The Ragdoll is an adorable large cat that is incredibly patient and gentle. Despite their imposing size, these cats are a calm and quiet breed that loves nothing more than to play and cuddle with their owners.
This breed of cat is generally easy to care for and incredibly sociable. The Ragdoll is the ideal cat breed for apartment living. They make excellent pets and get along well with children. If you have the time and attention to give this fluffy little kitten, he will reward you with endless loyalty and love. Since Ragdolls require careful breeding, they are less common than other cat breeds. Ragdoll prices can range from €600 for a kitten to €2,500 for a show cat. The cost of your cat depends on its age and pedigree.
Appearance
These cats measure between 30 and 38 cm and weigh between 3 and 9 kg. The male Ragdoll is generally heavier. Here are the breed selection criteria according to the LOOF.
Head
This cat has a medium-sized head in the shape of an equilateral triangle and has rounded contours. From the front, the space between the ears is almost flat. When you look at the animal in profile, its skull and forehead are rounded and extended by a slight hollow at the level of the nose, which is straight, which corresponds to a so-called “toboggan” profile.
The muzzle is of medium length and is well developed and rounded. The chin is strong. One of the typical physical characteristics of the Ragdoll is its eyes which are large and oval in shape. The most common color is a bright blue and the most intense possible. The ears of this breed of cat are medium in size and placed in line with the triangle of the head. Its ears are wide at the base and the tip is rounded. As seen in the profile, they are slightly pointed forwards.
Body
The Ragdoll’s neck is short, powerful, and muscular. Its rectangular body is long and powerful. The chest is wide and round. Although heavy, the Ragdoll is not big and according to the LOOF standard, only a ventral pocket is accepted. Indeed, the weight of the male can reach 9 kg, while that of the female does not exceed 7 kg. The legs of this cat are of medium size and proportional to the rectangle formed by the body. Its legs are powerful and with a strong bone structure. The feet of the Ragdoll is strong and round and have the particularity of presenting interdigital hairiness. The cat’s tail is long until it reaches the base of the shoulder blade. The Ragdoll sports a plumed tail that is wide at the base.
Character traits and behavior
As for us humans, cats are unique and through this article, we will see the major behavioral trends associated with Ragdoll Cats.
This adorable breed is very gentle and docile. This cat tends to let go when picked up. These cats love to be held, petted, and cuddled and will relax in your arms for as long as you allow them. This cat is intelligent, sweet, and very affectionate. These gentle kittens love and need human attention and can’t stand being left alone for too long. The Ragdoll is a real cat-dog thanks to its extremely loyal and devoted character to its master, which makes it a wonderful pet.
In general, the Ragdoll is very patient and not aggressive which makes it an ideal companion for a family with children. It is still important to teach children to respect the cat and to better understand how to interact with it. This breed of cat prefers to stay quiet and would not appreciate a very turbulent and noisy environment. As far as cohabitation with other pets is concerned, the Ragdoll is a peaceful cat and adapts easily to calm and non-turbulent dogs.
As far as noise goes, you might not hear much from these quiet cats. The Ragdoll doesn’t tend to meow much unless something is bothering them. When speaking, he usually makes soft little meows and meows to let you know they are hungry or in need of some love. This breed of cat is ideal for apartment living. Of a rather homely nature, this calm cat will prefer to be petted and take naps on his cat tree than to jump around the apartment. Be careful to watch him, if you want to take him outside.
Health
The Ragdoll cat has a long lifespan of 12 to 17 years and is generally a healthy pet.
The biggest health risks for the Ragdoll are hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and urinary tract problems with polycystic kidney disease (PKD).
Reputable breeders screen your kitten for health issues, but it’s important to have them checked regularly as they mature. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and other health issues may go unnoticed until later in your cat’s life.
The genetic disease polycystic kidney disease (PKD) results in the appearance of cysts in the kidneys. These cysts will grow and multiply until they compress the kidney tissue. The cysts will invade the renal parenchyma bilaterally and lead to kidney dysfunction. This disease is easily detectable using a DNA test.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disease that causes the thickening of the muscular walls of the cat’s heart. This causes breathing difficulties, lethargy, and loss of appetite in an older adult cat. It is possible to use a DNA test to detect this genetic mutation that appears in the Ragdoll. In case of doubt or appearance of symptoms such as a heart murmur or any cardiac abnormality, it is strongly recommended to consult your veterinarian and perform an ultrasound of the heart.
