Ragdoll Cat
Ragdoll cats get their name from their tendency to go limp while cuddling or being carried, but they are just as famous for their puppy-like behavior and agreeable temperament. These are some of the friendliest, most laid-back domestic cats, making them very popular!
Breed Profile
Height
Males: 9-11
Females: 9-11
Inches
Weight
Males: 15-20
Females: 10-15
Pounds
Life Span
12-15
Years
Health
health
Bladder Stones
What is it?
Like humans, cats can develop hard clumps of minerals in their bladders, called bladder stones. This infection is likely quite painful for cats and can be life-threatening in extreme cases.
Clinical signs:
Difficulty urinating, bloody urination, excessive urination frequency, displays of pain during urination, chronic urinary tract infections or obstruction (common in males), urine spraying, genital licking
Treatment:
Cystotomy (bladder surgery), passing a catheter, or diet therapy
Other risks:
Especially dangerous in male cats (treat immediately). Bladder stones could also indicate a wider health problem
Eligible vet bill
$1,400
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Relaxed
One of the first traits most ragdoll owners would use to describe their cat is relaxed, easy-going, and laid back. Ragdolls go with the flow and rarely get fussy, grumpy, or bothered.
Loving
Affection isn’t always easy to come by with some cat breeds, but ragdolls provide it in no short supply. These fluffy friends are all about the feels, so you can expect plenty of sweet, loving tenderness from a ragdoll.
Goofy
The moment you pick a ragdoll up or let one sit in your laugh, you’ll see a picture of how goofy they can be. From flopping around like a ragdoll to playing with you like a puppy, ragdolls have a quirky personality bound to make you smile.
Amiable
Ragdoll cats get along easily with almost everyone they meet. Friendliness is in their DNA, and they’ll be sure to communicate that with lots of meows.
Playful
Ragdolls aren’t the most active breed of cat overall, but they do like to play. It’s pretty easy to entertain these floppy cats, and you can even play games like fetch with them!
Lifetime Care
Coat
Ragdoll cats have semi-long or long, silky coats, usually with color point markings like Siamese cats. Possible coat colors include seal point, seal mitted, blue, lynx, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, cinnamon, tabby, bicolor, tortoiseshell, or fawn, with mixed pattern possibilities. Mitted ragdolls will additionally have white paws and chins.
Hypoallergenic
Ragdolls are not hypoallergenic. They shed plenty, and produce other types of allergens as well (like any breed).
Grooming
This beautiful cat should be brushed at least once or twice per week. That will help keep the ragdoll’s coat healthy and clean and avoid matting and tangles. Nail trimming and dental care needs are standard.
Training
All cats should be trained in some capacity, but since ragdolls have a low prey drive and very easy-going temperament, socialization isn’t as crucial for them as other breeds.
Living Space
Adapting to different living spaces is very easy for this longhaired cat, provided that the living space is indoors. This breed is not a good fit for being left outside unsupervised or for long periods of time.
Lifetime Care Cost:
$17,990
Ragdoll: Cat Breed Information Guide
Some cat breeds have specific needs, while others are more easy-going and adaptable. The ragdoll cat is a perfect example of one of these others.
Ragdolls are a laid-back, highly affectionate breed that some compare to dogs in terms of their personality. This breed finds a fit easily with most households, but as with any breed, learning about their instincts, physical needs, health, and history can be invaluable.
If you’re considering a ragdoll cat for your family, today’s Spot Pet Insurance breed guide is for you!
Meet the ragdoll
Docile, fluffy, and beautiful, ragdolls are easily recognizable by their long coats, large stature, and stunning blue eyes. You might find a ragdoll flopping around in its owner's arms, playing fetch with its doggy siblings, or curiously staring at a window while relaxing on the comfy windowsill.
Once you meet the glorious blue eyes of a ragdoll, you may not be able to turn away. Their soft, long coat and exceptionally friendly demeanor make them charming cats.
Read on to learn all about the ragdoll cat and what it means to have one in your family!
Where does the ragdoll breed come from?
Ragdolls have been around since the 1960s. The first litter of ragdolls was bred by Ann Baker as part of a breeding program in Riverside, California. The Matriarch, named Josephine, is speculated to have had Persian and Angora genes. The father of the litter was likely Burmese or Birman.
Baker’s breeding program expanded through the following two decades, eventually parting ways from her and becoming a nationwide, and then worldwide, endeavor.
By the mid-70s, ragdoll cats became officially recognized by major registries. By 1979, they were officially recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA).
Today, ragdoll cats are one of the most popular breeds due to their wonderful, easy-going personalities and adaptability to a wide array of lifestyles.
Are ragdoll cats affectionate with family?
Affection for the family is in no short supply with a ragdoll cat. In fact, this breed is especially well known for their sweet, loving temperament.
Some cats are known to pick a favorite family member and cling to them. This is always possible on an individual basis, but ragdolls tend to be loving to anyone around them, so families with kids are a great fit as well.
Are ragdoll cats intelligent?
Sweetness and a laid-back personality are the breed's most defining traits, but intelligence is in no short supply either. Ragdolls can learn quickly and pick up on training if you wish to pursue things like leash walking or playing games.
However, ragdolls aren’t a particularly streetwise breed. They don’t do a great job of distinguishing danger from safety. It’s generally advised to keep your ragdoll indoors at all times, except when supervised outdoors.
Do ragdoll cats do well with children?
Ragdolls are easy-going and affectionate, which makes them perfect for children. While it’s important to train children (and cats) in how to properly interact and socialize with one another, ragdolls make this process very easy.
They are also famous for their behavior when carried, as they go completely limp like a ragdoll. If your children always seem to ask if they can carry any cat they see, ragdolls could be perfect!
How are ragdoll cats with strangers?
The sweet temperament of this breed extends to strangers outside the family. They are rarely suspicious towards guests, although individual cases can always vary.
Do ragdoll cats get along with other pets?
Like children and strangers, ragdoll cats have no major issues with other pets.
Many pet parents worry about mixing cats and dogs in the same household, but this is an easy process (from the ragdoll’s perspective) with this breed – although your dog(s) may not necessarily feel the same.
Thanks to the ragdoll’s somewhat dog-like personality, they can be playful and friendly towards dogs. They might greet dogs as they pass each other in the house and can even play with them. Ragdolls do love a good ball toss or a game of fetch.
Thanks to their low prey drive, other small animals could cohabit with a ragdoll, but you should always be careful when it comes to mixing animals such as birds or rodents with a cat.
How to be the best pet parent for a ragdoll cat
Caring for a ragdoll cat may seem like an easy-going affair relative to other breeds, but cat ownership is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. Your pet depends on you for everything in their life, so understanding their needs deeply is part of your duty as their parent.
At Spot Pet Insurance, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Check out our Blog for tons of informative resources covering a huge array of topics, all made to make your pet care life a little easier.
Let’s cover a few more factors that can help you understand how to best care for a ragdoll cat.
How much does a ragdoll cost?
Adoption fee: $800-2,000
First year: $1,904
Following years: $1,149
Basic training and behavior etiquette for your ragdoll cat
Training a ragdoll is a relatively easy affair compared to some other breeds with stronger instincts and less agreeable personalities.
Socialization is always good practice to help your cat become familiar with different situations.
Some ragdolls can be trained to walk with a leash or harness and even do tricks such as sit or play fetch! They are intelligent cats, although not always the most streetwise, so don’t expect to be able to train your cat to wander around outside and come home. They may return, but letting them wander unsupervised is not safe for this breed.
What types of foods should ragdoll cats never eat?
Some foods that are fine for humans are toxic to cats and therefore need to be avoided. Other foods are simply unhealthy or problematic in unique ways, so you’re usually better off feeding them cat food made specifically for felines.
You won’t have to keep these under lock and key, but don’t leave these foods out or give them to your cat. Here are some common examples:
Exercising tips to keep your ragdoll cat staying fit and healthy
Keeping a ragdoll cat fit and healthy will take a bit of work on your part due to the breed’s innately mellow mood and low-energy temperament. While they like to relax, they can easily be persuaded to play, so you must put in the effort to get them moving around.
Toys, towers, scratching posts, and plenty of obstacles to climb and scratch on should be provided. You don’t have to spend big here if you can get creative, but don’t skimp out on proper infrastructure for your ragdoll kitten or cat to play and exercise, even when you aren’t around.
Ragdoll cat life stages
Kitten: 0 - 4 years
Adult: 4 - 10 years
Senior: 10 years - end of life
Sources:
Ragdoll Cat Breed Information and Pictures | PetGuide
Ragdoll | The International Cat Association
Bladder Stones In Cats | VCA Animal Hospitals
How Much Does Pet Bladder Stone Surgery Cost? (2022) | Spend on Pet
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Spontaneous Large Animal Model of Human HCM - PMC
Ragdoll | UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory
Harmful Foods Your Cat Should Never Eat: Tuna, Milk, Raw Fish, and More | WebMD
Ragdoll | The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA)
Ragdoll Breed Standard | The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA)