Breed Details
Ever since it became a recognise cat breed in the 1960s , the Ragdoll cat has achieved an impressive level of popularity . With striking sorry eyes , a long downlike rump , and soft - as - silk coat , there ’s no deny its lulu .
But the Ragdoll is more than just a pretty side . Its personality traits — which cover enthusiasts draw as gentle , playful , and lovesome — have truly earned it the byname of “ puppy African tea . ”
Before make a lifespan commitment to a Ragdoll or any cat , we commend gird yourself with solid information . To aid you get start out , we ’ve compile a guide that includes most everything you necessitate to bonk about this bewitching cat stock .
History and Origin
Unlike theSiamese , Maine Coon , and other strain with extended histories , the Ragdoll is a relative fledgeling to the CT scene . Details of its story are a bit murky , but the general consensus is that it began in the early 1960s with a California stock breeder named Ann Baker .
One popular school of persuasion is that Baker breed males — including a Birman — from her training program with Josephine , a white Angora that would roam the neighbourhood . She and her quick descendants ( Daddy Warbucks , Fugianna , and Buckwheat ) are view the foundation of the Ragdoll breed .
Other breeders who had started to work out with Baker as franchisees eventually distance themselves . strain historiographer credit two of these stock breeder , Denny and Laura Dayton , with standardize the Ragdoll and set it in the public eye .
Prominent guy registries that have officially recognise the Ragdoll includeThe International Cat Associationin 1979;The Federation Internationale Felinein 1991 ; andThe Cat Fanciers Association(CFA ) in 2000 .
The Ragdoll cat has held a spot on CFA ’s Top Breeds listing since 2006 , and has been arise through the ranks ever since . From 2012 through 2015 the Ragdoll submit the fourth position ; in 2016 and 2017 , it originate to second ; and in 2018 and 2019 , it topped the charts . Not speculative for a breed that ’s only been around for a few decades .
Typesof Ragdoll Cats
The CFA recognizes six Ragdollcolorpoints : blue , chocolate , lilac , red , seal , and cream . Points are the colors on the ears , leg , tail , and gun muzzle .
“ The points can be solid colors , tortie ( disgraceful and red ) , lynx ( tabby ) or lynx tortie , ” says Lana Fraley Rich , a feline behaviourist and owner ofCatsultant .
The upshot is at least 20 Ragdoll bozo semblance combination . Here are just a few of them .
These colors do n’t bear on a Ragdoll ’s temperament .
Ragdoll CatPhysical Characteristics
weigh between 10 to 20 hammering and digest up to 13 inches marvelous , the Ragdoll is one of the biggest guy stock . While males are typically gravid and taller than females , both are mesomorphic , hardy , and big - boned .
The sybaritic coating makes them search even larger than they are . It ’s medium - long , which Rich says is a moment longer in the front , creating a trenchant neck ruff , similar to a lion ’s mane . “ On the hind legs , there are britches , which look like knickers . ” The coat is not only visually arresting , but super sonant to the hint , too .
Other typical Ragdoll feature are the long , fluffy tail , and on the opposite end are a striking stage set of peeper . “ Their great , round , wide - set , sapphire spicy eyes are super attractive , ” says Rich .
Ragdoll cat colour get in dismal , chocolate , lilac , red , sealing wax , and cream points ( colors of the ears , legs , tail , and muzzle ) . The points can be solid , shameful and red ( tortie ) , tabby ( lynx ) , or lynx - tortie . Their bodies are usually white , pick , fawn , grayish , or pearl .
Ragdolls age more slowly than other longsighted - haired breeds and are not considered full - acquire until they ’re 3 or 4 years honest-to-god , tell Rich .
Ragdoll CatPersonalityTraits
With a report as a gentle , lovesome , playful , and easy - to - train breed , it ’s easy to see why the Ragdoll has earned the moniker of “ puppy African tea . ” No cat is crazy aboutbeing plunk up , but Ragdolls seem to suffer it a flake practiced than other breeds , says Rich . ” It is great to be able to pick up these kat ( mildly ) and they appear to be comfortable enough to even go limp in our arms . ”
Ragdolls do well in a assortment of abode options and they ’re generally good with kids and other pets from the same household . Creating a interactive environment will take some crusade on your part , however . “ Cats can learn to be comfortable with children and pets through former confident and non fear - enkindle exposure ( positive enculturation ) when they are young , and ongoing positive interactions throughout their lives , ” says Valli Parthasarathy , a board - certified veterinary behaviourist withSynergy Behavior Solutionsin Portland , Oregon .
Ragdolls are lovers , not fighters . While this is a skillful trait in a companion animate being , it also means they have more difficulty protect themselves from predators . “ So they should be indoor - only cats , ” recommends Rich .
This is a world-wide description , and personality traits can vary , peculiarly if you plan to adopt an adult Ragdoll cat . “ From a deliverance perspective , their personalities can be all over the board , ” enounce Kirsten Kranz , music director of Midwest - basedSpecialty Purebred Cat Rescue . “ Yes , some can be easy going and floppy , but others can be industrious and glum . It is extremely variable . ”
RagdollCare Guide
Like other stock , Ragdoll cats call for the BASIC — a utter and balanced dieting , the motive for activity and enrichment , and place in the base to experience safe . There are some strain - specific things you may do , however , to help your Ragdoll thrive .
Diet and Nutrition
All cats postulate kernel to live on and thrive . “ The best diet for our feline ally is a high-pitched - protein , high - fat , and scurvy carbohydrate dieting , ” says Rich . Additionally , she recommends stave off food for thought with by - products , pale yellow , Zea mays , or soy .
Most veterinarians recommend course a utter and balanced diet appropriate to the cat ’s eld . To be certain a food is complete and balanced , look for a nutritional adequacy statement on the label from theAssociation of American Feed Control Officials(AAFCO ) that the nutrient meets or exceeds nutritional requirements and has been balanced for optimum benefit . Ask your vet about the best dieting for your cat ’s private need .
Should you feed your Ragdoll besotted or dry food ? A wet dieting can reduce sloughing by up to 50 percent , says Rich . “ Cats need lots of wet since they lose as much moisture each mean solar day grooming themselves as they lose through urination . ” She says wet solid food can also cut down on — and even eliminate — trichobezoar , and help prevent obesity because of its low calorie count .
Exercise and Activity
Though body process story vary with each individual cat , Ragdolls incline to be scurvy central . Play should be cut to your computed tomography ’s needs , says Parthasarathy .
“ For instance , some cats like to chase miniature that move through the air and others wish to chase ones that move along the land , ” she says . “ give all cats the opportunity to play in agency that stimulate their predatory inherent aptitude is of import , dedicate them the chance to chase , stalking , and grab or pounce on prey . ”
Grooming
Ragdolls do pour forth , but not as much as other long - haired breeds , say Rich . “ Ragdoll cats have soft and plush coats which need to be brush and comb at least two to three times per week to avoid matting and excess desquamation . washup is not postulate very often if the diet is high quality and combing is coherent . ”
A distinction if you ’re allergic to cat . Ragdolls are not hypoallergenic ( no cat is ) , but they do n’t have an flat coat , which might diminish some of the allergens .
Ragdoll CatHealth Issues
Ragdoll quat are susceptible to certain wellness problems due to their genetics . Below are a few of the unwashed issues that Ragdoll guy may face .
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM ): It ’s the most common heart disease in all cats , but is more prevalent in certain breeds , admit the Ragdoll . HCM make the heart ’s muscles to thicken , which decreases its efficiency and can maybe lead to heart failure . When symptoms do occur ( most cats do n’t show any ) they may include system of weights loss , strained external respiration , and lack of energy .
Fortunately , the HCM Ragdoll test can discover the cistron sport associated with this disease . expect your vet about this important test for your Ragdoll .
Polycystic kidney disease . This is a genetic stipulation that get cyst to form on the kidneys . These cysts — which arise larger with metre — can ultimately result in kidney failure . Signs may let in loss of appetency , weightiness going , nausea , vomiting , and increased thirst and urination .
Dental issues . Many Ragdoll cats have bad teeth , says Kranz . One vernacular form of dental disease in all breed isgingivitis(gum rubor ) , and can result in symptom like pain , discomfort , and weight unit red , and is even link up to kidney and heart disease . “ So it is crucial that yearly veterinary surgeon exams and even dentals are followed , ” recommend Kranz .
Mammary cancer . Astudyof 50,000 khat listed in the Swiss Feline Cancer Registry from 1965 - 2008 found over 18,000 tumors recorded , tell Dr. Kate Vickery , helper prof of clinical oncology , Flint Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State Universityin Fort Collins . sure breed are at high risk for sure malignant neoplastic disease when compare with European Shorthairs . One of these , Vickery says , is the Ragdoll , who has a higher risk of develop mammary Crab .
To aid contract your Ragdoll ’s hazard of cancer , Vickery recommends yearly veterinary exam , monitoring for oaf and hump , and keeping a confining center on your computerized axial tomography ’s exercising weight and eating habits .
Interesting RagdollFacts
The Ragdoll is named for its tendency to go wilted when being picked up .
Ragdoll popularity exploded when Martha Stewart started promoting her own true cat in the 1990s , says Kranz .
The Ragdoll has been a CFA top 10 breed since 2006 , and wasthemost popular in 2018 and 2019 .
The Ragdoll is sometimes name to as a “ puppy cat ” because of its report as a gentle , loving , and affectionate stock .
They have incredibly soft coats . In fact , “ Their coat run to be silkier than Persians or Himalayans , ” say Kranz .
Ragdoll CatAdoption Tipsand Things to Consider
ascertain a purebred Ragdoll cat in a shelter can be bad . They ’re seldom cede unless they have behavior trouble , sound out Rich .
Although we had difficulty turn up Ragdoll - specific protection , there are still some upstanding option if you have your essence prepare on one of these beauties .
Purebred quat rescues . One isSpecialty Purebred Cat Rescue , the foster meshing led by Kranz . “ We see them pretty commonly as a specialty rescue . ” You might also have some luck with all - breed big cat delivery .
Online adoption databases . Sites likeRescueMe , AdoptaPet , andPetFinderlist available Ragdoll kittensand cats from individuals and saving .
Ragdoll breeders . Not all are equal . Here are a few things to keep in mind if you settle to solve with a stock breeder .
RagdollFAQs
If you ’re considering welcome a Ragdoll cat into your life-time , you should have as much data as potential about this specific breed . Here , we answer some of the most frequently ask questions about Ragdolls .
Are Ragdolls Hypoallergenic?
No , Ragdoll cat are not hypoallergenic . Like all cats , they shed and have hackles . They do n’t have an undercoat however , which may lessen allergens .
Do Ragdoll Cats Shed?
Yes , this breed does shed but not as much as other long - haired breeds .
How Big Do Ragdolls Cats Get?
As one of the great cat breeds , Ragdolls typically weigh between 10 and 20 Cypriot pound . Ragdoll cat sizing can be higher , peculiarly with fleshiness on the ascent .
Are Ragdoll Cats Smart?
It depends on how you limit intelligence , but Ragdoll bozo are generally considered smart and easy to train .
Picturesof Ragdoll Cats
With their expectant blue middle , long , fluffy coating , and expressive face , Ragdolls are a joy to reckon at and interact with . Browse through our pictures of Ragdoll cat to see the personality of this breed shine through .
