It’s impossible not to love Ragdoll cats. These fluffy furballs only super cute and absolutely huggable, and their charming personalities will make even dog lovers wish they had a Ragdoll kitty!
A relatively new breed, the Ragdoll was developed by an American breeder in the 1960s. These adorable fellows are among the most popular breeds in the UK and the US. For good reason, they’ve been nicknamed dog-like cats and/or lap cats.
They are loyal, friendly, and intelligent. Moreover, Ragdolls are among the several cat breeds suitable for co-living with a pet dog.
They have a long lifespan of approximately 12-17 years and their temperaments make them the perfect family cat. If you’re in the market for an independent, free-willed kitty, the Ragdoll is not for you. However, these furballs are a top choice if you wish to have a tolerant, affectionate, and notably loyal companion.
These large, long-haired felines are well-known for being laid-back and tolerant of almost anything.
They will sleep in your bed, allow your kids to pick them up constantly, and won’t fuss about their food if you feed them with healthy, high-quality products.
Ragdoll cats come in various colors, including lilac, cream, seal, and chocolate. Their patterns can be mitted, colorpoint, lynx, bicolor, and particolored. The baby kittens are born white, similar to Siamese cats, and develop their color points around the eighth week.
Ragdoll facts
Do you know how Ragdolls got their name? It’s pretty obvious. A surprising phenomenon occurs when you lift every Ragdoll in the world – its back legs become completely limp. And unlike other domestic felines, these cats enjoy being held at all times! Here are some other interesting facts about the Ragdoll breed, which will make you love these kitties.
Piercing blue eyes
All Ragdoll kittens have piercing blue eyes, which vary in shades. During feline shows, the jury always looks for Ragdolls with intensely- colored baby blues. Blue eyes are among this breed’s best physical features combined with their light fur coat. The same genes responsible for these kitties’ fur color are responsible for their strikingly gorgeous eyes.
Large kitty
The Ragdoll is a large kitty. Similar to the Maine Coon, the Ragdoll cat is not only large in bone structure but also in terms of long fur coats. This breed’s body has a sturdy frame with well-proportionate legs.
Male Ragdolls are significantly larger than their female counterparts. Females can reach around 15 pounds, whereas males can weigh around 20 pounds. The breed requires specific nutrition from a young age to grow, thrive, and reach its potential. Just as with other feline breeds, malnourishment is a serious problem for Ragdolls, and so is obesity.
Lap cat
So, you just learned that Ragdolls like being held by their pet parents. But did you know that they are also lap cats?
Ragdolls love their owners excessively. If you’re thinking of welcoming a Ragdoll kitty, prepare to have your personal space constantly invaded. You’ll end up with a fluffy furball in your lap whenever you’re reading, watching TV, or browsing the web.
Dog-like loyal
Ragdolls are also often compared to dogs because they’re extremely loyal to their owner–or owners. It might sound crazy, but Ragdolls are so loyal and affectionate that they’ll always follow you around. In other words, expect your kitty to wait outside the bathroom each time you shower. And expect it to greet you at the door each time you return home.
Getting an interactive pet camera is a good way to make your Ragdoll cat’s life easier when it’s home alone. The camera can play voice recordings so your super-social pet won’t feel lonely.
Laid-back and amiable
Ragdolls are a notoriously amiable breed. They get along with their families, strangers, and other animals.
These cats are famous for being tolerant towards anything and anyone. They also won’t mind sharing all of their attention with kids or other pets, and they won’t get jealous if you prefer to watch TV instead of playing with them – they’ll sit on your lap and pretend they’re fluffy pillows.
Given how friendly Ragdolls are with any species, keeping your Ragdoll kitty strictly indoors is best. Otherwise, it may make friends with somebody outside your yard’s fence. Losing such an affectionate companion would be truly devastating.
Requires a lot of maintenance
Unlike other cat breeds, Ragdolls don’t have an undercoat layer of fur. However, that doesn’t mean that they are low-maintenance cats.
Due to their long fur, regular grooming, brushing, and de-shedding are an inevitable necessity for this breed. They don’t shed as much as other cats, and their fur doesn’t get tangled easily. Unfortunately, if you don’t groom and bathe your Ragdoll regularly, its fur will attract dirt, debris, and possible allergens. Furthermore, you’ll eventually be buried in cat hair.
Silicone brushes and stainless steel combs are great choices for grooming your Ragdoll. Bathing also comes easier with this breed as Ragdolls are tolerant and easy-going by default.
Intelligent
These feline creatures are intelligent and amenable to training. You can teach them how to play fetch with their favorite cat toy, and they can learn to respond to some commands.
Suitable for kids and other pets
Ragdolls are among the best feline breeds for families with children. They are lovable, friendly, huggable, and tolerant. They will constantly tolerate even a demanding child’s wishes to pick up or pet the family cat. Moreover, they get a big kick from playtime, training sessions, and grooming because they perceive it as a bonding experience with their pet parents.
On top of that, the Ragdoll’s laid-back temper and lack of jealousy make it a good fit for families with dogs. While not all dog breeds are suitable for living with cats, this cat breed is easy to get along with. Of course, accidents are always bound to happen, so you need to be careful. Always introduce the two pets in a soothing and controlled environment. The safest bet is to introduce them while one or both animals are young pups or kittens.
How much do Ragdoll cats and kittens cost? Price analysis and buying guide.
Despite the numerous advantages of a pet Ragdoll (long lifespan, dog and kid-friendly temperament, loyalty, beauty, and so forth), this breed is quite inexpensive. It might sound surprising, but these furballs are affordable compared to other domestic breeds.
Just how affordable are Ragdoll cats and kittens? Here’s a short price analysis of the breed:
- The starting price for Ragdoll cats is around $400 to $500.
- Pet-quality Ragdolls may cost up to $1k, but those are over-the-top price tags.
- Pedigree Ragdoll kittens for shows cost between $1,200 and $2,500.
- Tortoise, flame (red), and other non-traditional color combinations cost more than common colors and patterns.
- In some parts of Europe, especially the UK, Ragdoll kittens are slightly cheaper than in the US.
All Ragdolls have piercing blue eyes and fluffy fur coats, but that doesn’t mean all Ragdolls listed for sale are real Ragdolls. Breeders often mix them with other furballs, so you can’t be sure what’s in the mix of your $400-$500 kitten unless you pay for DNA tests.
Pro buying guide tip for Ragdoll cats – don’t adopt newborns! Wait at least 12 weeks to ensure the breed’s characteristics have developed. Otherwise, you might get cheated into buying a non-pure kitty.
Health problems
This feline breed has a long lifespan of approximately 12-17 years. Unfortunately, according to research, Ragdoll cats tend to suffer from health problems more frequently than other breeds. Many of these problems are genetically inherent to the breed.
Kidney diseases and urinary problems are common for all Ragdolls. Bladder stones, infectious peritonitis, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are also among the most common health problems affecting these felines. As such, high-quality cat food, proper nutrition, daily exercise, and regular vet check-ups are of intrinsic importance for these kitties.
These lap cats are gorgeous in terms of physical appearance and a pure pleasure to be around. Maintaining your feline pet’s mental and physical health should always be your priority.
Don’t neglect your kitty’s needs, and don’t miss a scheduled appointment with the vet. Keeping your Ragdoll happy, healthy, and thriving means you’ll have a loving, loyal, and affectionate companion that will cherish each moment it spends around you for the rest of its life.
Thanks for helping me understand more about ragdoll cats. I had no idea that they could be susceptible to training, and that you can even teach them how to play fetch. Sounds like it could be a good tactic to even get some exercise in.
I have 15 yr Tabby Cat that has MS what should I be feeding him I know high fiber but no one seems to know what that is at pet stores? I am getting 2 rag doll kittens this week(dont think pure) Is there a special type of food they need.&what about med for new kittens.?
Hi Agnes – We just wrote an article on the top high fiber foods here. Check it out and let us know if it helps!
I like what you said about Ragdoll kittens and how they have piercing blue eyes. I think kittens are so cute, and they make great pets. If I were to adopt a kitten, I would find a reliable seller in my area.