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Russian Blue
The Russian blue only comes in one coat color—an even, uniformly bright blue with no markings, according to the breed standard. The guard hairs of the coat have silver tips, which give the coat luster and add to this breed’s beauty. The coat is short-haired and plush. All Russian blue cats also have bright green eyes. This cat breed is known for having an affectionate and intelligent nature that makes them a unique companion.
Breed Overview
Height: 9 to 10 inches
Weight: 8 to 15 pounds
Physical Characteristics: Fine-boned with long limbs; triangular head with distinctive green eyes and broad nose; plush double coat in blue-gray
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Chartreux
Chartreux cats are the national cat of France. This breed likely originated in ancient Persia and is rare outside of Europe. This kitty is almost immediately recognizable for its blue-gray fur and copper-colored eyes. The coat color varies from light ash to a deeper shade of slate. They have a unique texture to their medium-length plush double-coated blue fur and a dense undercoat, giving them woolly textured fur. Aside from being interesting to touch, the woolly coat provides these cats with some natural protection against chilly or damp weather conditions. Mature male Chartreux cats are likely to have a more woolly coat compared to female or young cats.
Breed Overview
Height: 9 to 11 inches
Weight: 12 to 16 pounds
Physical Characteristics: Round head and thick body; solid blue-gray coat with a somewhat wooly texture that varies in shade from light ash to slate gray
- 03 of 10
Nebelung
Nebelung means "creature of the mist" in German. This blue cat certainly seems like it could disappear into the fog of an early morning. An elegant and uniformly blue-gray cat, the Nebelung is often compared to a long-haired Russian blue. These blue cats do resemble the Russian longhair cats that were popular in the late 1800s. Considered a longhair breed, the Nebelung has a medium-length coat that is always blue. Like many other blue cat breeds, the hairs are silver-tipped at the ends. The green eyes of this breed bring striking contrast to the soft, shimmery coat.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 7 to 15 pounds
Physical Characteristics: Long body, soft double coat with medium-long fur and a plumed tail; eyes are green or yellow-green
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Korat
The Korat is a dark blue cat breed, described by Thai natives in its homeland as “rain-cloud gray” with a “seafoam” effect on its silver-tipped coat. According to the breed standard, the Korat should have a short coat that is light blue at the roots but gradually shifts to a deeper shade of blue towards the tips. This breed may have a silvery finish on the hair tips on the face and feet.
Breed Overview
Height: 10 to 12 inches
Weight: 6 to 10 pounds
Physical Characteristics: Muscular body; short blue-grey coat; heart-shaped face; luminous green eyes
Continue to 5 of 10 below - 05 of 10
British Shorthair
The British shorthair is often thought of as a blue cat, and at one point, it was called a "British blue." Their iconic blue fur and copper eyes earn them a spot as a top blue cat breed. The British shorthair's coat is short, dense, and thick. Its blue coat color varies in shade but is typically light to medium blue and stays uniform.
Breed Overview
Height: 12 to 14 inches
Weight: 9 to 17 pounds (males); 7 to 12 pounds (females)
Physical Characteristics: Round face and body with males having heavy jowls; short but dense coat in both solid shades including white, blue, and black along with tabby, calico, shaded, or bi-color variations
- 06 of 10
Oriental Shorthair
The Oriental shorthair sports a coat in many colors and patterns, so this is not an exclusively blue cat breed. However, a blue coat is among the most striking looks for an Oriental. A solid blue Oriental looks svelte and elegant with its long legs and almond-shaped eyes. The blue coat can be a soft bluish-gray or increase in shade intensity to a deeper slate grey. Other coat types with blue coloring include smoke, silver, tabby, and pointed or particolored.
Breed Overview
Height: 9 to 11 inches
Weight: 8 to 10 pounds
Physical Characteristics: Short, smooth coat with long legs, large ears, and a triangular-shaped face
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Persian
Persians are known for their long, flowing coats and flat faces with bright eyes. This cat breed comes in dozens of colors. Blue was once considered the most desired coat color for this breed. While not as highly sought after today, it remains a great look when paired with the exotic look of the Persian. The blue coat may be categorized as solid, smoke and shaded, tabby, parti-color, bi-color, and Himalayan.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 7 to 12 pounds
Physical Characteristics: Medium-sized body with long coat; full, flat face with round eyes
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Burmese
While the original standard coat for a Burmese was a rich sable color, today's breed standard includes four possible coat colors: sable, champagne, platinum, and blue. So, while not exclusively a blue cat breed, the Burmese can exhibit this striking coat color. According to the breed standard, the blue coat should be medium gray and exhibit fawn undertones. A Burmese coat has a fine texture and a satin-like feel.
Breed Overview
Height: 10 to 12 inches
Weight: 6 to 14 pounds
Physical Characteristics: Short coat with long legs and expressive, rounded eyes; the coat is primarily sable, champagne, platinum, and blue
Continue to 9 of 10 below - 09 of 10
American Shorthair
One of the most popular breeds in the United States, the medium-sized American shorthair comes in a variety of coat colors and patterns, including blue coats, although rarely. These cats are friendly, laidback, and gentle felines that are a great choice for families with young children.
Breed Overview
Height: 12 to 15 inches
Weight: 6 to 15 pounds
Physical Characteristics: Short coat; wide variety of color possibilities, including white, black, cream, blue, brown, chinchilla, tortoiseshell, cameo, and many more; eye color ranges from hazel, gold, blue, copper, or green
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Domestic Shorthair
The domestic shorthaired cat is a more official way of saying a mixed breed, non-pedigreed cat. These are the most popular cats in the U.S., making them the type of cat that 80% of American cat owners have. They come in a wide array of patterns and colors, including blue.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 8 to 10 pounds
Physical Characteristics: Coat can be short, medium, or long length; colors can run the gamut with black, white, gray, and orange as the most common; blue is rarer; tabby calico, tortoiseshell, and tuxedo color patterns are common; eye color varies from greenish-yellow to gold being the most common
Breeds to Avoid
If a rich color like blue or black is what you seek, albino cats do not fit the bill. Albinism in cats only occurs in 2% of all cats, most common among Oriental breeds, Siamese, Burmese, and Tonkinese. Albino kitties lack all pigmentation on their fur and skin. Albinos have almost transparent eyes, appearing pinkish-blue, as well as pinkish noses and pinkish inner ears.
However, if you're more enticed by having a unique kitty—albinos are among the rarest types of cats. An albino feline completely lacks the gene responsible for melanin production, or the gene is damaged. Unfortunately, albinos are more prone to blindness, hearing issues, immune system deficiencies, skin cancer, sunburn, and other skin and fur issues.
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What is a blue cat?
Blue cats are breeds, like Russian Blue, that have a bluish-gray hue to their fur.
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What cat breeds have blue eyes?
Cat breeds with blue eyes include Siamese, Tonkinese, Balinese, Himalayan, Persian, Javanese, Birman, Ojos Azules, most Ragdolls, Snowshoe, Turkish Angora, and colorpoint shorthairs.
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How much does a blue cat cost?
Pedigreed blue cats can cost up to $2,000, but blue cats and kittens are super easy to adopt through shelters and rescues.
