 Bombay cat vs Russian blue cat. Where are the differences between these two cat breeds? Except for his dramatic black coat, the Bombay looks much like the Burmese, but with a few physical differences such as a larger, longer body and longer legs. He has a rounded head with medium-sized ears set wide apart, eyes that range in color from gold to copper, and a straight, medium-length tail. The short, fine coat feels satiny to the touch and shines like patent leather. Although the gene for the black coat is dominant, a sable-colored kitten is sometimes born in a Bombay litter. Some associations permit these kittens to be registered as Burmese. The Bombay is a medium-sized cat. When lifted, he feels heftier than he looks. The breed develops slowly and males may not reach full size and musculature until they are 2 years old. The Russian blue's elegant yet muscular body led one cat judge to proclaim him the Doberman Pinscher of Cats. He has what's called a semi-foreign body type, meaning it is moderate in shape, falling somewhere between the short, compact body of breeds such as Persians and the sleek angles of Oriental breeds such as the Siamese. The cat fanciers association breed standard for the Russian blue calls for him to have a head that is a smooth, medium-size wedge shape with a blunt muzzle. Large ears are wide at the base with pointed tips, the interior lined with thin, translucent skin, and rounded vivid green eyes are set wide apart. A long, slender neck segues into high shoulder blades and a fine-boned body that is firm and muscular, covered with a short, thick double-coat with a plush texture, often described as similar to that of a seal or beaver. If you were to run your fingers through a Russian blue's coat, the patterns they made would remain until they were petted smooth. The body is supported by long, fine-boned legs set on small, slightly rounded paws with pads that are a pinky lavender or mauve shade. The Russian blue stands out for its coat color. To the uninformed, he might look gray, but in cat show terms he is an even, bright blue with silver-tipped hairs that make him seem to glisten. Some Russian blue kittens are born with ghost stripes, a reminder of the tabby gene that all cats carry, even if it isn't expressed in their coat, but these generally fade, leaving the cat with the solid blue coat of maturity. You might think that a Russian blue would only come in blue, and in CFA that is true, but other cat associations have more liberal breed standards. In Australia and New Zealand, the cats are called Russians and come in white and black as well as the traditional blue. The American Cat Fanciers Association permits black Russians. The lively and affectionate Bombay loves people and is adaptable to many different environments and lifestyles. His calm nature makes him a good apartment dweller, and he is amenable to life with other pets, although he definitely wants to be a top cat. Expect to find Bombay hogging the warmest spot in the house. That includes under the covers at bedtime. Most will converse with their people in a distinctive but not loud voice. Bombays are often good at playing fetch, and some have learned to walk on a leash. This is a smart cat who loves to play and will thrive with a family who is willing to teach him tricks, play games with him, and provide him with plenty of interactive toys. The Russian blue has a reputation as a gentle, quiet cat, somewhat shy, but don't get the wrong idea. This cat may have a reserved nature, but he loves to play, being especially fond of retrieving, and enjoys jumping or climbing to high places where he can study people and situations at his leisure before making up his mind about whether he wants to get involved. Yes will not receive his immediate attention and may never see him unless he decides they are worthy of his notice, but toward family members, especially his favored person, he is ever loyal, following them through the house and even riding on a shoulder. The Russian blue is a sensitive cat who doesn't like to be ignored, and will be hurt if he doesn't receive the same amount of affection he gives. Lack of attention can cause him to become anxious or fearful. While the Russian blue loves your company, he is capable of entertaining himself during the day while you are at work. Unlike some active, intelligent breeds, he is not destructive but moves through the house with the live grace of a Russian ballerina. When you are at home, his subtle sense of humor and manual dexterity will never fail to entertain. Just make sure you laugh with him, not at him. He has a strong sense of self-worth and doesn't like being made fun of. This is a cat who does best in a quiet, stable environment. He doesn't like change, and it's especially important to him that meals arrive on time. Count on him to be a faithful alarm clock in the morning, not so you don't miss work but so he doesn't miss a meal. If you take the time to develop a relationship with a Russian blue, your reward will be a deep bond with this loving cat. Hello. This video is sponsored by Beemix Pets. Are you looking for high-quality cat collars at an affordable cost? Check out BeemixPets.com. Use coupon code KittenLife to get 20% off. Both pedigreed cats and mixed breed cats have varying incidences of health problems that may be genetic in nature. Bombays and Russian blues are generally healthy, although one of the genetic diseases seen in Burmese has also been seen in Bombay's craniofacial defect. Sometimes called Burmese head defect, the craniofacial abnormality is occasionally seen in newborn kittens, which may have severely deformed heads. Those kittens are euthanized, so people who are buying Bombay kittens will not encounter the problem, but breeders should research pedigrees carefully to make sure they don't breed cats who carry the gene for the defect. A Russian blue owner's main concern will probably be this cat's hardy Russian appetite, which can turn him from sleek to stout in no time. The Bombay short, sleek coat is easily cared for with a few strokes of the hand or at most weekly brushing or rub down with a chamois to remove dead hair, distribute skin oil and polish the coat to its gleaming best. A bath is rarely necessary. Plan to spay or neuter your Bombay at 6-9 months of age. It is not unheard of for Bombay's to reach sexual maturity as early as 5 months of age. The Russian blues dense coat should be combed twice a week to remove dead hair and distribute skin oils. Brush the teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is better than nothing. Wipe the corners of the eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. Use a separate area of the cloth for each eye so you don't run the risk of spreading any infection. Check the ears weekly. If they look dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball or soft, damp cloth moistened with a 50-50 mixture of cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the interior of the ear. Keep the litter box spotlessly clean. Like all cats, Bombay's and Russian blues are very particular about bathroom hygiene. It's a good idea to keep Bombay and Russian blue as indoor only cats to protect them from diseases spread by other cats, attacks by dogs or coyotes, and the other dangers that face cats who go outdoors, such as being hit by a car. Cats who go outdoors also run the risk of being stolen by someone who would like to have such a beautiful cat without paying for it. The outgoing Bombay and Russian blue are a perfect choice for families with children and cat-friendly dogs. He loves the attention he receives from children who treat him politely and with respect. He lives peacefully with cats and dogs who respect his authority. They will even put up with the clumsy pets given by toddlers as if they recognize that no harm is meant, and if necessary they will walk away or climb out of reach to escape being bonked on the head. That said, the patient and gentle Russian blue should always be protected from rough treatment, so always supervise very young children when they want to pet the cat. The Russian blue is also accepting of other animals, including dogs, as long as they aren't chased or menaced by them. Introduce pets slowly and in controlled circumstances to ensure that they learn to get along together. If you enjoyed this video, kindly press the like button. 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