When we think of a cat’s physical attributes, we often use words such as ‘lithe’ or ‘slender’ or ‘athletic’ or… well, yeah, fat.
Or chunky. Pudgy?
Cats can certainly get overweight – many of them don’t really regulate their own food intake and indoor cats don’t spend nearly as long being active as their outdoor counterparts, at least not under their own power.
So, any cat can get fat. Does this include Russian Blue cats? Can Russian Blue cats get fat?
Short answer: Their dense, plush fur can make a Russian Blue cat look fatter than they actually are, but yes, Russian Blue cats can get fat just like any other cat.
And like any other cat, there are a number of potential health issues that can crop up as a result of not feeding your cat properly and keeping their portion size in check.
The challenge with Russian Blue cats is that they look bigger than they actually are no matter what, so it can be hard to tell if you have a malnourished, properly nourished, or overweight cat.
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A Healthy Weight of a Russian Blue Cat
The healthy weight of a Russian Blue cat is between seven and twelve pounds, with males being bigger and heavier than females.
The best way to make sure your cat is on track is to make sure it is weighed as part of the annual vet visits.
Due to their double plush coats, it can be hard to tell on your own if your cat is overweight, underweight, or ideal weight, so talk to your vet if you have concerns.
Russian Blue Cats Habits to Watch For
It’s important to know what sort of habits Russian Blue cats have regarding their food and exercise. That way, you know what to watch out for and where you may need to step in.
Food habits: Russian Blue cats are… not very good at all at regulating their own food.
They will happily eat way more than they should, are smart enough to get into your food if it’s left unguarded, and will beg for treats with those massive green or yellow eyes.
Don’t fall for it! Keeping your cat’s portions in check is one of the best ways to manage their weight. Cats do best with a properly portioned diet of either wet or dry high-quality food (or mixed), plenty of protein, a low amount of filler, and only cat treats.
Some plain cooked chicken is also usually appreciated by cats! And of course, make sure your cat has access to plenty of fresh water.
Exercise habits: Russian Blue cats can entertain themselves fairly well, as long as they have access to toys, places to climb, and perches.
But playing with your cat every day promotes bonding as well as encourages exercise, so it’s a good idea to dedicate some play time every day.
Otherwise, make sure your cat has places to roam, things to do, and stuff to look at or this intelligent cat will make its own fun and you may not like the results!
Health Issues for Overweight Russian Blue Cats
Russian Blue cats are fine-boned and not terribly tall, so becoming overweight is a huge detriment to their ability to play.
They should also be fairly muscular, which will also break down if they are allowed to eat too much and not exercise.
This will make most Russian Blue cats more uncomfortable as they won’t be able to groom as well, get around as easily as they’d like, play as hard as they would want, or otherwise feel energetic.
There are other health concerns tied with obesity too:
- Heart disease
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
All three of these are fairly preventable by not letting your cat gain too much weight, but become worse over time once they start.
Diabetes in particular can take years off the lifespan of a cat and is fairly expensive for owners to manage.
Cats that are too overweight also have trouble grooming themselves (especially as they get older), have less maneuverability and are less active.
It may be cute to have a ‘chunky’ cat, but it’s not something you want to encourage!
And given that Russian Blue cats think that food is the best thing in the world, it’s all too easy for them to get overweight.
Conclusion
Russian Blue cats are certainly prone to getting overweight. They love food and their plush coat means that it is hard for owners to tell if their cat is a good weight, underweight, or overweight.
It’s important to talk to your vet about making sure your cat isn’t too fat (or too thin), feed them measured portions of high-quality food, and provide toys and scratching posts for exercise.
This way, you can be assured that you are giving your Russian Blue cat the best chance at life – even if your cat claims to be starving to death five minutes after dinner.
How do you manage your cat’s weight? Fortunately, my two cats are fairly good at regulating their intake and spend a lot of time tearing after each other!
Pam is a self-confessed cat lover and has experience of working with cats and owning cats for as long as she can remember. This website is where she gets to share her knowledge and interact with other cat lovers.