Ragdolls are one of the most popular breeds of cats. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, but they’re all known for their rag-like soft fur. Many people don’t know much about ragdolls, though; here’s what you need to know about this breed:
Ragdolls were first bred by Ann Baker in California during the 60s and 70s. They were originally called “Buddy Cats” until Ann trademarked the name ragdoll in 1975 to avoid legal challenges from another breeder who was producing similar-looking cats with different names (merlequin).
Ragdolls have been recognized as a unique breed since 1990 when Ragamuffin cattery became the first ragdoll cattery to receive CFA’s registration status.
At first, ragdolls were bred with non-pedigrees to make them more docile, but the ragdoll became a registered breed in the 1990s.
Additionally, ragdolls are known for being extremely affectionate with their owners. They love spending time with people and are happiest when they’re being loved. Ragdolls are also known for being very gentle and laid back.
Ragdolls come in a wide range of colors and patterns, but all ragdolls have blue eyes and pointed coloration on the ends of their fur. No ragdolls have any white fur or white marking on their face, feet, or tail. Ragdolls are also said to be one of the largest breeds of cats with ragamuffin ragdolls weighing an average of 13 pounds. They can get even larger than that, though! Some ragamuffin ragdolls weigh over 20 pounds at maturity.
Ragdolls were originally bred to be docile and easily trained companions for disabled people who needed a more laid-back, easygoing cat to keep them company.
Ragdolls were originally bred with American shorthairs and blues before ragamuffin ragdolls became a separate breed in the 1980s. Now ragdolls come in three different types: ragamuffins (the most popular ragdoll), miniatures, and non-pedigree ragdolls. Ragamuffin ragdolls typically have hybrid vigor; they’re usually more healthy and robust than other ragdoll breeds like the miniature ragdoll because of their genetic make-up. Miniature ragdoll cats are typically more fragile due to their smaller gene pool.
Each rag is made up of four layers of fur: a top layer (the guard coat) consisting of coarse hairs, a downy undercoat, and two layers underneath: an oily layer to keep them waterproof and a soft layer for insulation. Ragdolls come in every color and pattern imaginable.
Ragdolls are known as “docile” cats because they love cuddling up with their humans and will follow them around the house because ragdolls tend to form very strong bonds with their owners. They’re not as independent as other breeds that may play alone or just sleep next to you because ragdolls crave human affection more than anything else!
In addition to being docile, ragdoll cats are also “lap cats” because they love spending time with their humans and will often sit in their lap when they want to interact with you. ragdolls also like sleeping on people’s chests because ragdoll cats feel most secure when they’re close to their human companions.
Ragdolls come in a wide variety of colors and patterns including pointed ragdolls (pointed coloration on the end of their fur), mitted ragdolls (white feet, white tail), and bi-color ragdolls (white stripe down their face).
Ragamuffins are the most popular ragdoll breed; this is probably because ragamuffins have more hybrid vigor than other ragdoll breeds due to their larger gene pool.
Ragdolls are also said to have a high pain threshold. They’re not as prone to injury because ragdolls tend to be more relaxed about jumping, running, and playing than other breeds of cats who may engage in risky behavior. This means ragdolls aren’t usually very good hunters because their prey drive isn’t as strong!
Although ragdoll cats are docile and easygoing, they do have a mischievous side. Ragdoll kittens in particular love to play-fight with each other and ragamuffin ragdolls can often put up a fight against stronger breeds when it’s time for grooming or vet checkups. I’ve been scratched by my ragamuffin ragdolls more times than I can count on my hands because ragdolls have no idea their own strength.
Ragdoll cats are known for being among the most “dog-like” breeds in terms of their personalities and temperament. ragdolls are so dog-like that ragamuffin ragdolls have been used as service animals in areas where dogs aren’t allowed to go, like nursing homes with elderly residents who need help around the house or people in wheelchairs who need someone to keep them company while they’re outside walking.
The biggest ragdoll breed is named Blueberry Muffin; she’s an F3 miniature ragdoll who weighs over 20 pounds! ragdolls are typically between 10 to 15 pounds. ragamuffin ragdolls are usually between 13 and 18 pounds, while non-pedigree ragdolls like the American shorthair ragdoll (which is also called a “zero ragdoll”) can weigh as little as 5 or 6 pounds!
Ragdoll Cats aren’t very popular in many parts of Europe because they’re considered too docile, laid back, and relaxed to be good mousers. They were only recently promoted from being an ‘unacceptable breed’ to a ‘semi-fancy breed’ in Britain’s Cat Fancy Association. Despite their lack of popularity in Europe, ragdolls have been recognized by TICA since 1986 and they were the #1 breed in TICA’s top ten breeds for 2014.
Ragdolls also have a hard time breeding because ragdoll cats are “hybrid vigor” cats, which means ragdolls with different bloodlines won’t always get along when it comes to mating. ragamuffin ragdolls may be less picky than other ragdoll breeds when it comes to mating because ragamuffins are closely related to non-pedigreed ragdolls known as American shorthairs or zero ragdolls who aren’t very particular about their mates. This is why most pregnancies involving ragamuffin ragdolls involve multiples!
One of the few downsides of ragdoll cats is that ragdoll kittens take a long time to mature. ragdolls are “programmed” to be docile and relaxed by nature, but ragdolls become even more laid back as they get older. Ragdoll kittens tend to stay playful, mischievous, and curious until they’re about two years old which means you need a lot of patience if you want a ragdoll kitten!
Some ragdolls have been known to pass away from FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) because ragdolls have weaker immune systems than other breeds of cats. Although it’s unlikely your ragdoll will come down with this terrible disease, you still should vaccinate them against it so they stay healthy! ragdoll cats also have a tendency to gain weight easily because ragdolls have a lot of muscle and they’re not very active. ragdolls who don’t get enough exercise will quickly become obese, so you need to make sure your ragdoll is exercising every day!
One thing about ragdolls that’s not often told is that ragdoll cats have a very high pain tolerance. Ragdoll kittens can fall from several stories and onto tile floors without injuring themselves! ragdolls also have a lot of “rope” DNA which makes ragdolls excellent at climbing trees to catch prey or hide from predators. Ragdolls are known for being very agile and they can jump from floor to floor with ease. ragdolls also have excellent night vision which is why ragdolls enjoy playing in the dark!
Ragdolls – Health
Ragdolls are known for being completely docile and sweet, but they do need a lot of attention. They can suffer from feline lower urinary tract disease, which is actually pretty common among cats of all breeds. It’s really important to keep ragdolls out of high-traffic areas with their litter box!
Ragdolls also have some other health issues that people should be aware of. They can suffer from diabetes mellitus type II, which is typically brought on by obesity, overfeeding, or insufficient exercise. These are very common causes of diabetic symptoms in ragdolls.
Ragdolls are extremely social, so it’s important to keep them out of high-traffic areas with their litter box!
This breed is also known for being very healthy. They don’t typically have many issues. The ragdoll needs a lot of attention though, which means they love interacting with their owner but can get stressed easily.
Generally, ragdolls will live for between 12-15 years. Like most cats, ragdolls can inherit genetic diseases from their parent’s side of the family. The ragdoll’s worst enemy is feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is a hereditary heart disease caused by ragdolls being inbred.
The most common inherited genetic diseases ragdolls can have are hip dysplasia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. These are both treatable through surgery if they happen to develop. Ragdolls are typically easy to take care of because they’re so docile.
They’re also typically good with children and other pets because of their laid-back nature. If ragdolls are introduced to people and other animals when they’re kittens, it’s more likely that they’ll get along later in life.
Ragdolls – Conclusion
So that’s ragdoll cats! They’re very relaxed, docile, and sweet. They need a lot of interaction to make them feel loved, which makes ragdolls perfect for families with young children. Due to the ragdoll’s docile temperament, ragdolls love being held and petted by their owners!
Ragdolls are also very healthy which makes them great pets. They have a lot of energy, so they need regular exercise too! It’s important to keep ragdolls out of high-traffic areas with their litter box in order to prevent feline lower urinary tract disease. Ragdolls also suffer from diabetes mellitus type II if they become overweight or don’t get enough exercise, but ragdoll cats typically live longer than most other breeds.
