Nebelung: Cat Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care

The Nebelung is a new and relatively rare breed, known for its medium-length bluish-gray fur with a silvery sheen and large green eyes. Developed in the 1980s in the United States, its name comes from the German word "Nebel," meaning mist or fog. They are often called long-haired Russian Blues, but while related and similar in looks, they are distinct breeds.

Nebelung cats may be shy in new situations or around unfamiliar people, preferring a quiet home. Once comfortable, they become affectionate, intelligent, and loving pets, often bonding closely with one or two family members.

Breed Overview

Personality: Shy at first, intelligent, affectionate, playful, and easy going

Weight: 10 to 15 pounds

Length: 14 to 16 inches

Coat Length: Medium-long hair

Coat Color: Bluish-grey with silver tips

Coat Patterns: Solid

Eye Color: Green or Yellow-Green

Lifespan: 15 to 18 years

Hypoallergenic: No

Origin: United States

Nebelung Characteristics

The Nebelung is friendly and affectionate but can take time to warm up to new people. While loving and loyal with familiar individuals, they may be reserved or even aloof around with strangers. They often hide when visitors come over.

Once settled, a Nebelung is very devoted to family, often following them from room to room. They enjoy laps and petting but can also spend time alone. They may adjust to calm children or pets but aren't suitable for noisy or boisterous homes.

History of the Nebelung

The Nebelung is a very new breed of cat and still quite rare. Nebelung means 'creature of the mist' in German, as a nod to their beautiful, shiny silver-blue coat. Despite the German name, the breed originated in the United States.

In the early 1980s, the breed's founder, Cora Cobb, gifted her son a female black domestic short-hair cat. When this cat mated with a short-haired blue-furred male that looked much like a Russian Blue, it resulted in a litter of six kittens, one of which was a male with long blue-gray fur. Cora was taken with this cat and kept him. A short while later, a female kitten of the same type resulted.

Cora started a breeding program and over the next decade, steadily bred the cats while using Russian Blue cats as "outcrosses" to increase the genetic diversity of the new breed. The Nebelung was given status as an entirely new breed by The International Cat Association in 1987 and then, later, the American Cat Fanciers Association. This breed has yet to be formally recognized by the Cat Fanciers Federation or the overall Cat Fanciers Association, though.

Nebelung Care

Nebelungs thrive on routine, and changes can make them feel unsettled and anxious. Combined with their reserved nature, they benefit from early and ongoing socialization to reduce shyness or nervousness.

Exercise

Nebelung cats are gentle and undemanding yet playful. Ensure you provide lots of toys and enrichment to keep them stimulated. Starting young, you can train your Nebelung to walk on a leash, offering exercise and quality time.

Shedding

The Nebelung's long, double coat can take up to two years to come in fully. They are not prolific shedders, but their coat will require regular weekly grooming to ensure that it does not become matted or tangled. Use a brush designed for long-haired cats to prevent damage to your feline's silky fur.

Grooming

Like any cat, your Nebelung will benefit from regular nail trimming, teeth brushing, and veterinary checkups and vaccinations.

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Common Health Problems

Nebelung cats aren't predisposed to specific health issues but may develop conditions like any cat. They are generally long-lived, often reaching 18 years or older.

It is important to ensure that you do not overfeed your pet. Obesity in cats is common, and it can lead to a lot of related health conditions, including diabetes and arthritis. Nebelungs can be fussy eaters, but once they find a food they like, they can easily become overweight if allowed to eat too much.

Appearance

The Nebelung is a medium-sized cat with a long, muscular, agile body. The breed has medium-length, dense fur that is a blue-gray in color, usually with silvery tips. These cats have a long, plumed tail that balances their long bodies and adds to their overall delicate beauty. There should be no patches of white or other colors on the cat's body, although the fur behind the cat's ears can be a lighter blue than the rest of the coat. Male Nebelungs sometimes have a thicker ruff of fur around their necks.

The ears of the Nebelung are rather large in proportion to their head, and are set far apart, which gives the cat a very alert appearance. The eyes are large and wide-set. Eye color can range from yellowish-green to emerald green, but the breed standard states that the greener, the better.

It typically takes a Nebelung cat around two years to reach full maturity. While these cats do shed less than some other breeds, they are not hypoallergenic cats.

Diet and Nutrition

Like all cats, Nebelungs need a high-protein, moderate-fat, low-carb diet. Feed them high-quality food appropriate for their age, and ensure they always have fresh water.

Most adult cats do well with two meals per day, while kittens need more frequent, but smaller, meals. You can feed your pet an all-kibble diet, feed only wet food, or offer both, but don't allow your cat to overeat.

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Where to Adopt or Buy a Nebelung Cat

Because they are a new and rare breed, you will probably have to wait to secure a Nebelung from a reputable breeder. You could also have to travel further afield to find one. The rarity of this breed means it is very unlikely you'll find one at a shelter or rescue.

The Russian Blue is a more common breed, though, and you may be able to find this shorter-haired cat with a similar personality in a cat rescue somewhere across the country or even locally.

As with any breed of cat, attending a cat show can be a good way to find breeders, as well as see a particular cat breed in person.

Nebelung Overview

The Nebelung is a beautiful, blue-gray cat with medium-length fur and large green eyes. These shimmery and delicate-appearing animals are loyal and devoted pets to their preferred family members, but can be shy with strangers or with children or animals who are too rambunctious. They are active and curious cats with a high level of intelligence, but they also enjoy giving affection to and receiving affection from their humans.

Nebelungs are content to spend time on their own, and easily tolerate a separation while their owner is at work or away for the day, but they do not enjoy being left alone for much more than that.

Pros

• Forms strong bonds with owners

• Well-suited to apartment living

• Intelligent and playful

Cons

• Become nervous if under-socialized

• Need a routine

• Rare and expensive

More Cat Breeds and Further Research

If you want to learn more about other cats similar to the Nebelung, why not look into one of the following:

• The Russian Blue

• The Maine Coon

• The Norwegian Forest Cat

There are lots of wonderful cat breeds out there, and with a little research, you can find one that will be best suited to your home and lifestyle.