Nebelung Cat: Breed Profile, Characteristics, and Care Guide

Have you ever heard of the Nebelung cat, the mysterious and majestic cat with a silvery-blue coat and green eyes? If not, you’re not alone. The Nebelung is one of the rarest and newest cat breeds in the world, and many people have never seen one in person. But if you’re looking for a loyal, affectionate, and beautiful feline companion, you might want to learn more about this amazing breed.

History of the Nebelung Cat

The Nebelung (pronounced NAY-bel-ung) is a long-haired cat of Russian Blue descent, although some other breeds, such as British Shorthair and Domestic Shorthair, have been used in its development. The name “Nebelung” comes from the German word for “mist” or “fog,” which reflects the cat’s coat color and mysterious aura. Some people also call it the Long-haired Russian Blue or the Creature of the Mist.

The Nebelung was created in the 1980s by an American woman named Cora Cobb, who owned two blue-grey cats that looked like Russian Blues but had semi-longhaired coats. These cats, named Siegfried and Brunhilde, were the result of a natural mutation that occurred in a litter of Domestic Shorthairs. Cobb decided to breed them together and establish a new breed with their unique characteristics. She contacted Solveig Pfleuger, a feline geneticist, who helped her write a breed standard and register the Nebelung with The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1987.

Since then, the Nebelung has gained some recognition from other cat associations and breeders around the world, but it remains a rare and exclusive breed.

Appearance

Physical Characteristics

The Nebelung is a medium-sized cat with a long but well-proportioned body and an athletic figure. It weighs between 7 to 15 pounds and has a lifespan of 15 to 18 years. It has long legs with oval paws and a long fluffy tail. It has a long neck with a slightly pointed head, large pointed ears, and wide-set green eyes that contrast with its grey-blue fur.

Coat

The most striking feature of the Nebelung is its coat, which is long, thick, silky, and double-layered. The coat is bluish-gray with silver tips that give it a shimmering effect. The hair around the head and neck is usually extra thick with more silver tipping, creating a ruff or mane that is more noticeable in males. The coat also has tufts of fur between the toes and inside the ears.

The Nebelung’s coat can take up to two years to fully develop, and it may change slightly depending on the season and the lighting. The coat requires regular brushing to prevent mats and tangles, but it is water-resistant and does not need frequent bathing.

Eyes

Nebelung cats have eyes that range from green to yellowish-green or sometimes a vivid green color. The breed standard states that the greener, the better. Some Nebelung cats may also have blue eyes, but this is not common or desirable for the breed.

Personality

The best thing about Nebelungs is their personality. They are affectionate, sweet, loyal, intelligent, quiet, playful, and easy-going cats that form close bonds of love and trust with their human companions. They follow their favorite humans from room to room to keep an eye on the action. They enjoy sitting beside them or on their laps to receive petting and pampering. They are not very vocal unless something is seriously wrong, such as an empty food dish or a dirty litter box.

Nebelungs are also very shy and reserved around strangers and new situations. They prefer a calm and stable environment without too much noise or chaos. They may hide under the bed or watch from a distance when visitors come over. They don’t like changes in their routine or surroundings and need time to adjust to them. They are not suitable for very loud or boisterous households.

Nebelungs are very smart and can learn tricks and games easily. They like to play fetch or walk on a leash if trained from a young age. They also need toys, scratching posts, perches, windowsills, puzzles, or interactive play sessions to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. They can spend some time alone without being needy or destructive, but they don’t like being left for too long or too often. They may benefit from having another compatible cat companion to keep them company while their humans are away.

Do Nebelungs Get Along With Others?

Nebelungs can get along well with calm children or other pets that respect their space and boundaries. However, they may not tolerate rough handling, loud noises, or sudden movements, and they may hide or hiss if they feel threatened or annoyed. You should always supervise the interactions between your Nebelung and other animals or kids and teach them how to be gentle and respectful with your cat. You should also provide your Nebelung with a safe and quiet place where it can retreat and relax if it needs some privacy or peace.

Diet and Care

Grooming

The Nebelung is a low-maintenance cat that does not require much grooming or special care. However, there are some things you can do to keep your Nebelung healthy and happy.

The most important thing is to brush your Nebelung’s coat once or twice a week to remove loose hair and prevent mats and tangles. You can use a wide-toothed comb or a slicker brush to gently comb through the fur, starting from the head and working your way down to the tail. Be careful not to pull or tug on the hair, as this may hurt your Nebelung or damage its coat. You can also trim the hair between the toes and inside the ears if it gets too long or dirty.

You don’t need to bathe your Nebelung often; its coat is water-resistant and self-cleaning. However, you can give it a bath once in a while if it gets very dirty or smelly. Use a mild cat shampoo and warm water, and rinse thoroughly. Dry your Nebelung with a towel or a blow dryer on low heat, and comb its fur to remove any knots.

You should also trim your Nebelung’s nails regularly, as they can grow long and sharp and cause injury to you or your cat. Use a cat nail clipper or a human nail clipper to cut off the tip of each nail, avoiding the pink part where the blood vessels and nerves are. If you are not sure how to do it, ask your vet or groomer for help.

You should also clean your Nebelung’s ears and teeth as needed. Check its ears for any dirt, wax, or debris, and use a cotton ball or a soft cloth moistened with warm water or a cat ear cleaner to wipe them out gently. Do not use cotton swabs or anything that can go inside the ear canal, as this may damage your Nebelung’s hearing or cause infection. Check its teeth for any plaque, tartar, or signs of dental disease, and use a cat toothbrush and toothpaste to brush them gently. You can also give your Nebelung dental treats or toys to help keep its teeth clean and healthy.

Diet and Nutrition

The Nebelung has a moderate appetite and does not tend to overeat or become obese. However, you should feed it a high-quality, high-protein diet that meets its nutritional needs and supports its skin and coat health. Depending on your Nebelung’s preference and health condition, you can choose between dry, wet, or a combination of both. You should also always provide fresh water and avoid giving your Nebelung any human food or treats that may be harmful or toxic to it.

Common Health Issues

The Nebelung is generally a healthy breed with no known genetic diseases or health problems. However, like any cat, it may be prone to some common health issues that affect cats in general, such as:

• urinary tract infections
• kidney stones
• bladder stones
• cystitis

These conditions may cause symptoms such as difficulty urinating, blood in urine, frequent urination, licking of genitals, or pain in the lower abdomen. If you notice any of these signs in your Nebelung, you should take it to the vet as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment.

You can prevent or treat these health issues by providing your Nebelung with fresh water at all times, avoiding dry food or low-quality food that may contain too much salt or minerals, monitoring its urine output and litter box habits, consulting your vet if symptoms occur, and following prescribed treatments such as antibiotics, painkillers, dietary supplements, or surgery.

You should also take your Nebelung to the vet for regular check-ups, vaccinations, deworming, flea and tick prevention, and other preventive care. You should also spay or neuter your Nebelung if you are not planning to breed it, as this can reduce the risk of some cancers and unwanted pregnancies.

Where to Buy

The Nebelung is a rare breed, with only a handful of breeders across the globe. This means that you may have to wait for a long time or travel a long distance to get your Nebelung kitten. The price of a Nebelung kitten may vary depending on the breeder’s location, reputation, demand, and quality of the kitten. The average price range is between $600 and $1,200, but it can go higher or lower depending on various factors.

If you’re looking for a Nebelung cat for sale, we recommend starting with the various fancier associations, such as CFA and TICA and see if they can point you in the right direction.

Conclusion

The Nebelung is a rare and beautiful breed with a loyal and loving personality that requires moderate care and attention. It is a great companion for people who want a cuddly, playful, and intelligent cat that will stay devoted to them for life. However, it is not suitable for people who want a very independent, outgoing, or low-maintenance cat that can adapt easily to changes or strangers.

Are you ready to welcome a Nebelung cat into your home? Or, if you already have one of these beautiful cats, what do you love most about your Nebelung cat? Let us know in the comments below!

More Cat Breeds

If you’re interested in similar cat breeds, check out:

• Russian Blue
• Maine Coon
• Norwegian Forest Cat

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