For many cat owners, cats are like Pringles: You can’t have just one!
Many cat owners are also concerned that when they leave home for work, and the house is empty for the day, their cats are going to be lonely or under-stimulated.
While this may be true for some breeds, the Russian Blue cat has a reputation for being more independent and slightly aloof.
This may make you think that you don’t need a companion for your Russian Blue. But is this actually true?
Do Russian Blue cats get along with other cats or are they best in a single-cat household?
Short answer: Russian Blue cats may have a reputation for being independent, and they certainly can do perfectly well on their own at home for periods of time; however, this doesn’t mean that this breed of cat doesn’t get along with others.
Indeed, this particular breed has a very amiable personality and will probably quite enjoy having a buddy to play with.
The trick of course is making sure that you make your introductions properly so that the two cats learn how to tolerate each other and hopefully become friends.
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The Personality of a Russian Blue Cat
Russian Blue cats have a reputation for being more independent than many other breeds of cats, and for being more aloof. This isn’t actually true though.
Most Russian Blue cats are shyer than other cats, but once they get used to their people, they prove themselves to be very friendly, loyal, and affectionate.
This means that with proper introductions, there’s no reason why a Russian Blue can not get along with a new pet in the family.
There are some tricks to making sure that the transition goes as smoothly as possible and you want to make sure that you get the right cat temperament, but when it’s all properly done, your Russian Blue will probably quite enjoy having a partner in crime.
Do keep in mind though that Russian Blue cats are very fond of their routines. Bringing a new pet suddenly into the house will certainly disrupt this routine and likely make your cat unhappy.
Make sure that you make the introductions slowly and that your cat’s usual routine of eating, playing, and socializing is not badly interrupted.
Russian Blue cats are not aggressive cats so you shouldn’t have to worry about your pet picking fights with the newcomer. They usually prefer to hide and wait.
Tips for Bringing a New Cat Home
Russian Blue cats tend to be cautious, routine-oriented, and shy of new situations. This means that you have to be thoughtful in how you introduce a new cat.
A few things you can do to ease the transition:
- Create a barrier between your original cat and the new cat and make sure they have separate places. This allows both cats a place to retreat to and you can control their introductions better. Give each of them something that smells like the other cat so that they can get used to each other’s scent.
- Let cats eat on the opposite sides of the barrier. This lets them associate each other with good stuff and Russian Blue cats are very food motivated!
- Slowly let them spend more time together, seeing each other, smelling each other, and eating nearby. As they get more comfortable, you can start removing barriers.
- Make sure each cat has their own food bowl, water dish, and littler box
- Take advantage of the fact that Russian Blue cats are food motivated – reward good behavior with treats!
- Be patient!
Assuming the other cat doesn’t annoy your cat too much, you should see them at least be cordial with each other after a while and many of them become quite friendly.
Which Breeds of Cat Get Along with Russian Blue Cats?
Temperament is one of the most important things to consider when bringing a second cat into a home.
You don’t want to bring a hyper cat into a house with a cat who prefers things to be laid back, for example.
Choosing your breed is a good way to reduce the chances of a personality clash.
Some breeds are simply more amicable towards other animals. These include:
- Siberian
- Cornish Rex
- Tonkinese
- Abyssinian
- Scottish Fold
- Ragdoll
- Birman
Of course, even these breeds may have members that aren’t going to do well with a Russian Blue, so choose carefully!
Conclusion
Russian Blue cats are usually fine on their own while you’re at work or school, but they still enjoy the company of another cat, assuming the introductions went properly.
Having a companion gives cats someone to play with, gives them some mental stimulation, and cats that are friendly with each other often help them deal with other changes in the household, something which is beneficial to the routine-oriented Russian Blue!
If you are going to bring another cat into the house, make the introductions carefully and choose a cat that has a complementary personality to your cat.
And be patient! It can take time for cats to start hanging out with each other.
Does your Russian Blue have a buddy or is it a solo cat?
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.