8 Blue Cat Breeds

These cats have gorgeous blue-hued coats

Written by
Erica Puisis
Erica Puisis is an animal enthusiast with first-hand experience in equine and canine health and behavior.
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Erica Puisis
Published 04/17/20
Cat with blue coat in a bowl

lisegagne / Getty Images

Blue cat breeds have an intriguing and captivating appearance. Technically, this coat color is a dilute of the gene responsible for producing a black coat in cats. In the case of cats with blue coats, however, the diluted gene produces a coat color that is various shades of blue-gray.

The blue coat of these cats typically ranges from light ash gray to a steely, dark grey. Some cats with blue coats also carry the gene for green, yellow, or copper-colored eyes. While there are four cat breeds with a coat that only comes in a blue hue, at least four other popular breeds have the possibility of a blue coat and make the list of top blue cat breeds.

  • 01 of 08

    Russian Blue

    Russian blue cat portrait

    Carmen Brown Photography / Getty Images

    It’s no surprise that the Russian Blue is at the top of the list for blue cat breeds. These cats only come in one coat color—an even, bright blue with no markings, according to the breed standard. The guard hairs of the coat have silver tips, which gives the coat luster and adds to this breed’s beauty. The coat is short-haired and plush.

    In addition to sporting a uniform blue coat, all Russian Blue cats also have bright green eyes. And while you might think this makes these blue cats are all the same, 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 

  • 02 of 08

    Chartreux

    Chartreux cat with blue coat

     cunfek / Getty Images

    Chartreux cats have a unique texture to their blue fur. These cats have medium-length, plush fur with a double coat. As a result of the especially dense undercoat, the resulting texture of the fur is somewhat woolly. 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 when compared to female or young cats.

    The Chartreux is the national cat of France, despite the breed's likely origins in ancient Persia. While the breed is still somewhat rare today outside of Europe, this blue cat breed is almost immediately recognizable for its blue-gray fur and copper-colored eyes. The coat may vary from a very light ash to a deeper shade of slate.

    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 08

    Nebelung

    Nebelung cat with blue coat

    Abel Garcia / Getty Images

    Nebelung means ‘creature of the mist’ in German, and 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. In fact, these blue cats do resemble the Russian longhair cats that were popular in the late 1800’s.

    Considered a longhair breed, the Nebelung has a medium-length coat that is always blue in color. Like many other blue cat breeds, the hairs are silver-tipped at the ends. The green eyes of this breed bring a 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

  • 04 of 08

    Korat

    Korat cat with blue coat

    Jacques Julien / Getty Images

    The Korat is a dark blue cat breed, described by Thai natives in its homeland as “rain-cloud gray” in color with a “sea foam” effect on silver-tipped coats. The blue-gray coat of the Korat is certainly beautiful enough to draw comparisons to nature’s elements.

    According to the standard for the breed, 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. A silvery finish on the tips of the hairs is particularly noticeable 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 8 below.
  • 05 of 08

    British Shorthair

    British shorthair with blue coat

    Carlos G. Lopez / Getty Images

    The British shorthair is often thought of as a blue cat, though the truth is that they come in variety of colors. Nevertheless, their iconic blue fur and copper eyes give them a spot on just about any list of blue cat breeds.

    Regardless of color, the coat of the British shorthair is short, dense, and thick. The common blue coat color may vary in shade but is typically light to medium blue and should be uniform in color. A British shorthair with a solid blue coat won’t have any white markings, according to the breed standard. 

    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 08

    Oriental Shorthair

    Oriental shorthair with blue coat

    cynoclub / Getty Images

    The Oriental shorthair sports a coat in many colors and patterns, so this is not an exclusively blue cat breed. However, among the many possibilities of coats are a number of different blue colors that are striking in appearance.

    A solid blue Oriental looks svelte and elegant, with the long legs and almond-shaped eyes that the breed is known for. 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 parti-colored. Clearly, there are many different looks for a blue Oriental and this is an intriguing color for these athletic and personable felines. 

    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

  • 07 of 08

    Persian

    Persian cat with blue coat

    Kryssia Campos / Getty Images

    Persians are known for their long, flowing coats and flat faces with bright eyes. This breed of cat comes in dozens of colors and even more varieties; in fact there are 7 separate divisions of color possibilities. With such an abundance of color options, it should come as no surprise that a number of blue coats are commonly seen in Persians.

    In fact, blue was once considered the epitome of colored coats in this breed. While not as highly sought after today, it still is a great look when paired with the exotic look of the Persian. Among the seven color divisions, a blue coat may be found in the solid, smoke and shaded, tabby, parti-color, bi-color, and Himalayan divisions. 

    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

  • 08 of 08

    Burmese

    Blue Burmese cat

    SKA / Getty Images

    While the original standard coat for a Burmese was a rich sable color, the breed standard today includes four possible coat colors: sable, champagne, platinum, and blue. So, while not exclusively a blue cat breed, the Burmese has the possibility of exhibiting this striking coat color.

    The breed standard explains that in a Burmese, the blue coat should be medium gray and exhibit fawn undertones. Regardless of color, the coat itself 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; coat is primarily sable, champagne, platinum, and blue