Ragdoll Cat Breed- All Information, Facts, Care and Price
Due to its friendly demeanor and laid-back nature, the Ragdoll cat is popular with both individuals and families alike, as they are docile and sweet in nature. It doesn’t matter who you ask them to be your best buddy, they are happy to take on this role, and they enjoy spending the entire day playing with you.
As companion pets, Ragdoll cats make great companion animals for children as they are gentle and loving. Take a look at these fabulous, gentle dogs and learn more about them.
Known for their super-soft coats and blue eyes, Ragdoll cats are typically calm, friendly, and often resemble cuddly little teddy bears because of their super-soft fluffy coats. The name of this breed comes from their tendency to relax when held by humans – they enjoy being around people, and they are very trusting. This makes them excellent companions. Discover more about their behavior, characteristics, and care by reading on to learn more about them.
It is important to note that Ragdoll cats are very adaptable and are able to learn tricks very quickly, as well as to adopt good behaviors such as scratching a scratching post with positive reinforcement.
A Ragdoll cat is an all-around best friend for just about everyone, no matter where they live. They love their human families-even the little ones-and get along well with other animals, as long as they are not aggressive.
When it comes to cuddle sessions, the Ragdoll is docile, sweet, and will be happy to spend some time with people when they come home for a good cuddle. You will not find a better companion than one of these easygoing felines if you are looking for someone to keep you company during your waking hours.
I want to remind you that cats of any breed can suffer from health issues throughout their lives, regardless of their breed. If you have a good pet insurance plan, then you can be sure that you can provide the care your cat needs, no matter what age they are.
Ragdoll Cat Breed
| ORIGIN | California |
| HEIGHT | 9-11 inches |
| WEIGHT | 10-20 pounds |
| LENGTH | Long |
| LIFE SPAN | 13-18 years |
| GOOD WITH | children, seniors, dogs, cats, families |
| TEMPERAMENT | sociable, affectionate, bold |
| INTELLIGENCE | high |
| SHEDDING AMOUNT | occasional |
| PLAYFULNESS | high |
| EYE COLOR | Blue |
| ACTIVITY LEVEL | calm |
| VOCALNESS | quiet |
| COAT LENGTH | long |
| COLORS | white, black / ebony, red / orange, blue / gray, lavender / silver, cream / beige / tan, chocolate / brown / sable, lilac |
| PATTERNS | bi-color, color point |
| OTHER TRAITS | easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pet, friendly toward strangers, low prey drive, good for first-time pet owners, strong loyalty tendencies, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up |
| PRICE | $800 to $3,500 |
The need-to-know
- Great for first-time cat owners
- Enjoys playing games and is active at home
- Playful and curious cat
- Sociable and dependent cat
- Slightly talkative cat
- Larger stockier cat breed
- Requires grooming every day
- A bit of both indoor and outdoor space
- Great family cat
- Can be left alone all day
- Great for a relaxed home
Ragdoll Personality
There are several reasons why the Ragdoll is considered to be an amazingly equable cat, meaning that it is a thoroughly agreeable, relaxed, affectionate cat to have in your home. There is rarely one Ragdoll owned by an owner at a time, but their beautiful appearance and gentle, languid nature makes them irresistible to many.
There is no doubt that Ragdolls are curious, and quite inclined to assist in the activities of your daily life. However, they would prefer to sit on your paperwork, or to watch from a sunny spot while you tend your garden rather than doing anything too strenuous.
As long as there has been some hype about the Ragdoll being excessively floppy, with a low pain threshold, and a tendency to “flop” when picked up, there has been some concern about the breed. Some people took this to mean that these toys would make excellent playthings for children, so they interpreted this in this way. As a matter of fact, this is not the case. It is important to remember that Ragdolls aren’t floppy cats; they have the same pain threshold as all cats, and they wouldn’t tolerate being treated as toys or toys by children (or anyone for that matter).
Appearance
They are large and muscular cats with an exquisite coat that is soft and silky and their hair is long and thick. A Ragdoll is a breed of dog that sheds very little, except for in the spring when more seasonal shedding happens. Due to the lack of an undercoat in this breed, it is responsible for its lack of shedding, but it is not considered to be a “hypoallergenic” cat because they do not have an undercoat.
It is estimated that these cats stand between 9 and 11 inches tall, and typically measure 17 to 21 inches long (excluding their fluffy tails). Depending on the breed, they weigh between 10 and 20 pounds, with male ragdoll cats usually weighing more than their female counterparts.
There are five different types of coat patterns that can be found on ragdolls, according to the Ragdoll Fanciers Club. These include colorpoints, bicolors, mitteds, lynx points, and torties.
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There are darker spots on the coat of the colorpoint around the eyes, ears, tail, limbs, and (sometimes) stomach of the animal.
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There is a lot of difference between a colorpoint ragdoll cat and a bicolor ragdoll cat in appearance. However, a bicolor ragdoll cat will be characterized by an inverted-V coloring pattern on the face, while the belly and limbs will be light colored.
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A mitten ragdoll is like a colorpoint ragdoll except that it has extra light spots near the paws that give the appearance that it has mittens.
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They have tabby markings on their faces and resemble colorpoint ragdolls but look more like lynx point ragdolls.
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Like colorpoints, tortie points also look like colorpoints, but their red or cream color is incorporated into another color of their choice.
It is common for Ragdolls to come in black, white, gray, blue, cream, lilac, chocolate, seal, and red colors. In addition to the fact that this breed is known to have blue eyes, it is not a characteristic that is exclusive to this breed.
Ragdoll Cat Characteristics
In order to reach its full size, the big, beautiful ragdoll cat usually needs to grow to about 15 pounds in length by the time it is four years old. The ragdoll has a friendly personality that makes it easy for it to make friends with just about anyone, thanks to its easygoing nature and social temperament. If your ragdoll is one of those creatures that flutters across your lap like a mop, be prepared for extended periods of cuddling, during which you will be rubbed enthusiastically on the belly by your ragdoll. While ragdolls do not require a lot of exercise or rambunctious play time, it is absolutely essential that they get time to snuggle with their owners.
| Affection Level | High |
| Friendliness | High |
| Kid-Friendly | High |
| Pet-Friendly | High |
| Exercise Needs | Medium |
| Playfulness | Medium |
| Energy Level | Low to Medium |
| Trainability | Medium |
| Intelligence | Medium |
| Tendency to Vocalize | Medium |
| Amount of Shedding | Medium |
Health
There may be varying incidences of health problems in both pedigreed cats as well as mixed-breed cats that may be genetic in nature, such as allergies. Ragdolls are prone to a number of problems, some of which are listed below:
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In Ragdolls, there is an inherited condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy that causes heart problems. In order to identify cats with a mutation that leads to the disease, DNA-based tests are available that can be used to identify those cats.
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Caution should be taken when taking calcium oxalate tablets
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It is known that cats with FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) are at risk
There is no doubt that no matter how healthy your cat is when you first bring them home, you should prepare for any problems that may arise during the course of their life. With the help of pet insurance, you can make sure you are ready for any veterinary needs that your cat may encounter in the future.
Living With
On the lower abdominal area of the Ragdoll, there is typically a fatty pad that can be seen. In spite of the fact that this pad is acceptable for this breed, this should not be used as an excuse for letting her get overweight or out of shape. A ragdoll’s nutrition should be carefully monitored in order to ensure that it stays healthy.
In order to maintain a healthy and fit Ragdoll, it is very important that she is given interactive exercise as well as lots of play time. Whenever possible, it would be beneficial for her parent to devote some time each day to play with her and give her a lot of attention.
Despite the coat’s impressive appearance, the coat actually requires less maintenance than it appears at first glance. For keeping knots and tangles out of the coat, all that is needed is to brush all the coat on a daily basis, but this should be enough to keep the coat free of knots and tangles.
Common Ragdoll Health Conditions
If you are a cat owner, you will want what’s best to keep your pet healthy so he or she can live a long and happy life. In general, Ragdolls are prone to a variety of health conditions, as are all breeds. Our goal is to be able to provide you with information on the most common health problems that we encounter in Ragdolls so that you can be more aware and prepared if they ever occur.
Kidney disease
The kidneys of cats are responsible for the process of filtering the waste products from the blood of the cat and excreting them into the urine. Infections, blockages, tumours or toxins, such as those contained in anti-freeze, may cause kidney disease in Ragdolls, as well as changes occurring with age and as a result of licking anti-freeze. As the kidney function slowly degrades over the course of time, chronic kidney disease is characterized by progressive renal dysfunction. The treatment varies according to the cause and effect of the kidney damage. However, it usually consists of flushing the kidneys with intravenous fluids, followed by special diets and medications to help restore the kidney function. Although kidney disease is an irreversible condition, with the right support most cats will be able to live a relatively normal life with the right care.
Mouth and gum disease
Ragdolls, like most breeds of dogs, are sometimes prone to gum disease and dental problems throughout their lives. There are various forms of gum disease that can occur when certain (or all) of the structures that support a tooth become inflamed. A brown scale, which is known as tartar, forms when food, bacteria, and minerals accumulate along the gum line, resulting in a buildup of a brown scale, which starts to accumulate along the gum line. As a result, gingivitis is regarded as the condition in which the gums are undermined. There is a possibility that small spaces can form between the gums and the teeth over time, creating pockets of space in which bacteria may grow, resulting in a disease known as periodontal disease. As a result of an infected gum, bacteria can spread throughout the body and cause damage to the liver and kidneys. In order to prevent this condition from occurring, basic routine care is necessary, such as feeding cats dry food and brushing their teeth regularly, to enable them to live a normal, pain-free life.
Respiratory tract disorders
An individual’s respiratory tract consists of two parts, the upper part (the nose, the nasal passages, and the windpipe) and the lower part (the small airways and the lungs). In addition to being susceptible to cat flu, Ragdolls can also suffer from a condition called adenovirus, which affects the upper respiratory tract and causes sneezing and a discharge from the nose. This is an incurable viral disease, but it is easily prevented by vaccination, and it is possible to manage the symptoms if one has it. It is also possible for Ragdolls to suffer from feline asthma, which is caused by allergies and irritants that cause the lower airways (bronchi) and the lungs to become inflamed and sensitive, causing lower respiratory tract issues. There are several symptoms associated with this disease, including wheezing and coughing. Although many respiratory tract disorders cannot be cured, they can be managed with a variety of long-term medications, including tablets, injections, and even inhalers, to help control their symptoms for a long period of time.
Gastrointestinal disorders
As with all cats, the Ragdoll can experience problems related to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which are common to the entire cat species. During the course of passing through the GI tract, there are a number of twists and turns along the way that begin at the mouth and end at the anus. Infections such as gastroenteritis (like feline enteritis), poisonings (such as cat string eating) or obstructions within the intestines (such as cat string eating) can cause vomiting and/or diarrhea in cats when they have gastroenteritis. An individual’s recovery depends on the cause of the condition, but prompt intervention is generally required for a full recovery to occur.
Heart disease
When the heart of a cat is affected by heart disease, it has structures in the organ that do not function properly as they should. As far as heart disease is concerned, there are two types: congenital (meaning the cat is born with it) and acquired (meaning the disease develops as the cat gets older). An individual who suffers from a congenital heart condition has defects in the wall of the heart, as well as abnormal valves and blood vessels. There is a disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy that can lead to the death of ragdolls due to the overgrowth of the heart muscle. There is no cure for this condition, but it can be treated with lifelong medications as it is a chronic condition.
Living Needs
According to the Ragdoll Fanciers Club, Ragdolls are generally gentle dogs that can be cared for by a lot of families, kids, adults, and seniors. Moreover, this breed is also well suited to living with other pets, such as dogs and cats. It is worth mentioning that if you have the room to accommodate these big kitties, and are willing to give them tons of love, they would make wonderful additions to your home.
In case of a short time period, such as a single workday, you will be able to leave your ragdoll alone, but they will surely miss you. They do best in a household where there is usually at least one family member (or more!) present during the day, as they crave human attention. It is certain that a ragdoll will get lonely at home if she is often left alone without her humans. It’s not uncommon for your ragdoll to wait patiently at the door for you when you come back after being away for a few hours, so don’t be surprised if you come back and find her patiently waiting for you!
Your ragdoll is a super-social creature, so you need to keep an eye on her. They have been bred to be trusting, friendly, and will approach anyone without much caution as they have been bred to be friendly and trusting pets. Keep them close to you and on a harness when taking them outside if you decide to take them out.
Kranz, a renowned dog trainer, says that even though ragdolls are docile, that does not mean they are lazy. In addition to playing, these cats also like to be part of family activities, which is why it is important to always keep a few extra cardboard boxes around, as well as cat toys. Oftentimes, they are just as happy to snuggle with you at the end of a busy day as they are to relax in your arms or on your lap after a busy day.
Ragdoll Cat Breed Characteristics
In comparison to most other cats, Ragdolls probably have the most famous reputation for their calm dispositions. The Ragdoll cat has a personality that is more dependent on its owners than any other cat.
In general, Ragdolls prefer to spend as much time as possible close to people and enjoy the attention they receive. The Ragdoll breed is also regarded as one of the best breeds for children. It is not uncommon for people to be hauled around by their children. There are many reasons why Ragdolls are the perfect cat in almost every aspect.
It is fair to say that ragdoll cats are generally larger than most cats. In general, the average female Ragdoll weighs between 14 and 15 pounds, whereas the average male Ragdoll weighs closer to 20 pounds. In spite of this, some males can grow up to 30 pounds in size.
It has been reported that Ragdolls reach their full maturity and size once they are 3-4 years old according to multiple sources. In spite of the fact that Ragdolls possess a mellow disposition, they’re not capable of fighting like other cat breeds, so they should not be left outside unattended.
Common Health Problems
It is a known fact that ragdoll cats are susceptible to obesity, just like many large breed cats.2 To help prevent obesity in your cat, it is recommended that you feed him puzzle toys and portion out his daily diet. Playing with your cat on a regular basis is also very important for the weight management of your cat. The truth is, chubby cats aren’t healthy, no matter how cute they might be.
As a result, they are susceptible to bladder stones, which can cause pain in the bladder and blood to leak into the urine. This condition can be detected by vocalizing (crying) in a litter box, straining to urinate, or urinating outside the litter box. By encouraging your cat to drink a lot of fresh water and scheduling regular vet visits, you can prevent bladder stones and other urinary infections from occurring.3
In addition to this, Ragdolls are also susceptible to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a condition that is difficult to prevent.4 Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart muscles become thick and engorged with fluid. The cat can be diagnosed with HCM by an echocardiogram, however, this can only be done after the cat has developed the condition. Breeders can also be helped by genetic testing to avoid breeding cats with HCM, though this is always a risk, and once a cat develops HCM, there is no cure for it.
Ragdoll Cat Colors, Points & Patterns
Although there are not many Ragdoll cat breeds to choose from, there are many colors and patterns to choose from for Ragdoll cats. The Ragdoll cat is born white, but as it grows, it develops a variety of colors and patterns, as seen in the Ragdoll color progression chart, which shows the development of Ragdoll cat colors as it grows.
Aside from this, they are also color-pointed cats, which means that their bodies are lighter than their extremities in terms of their color. Depending on the breed of Ragdoll and the pattern they can acquire, as per the Ragdoll Fanciers Club International (RFCI) and Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), Ragdolls can be colorpoint, mitted, bicolor, lynx point, or tortie point.
The Colorpointed Cats Transition: Ragdoll Cats is a fun collection of photos showing how Ragdoll kittens to cats change colors as they age, so take a look at that too.
Coat Color And Grooming
Known for their large size, semi-long coat in a pointed pattern, and sparkling blue eyes, Ragdolls stand out among other breeds of dogs. There are some males that weigh in at over 20 pounds, making them one of the largest domesticated cats there are. Ragdolls have a light-colored body, as well as darker-colored faces, legs, tails, and ear tips. He is available in three different patterns: Mitted, Bicolor, and Colorpoint, all of which have white on them, while the colorpoint does not have any white on it. Until the age of three or four, ragdoll puppies will not reach their full size and develop their coats to their full potential.
A Ragdoll should be able to have a wide, large head that is shaped like a wedge, according to the Breed Standard of the Cat Fanciers Association. In addition, the muzzle of the dog should be gently rounded, and all sides of the head should have an equal length. A vivid blue oval shape is described as the shape of the eyes. These medium-sized birds have rounded tips on their ears, and their earlobes tilt forward. Its head is held in place by a very strong neck, which leads into a large and long body that can be described as strong, solid, and heavy-boned, with broad shoulders and a long tail. In this species of animal, the hind leg is slightly longer than the front leg, which is due to the heavy bone structure. A long, flat tail is tipped with fur and is round in shape, resembling a plume of fur waving in the wind.
Ragdolls are known for their silky, moderately long coats that have a fine texture. The hair grows short on the face, then grows into a ruff around the neck, then it grows short again around the shoulder blades, and then it grows longer toward the tail, which is fully feathered with fur as well. There are four varieties of coats available according to the association, bi-color, van, mitted, and colorpoint. The colors may range from seal, blue, cocoa, lilac, red, and cream; the points could be solid, lynx, tortie, or torbie (tortie and lynx). Having such a wide range of colors and patterns available means that there are a lot of possibilities to choose from.
There is a special breed of dog called the Mitted Ragdoll, which is exactly what it sounds like: It has four white feet, a white belly and chin, and sometimes a white spot on the head that may appear like a blaze, star or hourglass. As compared to mitteds, bi-colors have even more white on their chests, bellies and backs, sometimes even more white than those on mitteds. An inverted V-shaped white spot may appear on the face of these patients. A Vans shoe has the most white on its body, while a Colorpoint boot has no white on its body.
The cosmetic imperfections of Ragdolls that are sold as pets may not present themselves in the show ring and make them unsuitable for being shown. The most common of them are ears that are set higher on the head than what is ideal, noses that do not have an upturned tip, eyes that are not Crater Lake-blue, or maybe mitts that do not reach as high as they should on the hind legs. As long as the cat has the sweet, loving temperament that distinguishes Ragdolls, none of these things will matter at all to anyone who will be sharing their home with the cat instead of competing with them in the show ring.
Care
Ragdolls have relatively simple grooming requirements compared to other dogs. While these are very clean animals that take care of most of what they need on their own, they might still need to be bathed from time to time. You should put her in the tub as soon as you notice her coat is looking greasy and stringy because it is time for her to be bathed.
Nicole Goudey-Rigger, the owner and CEO of Pets a Go Go, says that daily combing will keep the coat of a ragdoll in good condition. It is crucial to start grooming a kitten as soon as possible and to dedicate a set amount of time every day to avoid having to visit a professional groomer during its lifetime.”
It is also important to maintain a regular care routine for your ragdoll, including trimming its nails and cleaning its ears on a regular basis.
The Ragdoll is a playful animal that will enjoy having toys available for them. Ragdolls are playful animals. The cat trees should be placed low to the ground, since they aren’t climbers that climb very high. A cat of this breed does not require a lot of extras in the way of exercise compared to other breeds of cats. In between their frequent naps, you will find that they spend a large amount of time lying around, with short bursts of activity and play between them.
It is generally accepted that Ragdolls are very easy to train. Whether they are puppies or adults, they can learn a lot of fun tricks like coming when called, retrieving toys, and more. It is also not uncommon for them to learn how to use scratching posts and litter boxes pretty quickly as well, as they are usually quick learners. These cats need huge litter boxes to be able to accommodate them and to allow them to comfortably squat down on them. During training, these people-loving cats thrive on being reinforced with lots of praise, snacks, and affection.
Ragdolls are easy to socialize because they are so trusting and want to be the best friend of every human they come into contact with. When it comes to making friends with these social butterflies, the hardest part is keeping an eye on them, because they can easily get into trouble (or lose or steal) if they do not watch out for them.
Your ragdoll cat should be fed high-quality cat food, and you should monitor her behavior so that she does not overeat. Ragdoll cats have a tendency to become obese. The amount of food you should feed your cat as well as how often you should feed him should be determined by your veterinarian.
Ragdoll Cat Overview
There is no doubt that the ragdoll cat will be a wonderful addition to your household if you are looking for a soft, cuddly, and docile cat. As far as people of all ages, as well as other animals are concerned, Ragdolls get along with each other well. In addition to playing with them, they adore snuggling up and cuddling with one another when they are not playing. Besides being beautiful, these cats also have a charming personality, which makes them a perfect match for you.
Nutrition and Feeding
The likes, dislikes, and needs of every cat when it comes to food are unique and each cat has its own particulars when it comes to food. In spite of this, cats are carnivores, and therefore every cat needs to get 41 different nutrients and specific substances from the food that they consume. Depending on your cat’s age, lifestyle, and overall health, the proportion of each of these nutrients will vary, so it shouldn’t surprise you that a growing, energetic kitten will require a different balance of nutrients than an older, less active cat who is not as active.
There are a few other things that should be taken into consideration when feeding your cat. One such consideration is feeding the right quantity of food in accordance with the feeding guidelines and catering to the individual’s preference regarding wet or dry cat food recipes. This article will provide you with more information about the feeding guidelines for cats.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Ragdoll Cat
Ensure that you know as much as you can about the breeder and the breed before making a purchase. You can also learn more about the breed from the breeder, who can help you figure out if a ragdoll is best suited for your lifestyle. It is recommended that you begin your search for breeders by contacting The Cat Fanciers Association if you wish to obtain a referral.
It is also possible to find a ragdoll that you are interested in adopting from a rescue organization if you check out local adoption events and you may find a ragdoll that is looking for a new home. The Ragdoll Rescue USA and Ragdoll Rescue International websites are also worth exploring.
FAQ
How much does a ragdoll cat cost?
It is estimated that the cost of owning a ragdoll ranges from $425 (pet quality) to $2,500 (breeder quality).
Are ragdoll cats good with kids?
There’s nothing better than playing and cuddling with a ragdoll, which makes them the perfect pet for a respectful child.
Do ragdoll cats need to be brushed?
A Ragdoll cat has a short coat of fur, and there is no underlayer to its coat, so it requires less grooming than other long-haired cats. In spite of this, it is still recommended to brush your cat’s coat on occasion in order to keep it soft and prevent tangles.
