Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Russian Blue/Bengal Cat Mix: Breed Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits

Written by: Chelsea Mortensen

Last Updated on January 9, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

Russian blue Cat vs Bengal Cat Breed

Russian Blue/Bengal Cat Mix: Breed Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits

Breed Overview

Length:

10–16 inches

Weight:

8–17 pounds

Lifespan:

11–15 years

Colors:

Blue with rosettes or marbling

Suitable for:

Experienced cat owners, those looking for a high-energy cat

Temperament:

Intelligent, outgoing, and energetic

There’s nothing like a Bengal—these miniature wildcats are often seen as the most difficult and most exotic pet to keep. With their beautiful spotted fur and their high energy, these cats are impossible to mistake for anything. Although most Bengals have a brown and tan coat that makes them look like miniature leopards, there are many other options, including a beautiful silvery-gray fur that comes from cats of mixed Asian Leopard Cat and Russian Blue heritage. These cats have the energy and temperament of Bengals but an entirely new look! They are sometimes called Blue Bengals, although not all Blue Bengals have Russian Blue blood.

divider-catclaw1

Russian Blue/Bengal Kittens

Energy
+
A high-energy cat needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep healthy and happy, while a low-energy cat needs minimal physical activity, but still needs mental stimulation. When choosing a cat, It’s important to ensure their energy levels match your lifestyle.
Trainability
+
Cats that are easy-to-train are more willing and skilled at quickly learning prompts and actions with minimal training. Harder-to-train cats are usually more stubborn or aloof and require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
+
Certain cat breeds are more prone to various genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every cat in those breeds will have these issues, but they do have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan
+
Due to their size or potential genetic health issues of a specific breed, some cats have shorter lifespans than others. Proper nutrition, exercise, mental stimulation, and hygiene also play an important role in your cat’s lifespan and quality of life.
Sociability
+
Some cat breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other cats and animals. Cats that are more social have a tendency to rub up on strangers for scratches or jump on laps for cuddles, while cats that are less social shy away, hide, are more cautious, and even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed or gender, it’s important to socialize your cat and expose them to many different situations.

cat paw divider

3 Little-Known Facts About the Russian Blue/Bengal Mix

1. Their Amount of Wild Blood Influences Their Personality

Most Bengals aren’t half-wild cat and half-domestic—in fact, very few are. First-, second- and third-generation Bengal cats (F1–F3) are rare outside of breeding programs and are much harder to care for. Most Bengals used in shows are F4 or F5, and many Bengals for sale today only have a small amount of wild blood. Most Russian Blue/Bengal crosses are in this last category—which makes them a little easier to care for.


2. First-Generation Crosses Are Never Blue

Blue is a recessive gene in cats—which means that cats need a copy from each parent to get the coat color. If you breed a Russian Blue to an Asian Leopard Cat or a Bengal without blue coats in their genes, you won’t get any blue coats. Breeding blue Bengals requires a little more work, which is one reason they’re so rare.


3. Breeding Is All About the Mamas

When breeders start a new Bengal line, they always hope for girls. That’s because first through third-generation (F1–F3) males can’t father kittens. Breeders cross female Asian Leopard cats with domestic males to get kittens and then breed the daughters with more domestic cats. That means that an F4 kitten has a mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother who all had to pass down their leopard genes!

Russian Blue vs Bengal Cat breed
The parent breeds of Russian Blue/Bengal: Left – Blue Russian (Review News, Shutterstock); Right – Bengal Cat (Chrisnachall, Pixabay)

Temperament & Intelligence of the Russian Blue/Bengal Mix

Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪

In general, Russian Blue/Bengal cats aren’t ideal for families with small children.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Russian Blue/Bengal cats are social and outgoing, but they can be high-energy. It isn’t recommended to keep them with small pets as they have strong hunting instincts. Some Bengal cats are smart enough to get into locked cages and terrariums, so they can be a danger to birds and other small pets.

Bengals can do well with cats and dogs in the right circumstances.

3 cat face divider

Things to Know When Owning a Russian Blue/Bengal Cross

Food & Diet Requirements 🐡

Bengal crosses are generally large, active cats, so they might need a little more nutrition than your average feline. Look for cat foods that have real meat as the first ingredient and that are nutritionally balanced. You should feed your Bengal/Russian Blue cross at least two meals a day and adjust the serving size based on your cat’s size and activity levels. In general, older kittens need the most food, while elderly cats will need less as their metabolism slows. In addition, males tend to be slightly larger and more active, so male cats might need more food. You might want to consider feeding your cat a mix of wet and dry food or a fresh food diet to make sure that they get a nutritionally balanced meal.

Exercise 🐈

Your Russian Blue/Bengal cross will definitely need space to exercise. It’s not usually the best idea to let them outdoors unsupervised as Bengal mix cats can be aggressive to unknown animals and are notorious for their ability to kill birds and other small wildlife; however, supervised outdoor time or a covered cat enclosure outside might help your cat have some extra space to move. Invest in a large climbing tree, scratching posts, and a variety of interesting toys to keep your cat healthy and stimulated, and make sure to schedule some regular playtime so that your cat doesn’t get lonely.

Training 🧶

Russian Blue/Bengal crosses are some of the most intelligent cats, so they can pick up training easily. However, some can be stubborn. These cats rarely need training on using the litter box or keeping themselves clean, but you might need to help your cat learn where appropriate scratching places are or cat-proof your space. These cats often love leash training and take well to outdoor walks. They can also be taught to do tricks with some patience, although some cats have more aptitude than others. Whatever you choose to teach your cat, make sure to do so with a lot of patience, redirection, and praise. Shouting and anger are more likely to stress your cat than teach good behavior.

Grooming ✂️

These cats are usually fairly low-maintenance because of their short, low-shedding coats. Depending on your cat’s individual coat, you might not need to brush at all, or you might want to give your cat the occasional groom. Blue Bengals are also known to be ideal cats for allergic owners as they tend to have less dander and a lower level of allergens than other breeds, depending on the cat.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Bengal cats are a fairly healthy breed, and crossing out with Russian Blue only adds more genetic diversity to their bloodlines. However, there are some issues that are more common in cats with Bengal ancestry that you should be aware of.

Minor Conditions
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency
Serious Conditions
  • FIP susceptibility
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy

cat paw divider

Male vs Female

There aren’t many differences between male and female Bengal/Russian Blue crosses. Both are outgoing, active, and social. Male cats tend to be slightly larger. Both male and female cats tend to be more even-tempered and get along better with other pets when they are spayed or neutered. Spayed and neutered cats also tend to live longer and have fewer long-term health issues. It’s recommended to spay or neuter cats unless you plan to use your cat for breeding purposes because of this.

Cat ball divider 1

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Russian Blue/Bengal cross is similar to other Bengal cats, with many of the same rewards and challenges. The beautiful blue coat with rosetting or marbling will set your cat apart from other cats, as it has one of the rarest coat patterns in the world. But if you’re interested in this cat for the looks, make sure to plan carefully before you jump to being a cat owner—this is not a low-maintenance pet, and it is recommended for experienced pet owners.


Featured Image Credit: Left – Russian Blue (milivigerova, Pixabay); Right – Bengal Cat (lshman000, Pixabay)

Get Catster in your inbox!

Stay informed! Get tips and exclusive deals.
Catster Editors Choice Badge
Shopping Cart

Pangolia

© Pangolia Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.