| Favorability | High |
| friendly | Moderate |
| child friendly | Moderate |
| pet friendly | Moderate |
| exercise needs | Moderate |
| play | High |
| energy level | High |
| intelligence | High |
| vocal tendency | Moderate |
| shedding amount | Moderate |
History of Nebelung
Nebelungs are a very new breed of cats, and their name means “creatures in the fog” in German because of their beautiful, shiny silver-blue coats.
In the early 1980s, a woman named Cora Cobb gave her son a black domestic shorthair cat. When the cat was mated with a Russian blue male, it produced a kitten with long blue hair from the litter. Cora was taken by the cat, she raised him, and called him Siegfried.
In the mid-eighties, her son’s cat gave birth to another litter, this time with a female kitten of the same coat color. Cora also kept her and called her Brunhilde.
Cora started a breeding program with Siegfried and Brunhilde, the cats were initially thought to be very similar to Russian Blues, but with a different coat type.
Some Russian blue breeders were not satisfied, and in 1987 the International Cat Association and later the American Cat Fanciers Association listed the Nebelung as a brand new breed. However, it has not been officially endorsed by the Cat Fanciers Federation or the Cat Fanciers Association as a whole.
Nebelung Care
Once Nebelung gets to know you, they develop a strong bond with their family. They often develop a particularly close attachment to a person and follow them wholeheartedly wherever they go.
Although they are loving and loyal to people they know, they can be a little reserved and sometimes aloof when it comes to strangers. It is not uncommon for people to hide when they visit the house.
They are known for being very gentle and undemanding, but they also have a playful side. You should make sure you have plenty of suitable toys and other forms of abundance around the house to keep them stimulated, exercised, and entertained.
While they love being cuddled and petted when you’re around, they’re not particularly needy cats, and they’re usually happy to be left behind while you’re at work. They are a great breed for apartment living.
Nebelungs are known to thrive in everyday life, and the many changes tend to leave them feeling restless and anxious.
This aspect of their personality, combined with their reservedness with strangers, means they can benefit from early and ongoing socialization to help minimize their chances of being a nervous cat.
While they can live happily with quiet and gentle children and other cats or dogs, they are not cats that need or thrive in their company. Often they will tolerate them rather than develop a strong bond. Therefore, they may be better suited to live in a house without small children or excitable, energetic dogs.
Nebelungs’ long double coat can take up to two years to fully enter. They’re not prolific shedders, but their coat needs regular weekly grooming to ensure it doesn’t become matted or tangled.
Their coats are very distinctive. It’s thick, soft, shiny and a striking blue. Sometimes it also has a silver tip which makes it look even more sparkly. Men also have thicker necklines on their necks.
The Nebelung is a medium-sized breed with a long, graceful body. They are muscular, agile cats.
common health problems
Because they are a new breed, the Nebelungs do not have the opportunity to develop many genetic conditions. This means they are considered a healthy whole.
They are also known for their longevity. It is not uncommon for them to turn eighteen.
It is important to ensure that you do not overfeed your Nebelung. Obesity in cats is common, and it can lead to a number of related health conditions.
Nebelungs are sometimes known for being picky about their food, but once they find something they like, they can easily become overweight if spoiled.
If possible, you should also try to practice good dental hygiene. If your Nebelung can tolerate brushing, this will help minimize their chances of developing periodontal disease, one of the most common diseases in cats.
Diet and Nutrition
All cats need to be fed a high-quality, high-protein diet. They are obligate carnivores and should not be fed dog food. This usually won’t have a high enough protein content and may be deficient in the extra nutrients that cats need in large quantities, such as taurine.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Nebelung Cat
Because they are a new rare breed, this may mean you have to wait to get your Nebelung from a reputable breeder. You may also have to travel further afield to find one.
Their rarity means they also don’t appear in rescue shelters very often.
The Russian Blue is more common, though, and you may find this short-haired breed with a similar personality at cat rescues across the country.
A good place to start your search is through the Pet Finder.
More cat breeds and further research
If you want to learn about other cats similar to Nebelung, why not research one of the following:
There are so many great cat breeds out there, and with a little research, you can find the best breed for your home and lifestyle.
.
