If there were a medal for laziness, the Ragdoll would leave every other breed far behind and take the gold, silver, and bronze all at once! Ragdoll cats are remarkably laid-back. Is that a virtue or a flaw? And what other surprises does the Ragdoll have in store?
History of the Breed
Ragdolls are so lazy that they didn’t even bother to leave a record of their own history. The breed’s origins are shrouded in fur, er, mystery, and only a few reliable facts shine through.
The “rag dolls” (that’s the literal meaning of the breed’s name) come from America. In the early 1960s, California breeders stumbled upon a gold mine by chance: a house cat named Josephine, known for her unusually easygoing personality. So easygoing that Josephine didn’t mind at all being mated with a Birman-type cat.
The result of these efforts was the Ragdoll breed, registered as early as 1965, with its own standard and fans. By the way, you can find photos of Josephine online. They show that the breed’s foremother was clearly an Angora type.
Today, Ragdolls are most popular in England, Germany, Italy, France, and, of course, the US. The breed looks a lot like the Persian.
Ragdoll Breed Description
Those eyes! The first thing you notice when you meet a Ragdoll is its bright blue, very intelligent eyes, which seem to look right into the heart of things. A feline Buddha is probably the best description of the Ragdoll. But the breed standard insists on details.
- The Ragdoll’s head is wedge-shaped, with a clearly flat area between the ears. The cheeks are well developed and blend smoothly into the jaw and a medium-sized chin:
- the nose has a slight break. IMPORTANT! The nose is twice as long as it is wide;
- the ears are wide at the base and may have tufts at the tips. They’re medium-sized and tilt slightly forward. The fur inside the ears is medium length;
- the eyes are simply stunning! And they can only be bright blue, though different undertones are allowed. They’re large, oval, and set wide apart. Interestingly, the Ragdoll’s special muscle tone also means kittens of this breed open their eyes only two weeks after birth, while ordinary kittens open them on day 10 or 12;
- gorgeous white whiskers are one of the breed’s defining features;
- the neck is muscular and strong.
- Some people see a resemblance between the Ragdoll and the Birman. There are similarities, but just as many differences. Unlike Birmans, Ragdolls are large, heavy cats. Their size depends a lot on sex; females are noticeably smaller. But both males and females have a well-developed, broad chest and a long, muscular body. There may be a fat pad on the belly (but only on the belly; fat deposits anywhere else are a fault). Ragdolls reach full development at about three years old. In appearance, they’re actually closer to Maine Coons; only the coloring is a bit misleading.
The legs are medium length, and there may be tufts of fur between the toes of the round paws.
The tail is long, tapering, and very well furred. When they walk, Ragdolls carry this furry banner proudly, held high and upright.
Females weigh 9–13 lb, and males 13–20 lb. Oh yes, these kittens are the heavyweights of the purebred cat world!
- According to Ragdoll owners, the coat feels like rabbit fur. It’s medium length, with a light undercoat and a silky texture (so it hardly mats), and it’s easy and painless to brush. A striking ruff around the neck and “britches” on the hind legs: that’s what a picture-perfect Ragdoll looks like!
- Color. Ragdolls can have three color patterns:
- colorpoint (Siamese type: light fur and a mask on the face, plus a dark tail, ears, and legs);
- “mitted” (white mittens on the paws and light fur on the chest and chin);
- bicolor, a combination of two colors (white legs, chest, and belly; a light body; a dark mask on the face; and a darker tail and ears).
The coat can come in various cocoa-chocolate or brown shades, as well as dark lilac or bluish shades. The standard doesn’t limit the color combinations.
Black, gray, or red coats… none of these are Ragdolls. If someone tries to sell you a cat with one of these colors, it may be anything, but it’s not a “rag doll”! All Ragdolls are white, though, but only for a short time. More on that later.
Ragdoll Personality
Their remarkable ability to adapt is simply amazing. They easily get used to any home and almost any company. The main thing is that it’s quiet! Loud noises interfere with lazing around, and lazing around is what a Ragdoll loves most and does masterfully! They’re so comfortable to live with: Ragdolls are calm, good-natured, and obedient. That’s not surprising, since the breed was developed precisely for its temperament.
And that temperament turned out non-aggressive and very gentle. Owners note that whatever position they put a Ragdoll in, the kitten simply stays that way. No wonder they’re also called toys!
IMPORTANT! Ever since the breed appeared, people around the world have tried to pass off other cats as Ragdolls. How can you tell a fake? Only by personality. A fake Ragdoll won’t charm you; in other words, it will never show the unique temperament that connoisseurs value so much.
Another Ragdoll trait is its voice. It speaks up very rarely, only when it matters, and barely audibly. This unobtrusiveness shows in everything: in how it relaxes in your arms, in its neatness, and in its meekness.
The breed is ideal for families with kids, because Ragdolls love being cuddled, petted, and pampered.
Also, if you get your kitten used to a harness from a young age, you can take your Ragdoll on leisurely strolls, posing for photos and signing autographs.
It’s also worth noting that if you already have a pet (a cat or even a dog), that shouldn’t stop you from bringing home a Ragdoll. They’ll get along fine and may even become friends. But a Ragdoll still prefers human company. Be ready for your “rag doll” to always be close at hand. Or underfoot, or by your side, however it works out!
Health
In general, Ragdolls are robustly healthy and stay that way well into old age. But there’s still a fly in the ointment.
The first problem specific to the breed is hip dysplasia. A mild form won’t cause the cat much trouble and may even go unnoticed by the owner. But severe dysplasia can lead to lameness or immobility.
Another problem that can occur is feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This heart disease is dangerous because a cat can die suddenly, even at a young age. Since it’s inherited, when buying a Ragdoll, ask the breeder for honest information about the health of the kitten’s parents. Cats of other breeds can also have HCM, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Living With and Caring for a Ragdoll
Experienced Ragdoll breeders recommend taking a kitten from its mother at about 16 weeks. That’s because Ragdoll kittens develop a little more slowly than kittens of other breeds.
These slower reactions also affect how you care for your “plush toys.” Never let them roam outside on their own: they could be hit by a car or fail to escape from aggressive dogs. Ragdolls don’t know how to defend themselves, so they should live indoors only!
IMPORTANT! Ragdolls are also said to be less agile at righting themselves in midair, so you’ll have to make sure they don’t fall from heights, even small ones. Better yet, teach your cat not to climb high. Ragdolls are smart; they’ll understand!
There’s nothing special about caring for these lazybones. A Ragdoll’s coat doesn’t mat, but daily brushing won’t hurt. Use a special brush like the ones used for Siberian cats, and you’ll both enjoy it.
Feeding
Ragdolls are laid-back, but not at mealtime! These “dolls” love to eat and never lack an appetite. Yet (lucky them!) they don’t seem to get fat.
They do, however, really need special mineral supplements. Ragdolls reach full development only at about 4 years old, and during all that time their skeleton keeps growing and their energy needs keep rising. Your vet will tell you how to meet those needs and which supplements to give your pet.
Since these cats are heavyweights, their portions are bigger than those of ordinary cats. A kitten needs at least 4 oz of food a day, and adults up to 10.5 oz.
The right dry food will fully meet a Ragdoll’s needs. If you choose a natural diet, remember that you shouldn’t feed your pet fatty or fried foods, milk, freshwater fish, or too much grain. Meat should make up 2/3 of the diet.
Meals should be not only generous but also frequent!
Photos
Fun fact! Every single Ragdoll kitten is born snow-white, without a single spot. The color starts to show at about 10 days old, and a Ragdoll reaches its full coloring only by the age of two.
A Ragdoll’s lifespan is 15–18 years, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy its indescribable beauty.
Where to Buy a Ragdoll Kitten in the US
The line between a Ragdoll and a “slightly flawed” Birman is very thin. Even professional judges complain about the lack of clear differences in appearance. That’s why it’s important to buy from a registered cattery. You don’t want to end up with an aggressive animal from careless crossbreeding for the next 15–18 years, do you?
The good news is that Ragdoll breeders are concentrated in America, where the breed was created, and it’s one of the most popular breeds in the US, so you can find reputable breeders all over the country.
Now the second most important question: how much does a Ragdoll cost?
The price of a kitten depends on its parents’ championship record, the cost of shipping, and so on.
Start with the breeder directories:
- 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/
Some US Ragdoll catteries:
- HarvestRags (Argyle, Texas; TICA and CFA);
- New York Ragdolls (Smithtown, Long Island, New York; TICA);
- Purrfect Paws Cattery (Marina del Rey, Los Angeles, California; TICA).
The Ragdoll: the purr-fect pussycat!
