders also ensure they follow all of the guidelines set out by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy.
Other associated costs a Russian Blue cat Breeder may incur include:
- Stud fees (if they do not own the Stud)
- Genetic testing -to ensure healthy lineage
- Annual vaccinations and preventive treatment for the Queen
- High-quality food for the Queen and her kittens
- Primary vaccination costs for the kittens
- Veterinary health checks for the kittens
- Breed registration fee
- Microchips for the kittens
- +/- Neutering fees – some breeders may insist of proof of neutering to ensure you do not use the kitten for breeding.
- Time – While breeding cats may not be as time-consuming as breeding dogs, it still takes up a lot of time when done correctly and this will be factored into the price of a Russian Blue.
As mentioned previously, when done properly and respectfully breeding Russian Blues’ is not actually as lucrative as some people may think. It can often be more about continuing a good lineage of the breed.
How to find a good Russian Blue breeder
If you are willing to pay for the cost of a Russian cat you want to make sure your money is going to the right place.
Ways to spot a good breeder:
- Asked your Veterinary surgery for recommendations
- Ask friends who may have a Russian Blue cat
- Do not be afraid to ask the breeder questions! Questions may include: How long have you been breeding Russian Blues? Do the Queen and Stud have regular Vet checks? How many litters does the Queen have a year?
- Ask to see the kittens with the Queen – Do not purchase any kitten where you cannot see the mum with them (unless from a rescue)
- With purebred cats, ask to see proof of their lineage – a good breeder will have access to this.
- Ensure the kitten looks healthy. The cat’s eyes should be bright and free of discharge, ears should be clean and coat well kept. Have a hold of the kitten, it should be comfortable being held and not feel skinny or have a potbelly.
Before buying, ensure that you are satisfied with the health and conditions in which the cats and kittens are being kept.
Can you get Russian Blue cats from a rescue?
While it is a rarity, especially for a kitten, it is sometimes possible to rescue a Russian cat from a shelter home. All types and breeds can sadly end up in rescue homes, so it can always be a good idea to talk to rescue homes as well.
If you are in the UK, we recommend contacting the RBBA Welfare.
At Ginger Cat House we always support ‘Adopt Don’t Shop’ and believe you can find your perfect cat in a rescue – whatever breed they may be,
What other costs should you factor into the Russian Blue cat price?
So we have established the average price of a Russian Blue kitten is £900-£1700 but the costs do not stop there.
A cat is a long-term commitment (around 16 years!) and with that comes costs. Other fees you will incur include:
| Vaccinations and yearly boosters | £40-£50 per year |
| Neutering | Male: £40-£60 Female: £60-£100 |
| Food | £20-£30 per month |
| Preventative flea and worming | £20 per month |
| Pet Insurance | £15 per month Depending on age and policy |
| Toys and a scratching post designed for a big cat | On going costs |
| Brushes | £10 |
When buying a cat, the price obviously does not stop after the initial purchase price. Therefore you need to take this into consideration when deciding to buy a cat.
Veterinary fees are inevitable at some stage throughout your cat’s life. This will come in the form of preventative health issues such as neutering, vaccinations, and parasite control but sadly, also through natural aging and if they become unwell. Therefore, we always recommend pet insurance, the price for this can vary, but on average it will be around £15 per month for a good comprehensive cover.
Obviously, your cat is going to need to eat, so food will be a consistent cost. Diet will change at different points throughout your cat’s life, from kitten to senior. The most important thing is to ensure you purchase a complete diet, not complementary.
Food costs will vary and often it may be beneficial to buy cat food in bulk from places like Amazon.
Depending on your home situation, you may also want to purchase an automatic cat feeder. We use this double feeder – it works great for what we need and includes cooling packs to ensure food stays fresh.
Other essentials to consider when weighing up the price of a cat are toys and brushes. All cats, especially kittens need toys. Toys are obviously for enjoyment but they also stop behavioral boredness which may result in problems or stress for your cat. Try to purchase a combination of toys that they play with you and toys that they can play with on their own – such as interactive toys.
A good cat tower scratching post will also be essential to prevent behavioral issues as well as allow your cat to display natural behaviors. The size you need will depend on the breed, for example, a Maine coon will want to buy a cat tree for large cats.
Other costs you may incur include a safe cat carrier (we love cat backpacks for ease), cattery fees if you go on holiday, microchipping (£25 roughly), cat flaps, etc.
Have you decided you really want a Maine Coon? Well, it is time to pick the perfect name for a your new Maine coon!
Are Russian Blue cats predisposed to any diseases?
Unlike the majority of pure-bred cats, Russians have few health problems as they tend to have little to no genetic problems and are not prone to illness.