Thinking About Adopting a Blue Cat? Here Are 10 Breeds That Boast Beauty and Personality These felines turn heads with their smoky coats. By Katie Koschalk Katie Koschalk Katie Koschalk is a writer specializing in the pet niche. In addition to The Spruce Pets, her writing has appeared in Be.Chewy, Great Pet Care, and Vetstreet. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 06/17/25 Credit: Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images Blue cat breeds are some of the most sought-after, thanks to their cool-toned coats that have a distinct, eye-catching beauty. In the cat world, “blue” doesn’t mean bright blue like the sky or a Smurf. Instead, it refers to a gray that can take on a bluish hue depending on the light. Looking for a beautiful blue kitty to add to your family? Consider one of these ten breeds. Breed Characteristics This unique coat color is the result of a recessive dilution gene that lightens black fur to blue-gray, explains Rebecca Greenstein, DVM, veterinary medical advisor for Rover. For a cat to have a true blue coat, it must inherit two copies of this gene, she adds. Only four cat breeds are exclusively blue-coated, while several others can come in blue among a variety of other colors. It’s also important to note that while all blue cats are gray, not all gray cats are blue. Some grayish coats come from other color dilutions, like lilac. While blue cat breeds share a similar coat color, their personalities, grooming needs, and activity levels can vary widely. So, when choosing the right blue cat breed for your home, it’s important to consider more than just appearance. 01 of 10 Russian Blue Credit: Dmitry Zinoviev / 500px / Getty Images “As their name implies, this beautiful breed is made up of exclusively blue-coated cats,” Greenstein says. Their short, dense coat is a solid steel-blue color with a silvery sheen and no markings. Due to their minimal shedding, the Russian blue breed is often listed as hypoallergenic, though no cat is completely allergen-free. These cats tend to be gentle, sweet, and loving with their people but can be shy around strangers. Breed Overview HEIGHT: 9 to 11 inchesWEIGHT: 7 to 12 poundsPERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Affectionate, gentle, shyENERGY LEVEL: LowCOAT AND COLOR: Short hair; steel blueLIFE SPAN: 15 to 20 years 02 of 10 Chartreux Credit: Cavan Images / Getty Images The Chartreux is a rare French breed that always sports a blue coat. Its dense, woolly coat is low-maintenance, though combing is preferred over brushing due to its unique texture. With a sturdy, muscular body and slim legs, the Chartreux has earned the nickname “potato on toothpicks.” They’re known for being quiet, sweet-natured companions who are not overly demanding. Breed Overview HEIGHT: 9 to 11 inchesWEIGHT: 6 to 12 poundsPERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Calm, socialENERGY LEVEL: LowCOAT AND COLOR: Short hair; blue-grayLIFE SPAN: 12 to 15 years 03 of 10 Korat Credit: Jacques Julien / Getty Images Another breed that only comes in blue, the Korat (pronounced as koh-raht, not core-rat) has a sleek, shimmering silver-blue coat and heart-shaped face. “Because their single-layer coat is short, one to two brushing sessions per week should keep their coat healthy and shiny,” says Whitney Miller, DVM, MBA, DACVPM, chief veterinarian at Petco. Korats are affectionate and loyal, and tend to bond deeply with their humans. Fun fact: they’re considered a symbol of good luck in Thailand! Breed Overview HEIGHT: 9 to 13 inchesWEIGHT: 6 to 10 poundsPERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Intelligent, social, friendlyENERGY LEVEL: LowCOAT AND COLOR: Short hair; blue-gray with silver tipsLIFE SPAN: 10 to 15 years 04 of 10 Nebelung Credit: Abel Garcia / Getty Images Also a blue-only breed, the Nebelung has medium to long, blue-gray fur with shimmering silver tips and a long, plumed tail. These cats are intelligent, curious, and affectionate, often forming strong bonds with their people. They enjoy a mix of active play and cozy relaxation. Breed Overview HEIGHT: 9 to 13 inchesWEIGHT: 7 to 15 poundsPERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Intelligent, affectionate, shyENERGY LEVEL: LowCOAT AND COLOR: Long hair; blue-grey with silver tipsLIFE SPAN: 11 to 18 years Continue to 5 of 10 below 05 of 10 British Shorthair Credit: Kseniya Ovchinnikova / Getty Images “British shorthairs are one of the most longstanding cat breeds and are found in an array of colors, including the ever-popular blue,” Greenstein says. This breed has a dense, short coat that needs minimal grooming, Miller says. “I recommend brushing these cats twice per week, but you may need to brush them more often when they’re shedding in the spring and fall,” she says. British shorthairs may continue to display kitten-like energy and playfulness until they reach maturity, but once fully mature, this breed is calm and well-behaved. They also tend to get along with everyone, including kids and other pets. Breed Overview HEIGHT: 12 to 14 inchesWEIGHT: 7 to 17 pounds PERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Affectionate, easygoing, calmENERGY LEVEL: LowCOAT AND COLOR: Short, dense hair; various colors and patternsLIFE SPAN: 12 to 16 years 06 of 10 British Longhair Credit: EndTimeImages / Getty Images The British longhair comes in a range of colors and patterns, but as with the British shorthair, the blue coat is one of the most popular coat colors for the breed. These cats are known for their large, round eyes, broad faces, and small, rounded ears that give them a sweet, expressive look. Friendly and gentle, these cats are affectionate companions but also value their independence. They’re perfectly content spending time alone and will patiently wait for their favorite humans to come home. Breed Overview HEIGHT: 12 to 14 inchesWEIGHT: 8 to 16 pounds PERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Affectionate, easygoing, calmENERGY LEVEL: LowCOAT AND COLOR: Long hair; various colors and patternsLIFE SPAN: 12 to 15 years 07 of 10 American Shorthair Credit: Jacques Julien / Getty Images While most American shorthair cats are tabbies, the breed comes in many other colors, including a solid blue. Despite having short hair, they do require weekly brushing due to the thick nature of the coat. American shorthairs have a sturdy build, round face, and sweet, easygoing temperament. They're playful, active, social, and affectionate, but are also able to keep themselves entertained when needed. Breed Overview HEIGHT: 8 to 10 inchesWEIGHT: 10 to 15 poundsPERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Bold, affectionate, socialENERGY LEVEL: HighCOAT AND COLOR: Short hair; various colors and patternsLIFE SPAN: 15 to 20 years 08 of 10 Burmese Credit: Sean Savery Photography / Getty Images Burmese come in many colors, including blue with warm undertones. Their short, glossy coats are silky to the touch and easy to maintain. Weekly brushing with a rubber brush is usually all it takes to keep them looking their best. Burmese cats are active and affectionate, and thrive in active households where they get plenty of attention and enrichment. They form strong bonds with their people and don’t do well when left alone for long periods. Breed Overview HEIGHT: 9 to 13 inchesWEIGHT: 8 to 15 poundsPERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Friendly, playful, affectionateENERGY LEVEL: HighCOAT AND COLOR: Short hair; sable, champagne, platinum, blue, and variations of eachLIFE SPAN: 10 to 17 years Continue to 9 of 10 below 09 of 10 Oriental Shorthair Oriental shorthair with blue coat. Credit: Cynoclub/iStock/Getty Images Oriental shorthairs come in over 300 color and pattern combinations, including blue. Blue Orientals have a sleek, slender build and big, bat-like ears. They’re talkative and active, and thrive in homes where they can be the center of attention. Breed Overview HEIGHT: 9 to 11 inchesWEIGHT: 8 to 12 poundsPERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Affectionate, social, vocalENERGY LEVEL: HighCOAT AND COLOR: Short hair; over 300 color and pattern variationsLIFE SPAN: 12 to 15 years 10 of 10 Persian Credit: stvcr/Flickr Persians can come in blue, which gives their luxurious, long coats a dreamy, smoky appearance. With their flat faces, short muzzles, and large, expressive eyes, they have a signature look that’s instantly recognizable. Persians are friendly but prefer calm environments and gentle handling, making them better suited to adult households. Miller notes that these homebody cats do best indoors and need daily grooming to keep their dense, luxurious coats clean and free of mats. Breed Overview HEIGHT: 10 to 15 inchesWEIGHT: 7 to 13 poundsPERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Sweet, gentle, affectionateENERGY LEVEL: LowCOAT AND COLOR: Long hair; blue, black, white, red, cream, chocolate, lilac, silver, golden; solid, tabby, tortoiseshell, bicolorLIFE SPAN: 10 to 15 years More Cat Breeds and Further Research Curious to explore cat breeds with different coat colors? Check out these guides: 17 Gray and White Cat Breeds 11 Black Cat Breeds 10 Black and White Cat Breeds 20 White Cat Breeds Explore more: Cats Cat Breeds Sources The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. What Is a Korat? Korat &Thai Cat Association.