Ragdoll Cat Breed… Everything That You Need to Know at a Glance!

Because you’re reading this article on the Ragdoll Cat, we think it’s pretty safe to assume you’re a “cat person.” But this term can describe folks who like it when a cat wants to snuggle up with their owners. Or it can be used to describe someone who enjoys and appreciates a cat’s ability to be independent and not be as “needy” as many of our canine friends.

Which is why…

We wanted to write this article all about the Ragdoll cat breed because while these cats are pretty awesome if you prefer cat breeds that are somewhat “aloof,” you may want to consider a different “kind” of cat for your home. After all, the “Ragdoll” cat breed is named after the way they go “limp” once you pick them up, making them an ideal choice for anyone who loves to carry their cat around with them everywhere they go!

So, in this article, we’re going to discuss what it might be like to own one of these gorgeous creatures so that if you’re ever allowed to get your hands on one, you’ll know for sure if it’s going to be a good “fit” for you.

Ragdoll Cat Breed Fast Facts

Country of Origin:  United States of America

Size:  Large

Weight:  14 to 18 pounds

Eyes:  Oval (blue)

Shape of Head:   Round

Lifespan:  15 to 20 years

Origin of the Ragdoll cat breed

The Ragdoll cat was developed by an American woman named Ann Baker sometime during the mid-1960s, who gave it this name because of its docile, calm, and affectionate behavior. Traditionally, “Ragdolls” were homemade dolls using pieces of scrap material easily found at home, hence the name ragdoll cats. Now, because these dolls were essentially made of “scrap material,” they were generally pretty “flimsy” and would flop around a lot.

A lot like…

The Ragdoll breed does when you pick them up, hence the name! But don’t be fooled by their docile behavior and attitude because these guys are pretty muscular, which makes them quite “tough” when needed. The good news is that this is rarely the case when dealing with people because these guys love being around humans. They tend to be friendlier to humans compared to other cats. While they are “somewhat” standard in the United States, these cats are much more popular in the United Kingdom, where they are often referred to as “dog-like cats” or “puppy-like cats” because of their characteristic following people everywhere.

Physical Characteristics

The Ragdoll cat breed is a long-bodied cat that can grow quite large. They have a thick, plush coat and are very heavily boned. And they have a medium-sized head; this head can often appear larger than it is due to their thick skin. It’s fair to say that even though the Ragdoll can be a large cat, they can sometimes appear giant due to their full coat (of course, until they get wet!).

Ragdolls also have…

Solid legs and oval-shaped eyes that are typically only blue-colored. If you find different colors on a “Ragdoll,” it is likely not a pure, pedigree cat. Their Ragdoll coat can have many patterns like the colored point, with a light-colored body with darker-colored extremities on their ears and face. Then there are the bi-colored ragdolls, which also have dark issues but have an extra feature of the inverted v on their head, stomach, and legs, then the ruff is white.

A mitten ragdoll has colored points, but the feet are white, hence the name. The coats are soft and thick and can vary from semi-long to long.

Temperament and Personality

Most Ragdoll cats will have a docile, floppy, and calm nature. They are said to get this behavior from Persian and Birman breeds, which they were derived from. They are quick learners who can easily pick up behaviors or tricks and start doing them as they have seen. They are also very affectionate. They will wait at the door for you, greet you, and spend most of their time following you up and down and even snuggle into your bed if you give them a chance. Affectionate and playful, they enjoy playing with toys and will join you when doing family activities.

But be warned…

They also love eating. So, you’ll want to be sure not to feed your Ragdoll over or give them too many treats because obesity can be a real problem with this breed, leading to a variety of other issues that can directly affect your pet’s health. And even when you try to limit their food intake, these guys have a charming way of reminding you it’s dinner time. So, just be sure to stay strong!

Activity Level

The Ragdoll breed is not an active animal and usually prefers to be indoors, sleeping somewhere, or just looking out the window instead of jumping and running around. They are pretty playful, so they are happy to have played, but this soon wears off when they will then find somewhere to sleep.

Behavioral Traits

Ragdolls can quickly become highly relaxed when you stroke or hold them. They are well known for the limp mode they go into when becoming settled. Due to their size and the fact they can go slack, making them heavy and awkward to pick up, it is best to pick these cats up with two hands to avoid hurting them or yourself. The ragdoll cat is a slow-growing cat that can take 3 to 5 years to reach full maturity.

Potential Health Concerns

For the most part, the Ragdoll cat breed is relatively healthy, with one exception. These guys do seem to experience an increased risk of developing:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is one of the most common forms of heart disease found in cats. While this condition isn’t something that your veterinarian will be able to “cure,” it is possible to minimize your risk of adopting a Ragdoll with this condition by working with a reputable Ragdoll breeder who is aware of this condition and works responsibly to avoid producing litters that have an increased vulnerability to this condition.

Which brings us to…

The last topic we wanted to discuss in our article about the Ragdoll is the importance of at least considering purchasing a pet insurance policy for your new loved one. Regardless of how careful you may be in choosing your new kitten, illnesses and accidents can occur. Ask any experienced pet owner, and they’ll tell you that these unexpected illnesses and injuries can be expensive if they’re serious.

This is why…

We here at IndulgeYourPet also encourage anyone considering becoming a pet owner to be sure and do their due diligence before leaping into pet ownership, which includes taking a moment and considering purchasing a pet insurance policy on their animal.

Now, will a pet insurance policy be “right” for everyone?

No, of course not. But until you understand how they work, and until you know how much one might cost you, how will you be able to tell for sure one isn’t “right” for you?

For more information about who we “feel” currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies in the industry, we encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Companies article.