Ragdoll Cat Breed: Characteristic, Health & Fun Facts!

The ragdoll cat is a big, lovable cat that is adaptable. Because they literally collapse in joy while being pet, earning them their name, ragdolls make excellent lap cats. Despite being one of the biggest cat breeds, don’t be put off by its size.

Their large blue eyes and throaty purr make it clear that they are just giant softies. Due to their well-known gregarious nature, ragdolls are excellent pets for busy households with plenty of visitors and other friendly animals.

About The Breed

The large, lovely ragdoll cat takes around four years to achieve its maximum size, which is approximately 15 pounds on average.

The cat is eager to make friends with anybody thanks to its kind disposition and sociable nature.

Get ready for lengthy cuddle sessions in which your Ragdoll will flop across your legs like a mop and receive vigorous belly rubs.

The cat doesn’t require much physical activity or boisterous playtime, but snuggling time is crucial.

Ragdoll cat Breed History

Ragdolls are one of the youngest kinds of cats in the family. Breeder Ann Baker created the cats for the first time in Riverside, California, in the 1960s.

The cats that made up Baker’s foundation stock included Josephine, a domestic longhair whose white coat concealed the genes for either a seal-mitted or black tuxedo pattern, as well as a number of additional long-haired cats that she either owned or discovered in her neighborhood.

Baker looked for big, calm cats with lovely long coats that had the Himalayan pattern, which is the word for the “points” found on Siamese-type cats. Because of its inclination to flop joyfully into the arms of anybody who picked it up, the cat she created was known as the Ragdoll.

Ragdoll cat Breed Job Card/Overview

Breed Name	Ragdoll
Origin	California, United States of America
Height	9 – 1 inches
Weight	10 – 20 pounds
Life Expectancy	18 – 20 years
Temperament	Sociable, affectionate, bold
Colors	Seal, chocolate, red, and the corresponding ‘dilutes’: blue, lilac, and cream.

Breed Characteristics 

Personality 

As placid as cats get, this lovely breed is. In fact, their propensity to go limp when picked up is where the term “ragdoll” originates. These cats enjoy being cuddled and hugged, and they will unwind in your arms for however long you let them to.

The cat has an intelligent, kind, and incredibly loving demeanor. These gentle cats are affectionate and want human contact, yet they are rarely pushy. These cat are excellent companion animals since they are incredibly dedicated to and loyal to their owners.

Pros And Cons Of The Ragdoll Cat Breed 

Appearance

General Appearance

Ragdoll cats are medium to big-sized cats with a semi-lengthy, silky coat that is available in diverse hues and patterns. They have to put, almond-formed, blue eyes that captivate onlookers.

Their bodies are muscular and properly-proportioned, with a semi-long tail. These cats are recognized for their docile temperament, frequently going limp while picked up, subsequently the name “Ragdoll.” Their ears are medium-sized, and they have a sweet, open expression.

Coat color and grooming

Black, white, gray, blue, cream, lilac, chocolate, seal, and red are some common ragdoll hues. Blue eyes are a well-known trait of this species; however, they are not exclusive to cat.

The cat has a single, smooth coat; there is no undercoat of fur on it. Compared to other medium-haired cat coats, it is intended to mat less. To prevent tangles, this breed still benefits from brushing at least twice a week.

Ragdolls produce less shedding and dander than breeds with thicker coats since they don’t have an undercoat. Ragdolls are not regarded as hypoallergenic, though, as many individuals are still sensitive to the saliva and skin secretions of cats, and the cat also generate similar allergens.

Shedding

Since ragdolls have lengthy hair, you should be prepared for some shedding from this breed. Despite having thick coats, they don’t shed as much as you might imagine. The amount they lose will depend on the weather, the time of year, and their diets.

Health 

The following are issues that might impact the Ragdoll:

• Ragdolls are predisposed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a kind of genetic heart disease. There is a DNA-based test available to determine which cats have the disease-causing mutation.
• Increased incidence of bladder stones made of calcium oxalate
• A tendency toward FIP (feline infectious peritonitis)

Maintenance And Care

Although the somewhat lengthy fur of Ragdoll cats has less undercoat and is less likely to mat and shed, this does not mean that the cats do not require maintenance.

To prevent tangles, comb it twice a week with a stainless steel comb to eliminate dead hair. As mats are more prone to form where the leg joins the body, be careful to properly comb the fur on the legs.

The fur will be smoothed with a rubber curry brush after being combed to eliminate any residual loose hairs. The cat will enjoy your attention at grooming time as long as you are careful and don’t tug their hair.

Food And Nutrition

You should pick products with up to 50% animal protein if you want to feed this breed of cat high-protein cat chow, as advised by feline experts.

A diet high in this micronutrient helps lethargy-prone Ragdolls keep active all day long since each gram of protein provides four calories.

Exercise And Activity Level 

Ragdolls are friendly, fairly active cats. They take pleasure in routine play sessions with wands or other interactive cat toys.

For cerebral engagement, the majority also benefit from feeding from a feline puzzle feeder. However, it’s preferable to get up and play with your cat rather than just leaving toys for them to enjoy.

This will promote family ties, keep your cat’s weight under control, and prevent boredom-related behavioral issues.

Little Known facts

Here is a list of the amazing facts about this breed-

• The Ragdoll cat breed is so named because of its propensity to fall asleep when carried up and petted.

• The inventor of the breed made several bizarre claims regarding the origins of the cat, such as tales involving extraterrestrial life, the blending of feline and human DNA, and even a hint that the CIA may have had some effect on the breed’s evolution. None of these assertions has ever been confirmed.

• With females occasionally measuring 15 pounds or more and males occasionally topping the scales at 20 pounds or more, These cats are among the biggest domestic cat breeds.

FAQs On Ragdoll cat Breed…