Nebelung Cat Breed Information

Group

Long Haired

Weight

3.2-6.8 kg

Length

23-33 cm

Lifespan

15-18 years

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About the Nebelung Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

Nebelung cats are gorgeous and intelligent; they are also playful, affectionate, and loyal, which is why they are loved throughout the world. However, Nebelung cats remain rare and unique, something that is reflected in their cost. Read on for more information on the breed characteristics of Nebelung cats, along with their interesting history and special qualities.

What Is the History & Origin of the Nebelung Cat?

The word Nebelung originates from the German epic poem, Nibelungenlied, and points to the progenitors of Nebelung cat breeds. These progenitors were named after characters in the epic poem, Siegfried and Brunhilde. These two cats cames from a litter owned by Cora Cobb.

In the early 1980s, Cora Cobb bought a black domestic short-haired cat for her son. This cat mated with a Russian cat and had a litter. One of the kittens had beautiful fur and was called Siegfried, a later litter had another one called Brunhilde, and the Nebelung cat breed was born.

What Is a Nebelung Cat Breed?

The Nebelung cat breed is very similar to a Russian blue cat which has a short, dense coat that is soft and suitable for colder climates. These cats also have graceful faces with small smiles. However, Russian Blue cat breeders don’t recognise Nebelung cat breeds as the same. Nebelung cats are medium-sized with soft coats, but unlike Russian cats, they are a hybrid breed.

Who Is a Nebelung Cat Best For?

Nebelung cats have a gentle personality, and they respond to routines; they also become shy around strangers. These characteristics make them suitable for introverted people and quiet households. If there is a lot of busyness in the home, the Nebelung is likely to become stressed. That said, these cats can co-exist with good-natured children and animals.

What Does a Nebelung Cat Look Like?

According to the International Cat Association, a Nebelung is a medium or long-haired cat that has an elegant neck, oval eyes that are often vivid green and tall pointed ears. A Nebelung also has a long body, long legs, and a long tail. The coat is dense, soft, and grey-coloured.

Coat

One distinguishing feature of this cat breed is the coat, the coat of a Nebelung must be blue, but it’s often accented with grey and silver tips. Overall, the Nebelung coat is dense and soft, but the fur is thicker around the neck and longer on the tail, especially in male cats.

Colour

Along with the coat, the colour of the cat is a distinguishing feature and the first thing that marked it as unique for Cora Cobb. This cat breed has a striking blue colour with silver tips that makes the cat shimmer somewhat.

Patterns

Unlike most domestic cat breeds, the patterns you find on Nebelung cats is limited. This is not a cat breed that has a choice of stripes or spots; instead, Nebelungs have a solid coat that is mostly described as blue. However, many of these cats have solid grey or silver coats or mixed.

Nebelung Cat Grooming & Shedding

If you want a low-maintenance cat, a Nebelung might not be the best choice because of the grooming and shedding. Nebelungs have long cat hair that sheds often and can become matted if it isn’t brushed. To keep your cat healthy, you need to groom her two or three times per week.

How Do Nebelung Cats Behave? A Look at Their Temperament and Personality

This cat breed is both reserved and playful, active and gentle. A Nebelung is most comfortable in a quiet home with set routines; he might also be aloof with strangers and anxious in new places. These cats are also extremely intelligent and need lots of creative play.

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Nebelung Cats?

Every cat breed has its habits and characteristics, and this rare breed is no exception. Nebelung cats have an assortment of traits and habits that make them excellent companions for passive people as well as those who enjoy interacting with cats and playing with them frequently.

Habits

Nebelung cats are loyal and friendly; they are very easy to love and make excellent companions. Although they enjoy affection and company, they are equally happy to do their own thing. They respond to routines and familiar spaces; they have a reserved nature and might get anxious if you change the furniture around or have strangers over to visit – but they are gentle overall.

Activity Level

Although these cats are mild-natured, gentle and quiet, they are also very intelligent and active. A Nebelung cat will go through periods of high activity when you will have to entertain them with interactive cat toys and games.

Their lively nature is also well suited to the outdoors, so if you have a safe area for the cat to roam, it can be healthy for them to get out and about in the world.

Are Nebelung Cats Vocal?

If cats are famous for anything, it’s their unique sound, and if you like a cat’s sound, then you’ll love the Nebelung breed. Cats don’t meow to other cats; instead, it is their way of communicating with humans. Cats make this sound when they want something or to tell us that something is wrong. Nebelung cats meow frequently; they are friendly and fussy little cats.

What Is the Weight, Height, and Size of a Nebelung Cat?

Kittens are small and cute, but you need to know their adult size before you buy one; otherwise, you could be in for a surprise. For instance, a Savannah cat starts small but grows into a very tall cat. Nebelungs are not as big as Savannahs, but they are still bigger than many domestic cats.

Weight

According to the American Cat Fanciers Association, a Nebelung cat is a medium-sized cat; this means it sits somewhere between the Singapura cat and the Savannah cat. A Nebelung cat has a long body, long tail, and long legs; they weigh between 3.2-6.8 kg and are quite muscular.

Height

A Nebelung cat is not a particularly tall cat, certainly not the same height as a Savannah cat, which is one of the tallest domestic cats you can find. Nebelungs are between 23-33 cm tall.

Size

This type of cat is muscular, so it may look and feel larger than other cats of a similar size.

Are Nebelung Cats Easy to Train?

Nebelungs are very intelligent both as kittens and adult cats; they can be easily trained to use the cat litter when they are young and can learn actions when they are older, such as fetching objects and toys. Cats are responsive to food and treats, so use these to train them to use the litter box.

Does the Nebelung Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

Nebelungs are a relatively new cat breed according to the World Cat Federation; this is good news for their overall health as it means they are free from many of the inherited conditions associated with breeding. That said, you need to maintain their weight as they are hungry cats and can easily become overweight, which can come with various health complications.

What Is the Lifespan of a Nebelung Cat?

Since Nebulungs are healthy cats in general, they also have a long lifespan; you can expect this cat to live for up to eighteen years when they are well looked after.

Although cats like these are fussy eaters, they can eat a lot and become obese when they find a favourite meal; for this reason, you need to make sure that the cat doesn’t overeat and become unhealthy.

How Much Does a Nebelung Cat Need to Be Fed?

Nebulungs can eat store-bought cat food; that said, it’s still a good idea to make sure the cat food is high-quality and doesn’t contain too many additives and sugars. Consider introducing some forms of dense protein now and then, like chicken or fish.

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for a Nebelung Cat in Australia?

These cats are beautiful and intelligent. Although they are not the same breed as Russian cats, they are very close. They are also much rarer because Russian Blue breeders are more common.

It means that Nebelungs come at a price; you can expect to pay between $600-$1000 for a new Nebelung. If you choose to adopt one, they are cheaper but hard to find.

Nebelung Cat FAQs

Why are Nebelung cats rare?

These cats are rare because they are a relatively new breed, and there aren’t many breeders yet.

Are Nebelung cats purebred?

No, Nebelungs are hybrid cats formed from common short-haired cats and Russian Blue cats.

How do you identify a Nebelung?

Nebelungs are very unique and identifiable; they have dense blue fur and piercing green eyes that are yellow when they are younger.

Can Nebelung cats have yellow eyes?

Yes, in fact, it’s very common for younger cats to have yellow eyes that change as they get older.

Where do Nebelung cats originate from?

This cat breed originates in the USA, where Cora Cobb first identified it in Texas. She noticed the iconic solid blue coat of one of the cats in the litter.