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

Now, because you’re reading this article on the Ragdoll Cat, we think it’s pretty safe to assume that you’re a “cat person”.  But this is a term that can be used to describe folks who like it when a cat likes 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’re someone who prefers 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 actually 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 given the opportunity 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-1960’s who gave it this name because of its docile, placid and affectionate behavior.

Traditionally…

“Rag dolls” the toy, were homemade dolls using pieces of scrap material that was easily found at home hence the name ragdoll cats.  Now because these dolls were essentially made of “scrap material” there were generally pretty “flimsy” and would basically just 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 actually quite muscular, which makes them quite “tough” when they need to be.

The good news is that…

This is rarely the case when dealing with people because these guys just love being around humans.  In fact, they tend to be friendlier to humans compared to other cats.

And while they…

Are “somewhat” common 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 cat” because of their characteristic following people everywhere.

Ragdoll appearance and physical characteristics

The Ragdoall cat breed is a long-bodied cat that can grow quite large in size. They have a thick, plush coat and are very heavily boned.

And while…

They have a medium sized head; this head can often appear larger than it actually is due to their thick coat.  If fact, it’s fair to say that even though the Ragdoll can be a large cat, at times, they can appear to be giant due to their full coat (that is of course until they get wet!).

Ragdolls also have…

Very strong legs and oval shaped eyes that are typically only blue colored. If you find different colors on a “Ragdoll” it very likely is not a pure, pedigree cat.

Their Ragdoll coat…

Can have many patterns like the colored point which will have a light-colored body with darker colored extremities on their ears and face.  Then there are the bi-colored ragdolls which have the dark points as well, but have an extra feature of the inverted v on their head, stomach and legs then the ruff is white.

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

Ragdoll 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…

As they 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 its time following you up and down and even snuggle into your bed if you give them a chance.  Affectionate and playful, they really do enjoy playing with toys and will even join you when doing family activities.

But be warned…

They also love eating.  So, you’ll want to be sure not to over feed your Ragdoll or give him or her too many treats because obesity can be a real problem with this breed, which can lead to a whole variety of other issues that can have a direct effect on the health of your pet.

And even when…

You try to limit their food intake; these guys have a really cute way of reminding you its dinner time.  So just be certain to stay strong!

Ragdoll cat breed activity Level

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

Ragdoll behavioral Traits

Ragdolls have the ability to quickly become extremely 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 just go limp 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 and can take anywhere from 3 to 5 years to reach full maturity.

Ragdoll health concerns

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

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is one of the most common forms of heart disease found in cats.

And 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 here in our article about the Ragdoll, which is the importance of at least considering purchasing a pet insurance policy for your new loved one.

You see…

Regardless of how careful you may be in choosing your new kitten, illnesses and accidents can occur.  And just ask any experienced pet owner and they’ll tell that these unexpected illnesses and injuries can be quite expensive if they’re serious.

This is why…

We here at IndulgeYourPet also encourage anyone who is considering becoming a pet owner to be sure and do their due diligence before making the leap into pet ownership which includes taking a moment and consider purchasing a pet insurance policy on their animal as well.

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 know 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 right now, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Companies article.