Ragdoll Cat Breed Guide
Cuddly – Calm – Playful. Ragdolls are renowned for their beautiful blue eyes, laid-back persona and super soft fluffy coats that you could get lost in for days. A gentle, affectionate breed that loves to be cuddled and will flop like a rag doll in your arms when held. Read our ragdoll cat guide to find out more about this floppy breed and understand if you might be right for a ragdoll.
What is a ragdoll cat? Breed Basics
Average Lifespan: Ragdolls mature slowly, reaching their full weight and size at 4 years old and have an average lifespan of 15 years old
Average Weight: Female = 4.5 – 6.8kg, Male = 5.4 – 9kg
What does a ragdoll cat look like: Ragdolls are a pointed breed with a lighter body colour and darker points (legs, tail, face and ears). They have four patterns which can come in 6 colours, each equally stunning with colours visible by 8-12 weeks. The beautiful patterns fully emerge at 2 years old. Colours include Chocolate, Blue, Lilac, Seal and Mink.
History Of The Ragdoll Cat
The origins of the Ragdoll trace back to the 1960s in California. A long haired stray cat called Josephine produced kittens with a loving, docile personality that relaxed fully when picked up (hence named a Ragdoll). Charmed by the unique personality traits, a local Persian cat breeder, Ann Baker, set out to create the Ragdoll, selectively breeding her existing cats with Josephine's kittens.
Ann trademarked the name "Ragdoll" and set up the International Cat Association (IRCA) with strict rules in place that prevented anyone from registering a Ragdoll that hadn't been registered via the IRCA until 2005 when the trademark ran out.
Did you know? Regardless of the colour they'll become, all Ragdoll kittens are born pure white!
How much do Ragdoll's cost?
Ragdoll kittens can cost anywhere between £100 to £2200 for a healthy kitty from a safe home.
Don't forget to check out rehoming charities for floof's in need of a loving home!
Ragdoll Cat Temperament & Personality
Ragdoll's personalities are described as laid-back, playful and devoted to their human slaves and similar to Sphynx cats are often personified as having a ‘dog-like’ personality. They are a quiet, calm breed who will happily snooze the day away on your lap. Ragdoll cats love to interact with humans and will often follow you around the house, yes that includes the toilet, and they'll be there to greet you at the door. For those of you that enjoy cuddles, many Ragdolls enjoy being cradled like a baby. If you have a dog or young children and are looking to introduce a cat to your home, Ragdolls may be the purrfect choice. Ragdolls have shown to be easily socialised with dogs, tolerant of young over-zealous children and many enjoy a game of Fetch.
How Big Does A Ragdoll Cat Get?
Ragdolls are a large breed of cats with a similar length to Maine Coons, albeit shorter in height.
Average height = 23-28cm
Average Length = 43-53cm
Grooming tips for Ragdolls
As a long haired kitty, you'll want to keep your Ragdoll's coat at its best. Thankfully Ragdolls are low maintenance and only have one coat, without an undercoat. A daily light groom should suffice and prevent matting from occurring. Ragdolls will naturally shed more coats in the spring and autumn, adapting to weather changes. During this period, it's important to groom more frequently to avoid your kitty ingesting too much hair which can cause hairballs.
As well as keeping your cat's coat in tip top shape, attending to your ragdoll cat's teeth is essential. We know how difficult it can be to do the recommend daily brushing with cats but you can instead use your fingers to rub an enzymatic pet specific toothpaste onto their gums and teeth, as well as introducing them to dental cat treats.
Are Ragdoll Cats Indoor Cats?
Ragdolls are known for their trusting, docile personality and for this reason they're typically kept indoors and not let out unsupervised. Their routes may trace back to the streets but they are not street smart. Outdoor exposure is important for a cat's mental health and wellbeing. Getting your kitty use to a harness and lead, or having a catio installed in your garden will ensure that your Ragdoll doesn't miss out and lives their best life!
Are Ragdolls hypoallergenic?
A common myth is that Ragdolls are hypoallergenic. Rather Ragdoll cats do not have an undercoat, which can reduce the chance of allergies for those allergic to dander.
Ragdoll Cats Health Watch-outs
Ragdoll cats are relatively healthy but there are a few common health watch outs you should be aware of, some of which you can test for.
Weight Gain
Ragdolls would most likely describe themselves as foodies and under all that floof may be cleverly concealing a paunch. Keep a check on food portions to prevent your Ragdoll cat from unnecessarily gaining weight and choose a food that's low in cereals and sugars. If your Ragdoll is overweight, take advantage of their playful personality and introduce more active play to help shed those extra calories.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
HCM is a common heart issue in large breed cats resulting in a reduction in the volume of blood that is pumped during each contraction of the heart; which can cause fainting and tiredness.
Bladder Stones
If you see blood in your cat's urine or find your kitty is straining to wee, it may be that they've developed bladder stones. This can be painful and will need a cystotomy (surgical removal of the stones) or sometimes vets use a catheter. Several factors can lead to your cat developing bladder stones, some of which you can influence like feeding and hydration.
- breed predisposition
- a nutritionally imbalanced diet
- poor hydration
- Urinary Tract Infections
What to feed a Ragdoll Cat
Like all cats, Ragdolls are obligate carnivores and need a lot of meat and animal protein in their diet to thrive. Cats are unable to synthesise all essential amino acids like Taurine and can only get this from protein. Animal protein not plant protein - many brands of cat food boast high levels of protein but use plant protein as a high contributor which is difficult to digest. Choose a food with a high level of animal protein. Have you tried our grain-free wet cat food yet?
The phrase obligate carnivore is typically misinterpreted as meaning our cats only need meat in their diets, which is untrue. As well as protein and fat, carbohydrates including fibre play an essential role in your cat's health. Glucose (a carbohydrate) is physiologically essential with the brain and many cells in your cat's body glucose-dependent. For this reason, a small level of carbohydrate is needed in your cat's diet. Studies show that cats are able to digest and absorb carbs that have been properly processed and cooked. Raw ingredients should not be given as these have low digestibility. (Read more here).
Scrumbles Cat Food
Why not try our range of all-natural cat food recipes that are designed with digestive health at the core?
Our dry cat food recipes are high in meat, over 75% , that's responsibly sourced from the UK. These probiotic cat food recipes also contain over 1 billion probiotics per kg to aid digestion, support immune function and pretty poops, because everything starts in the gut. Plus dried cranberries for urinary tract health. Choose from our Chicken & Salmon Dry Cat Food, Chicken Dry Cat Food or Chicken Kitten Food.
For kitties that prefer wet food, we offer three delicious grain free wet cat food recipes to help keep your cat hydrated. With the tummy-soothing slippery elm for sensitive cats. Choose from Tuna, Turkey, Salmon or Chicken, or our new Variety Pack, which allows you to try every flavour.
If your Ragdoll is already a Scrumbler, be sure to share a picture and let us know how you're getting on.
