Ragdoll

#5

Wamiz's Top Breed

Ragdoll

These good looking, blue eyed, and imposing cats are characterised by their elegance and gentle nature. They can relax their entire bodies when being carried, becoming almost totally limp, hence their name, “Ragdoll”!

Key facts about the Ragdoll

Life expectancy :

7

20

12

15

Temperament :

Affectionate Calm

Type of coat :

Naked Short Long

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Origins and history

Originating in America, Ragdolls were first created in 1963 by Ann Baker, who bred black Persians. She crossbred a male seal point cat with a Turkish Angora cat, with long white hair and intense blue eyes. Due to the docile temperament of these cats, Ann Baker decided to name them "Ragdoll". Other breeders, such as Denny and Laura Dayton, developed the breed further and worked towards getting it recognised. It was accepted as a breed by TICA in 1979 and by the International Feline Federation in 1992.

Physical characteristics of the Ragdoll

  • Ragdoll
    Ragdoll

    Adult size

    Female : Between 12 and 14 in

    Male : Between 13 and 15 in

    Ragdolls are slow developers. They only reach full size around the age of 3 or 4.

    Weight

    Female : Between 9 and 13 lb

    Male : Between 11 and 20 lb

    Coat colour

    Type of coat

    Eye colour

    Blue

    Description

    Ragdolls are large, well-built, long, and strong cats supported by strong, muscular medium-length legs and topped off with long, thick, plumed tails. Their heads are triangular but have rounded edges and their noses are slightly sunken. Their muzzle and chin are well developed. They have medium sized ears, which are broad at the base and rounded at the tip. Their eyes are large and oval-shaped, and are slightly slanted.

    Good to know

    ‘Neoteny’ is one of the advanced hypotheses that explains the “Ragdoll” characteristic that these cats exhibit when being carried. This is where adults of any species retain traits from their childhood. In this case, kittens, when they are transported by their mothers, relax completely. This trait usually disappears with age in most cats, but for some reason, Ragdolls have retained this trait into adulthood.

    Temperament

    • 100%

      Affectionate

      They’re very affectionate cats, who love to spend hours on their owner’s laps.

    • 33%

      Playful

      They prefer to let the toys come to them rather than tire themselves out chasing after them.

    • 100%

      Calm

      They’re normally quiet and calm cats who are rarely rowdy.

    • 66%

      Intelligent

      They have a great ability to adapt to different and new situations. 

    • 66%

      Fearful / wary of strangers

      In general they’re very sociable and easy going cats. Nonetheless, they do need time to adapt when meeting new people.

    • 66%

      Independent

      They love being left alone in peace and quiet just as much as they love their owner’s attention.

      Behaviour of the Ragdoll

      • 33%

        Chatty

        They’re rarely chatty cats and generally express themselves through body language.

      • 33%

        Need for exercise / Sporty

        Napping is their favourite sport, and they’re not very keen on physical activity.

      • 33%

        Tendency to run away

        They might jump off the sofa every now and again, but they definitely won’t go far! Generally they’re not very adventurous and love just chilling at home.

      • 33%

        Greedy / Gluttony

        They’re not big eaters, just big cats!

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        Compatibility

        • 66%

          Ragdoll and cats

          They’re quite sociable beings and will get on well with other cats as long as they are not too rowdy!

        • 66%

          Ragdoll and dogs

          To get on well with dogs, they’ll need to be socialised with them as kittens. Their nonchalant and relaxed nature doesn’t make them the best playmate/companion for dogs.

        • 66%

          Ragdoll and children

          Due to their calm and settled temperament, only the most active kittens will be able to keep up with children’s energy. They are not ideal playmates, but they are very sweet.

        • 100%

          Ragdoll and the elderly

          Their calm nature makes them the perfect companions for elderly people.

          %}

          Price

          On average, they cost between £400 and £700. Their price varies depending on their lineage, breeding, age and sex. It also costs around £35 / month to provide for them, making sure they get good quality food and keeping them in good health.

          Grooming

          Their fur is composed of mid-length hair and only a light undercoat. Fortunately, it doesn’t knot and thus a simple weekly brush is sufficient.

          Shedding

          As their undercoat is so thin, if they’re brushed regularly (once a week), they won’t lose much hair.

          Nutrition of the Ragdoll

          It is key to adapt their diet to their metabolism, lifestyle and age.

          Health of the Ragdoll

          Life expectancy

          They live 12 to 15 years on average.

          Strong / robust

          They’re relatively robust and adapt well to most climates.

          Tendency to put on weight

          Due to their low activity levels, you must pay attention to the amount of food their eating each day.

          Common illnesses

          Ragdolls can suffer from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and (more rarely) from polycystic kidney disease. Both diseases can be detected using genetic tests.

          • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a disease that affects both non-pedigree and pedigree cats and eventually causes heart failure. 
          • Polycystic kidney: a disease that causes liquid-filled cysts in the kidneys, ultimately causing incurable renal failure.

          Reproduction

          Only breeding with other Ragdolls is permitted. 
          Like all other colourpoint breeds, their kittens are born completely white.

          Frequently asked questions

          How much does a Ragdoll cost?

          Can Ragdoll cat be left alone?

          Why are Ragdoll cats so friendly?

          How long do Ragdoll cats live for?

          Do ragdolls make good indoor cats?

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