10 Cat Breeds That Have Blue-Colored Coats

These cats have gorgeous blue-hued fur

By
Erica Puisis
Erica Puisis
Erica Puisis
Erica Puisis is an animal enthusiast with first-hand experience in equine and canine health and behavior.
Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process
Published on 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 dilution of the black coat gene. The diluted gene produces a coat color that is various shades of bluish-gray. Four cat breeds come only in a blue hue, while six other types of cats have the possibility of a blue coat. They can come from many parts of the globe, such as the New World, Europe, and Asia.

Tip

Most people dread the thought of the day they have to say goodbye to their feline friend. Choosing a kitty with a long lifespan might put off heartbreak for a few more years. The gene pool of mixed breed cats runs deeper, meaning these kitties are typically healthier and longer-living cats than purebreds. The biggest downside is you never know the potential breed characteristics that you may get as your kitten grows into an adult (temperament, personality, and activity level).

Breed Characteristics

Although the blue characteristic is fully dependent on genetics, certain things are consistent among these cats. 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. Coat lengths can come in short, medium, and long.

These 10 cat breeds are the most likely types to have blue coats.

  • 01 of 10

    Russian Blue

    Russian blue cat portrait

    Carmen Brown Photography / Getty Images

    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 gives the coat luster and adds 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 

  • 02 of 10

    Chartreux

    Chartreux cat with blue coat

     cunfek / Getty Images

    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. They have 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 cat with blue coat

    Abel Garcia / Getty Images

    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

  • 04 of 10

    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” 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

    British shorthair with blue coat

    Carlos G. Lopez / Getty Images

    The British shorthair is often thought of as a blue cat. It is one of its most common colors that, at one point, the breed was called a "British blue." This breed comes in a variety of colors. 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

    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, when the Oriental has a blue coat it is among the most striking looks for this breed. 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

  • 07 of 10

    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 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

  • 08 of 10

    Burmese

    Blue Burmese cat

    SKA / Getty Images

    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 has the possibility of exhibiting 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; coat is primarily sable, champagne, platinum, and blue

    Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09 of 10

    American Shorthair

    Close up american short hair cat in the house.
    Pakin Songmor / Getty Images

    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. These cats are one of the most popular breeds in the United States.

    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

  • 10 of 10

    Domestic Shorthair

    British Shorthair cat lying on white table. Copy-space
    Kseniya Ovchinnikova / Getty Images

    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 percent 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

    • Featured Video

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 percent 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 as pinkish-blue, as well as pinkish noses and pinkish inner ears. But, 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.