Let's talk Ragdolls
There is a reason Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dogs worldwide. Playful and devoted, they are known for their open, enthusiastic temperaments, which you’ll soon come to adore - as long as you can stand the affection overload, that is. They are smart, too. With a little patience, the Labrador breed trains well. Just keep that plate of food away from the edge of the table.
Official name: Ragdoll
Origins: USA
Hair length |
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Family Pet* |
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Shedding level | Cohabitation with other pets | ||
Grooming needs | Can stay alone* |
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Energy Level* | Environment (indoor/outdoor) | ||
Vocal tendencies | High |
* We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behaviour. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations.
Every pet is different, even within a breed; this snapshot of this breed specifics should be taken as an indication.
For a happy healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socializing your pet as well as covering their basic welfare needs (and their social and behavioral needs).
Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child.
Contact your breeder or veterinarian for further advice.
All domestic pets are sociable and prefer company. However, they can be taught to cope with solitude from an early age. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or trainer to help you do this.
Baby age | Birth to 4 months |
Puppy age | 4 to 12 months |
Adult age | 12 months to 7 years |
Mature age | 7 years to 12 years |
Senior age | From 12 years |
Very intelligent animals, Ragdolls are also easy-going, docile and sociable – and affectionate too
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Get to know the Ragdoll
All you need to know about the breed
The Ragdoll is a cat that really does seem to have it all. Not only do they have beauty but also brains, too, and a laid-back, affable approach to pretty much everything. The Ragdoll even has a good lifespan, often living well into their late teens.
And yet, as a breed, they have not been around for very long at all. Only developed in the 1960’s, in the United States, the Ragdoll is a relatively new addition to the feline world. In that short time, however, they have become one of the most popular cats of them all.
One of the largest domesticated cat breeds, the female can reach up to 13 pounds (6kg) and the male up to 20 pounds (9kg). Despite the Ragdoll cat’s statuesque size, however, they are not an especially energetic breed, and even quite quiet, so they usually fit in fine to most home set-ups. They are also known for their tolerant attitude towards children and other animals.
As well as their actual size, their fluffy ‘plush’ coat – and the undercoat beneath – can make them seem even bigger than they are. Very varied in pattern, the Ragdoll cat colours can range from chocolate, lilac and cream to seal, blue and a red. However, as a pointed breed, the common theme is that they usually have darker markings on their extremities.
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2 facts about Ragdolls
1. Puss in boots
Among the many variations of colour in the
Ragdoll cat breed, one of them results in four white feet. So distinctive is
the effect that animals with these markings even have their own name: the
Mitted Ragdoll.
2. Dog in cat's clothing
Often described as more dog-like in their personality,
Ragdoll cats exhibit a number of behavioural traits that are more commonly
associated with canines. As well as enjoying a game of fetch, they will often
follow you from room to room and will even greet you at the front door on your
return home.
History of the breed
Hailing from California, renowned for its relaxed and laid-back lifestyle, it’s perhaps no wonder that the Ragdoll cat has such a carefree approach to life. It all began back in the 1960’s when a local breeder called Ann Baker decided to cross her white, long-haired domestic, Josephine, with a seal point male (thought to have been a Birman cross), and also a solid black cat. Interestingly, the animals had all been strays previously.
Whatever the reason, the resulting offspring were so docile in their temperament that Ms Baker decided to try and develop a breed. And because of the way they would go limp when they were picked up, due to being so comfortable with human contact, she decided to name this new variety the ‘Ragdoll’ cat.
Later, in the 1970’s, other breeders – notably Denny and Laura Dayton – developed the breed further. Their aim was to formalise things and get the Ragdoll cat recognised officially. However, it wasn’t until the early 1990’s that the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) – the largest registry of pedigreed cats – began accepting the Ragdoll, eventually giving them full recognition in 2000.
The Ragdoll cat has certainly made up for lost time though. According to the CFA, they were the most popular breed in the world for 2020. That was also the second year in a row that they scooped the title of ‘Top Cat’.
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From head to tail
Physical characteristics of Ragdolls
1. Head
Head is well-proportioned with medium ears and large, oval, blue eyes.
2. Coat
Dense coat has a fine underlayer and is thick and silky.
3. Colouring
Colouring can vary from chocolate, lilac and cream to seal, blue and a red.
4. Body
Body is large, though not terribly agile, with medium legs and large round paws.
5. Tail
The tail is long with a full plume, often feathered at the end.
Also notable for their striking blue eyes, and pink button nose, it’s no wonder their owners find them so hard to resist
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Things to look out for
From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Ragdoll
It's important to keep a close eye on their weight
Due to their sizeable stature, and long
growth period, Ragdoll cats can sometimes experience problems with their joints
and bones. Tell-tale symptoms of this are an abnormal gait, obvious
limping or more general signs of discomfort. The good news is that problems can
be largely prevented from the outset by feeding them a high-quality diet, which
supports healthy growth, and keeping an eye on their weight. As always, stick
to the guidelines on their food packaging and ensure they have enough daily
activity. Also, no unhealthy snacks in-between meals!
They can be prone to mouth problems
Like many breeds, Ragdoll cats can also
suffer with gum and dental issues. These tend to occur when plaque on the
surface of the teeth is allowed to build up. This can induce an inflammatory
reaction at gum level (gingivitis) – and, if it develops into tartar, this can
result in an inflammation of the tooth’s support structures (periodontal
disease). Symptoms can include red gums, pain and bad breath – and, in severe
cases, the resulting toxins can cause damage to the organs. As always,
prevention is better than cure, so daily brushing and regular check-ups are
key. Also, feeding your cat a special dental diet can certainly help. The
action of the kibble rubbing against the teeth will remove some of the plaque
and calcium chelators will prevent the formation of tartar.
And they can be predisposed to a heart condition
Ragdoll cats are among the
breeds genetically prone to something called ‘hypertrophic cardiomyopathy’.
This is a heart condition that occurs independently of other cardiac or
systemic disorders and causes a thickening in the walls of the ventricles. The
impact on the normal cardiac function varies, but affected cats may develop
problems ranging from exercise intolerance to a more serious prognosis. As
always, forewarned is forearmed, so have a chat with your vet. Diagnosis can be
done using various techniques and a DNA test is also available. In addition, if
you are thinking of getting a Ragdoll kitten, be sure to ask for the parents’
health certificate.
Your vet may also discuss your Labrador’s weight management as a preventive measure. These simple tools can help you stay on top of potential problems.
Their large size means they do need to have a moderate amount of daily activity and also to keep their weight in check
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Caring for your Ragdoll
Grooming, training and exercise tips
It may come as a surprise that Ragdoll cats
don’t reach their full size and coat development until they are up to four
years old. When they do, the adult Ragdoll cat has fur that is luscious and
thick with a silky texture that is sometimes compared to that of a rabbit. As
they have little undercoat, this means they are less prone to matting, but they
still need brushing or combing at least once or twice a week to get rid of any
dead hair. This is especially important during the Ragdoll cat’s shedding
season. One question that often comes up is how to get knots out of a Ragdoll
cat’s fur. The trick is to work it out gently using a wide tooth comb and, if
required, use a tiny bit of coconut oil to loosen things up. But they will
need a bath afterwards! Beyond that, ears should be checked regularly, nails
clipped as needed and teeth brushed daily if you can manage that.
Given the breed’s gentle nature, Ragdoll
kittens will always respond best to positive reinforcement. Highly intelligent
animals, they will soon get the hang of the litter tray and scratching post
etc. Also, depending on the personality of your Ragdoll cat, some can even
learn how to play games such as fetch. They are also a good choice of cat if
you happen to have other animals, as they usually get along fine with other
household pets. However, their trusting nature means they should be introduced
with extra care to any existing cats or dogs, who might not welcome a stranger
on their territory. For that same reason, and also because they can have a
slight tendency towards clumsiness, owners sometimes choose to keep Ragdoll
cats indoors.
When it comes to exercise, it’s important to
get the balance right with Ragdoll cats. On the one hand, their large size
means they do need to have a moderate amount of daily activity and also to keep
their weight in check. On the other, Ragdolls aren’t the most agile animals and
can be a bit uncoordinated at times. So, if you decide to invest in a cat tree,
for example, it’s important to go for one that has wide steps and is not too
high. Providing plenty of opportunities for active play at ground level is generally
the best way to keep them in shape. One other thing to bear in mind with the Ragdoll
cat is that it can be hard to spot an expanding waistline under their thick
coat. So, you may wish to pop them on the scales from time to time. True to
their name, they won’t mind.
All about Ragdolls
The Ragdoll cat doesn’t reach full maturity
until they are four years of age and the normal life expectancy is 12 to 17
years. This means the average Ragdoll lifespan is around 14 to 15 years.
However, with the right diet and good veterinary care, they can sometimes go on
to live well beyond that.
Just the one, but the Ragdoll cat colours are
very varied – ranging from red, seal and chocolate to blue, lilac and cream. In
other fun Ragdoll cat facts, the ‘seal
point’ is the most popular colouring. There are also various different
patterns too. But just one breed of cat.
translations.feature.breeds.otherbreeds
Read more on this topic
End of life care for your cat
Health risks of overweight and obese cats
How to recognise stress in cats
Sources
1 - Veterinary Centers of America https://vcahospitals.com/
2 - Royal Canin Dog Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020
3 - Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/
4 - Royal Canin BHN Product Book
5 - American Kennel Club https://www.akc.org/