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Ragdoll Cat Breed Introduction
Ragdoll is a large-sized cat breed originally from Riverside, California, in the United States. These cats were bred in the 1960s by Ann Baker, an American breeder. Ragdolls are well known for their docile, placid traits and affectionate nature. These cats got their name from the habit of going limp with pleasure when they are being held.
Female Ragdolls that are fully grown can weigh 8 to 15 pounds (3.6 to 6.8 kg) while males weigh 12 to 20 pounds (5.4 to 9.1 kg) or more. These cats mature slowly as they may take up to four years to reach maturity size. Because they tend to follow people around, they are always regarded as “dog-like cats”. These cats are recognized by their pointed coloration (where their body is lighter compared to their face, ears, legs, and tail), big round blue eyes, soft, thick coats, thick limbs, long tails, and soft bodies.
Because their coats tend to be long, Ragdolls usually need brushing at least twice a week. Full-grown Ragdolls develop knickerbockers on their hind legs and a ruff on their necks. Ragdolls’ color rings are mostly tricolor or bicolor. Ragdolls make the best, loving buddy for adults and young children. With proper training, these cats can get along with other pets in the house. Overall, Ragdolls love to be near their families and crave their humans’ attention.
Origin
In the 1960s, Ragdolls were bred in California by Ann Baker. She needed to create a nice cat with a loving personality. Ann began by breeding a domestic long-haired, white cat of unmentioned origin named Josephine with other cats Ann either owned or found. Afterward, Josephine sired kittens with a docile, placid trait, affectionate in nature, and the ability to go limp and relax when held up. From those recent litters emerged Blackie which is an all-black male, and Daddy Warbucks which is a seal point having white feet.
All Ragdolls are dismounted from Ann’s cats via matings of Daddy Warbucks to Fugianna and Buckwheat. Even if it took a few generations, Ann finally produced the first cats she named Ragdolls that were loved for their non-matting fur, large size, and outgoing temperaments. These cats are consistently one of the most famous cat breeds recognized by the CFA.
Lifespan
The lifespan of Ragdolls is 15 to 20 years.
Lifespan Indoor
The lifespan for indoor Ragdolls is 15 to 18 years and they can live up to 20 years old or even more. The lifespan of female cats is more than that of male cats.
Ragdoll Grooming
Even if they don’t mat at all like other cat breeds they still need weekly brushing. For Ragdolls, a simple butter comb is required for brushing as it does not pull on the fur harshly. However, some of these cats’ coats can occasionally get greasy, specifically on the base of the tail. If the oil builds up more on their tail, it can cause infection of the hair follicles and hair loss. So if your Ragdolls ever do develop an oily tail, you should degrease them as soon as possible to curb these issues from happening.
To degrease their coat, Groomer’s Goop is applied onto the oily area before bathing them, (focusing the product on the base of the fur) and leave it on for 5 minutes. Ragdolls should bathe once every 4-6 weeks unless they roll in something messy. A hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner is also used to bath them. If your Ragdolls is especially terrified of water, a cat bathing bag is recommended. The bathing bag will allow the owner to still bathe them but will keep both of you safe from accidental injury during bathing moments.
Clean their teeth twice a week using a finger toothbrush and a feline-formulated toothpaste. As with all cat breeds, owners should also be sure to check on maintaining their nails. Trim your Ragdolls’ nails every other week and take a look inside their ears every week to remove wax and debris.
Lion Cut
Even if these cats lack an undercoat and do not matt at all, regular lion cuts can also be a good way to prevent shedding and allergies. Lion Cut is achieved when the cat’s coat is clipped nearly down to the skin except for the face, mane, legs, and tip of the tail.
Haircuts
They have semi-long hair with a silky coat that is not susceptible to matting. But some owners can do regular trimmings to lower shedding and allergies. They may prefer haircuts such as:
- The Teddy Bear Cut – This haircut is achieved when Ragdolls are shaved all over the body down to about 1/2 inches in length and the cat looks like a teddy bear.
- The Tiger Cut – This hairstyle is achieved by having the same coat length all over. The name itself demonstrates having a tiger tail, head, and perfect paws.
- The Asian Lion Cut – This hairstyle is needed for older cats who cannot support their bodies when peeing. It is achieved when the shaving extends the Ragdolls’ mane to behind its front legs while all the problem areas are shaved.
Ragdoll Shedding
Ragdolls do shed due to their long-haired coat. Their level of shedding depends on the season they are in, their diet and their temperature. In winter these cats develop a thicker coat which they shed in spring. To lower their shedding, weekly brushings are needed.
Shedding Season
These cats do shed. In the winter, Ragdolls will develop a thicker coat, which they will have to shed in Spring.
Coat
They have a semi-long coat that is plush and silky.
Coat Types
- Traditional.
- Mink.
- Sepia.
- Solid.
Summer Vs Winter Coat
– Ragdolls’ winter coat is usually fluffier than the summer coat.
– In summer, Ragdolls’ coat is usually sleek. But when winter comes, their coat grows more due to the cold temperature.
– In the summer season some Ragdolls’ coat might also change color to become a bit brighter because of sunlight while in winter some Ragdolls’ thick winter coats, or the bottom layer, grow a bit greyer, making the fur color darker than normal.
Hair
They are longhaired cats. As kittens, these cats have relatively short hair.
Hypoallergenic
Because these cats don’t have an undercoat, the amount of shedding and dander production is lower than that of heavier-coated breeds. However, many people are still allergic to saliva and skin secretions from cats, and these cats produce these allergens, so Ragdolls are not regarded as hypoallergenic. These cats are not suitable pets for people who have severe cat allergies.
Training
Ragdolls are intelligent cats that are eager to learn new tactics making them highly trainable. However, some may have a stubborn streak and have zero eagerness to please the owner. However, patience, consistency, and the use of positive reinforcement will make training manageable. They also need early training in order to learn acceptable behaviors before getting inclined toward bad habits.
Owners are advised to keep the training sessions short, upbeat, and interesting to prevent them from getting bored and distracted. Every cat training session should be for 5 minutes which are distributed throughout the day to prevent boredom. It is advisable to make use of treats, interactive toys, verbal praise, and petting to inspire positive behaviors. Shouting and yelling scare Ragdolls hence they shut down during training sessions. Also, harsh corrections also negatively affect the relationship between the pet owner and the pet.
Socialization is the key to raising well-mannered Ragdolls. This training is also good for Ragdolls who are a bit wary of strangers. To socialize Ragdolls, expose them to a wide variety of places, people, sights, smells, and sounds like doorbells, whistles, sirens, and lawnmowers.
Teach Ragdolls basic command words like eat, heel, come, in, out, etc. from when they join you home. Some breeders release their Kittens from the early age of 8 weeks while others wait until the cats are aged 12 or 13 weeks. Effectively housebreak Ragdolls by creating a feeding guide, litter training, and leash training. Leash training helps your cat to walk calmly and obediently.
Personality
– Gentle.
– Docile.
– Friendly.
– Relaxed.
– Affectionate.
– Smart.
– Confident.
– Lovable.
– Intelligent.
– Easy-going.
– Cuddly.
Ragdoll Cat Behavior Problems
– Scratching.
– Fear.
– Chewing.
– Anxiety.
– Urine marking.
– Avoiding the Litter Box.
– Lots of Meowing.
Bad Things
- Aloofness.
- Litter-Box Problems.
- Fleas.
- Clawed and Hairy Furniture.
- Expensive Vet Fees.
- Travel Difficulties.
- Allergies.
- Bringing dead Birds and Mice in the house.
Kitten Behavior
If one is playing with their Ragdoll Kitten and they start to nip or scratch, stop paying attention to them promptly. You’ll send a message that the action is unwanted. Owners can also redirect Ragdolls at the moment. If Ragdolls like to scratch your furniture, give them a toy or object that’s acceptable to scratch.
Angry Cat
Due to inappropriate socialization, Ragdolls can be angry. Ragdolls can be rigid, with tails held out stiff and up. To calm it, owners are advised to give them space to calm down and keep them in a safe area.
Exercise
These cats are moderately energetic. Ragdolls enjoy regular playtime using wands or other interactive cat toys. Avoid just leaving toys around for your kitty, though, as it’s good to get up and play together. This helps keep Ragdolls stimulated and avoid behavior problems due to boredom. To keep Ragdolls mentally stimulated, normalize using a puzzle feeder for their daily meals.
Running
Ragdolls run in a three-beat pattern, and there may be phases where their legs don’t touch the ground at all. Indoor Ragdolls usually run for 50–100 meters prior to slowing down and stopping.
Meow | Meowing
They are quiet cats that only tend to meow a lot if they are sick, hungry, or craving for attention.
Size
These cats have a height of 9 to 11 inches ( approx. 23 to 28 cm ) and weigh 8 to 20 pounds ( approx. 3.6 to 9.1 kg ).
Height
Mature Ragdolls have a height of 9 to 11 inches ( approx. 23 to 28 cm ).
Weight
The Ragdolls have a weight of 8 to 20 pounds ( approx. 3.6 to 9.1 kg ).
Male Cat
Male Ragdolls that are fully grown can weigh 12 to 20 pounds (5.4 to 9.1 kg) or more. They have bigger boning and have more muscular body frames when weighed up with females.
Health Issues
If these cats come from a responsible breeder, they are often healthy. Still, there are some genetic predispositions toward health issues to be aware of with Ragdolls. Many of these problems spring up later on in these cats’ lives. Ragdolls can be at risk of health problems such as:
– Hydrocephalus.
– Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome.
– Bladder stones.
– Obesity.
– Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Eye Infection
Ragdolls can suffer from eye infections that can be caused by bacteria or viruses. Conjunctivitis is also an eye infection in these cats. If these cats have an eye infection they may experience pain, itching, redness, and discharge from their eyes. Eye infections can also be caused by Glaucoma and allergies. Physical injuries, such as scratches can also cause Ragdolls eye infections. Based on the type of cat eye infection, their treatment could be anti-viral or antibacterial. One can use Oral antibiotics, eye drops, and other topical solutions such as lubricants. Use antibiotic ointments in a Ragdoll’s eye if the infection is due to bacteria.
Eye Problems
Some of the eye problems that affect Ragdolls include Conjunctivitis, Corneal ulcer, Uveitis, and Cataracts which cause pain, itching, redness, and discharge.
Allergies
Ragdolls can be prone to allergies such as:
Flea Allergies – Most Ragdolls can have allergies once infested with fleas. They may itch their bodies and manifest as licking and scratching to ease itching.
Pollen Allergies – Most Ragdolls can be allergic to tree, grass, and weed pollens. Ragdolls that are allergic to pollen can show signs such as watery eyes and regular sneezing.
Food Allergies – Some Ragdolls can have allergies to specific ingredients present in most cat foods. Ragdolls with food allergies mostly display gastrointestinal problems like vomiting, gassiness, and diarrhea.
Ragdoll Names
Ragdolls parents may decide to get a name for the pet before it leaves the shelter or a few days after the pet joins them at home in order to understand better the personality of the cat. They may get name inspirations from the personality of the cat, coat color, movies, books, songs, and celebrities. Parents should make sure the name chosen does not rhyme with the command words to avoid confusion. Some of the names that parents give to their Ragdolls include:
Unique Female Names
- Adia.
- Belinda.
- Ellery.
- Guinevere.
- Hazel.
- Katniss.
- Marian.
- Minerva.
- Ophelia.
Unique Male Names
- Leonardo.
- Maximus.
- Oliver.
- Sebastian.
- Alexander.
- Edward.
- Theodore.
Ragdoll Food
The amount of food that Ragdolls feed on depends on their age, size, metabolism, body build, and activity level. Ragdolls thrive on either commercial cat food, homemade, or raw food. On overage, the kitten feeds on a lean protein diet which supports the growth of muscles, tendons, and tissue. Kittens should be fed four times a day from the age of 13 to 18 weeks and three times a day from 18 weeks until they attain the six month mark. Full-grown Ragdolls eat twice a day.
Also, owners can opt for free feeding, leaving food out for the kittens to eat throughout the day. Although, as these cats grow into adulthood, free-feeding can result in weight gain. Some Ragdolls may be prone to getting overweight. Therefore, parents should watch the weight level and calorie intake as well as treats that aid in training.
Apart from Ragdoll, another cat breed include:
Patterns
These cats come in four main patterns namely, bicolor, van, mitted, and colorpoint. Their main patterns also appear in six major colors namely, seal blue, chocolate, lilac, red, and cream.
Colors
These cats come in six evident colors: seal, chocolate, red, and the corresponding ‘dilutes’: blue, lilac, and cream. There is also the lynx and tortoiseshell difference in all colors and the three patterns. Their kittens are born white: they have good color at 8 to 10 weeks and full color and coat at 3 to 4 years when they are fully grown.
White
Although rare, Ragdolls also have a solid white coat courtesy of high levels of white color genes in the breeding parents.
Blue Bicolor
Blue Bicolor Ragdolls have a mix of a blue-cream tortie bicolor with a striping cover. Tortie means that the part is cream or red. Almost all female Ragdolls are tortie.
Bicolor
These cats that are bicolor look the same in appearance as colorpoint Ragdolls, but these cats will have an inverted-V coloring pattern on the face and a light belly and limb color.
Orange
Orange Ragdolls have red or cream fur accompanied by an orange hue.
Face
A Ragdoll has a rounded triangle face shape.
Types
- Seal Lynx Point Ragdoll.
- Chocolate Lynx Point Ragdoll.
- Blue Lynx Point Ragdoll Cat.
- Lilac Lynx Point Ragdoll Cat.
- Red Lynx Point Ragdoll Cat.
- Cream Lynx Point Ragdoll Cat.
Blue Eyes
These cats have piercing blue eyes.
Green Eyes
Mixed Ragdolls may have green eyes.
Eye Color
Purebred Ragdolls have blue eyes.
Yellow Eyes
Mixed Ragdolls may have yellow eyes.
Eye Color Change
All purebred Ragdolls’ kittens are born with blue eyes. It is only mixed Ragdolls that change eye color to either yellow or green.
Paws
These cats have large, round, and tufted paws.
Tail
These cats have long and bushy tails.
Ragdoll Munchkin Cat
Ragdoll Munchkin Cats are crossbred between the Ragdoll and the Munchkin. They have silky-medium length fur and nice short legs. Ragdoll Munchkins are recognized for their friendly and playful personalities. Their kittens are dwarfs.
Ragdoll Maine Coon Mix
The Maine Coon Ragdoll Mix is a mix of Maine Coon and Ragdoll cats. They are rare compared to shorthairs, longhairs, or even Siamese cats. Maine Coon Ragdoll Mixes are not too wild like some cat breeds, as they are social with other pets.
Ragdoll Himalayan Cat
A mix of elegant Himalayan and the affectionate Ragdoll is called the Himalayan Ragdoll Cat Mix Breed. They inherit their striking features and traits from both their parent breeds.
Price
The price of Ragdolls is $1000 to $3500 depending on the age of the cat and the location of the breeder.
Kittens
The kittens have a colorpoint coat except for the solid coated white kittens.
How Much Is A Ragdoll Cat
Ragdolls cat costs between $1000 to $3500 depending on the age of the cat and the location of the breeder.
Can Ragdolls Have Green Eyes
Yes, Ragdolls that are mixed breed might have green eyes when they are young.
Ragdoll Cat Where To Buy
Buy a Ragdoll from a responsible and licensed breeder who socializes, vaccinates, and litter train kittens before they join you home most probably from the age of 12 or 13 weeks. You may also make a point of paying a visit to the physical location of the breeder before adoption to better understand how they breed and take care of the cats. They should also show you the healthy records of the breeding parents.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What Is A Rag Doll Cat
They are docile cats that have semi-long to long-haired coats. Ragdolls comprise a sturdy body, bulky frame, and proportionate legs. They have broad heads with a flat top and wide space between the ears.
Do All Ragdolls Have Green Eyes
Are Ragdoll Cats Aggressive
No, Ragdolls are not aggressive as they get along well with other pets.
How To Discipline A Ragdoll Cat
If your Ragdolls behave aggressively, startling them can assist in curbing the unwanted behavior. Do not scare Ragdolls or use physical contact. Using a whistle or other loud noisemaker may do the trick, as long as they are used the right away.
How Long Do Ragdoll Cats Live
On average the life expectancy of these cats is 15 to 20 years old.
What Is A Ragdoll Kitten
it is a young one of a mature Ragdoll cat. These cats easily go limp with pleasure when they are being held, giving them their name, Ragdoll. They were created by Ann Baker in the 1960s in California.
How Did Ragdoll Get Their Name
Their name was derived from their tendency to go limp like a rag doll when picked up.
Do Ragdolls Have Health Problems
Yes, These cats can suffer from any health problems but they are most prone to the common heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Are Ragdolls Vocal
No, Ragdolls are not excessively vocal, though these cats may express their feelings with different vocalizations.
Do Ragdolls Have An Undercoat
No, they have a single coat with no undercoat.
Where Did Ragdoll Cats Originate
These cats were developed in Riverside, California, in the United States.
Where Are Ragdoll Cats From
Ragdolls are originally from Riverside, California, in the United States.
Are Ragdoll Cats Hypoallergenic
No, these cats are not hypoallergenic because they shed and produce dander thus not suitable for people with cat allergies.
How To Groom A Ragdoll Cat
These cats need to be brushed at least once weekly to remove dirt, grease, and dead hair. Also, clean their teeth twice a week using a finger toothbrush and cat-formulated toothpaste. Trim their nails every other week and clean the ears every week to make sure all is well. Finally, bathe them using a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner.
Do Ragdoll Cats Shed
Yes, being a long-haired breed, they do shed.
Do Ragdolls Shed A lot
Yes, in Spring when they loose their thick winter coat.
How To Reduce Ragdoll Shedding
One can help reduce their shedding by looking at their diet, keeping them healthy, and brushing them regularly.
How Much Are Ragdoll Kittens
Ragdoll Kittens can range anywhere from $1,000 to $3,500.
Are Ragdoll Cats Expensive
Yes, these cats are not only expensive to buy, but also expensive to maintain. One should expect to pay more than $1,000 for Ragdolls from a reputable breeder.
Why Is My Ragdoll Cat So Mean
Ragdolls can be so mean due to inappropriate socialization from an early age.
Do Ragdolls Meow A Lot
No, Ragdolls are not excessively vocal cats.
Are Ragdoll Cats Talkative
No, these cats are gentle and well mannered so they don’t have incessant meowing.
Ragdoll Quick Facts
- These cats need proper grooming to assist prevent tangles, mats, and excessive shedding.
- If Ragdolls are left alone for long periods they can get distractive because they are not stimulated.
- They have a lot of love to offer, but Ragdolls also need a lot of love and watchfulness in return.
