The RagaMuffin is a domestic cat breed developed by crossing the Ragdoll with various pedigreed and household cats. That’s how breeders created a cat with a thick, beautiful coat and a wide variety of colors.
The RagaMuffin’s hallmarks are its adorable looks (a chubby face, a forever-touching gaze like Puss in Boots from “Shrek,” a plush coat) and an extremely friendly personality.
History
These cats come from California. That’s where the RagaMuffin’s parent breed, the Ragdoll, originated in the 1960s. At first, these were simply cats with a very friendly, easygoing nature. Later, breeders took the breed seriously and set its standards. Breeding was allowed only within the breed.
Over time, though, some breeders working with Ragdoll creator Ann Baker decided to go beyond those standards. To improve the gene pool, health and temperament and to add more colors, Ragdolls were crossed with Persian, Himalayan and domestic longhaired cats.
At first the new line was called “Cherubim,” but in 1994 it was renamed “RagaMuffin” (meaning a scruffy kid), a nod to the household cats in its ancestry.
RagaMuffin Breed Description
The RagaMuffin is a medium to large cat weighing about 11–18 lb, with heavy bones and a full body. Males are usually larger than females and can weigh over 20 lb. They fully mature at about 4 years old.
The breed standard and a detailed description according to the CFA:
- Head: a broad, modified wedge with pleasantly rounded contours and no flat planes. The forehead and chin are rounded, the muzzle short, round and slightly broad, with puffy whisker pads;
- Ears: medium-sized, tilted slightly forward, rounded, with light furnishings;
- Eyes: large, walnut-shaped, expressive, set moderately wide apart, possibly with a slight slant. Any eye color is allowed, and the richer and brighter, the better. Odd-eyed cats are accepted too. The only exceptions: minks must have aqua eyes, and sepias must have gold or green eyes;
- Body: rectangular and fleshy, with a broad chest, shoulders and hips. A fatty pad may hang on the lower belly. Weight is evenly distributed across the body;
- Tail: long, in proportion to the body, fully furred like a plume, medium width at the base with a slight taper toward the tip;
- Legs: medium length, heavy-boned, with hind legs slightly longer than the front ones. Large, round paws that support the cat’s heavy weight, with tufts of fur between and under the toes;
- Coat: medium-long, soft, dense and silky. The texture may vary by color. The fur is longer around the neck, around the face and on the hind legs.
Personality
The RagaMuffin’s exceptional personality makes it a dream cat for many people. Like its parent breed, the Ragdoll, it’s known for a very easygoing nature. These cats are very friendly, attentive and affectionate, and start purring as soon as you pick them up.
Although the RagaMuffin’s build is far from athletic, it happily plays, chases toys and climbs its scratching post. But more than anything, these cats love spending time with their owner and family. They greet you at the door, follow you all over the house and get along well with other pets and children.
Care and Health
No genetic diseases specific to this breed have been noted. Still, ask the breeder whether a particular kitten’s lines carry any hereditary conditions. Overall, these are healthy cats, with a lifespan of up to 16 years.
The main thing is not to overfeed. Yes, these are big, solid cats, but they shouldn’t be fat. That’s why commercial cat food is the better option; otherwise it’s easy to miscalculate the vitamins and calories your cat needs. In any case, fatty meat, bread, pasta and sweets are strictly off-limits.
Although the RagaMuffin’s coat is long, it doesn’t tangle easily, so brushing once a week is enough. It’s best to brush the teeth every day to prevent periodontal disease. Clean the ears and eyes as needed.
Colors
Here’s what a RagaMuffin looks like:
Under the CFA standard, a RagaMuffin can be any color except pointed. All other colors and patterns are allowed, even with white on the paws, back, chest or belly. Symmetry of white markings or the pattern doesn’t matter. The nose leather and paw pads can be any color, or several colors, and don’t have to match the coat.
How Much Does a RagaMuffin Kitten Cost?
How much will a RagaMuffin kitten set you back? The price depends on sex, looks, pedigree and whether vaccinations are included.
In the US, a pet-quality RagaMuffin kitten from a reputable breeder typically costs about $800–1,500, while show-quality kittens or those from top lines run $1,500–2,500 or more. A RagaMuffin advertised far below that, especially without papers, may come from a kitten mill.
Where to Buy a RagaMuffin
Most of the breed’s catteries are in the US, with registered cats also in Canada, Austria, England, the Netherlands and South Korea. The CFA has recognized the RagaMuffin for championship since 2011, so registered US breeders are fairly easy to find:
- CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) Find a Breeder – https://find-a-breeder.cfa.org/;
- TICA (The International Cat Association) breeder listings – https://tica.org/find-a-cat/find-a-cat-breeder-listings/;
Ask the breeder for registration papers, HCM screening results for the parents and a written health guarantee. Ragdoll breeders can sometimes point you to RagaMuffin catteries too.
