First-year veterinary costs in Australia run roughly $350 to $900 if your breeder has done the core work, and $900 to $1,600 if you are doing it all yourself.

Book the first vet visit inside your health guarantee window. Expect a full examination, vaccination planning, microchip transfer, parasite prevention and diet advice.

Before you buy, a kitten should have had a health check, first F3 vaccination, microchip, worming and parasite treatment, usually desexing, and parents health-screened.

Kitten-proofing costs under $150 in Australia and prevents most household emergencies. The priorities are toxic plants, ingestible string, open windows and chemical access.

A quality complete diet plus adequate moisture suits most Russian Blues. Mixed wet and dry feeding is the practical Australian default; raw requires real commitment.

A Russian Blue needs four tools: a rubber grooming mitt or bristle brush, a fine steel comb, nail clippers and a slicker brush for coat change. Total about $45 to $90.

Buy one tall, heavy, sisal-wrapped post that does not wobble, plus a stable cat tree by a window. Cheap wobbly trees get abandoned – stability is the specification.

Low-dust clumping litter suits most Russian Blues. Pellet is cheapest, tofu is flushable and low-dust, and crystal is the poorest choice for a fastidious breed.

You need eight essentials totalling roughly $400 to $700 in Australia. The rest of the pet-shop aisle is marketing – here is what actually earns its place.

Know the emergency signs that cannot wait, get a vet examination inside your guarantee window, notify the breeder in writing the same day, and keep every record.