The Nebelung cat is a very rare breed that is often referred to as "longhaired Russian Blue". Although they do have some similarities, the Nebelung have their own distinguishing features and much longer coats.
The Nebelung is a beautiful cat with a soft, dense, and silky long coat. One of the main features of this breed that really grabs your attention is their gorgeous green eyes which really stands out against their silky blue and silver coat.
With the first development originating in the United States, the Nebelung went on to be become a great pet with families all around the world. In this article we will cover all of the information you need to know regarding this beautiful breed including:
- Cat size and appearance
- Personality and characteristics
- History
- Care
- Diet & nutrition
Nebelung
WEIGHT: 7 to 15 pounds
LENGTH: Medium / Long body
COAT: Soft / Medium to long
COAT COLORS: Grey / Silver
EYE COLOR: Green / Yellow
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 13 to 16 years
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Nebelung Cat size and appearance
Let's take a look at the appearance of the beautiful Nebelung cat.
Body
Both males and females are very graceful with a well-proportioned athletic and well-muscled body structure.
Head
The head is slightly more pointed than rounded and is in good proportion to the body. They also have puffy whisker pads and a shallow tip of the nose with a concave curve.
Ears
Long pointed ears.
Eyes
The eyes of the Nebelung are one of our favorite features. They are a mixture of green/yellow and are one of the first things your notice. They are also medium size, slightly oval and widely spaced apart.
Paws & Legs
The legs have medium boning and are quit long with medium-sized paws.
Tail
The tail is also beautiful with long silky fur and is in balance with the length of their body.
Coat
Their fur is medium-long and is longer on some area of their body such as around their shoulders, chest, and tail. The coat is soft to touch and also features two-layers which makes it resistant to water and suitable for all kinds of different weather.
Color
A slivery blue with a soft lustrous sheen.
How Big Do Nebelung Cats Get?
The Nebelung is classed as a medium-sized cat with a weight range of 7 to 15 pounds. Males are generally larger than female Nebelungs.
Nebelung Cat Personality
The Nebelung, like many other cat breeds can be a bit shy and very reserved when around strangers. This is why it is important to provide plenty of hiding places around the house to allow them to retreat to when they are feeling anxious.
A great way to combat this is to make an extra effort to socialize them from an early age.
Once they are comfortable around you and get to know you a little better, the Nebulung cat breed are very loyal and loving who form great bonds with the entire family. It's very common for them to become attached and form a vey strong bond with one person.
They are well known for being very gentle creatures, but they do also have a playful side. This is why it is important to provide a large variety of different cat toys to keep them both mentally and physically stimulated.
As with a lot of other cats, they enjoy affection and a good cuddle but they are not needy cats. This means that even if you work all day, you know that they will be perfectly happy on their own.
As with most other cat breeds, they love to have a routine. Certain changes in the environment can cause anxiety which makes them feel unsettled.
The Nebelung cat are happy enough to live in the same household as young children and other pets, although they will just tolerate it more than building a bond with them.
History of the Nebelung Cat
Where do nebelung cats come from? To start with, their name is actually a German word which means 'creature of the mist'. This is due to their shiny silver-blue coat.
It first started in the early 1980's where the development of the Nebelung was developed by a lady called Cora Cobb. The inspiration came from a kitten called Siegfried who was the only longhaired blue kitten in a litter.
The litter was fathered by a black longhaired cat and Elsa who was a black domestic shorthair.
A longhaired female blue kitten was later produced from a second litter named Brunhilde. A new breeding program was developed where Siegfried and Brunhilde produced their first litter in 1986.
In the late 1980's, Russian Blues were imported from Europe who carry the long hair gene and contributed to the development of the Nebelung breed.
The status of 'new breed' was given by the International Cat Association in 1987. Ten years later in 1997, full recognition was given to the breed. The Traditional Cat Association and the Cat Fanciers Federation also recognise the breed.
Nebelung Cat Care
A common question asked is "How long do nebelung cats live?". The life expectency of the breed is usually 13-16 years. Obviously this can fluctuate. The more care and love you provide, the longer their life can be.
Here are some tips and guidelines on how to care for a Nebelung cat.
Nebelung Grooming
How do you groom a nebelung cat?
As the breed has such a long, dense coat, you should comb it around twice a week. Doing this will help the removal of dead fur and distribute skin oils.
As well as trimming their nails every couple of weeks, you should also brush their teeth on a daily basis to prevent periodontal disease. Here are some other grooming tips:
- Wipe away any discharge from their eyes with a soft, damp cloth.
- Ears should be checked on a weekly basis and wiped out with a cotton ball if they look dirty. Cotton swabs can damage the ear and should not be used.
- As they are very particular about bathroom hygiene, their litter box should be kept spotless.
- It's advised to make a Nebelung an indoor cat because of all of the dangers in the outdoors such as disease, attacks by dogs and other animals, and being hit by a car.
Nebelung Health Problems
The Nebelung are considered an overall healthy breed with no real inherited conditions or anything to worry about. Although we said their life span is 13 - 16 years, it is common for them to reach 18 years and above.
As with other cat breeds, obesity can be an issue if they are overfed, especially as they get older which can lead to other related health issues.
Exercise
As with other cat breeds, the Nebelung cat breed will need daily exercise in the form of play sessions. It's important to have a large selection of toys and interactive cat toys to provide plenty of stimulation.
You may even want to consider leash training your Nebelung. Being in the outdoors provides both exercise and stimulation for your cat. Leash training also eliminates all of the dangers that your cat would face if they were in the outdoors on their own.
Cat gyms and cat trees are another option that you should consider. They are the perfect option for indoors to allow your cat to climb and explore.
You should also provide a number of scratching posts in different locations around your home. Scratching is a natural behavior from a cat so not only does it provide stimulation, it also allows them to stretch there muscles, and also stops them scratching furniture.
Diet and Nutrition
It's very important that your cat is consuming quality food that is high in protein. It's good to have a combination of both dry and wet cat food.
Dry cat food is great for a cats teeth and wet cat food is recommended by veterinarians as it contains more moisture which helps prevent dehydration. Cats have a low thirst drive and can get dehydrated very easily.
Another important ingredient to look out for is amino acids, including taurine. The reason it's important is because it is not found in human food. When looking for cat food, here's a few things to look out for:
- No low-quality fillers
- No artificial additives
- Low grade ingredients or toxic ingredients
- All cat food has to be meat-based because all cats are carnivores
- No garlic
- Plant-based ingredients should be listed after the protein-based ingredients
If you are unsure about anything or considering changing to a different brand of food, always consult with a veterinarian.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Nebelung Cat
As the Nebelung are a rare and a relatively new breed, you may have to wait to get hold of one and always make sure you a buying from a reputable breeder. Being so rare also means the chances of finding one in a rescue shelter are slim to none.
Other Common Questions
Are Nebelungs rare?
Yes, Nebelungs are a rare breed in comparison to a lot of other breeds.
Are Nebelung cats expensive?
The price of a Nebelung depends a number of factors, but it's generally between $300 and $500.
Do Nebelungs like other cats?
Nebelungs are a shy breed of cat and only really bond with a selected number of people. They tolerate other cats more so than form a great bond with them, but this means there shouldn't be any issues.
Going through forums and chatting with Nebelung cat owners, we have came across many cases where people have stated that there Nebelung get's along with absolutely everybody including both humans and other cats.
It's all down to the individual personality of the cat.
Are Nebelung cats hypoallergenic?
No cat is completely hypoallergenic, some are just less allergenic than others. The nebelung sheds moderately all year round which means if you suffer from allergies then you will do so around a Nebelung cat.
Conclusion
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