Russian Blues are beautiful purebred cats with an affectionate nature that makes them a good choice for many families. Their even-tempered nature has made them popular, but before you buy one, do you know how much they cost? Finding out how much a Russian Blue cat costs can be tricky, with many contradicting answers online. To help you, we have broken down the cost of a Russian Blue cat from a breeder, adoption shelter, and all the other costs that you need to consider before bringing a Russian Blue into your home.
The cost of a Russian Blue varies from $100 to $1600, depending on the age of the cat, whether they are purebred and if they are from an adoption shelter or breeder. The lower costs typically apply to cats from an adoption shelter, who work hard to provide new homes for cats surrendered through no fault of their own. If you see low prices from breeders like you would an adoption shelter, they are probably too good to be true. Unregistered breeders will sell Russian Blues at a lower price but without providing appropriate care for these, which can cause genetic problems and other health conditions.
When buying a Russian Blue, a registered breeder should be used if you are not buying one from an adoption shelter. They will work diligently to provide care for your cat before it comes to your home and usually carry out genetic testing to reduce the chances of your cat developing a health condition.
Buying a Russian Blue cat from a registered breeder will cost between $1000 and $1600. The cost varies depending on the age of the cat, the breeder you choose, and the lineage of the cat. Purebred Russian Blue kittens will cost more than older Russian Blues without confirmed lineage. You can expect kittens and purebreds to sit at the top of the price range, while older cats with mixed heritages cost less.
When purchasing a Russian Blue from a registered breeder, you can usually expect to pay more. This is because of the due diligence breeders carry out to ensure the cats being bred are healthy and receive the necessary care before they are ready to come to your home. You can research reputable breeders online, and we recommend speaking to them as much as possible before making the purchase to ensure the breeder is ethically breeding and caring for the animals.
A Russian Blue cat from an adoption shelter is cheaper than one from a breeder, costing between $100 and $500. The price of a Russian Blue will depend on the age of the cat, the shelter and its location, and if they have any health conditions. Kittens are more popular, and this is reflected in their higher price, while older cats and those with health conditions tend to have a lower price, accommodating the extra vet bills you might need to pay.
Adoption shelters don’t have the same information about your cat’s lineage, but they will offer plenty of information to help you match the right cat to its new owner. You can learn more about the temperament and personality of the Russian Blue and whether they have any health conditions. The shelter will also ask you about your home, lifestyle, and any other pets that can help to match you to the right cat.
There are several factors that impact the cost of a Russian Blue, regardless of whether you are purchasing from a registered breeder or an adoption shelter. The age of the cat plays a role when purchased from breeders and adoption shelters, while the lineage and reputation of the breeder play more of a role when purchasing a Russian Blue from a breeder. Below, we have outlined the factors that influence the cost to help you better understand the price of Russian Blue Cats.
One factor impacting the cost is the lineage of the cat. Purebred Russian Blues are expensive, sitting at the top of the price range. They can be rare to purchase, which also increases the cost of them. Purebred cats come with a reduced chance of genetic conditions, which is why many people choose to buy them.
A Russian Blue will cost more if the lineage is authenticated, and any reputable breeder should be able to provide you with proof that the cat is purebred.
The reputation of the breeder also impacts the cost of a Russian Blue cat. Breeders that are established with a good reputation can charge more for their cats and kittens, with people happy to pay the higher price to have one of their cats. Their reputation may have been built based on purebred cats, excellent care, or superior breeding that provides healthy kittens. However, the reputation was garnered, and you can expect them to deliver quality cats that have been well cared for before they arrive at your home.
Age is another factor that plays a role in the price of a Russian Blue. Kittens tend to be more popular than adult cats, which is reflected in their higher price. A kitten needs a lot of care before it can be taken to its new home, which contributes to its cost. The breeder will also pay for the kittens, incurring vaccinations and vet bills that can also be reflected in the cost of a kitten. Genetic testing is sometimes carried out by breeders, too, which can add to the cost of the cat.
Older cats are usually cheaper to buy, especially at adoption shelters. Older cats aren’t as sought after, but they still offer plenty of love and affection for their new owners. You might incur vet bills sooner as older cats can be prone to health issues, but you can enjoy years of companionship with them.
After paying for your Russian Blue, you also need to consider the cost of essentials that your cat needs. Your cat will need beds, collars, and feeding bowls to keep them comfortable and well-fed. The cost of these essential items will vary from $5 to $360 per item, depending on the brand, size, and material used. Many of these items will need to be repurchased over the course of your cat’s life, so you must ensure that you can afford to provide them with the items they need throughout their entire life.
We have outlined the cost of these essentials that you will need to purchase for your cat to help you calculate your budget.
Cat crate: can cost between $39 and $150, depending on the brand and size of the crate. Check the measurements before ordering to ensure that you have plenty of room for your cat.
Cat bed: can cost between $13 and $200 depending on the brand, the thickness and the material of the bed. You want to ensure the bed is plush enough to keep you comfortable and offer plenty of space for them.
Feeding bowl: can cost between $10 and $50 depending on the size and brand of the bowl. Specialist bowls to slow down the speed of your cat’s food will also add to the cost of the bowl.
Collar/lead: can cost from $5 to $35 depending on the type and material of the lead and collar.
Car harness: can cost between $5 and $50 depending on the size and brand. You need to ensure that you provide the right size to keep your cat secure.
Cat treats: can cost between $5 and $10 a week depending on the brand and how many treats your cat eats a week.
Litter tray: can cost between $300 to $360 a year depending on how often your cat uses the litter tray or if they toilet outside.
Clippers, combs, and brushes: can cost between $5 and $20 per item, depending on the brand and material.
Your Russian Blue will also have regular maintenance costs that you must consider before bringing one into your home. You will need to consider the cost of feeding them, paying for routine veterinary care and grooming them. These costs can vary, costing you several hundred dollars a year depending on the coverage of pet insurance you choose, how many grooming sessions your cat has, and the price of your vet.
We have outlined the maintenance costs you can expect to pay for your cat to help you see if you can afford to maintain a Russian Blue cat.
Russian Blue cats cost between $20 and $75 a month to feed, depending on the type and brand of cat food that you choose to feed them. Wet food tends to cost more than dry and can be preferred by some Russian Blues, so be sure to consider that you might pay a higher price for food in your budget, especially if your cat is fussy.
A Russian Blue is very athletic, and they like to be on the go, so you need to provide a protein-rich diet for them to ensure they have the energy they need. Protein-rich food of good quality does not need to be expensive either. You will need to spend some time checking ingredient lists, but you can easily find affordable food that is good for your cat.
An adult Russian Blue can weigh around 6 kg and will cost the following to feed:
Veterinary care for a Russian Blue can cost between $25 and $700 per item, depending on the price of your vet, the weight of your cat, and if follow-up appointments are needed. These costs are based on preventative care for your cat and do not include any additional trips to the vet, and further treatment. To avoid any surprise costs should your cat get injured or become unwell, we recommend investing in a comprehensive pet insurance policy that offers protection.
We have outlined the cost of veterinary care below to help you plan for your new Russian Blue.
Annual vet checkups: can cost between $80 and $150, depending on the price of your vet. The cost can increase if any follow-up appointments or treatments are needed.
Vaccinations: can cost between $80 and $150 depending on the size of your cat and the prices your vet sets. The price can vary depending on the size of your cat, with larger cats seeing a higher price.
Worming and parasite treatment: can cost around $200 a year to provide coverage for your cat. The cost can increase if treatment is to remove parasites, so it’s best to follow up on regular preventative treatments.
Dental cleaning: can cost between $300 and $700 depending on the level of cleaning required and if your cat needs to be sedated for the treatment.
Pet insurance: can cost between $25 and $80 a month depending on the level of cover you choose, your cat’s health, and their age.
Russian Blues have a short and dense coat that requires little maintenance, allowing you to groom them at home. You can choose to have them groomed professionally, too, to help remove any excess fur and keep them clean. Grooming costs for a Russian Blue varies from $20 to $50, depending on the services your groomer offers.
Typically, a groom for a Russian Blue will include brushing, coat maintenance, and nail trimming, but you might be able to add additional services if your cat needs them. Russian Blues don’t usually experience mats in their fur, but when they do, you can incur an additional charge. Matted fur can be uncomfortable for your cat, but regular brushing will prevent this.
Your groomer might charge additional fees if your cat arrives with fleas, as their stations will need to be sanitised. This is why it is vital that you continue with preventative parasite treatments.
Russian Blues can be easy to train, although many owners find their cat trains them rather than the other way round! Training costs can vary from $99 to $2,800 and range from quick sessions to year long courses that help you learn how to care for and train your cat. Every cat responds to training differently, so it’s hard to give an exact cost or timeframe, but with dedication you can help to train your cat.
A Russian Blue cat can be expensive, but with proper research and a careful budget, you can bring one into your home. Ensuring that you have enough money to provide care and maintain your cat is vital, and with adoption shelters offering lower prices, you can give a Russian Blue a new lease of life and happiness with you.
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