Let's get to know the Ragdoll cat, a feline breed that can make anyone fall in love! Let's explore the cat's origins, the Ragdoll cat's personality, its breed standard, and much more about this delightful feline.
Origins and History of the Ragdoll
The Ragdoll cat is a feline breed that originated in California around the 1960s, thanks to the passion of Ann Baker. For a long time, its descent from the Birman was taken for granted, but recent studies have revealed that this is not quite the case. Ragdoll cats descend from the mating of a white, semi-longhaired female cat named Josephine (with a coat similar to that of an Angora), with one of her sons — a Birman-like cat of unknown parentage named Daddy Warbucks.
Mrs. Baker named the kittens born from this inbreeding Ragdoll, which literally translates as "rag doll". Indeed, no more fitting name could have been chosen, given the Ragdoll cat's personality — let's find out why…
Ragdoll Cat Breed Standard and Colours
The Ragdoll cat is a muscular, long-bodied feline; a male typically weighs around 5–9 kg, while females reach a maximum of 6 kg. The hind legs are taller than the front legs, the chest is broad, and the tail is thicker at the base and well proportioned to the rest of the body. The cat's head is broad and wedge-shaped, with large, well-spaced ears that tilt slightly forward and are rounded at the tips. The cheeks are nicely full, the nose has no stop, and the eyes are a deep, intense blue — large and oval in shape.
The paws are rounded with tufts of fur between the toes. The coat is medium in length, longer around the face and neck, and is soft and silky. There are 6 colour varieties in Ragdoll cats:
| Ragdoll Colour Variety | Point Colour |
|---|---|
| Seal Point | Dark brown |
| Red Point | Red |
| Blue Point | Blue/grey |
| Chocolate Point | Light chocolate |
| Lilac Point | Pinkish |
| Tortie Point | Tortoiseshell |
The cat's "points" refer to the muzzle, ears, legs, tail, and genitals (in the case of male cats).
Ragdoll Cat Varieties
In turn, the Ragdoll cat varieties differ slightly in certain physical characteristics:
| Ragdoll Variety | Physical Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Ragdoll colorpoint | Deeply coloured points. Body colour lighter than the points. |
| Ragdoll mitted | Coloured points. Body lighter than the points. White chin. White, symmetrical mittens on the front paws: must not extend above the wrist. White boots on the hind legs, reaching up to the hock. A white stripe must run from the chin to the base of the tail, covering the belly. A white blaze may be present on the nose or between the eyes. |
| Ragdoll tabby point | The distinguishing feature of tabby point cats is the addition of a striped, tabby pattern to the colour and variety of the Ragdoll cat. |
| Ragdoll bicolor | Body colour lighter than the points. Legs, paws, belly, and collar must be white. An inverted white "V" must cover the mask on the face. Dark tail and ears. Pink nose and paw pads. |
Ragdoll Cat Care and Nutrition
The Ragdoll cat is generally a healthy and robust cat that does not suffer from any particular health problems. Grooming is not especially demanding either — brushing your cat two or three times a week will be sufficient, particularly during shedding season. As for the Ragdoll cat's diet, it is worth knowing that this breed has a very hearty appetite and tends to put on weight easily. To avoid ending up with an obese cat, make sure your Ragdoll follows a healthy and balanced diet.
Ragdoll Cat Personality
Ragdoll cats love to relax and go completely limp when picked up and cuddled — which is precisely why the name "rag doll" is so perfectly apt. They adore being held in their owners' arms, especially on their backs, just like little children! The Ragdoll is an extremely affectionate cat that forms very strong bonds with its adoptive family. It suffers greatly when left alone and has a constant need for closeness with its owner. We therefore recommend taking it with you whenever possible — it won't have any trouble adapting to a change of environment, because for this cat, the only thing that matters is staying with its family.
It is a calm and gentle cat that tends to get along well with everyone, including other pets. It is very playful, and if you enjoy training it, you'll find that it picks up commands very well. When its owner comes home, this feline greets them joyfully, just like a little dog, and follows them everywhere — making it an ideal companion for elderly people or those who live alone.
Ragdoll Breeders and Price
Ragdoll kittens grow very slowly until the age of three, after which their growth stops. They are all born white and develop their colour as they mature. The most common faults in the breed standard are hernias, crossed eyes, and a kinked tail. There are several breeders in our country that specialise in this feline breed; the price of a Ragdoll cat typically ranges from €500 to €800, depending on colour, parentage, health status, and the presence or absence of any faults.
