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Ragamuffin Cat Breed Introduction
The Ragamuffin Cat is a friendly domesticated cat breed originally from the United States known for its thick fur. They were considered a type of Ragdoll Cats until 1994. These cats are known for having a broad, modified wedge with a moderately rounded forehead. Ragamuffin Cats have wide muzzle and puffy whiskers pads.
Moreover, they have a soft, dense, and silky coat that comes in solid colors or spots or patches of white, black, blue, red, cream, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, seal brown, or mixed colors. These cats are attached to their owners and enjoy a busy home. They enjoy exercise and love toys. In addition, they have large walnut-shaped eyes and moderate, tufted ears.
Origin
They were created in the 1960s in California by Ann Baker from the Ragdoll cat. Ann cared for a colony of feral cats and after she bred Ragdoll breed, she developed strict rules for anyone wishing to breed them. However, a group of Ann’s split from her control in 1967 and they took their cats to mainstream registries to show and make their own breeding choices.
She then formed the Ragdoll Cat Association where all her breeders registered only with her. After 20 years, in 1993, a group of breeders persuaded Ann to retire and she was voted to leave IRCA. After retiring, the cats were later bred and Curt Gehm of Leibling Cats in Virginia came up with the “RagaMuffin” name. The M in Muffin is capitalized because they’re big huggable, lovable Muffins.
In addition, the cats gained recognition in the USA in May 2001. The World Cat Federation, Cat Fanciers Association, Cat Fanciers Federation, and American Cat Fanciers Association recognize them.
Ragamuffin Cat lifespan
The Ragamuffin Cats are known to have a lifespan of 12 to 16 years but some can live up to 18 years.
Grooming
Ragamuffin Cats have a medium to medium-long soft, dense, silky coat that requires weekly brushing to prevent matting. These cats contain an unusual texture to their hair which is tangle-resistant. Brushing is done using a stainless steel comb. When it comes to bathing, these cats do not require frequent bathing as they clean themselves.
However, the owners can clean them after four to six weeks if their coats look clumpy, feel oily, and form peaks and parts. Brush the cat’s coat first before washing. Use a vet-approved mild shampoo and conditioner with lukewarm water to bathe. Dry them using a towel and comb their coat to give them a neat finish.
After one month, trim the cat’s nails to avoid having sharp nails that can tear things around the house. Use cotton balls and a vet-recommended ear-cleaning solution to clean their ears. Brush Ragamuffin Cats’ teeth regularly with a vet-approved pet toothpaste. This is because the breed is prone to periodontal disease.
Shedding
The Ragamuffin Cats shed their coats but not excessively. During seasonal changes, they may shed more than other days.
Coat
The Ragamuffin Cats have a medium to medium long soft, dense, and silky coat.
Hypoallergenic
No cats are 100% hypoallergenic. Ragamuffin Cats are not hypoallergenic. They have soft and cuddly hair which makes them loveable but they leave hair where they lay. This hair contains dander that has the Fel-D1 protein which causes inflammation and asthma in allergic people. Their urine and saliva also contain the protein thus, making the Ragamuffin Cats not a good choice for allergic people.
Training
Ragamuffin Cats require patience and positive mental stimulation during training that provides both physical and mental stimulation. Ragamuffins are excellent companions for seniors or people with mobility problems. They require socialization to prevent them from being shy. Socialization is done mostly after three weeks when they are taken to parks, new places, new people, and new animals.
Have engaging training sessions to avoid distractions or boredom for the cats. Ensure to praise or cuddle and reward the cat after a correct behavior and do not punish the cat for bad behavior. Let the Ragamuffin Cats learn obedience skills and also command words like “high five”, “sit”, “come” or “no”.
The Ragamuffin cat owners can use a clicker to train them as they like to please their parents. Ragamuffin cats can also be trained to walk on leashes. In addition, provide effective housebreaking rules, such as early crate training, potty training, and feeding schedules.
Ragamuffin Personality Traits
- Affectionate.
- Cuddly.
- Friendly
- Intelligent.
- Loyal.
- Playful.
- Gentle.
- easy-going
- Curious.
- Docile.
Exercise
The Ragamuffin Cats require exercise to keep them healthy and strong. These cats are known to be low-energy and pretty relaxed cats that need some physical activity. They also attend tea parties and enjoy being pushed in strollers. Moreover, when they are young, they can play games like fetch but as they grow they become a bit lazy.
Meowing
Ragamuffin Cats do not meow a lot. These cats will only meow when they are saying hello, to say something is wrong, or to ask for something. The adult Ragamuffin Cats will only meow to people.
Ragamuffin Cat Size
Ragamuffin Cats stand at a height of 10 to 15 inches ( approx. 25.4 to 38 cm ) and Female Ragamuffin Cats weigh between 10 to 16 pounds ( approx. 4.5 to 7.2 kg ) while the males weigh between 15 to 20 pounds ( approx. 6.8 to 9 kg ).
Apart from Ragamuffin Cats, another cat breed is;
Height
Ragamuffin Cats stand at a height of 10 to 15 inches ( approx. 25.4 to 38 cm ).
Weight
Female Ragamuffin Cats weigh between 10 to 16 pounds ( approx. 4.5 to 7.2 kg ) while males weigh between 15 to 20 pounds ( approx. 6.8 to 9 kg ).
Health Issues
Ragamuffin Cats are a healthy breed and have no specific problems. However, they may inherit health issues like kidney disease and heart problems like Cardiomyopathy. Owners are also required to check for arthritis and patellar luxation as they grow. Moreover, ensure the cat is vaccinated against Feline Herpes Virus, rabies, Calicivirus, and Feline distemper.
Names
Ragamuffin cat owners typically give their cats names either before or after adopting them. These names often draw inspiration from a variety of sources, such as the cat’s place of origin, songs, books, movies, or the cat’s unique coat. Additionally, Ragamuffin cat owners may choose to name their cats based on their personalities or physical features. It is important, however, to ensure that the chosen name is distinct from any commands the cat may be taught during training. Some examples of names that are commonly given to Ragamuffin Cats include:
- Fudge.
- Ripple.
- Pixi.
- Rolo.
- Adina.
- Malinda.
- Dalia.
- Olley.
- Luna.
- Aiko.
Food
Ragamuffin cat owners should consider their cat’s age, sex, and activity levels when feeding them. Cats are mostly carnivorous but can also eat wet or dry food. Owners should avoid overfeeding the cats to avoid becoming overweight, thus, they should feed them twice a day for seniors and adults.
Always incorporate treats during the day. For the kitten, they can have four meals a day until they are six months old and then three meals until they turn one year old. Give the Ragamuffin Cats multivitamins to boost their energy, vitality, and health. Additionally, provide them with fresh and clean water.
Ragamuffin Cat Colors
Ragamuffin Cats come in solid colors but they may have stripes or patches of black, blue, red, cream, chocolate, white, cinnamon, lilac, seal brown or mixed colors.
Blue
Ragamuffin Cats can be available in a unique shade of blue color. The color shimmers around the sun giving an exquisite spectrum of silvery shades. These cats contain dark blue parts on the muzzle, legs, and tail.
Ragamuffin Cat Black
Ragamuffin Cats can have a solid black coat with thick, dense, long hair, black noses, and paw pads. The color of their eyes can be any solid shade, and in some cases, they may have heterochromia, which means they have two different eye colors.
Grey
Ragamuffin Cats are available in grey colors and they can have grey kittens if the breeders breed a grey queen and a grey tom. These cats are very rare.
Orange
Ragamuffin Cats can be orange but with patches or stripes of white around the neck, face, legs, and tail.
Black And White
Ragamuffin Cats can have the black and white color as a bi-color or as a tuxedo. The cats have a white belly that can extend up to their chin, with patches of black on the back, head, face, and tail. The black and white color can be in the form of small patches or take the saddle’s appearance.
Tuxedo
Ragamuffin Cats can have a tuxedo coat which is usually a black cat with white trimming that makes it look like it’s wearing a traditional tuxedo. These cats look so formal. Black and white are the most common but also other colors are available.
Brown
Ragamuffin Cats can have brown color gene variants that are reduced amounts of black pigment. This leads them to appear brownish. They are also available in seal brown color.
Grey And White
Ragamuffin Cats can have the bi-color or tuxedo type of grey and white color. The cats have a white belly that can extend up to their chin, with patches of grey on the back, head, face, and tail. Also, the grey and white color can be in the form of small patches or take the saddle’s appearance.
White
Ragamuffin Cats can have a solid white color without any spots. This is attained by crossbreeding a white queen and a white tom. These cats have light pink noses and paw pads.
Calico
Calico Ragamuffin Cats are cats that have patches of two colors plus white. Common colors are red, black, and white. However, most of the cats are female as it is rare to find a male cat with both red and black colors because of genetics. A cat that is calico tends to have white bellies with white, red, and black patches over the sides, back, tail, and face.
Ragamuffin Siamese Cat
Ragamuffin and Siamese Cats are two different cat breeds. The Siamese cats originated from Thailand and are a popular breed in Europe and North America. The Ragamuffins originated in the United States from the Ragdoll. Furthermore, the two cat breeds have not been mixed.
Ragamuffin Munchkin Cat
Ragamuffins and Munchkin cats are two different cat breeds. The Munchkin cats originated from the United States and are known to have very short legs which are caused by a genetic mutation. The breed was officially recognized in 1991. These breeds have not been crossbred but the Munchkin cats have been bred with the Ragdoll.
Ragamuffin Black Ragdoll Cat
Ragamuffins were first considered to be a type of Ragdoll cat until 1994 when they were separated. The Ragdoll have a semi-long and silky soft coat while the Ragamuffins have a medium to medium long soft, dense, and silky coat. Moreover, both cat breeds are available in black color.
Kitten Price
The price of the Ragamuffin kitten is between $800 to $1000 depending on the age and location of the breeder.
Ragamuffin Cat Cost
Ragamuffin Cats are known to be rare and they cost between $1000 to $2000.
Difference Between Ragdoll And Ragamuffin
- The Ragdoll have a semi-long and silky soft coat while the Ragamuffins have a medium to medium long soft, dense, and silky coat.
- The Ragdolls have a distinct colorpoint coat and blue eyes while the Ragamuffins have solid or patched coats and solid eyes with some exhibiting heterochromia.
- Ragdolls have oval-shaped eyes while the Ragamuffin cats have very round and walnut-shaped eyes.
- Both Ragdolls and Ragamuffins can be very lazy thus, they require exercise.
- Ragdolls originated from California while Ragamuffins are known to be the descendants of Ragdolls.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What Is A Ragamuffin Cat
Ragamuffin cats are a captivating breed recognized in the US in 1994. Known for their charming personalities and luxurious coats, they make a popular choice among cat lovers. They are incredibly friendly and sociable, enjoying time with their human companions. They have an average lifespan of 12 to 16 years but some can live up to 18 years.
What Is A Ragamuffin Cat Mixed With
Ragamuffin cats are attained by mixing a Ragdoll with other longhaired cats.
How Much Do Ragamuffin Cats Cost
Healthy Ragamuffin Cats cost between $1000 to $2000 depending on their age, size, and location of the breeder.
What Does A Ragamuffin Cat Look Like
Ragamuffin Cats have a medium to medium long soft, dense, and silky coat and solid eyes with some exhibiting heterochromia. They are also friendly to adults and children.
How Big Do Ragamuffin Cats Get
Female Ragamuffin Cats weigh between 10 to 16 pounds ( approx. 4.5 to 7.2kg ) while the males weigh between 15 to 20 pounds ( approx. 6.8 to 9kg ).
How Much Are Ragamuffin Kittens
Ragamuffin kittens are sold between $800 to $1000 depending on the age and location of the breeder.
Are Ragamuffin Cats Rare
Yes. Ragamuffins are rare and expensive cats with only several breeders in the United States and Europe.
Are Ragamuffin Cats Hypoallergenic
No. Ragamuffin Cats are not hypoallergenic as they leave hair where they lay. The hair contains dander that has the Fel-D1 protein which causes inflammation and asthma in allergic people. Also, their urine and saliva contain the protein.
Ragamuffin Cat Quick Facts
- Ragamuffin kittens are typically born with a white coat, which develops its characteristic color pattern as they grow older.
- The Ragamuffin Cats with colorpoints are not permitted to participate in CFA or GCCF shows.
- Ragamuffin Cats can have any color and pattern.
