The Ragdoll cat is a very good choice if you want to have a cat with a gentle and affectionate personality. Although Ragdolls are large cats, they are very relaxed, calm, loving and tolerant. They easily adapt to different environments and get along well with children and other pets.
If you want to have a Ragdoll cat or you already have one and want to know more about this breed, I present to you the 5 most important characteristics of this breed.
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Top 5 characteristics of the Ragdoll cat breed
- Big blue eyes are one of the main characteristics of the Ragdoll breed.
- The Ragdoll is a large cat, which can reach up to 9 kg in weight (males).
- The body of the Ragdoll cat is long, with a broad and well-defined chest. The legs are strong and of medium to long length
- The fur of the Ragdoll cat is silky, bushy and soft to the touch. Hair size is medium to long.
- Ragdoll is a calm, loving cat, tolerant of other animals in the house.
Physical characteristics – Ragdoll cat
The Ragdoll cat is easily recognizable thanks to its large blue eyes, which give it a gentle and mesmerizing expression. This distinctive trait is one of the breed's most prized characteristics, contributing to its natural charm and elegance.
It is also possible for a Ragdoll to not have blue eyes, but these are quite rare. Certain varieties of the Ragdoll breed, such as Mink and Sepia, may have green or yellow eyes. Organizations such as TICA (The International Cat Association) recognize these eye color variants as purebred, although they are much less common.
With aimpressive size, the Ragdoll falls under the category of large cats. Males can reach a weight of up to9 kg, while females are slightly lighter. Also, this breed can have aheight up to 40 cm, and the total length, measured from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, can reach1.20 metres. Its remarkable dimensions contribute to a regal and imposing appearance that impresses at first sight.
Ragdoll are orobust structure, with a long body and a broad, well-defined chest. His legs are strong and of medium to long length, giving him a graceful yet firm stance. This combination of elegance and physical strength makes the Ragdoll considered one of the most imposing cat breeds.
One of its most prized traits in Ragdoll cats islush fur, consisting of long, silky hairs covering a soft down substrate. Its texture is extremely pleasant to the touch and gives it a refined and royal appearance. The colors and patterns of the fur vary, being frequent models with color points (colorpoint), masks or areas lighter in color, which highlight the physical features of the cat. To keep this coat in the best shape, it is recommended that it be brushed regularly. This habit not only helps to prevent tangles, but also to reduce shedding during shedding.
The periods ofmoult of Ragdoll cats are not really a delight for the owners. Cats of this breed can shed a considerable amount of hair, which can get deposited on furniture and clothes. However, the long, soft hair is easier to gather and manage compared to that of short-haired cats, which can be an advantage for owners.
Also read: What is shedding in cats and what are the causes
The Ragdoll is also notable for its slow growth rate. Like many other large breeds, it reaches full physical maturityonly around the age of3-4 years, a period in which his body structure continues to develop. This prolonged evolution helps reinforce its distinct and imposing physical characteristics.
Personality and character of Ragdoll cats
The Ragdoll cat is extremely relaxed, calm and peaceful, whose meow you can barely hear. They are cats tolerant and sociable, perfect for families with children. If you have another cat in the house or another pet, the Ragdoll will seek to socialize and make friends with it. They are docile cats and very tolerant of other pets.
Ragdolls are also playful and relatively easy to train, and they will go to the litter box from the first days when they have to do their physiological needs.
Although most cat breeds can be solitary, cats Ragdolls prefer to have a playmate. They are cats that do not like solitude and will always follow their owner around the house or yard. They are often described as "cat-dogs" because of their attachment to people and their desire to always be in the company of their owners.
Despite their calm nature, Ragdolls are intelligent and curious cats. They love to explore their surroundings and interact with people. If you have a cat of this breed, but you leave it alone for many hours, it is good to consider bringing a cat to play with.
Ragdoll kittens
Ragdoll kittens are real wonders, being like little balls of fur, light gray and white in color. The color spots appear only after the first year of life. They are known for their gentle and affectionate personalities from a young age, while also being very playful and curious. They love to be in the company of people and quickly become attached to their family.
As a recommendation, if you have a Ragdoll kitten, it is very important to socialize it from an early age. Interaction with different people, animals and situations will help your Ragdoll become a well-adjusted adult.
In terms of care, Ragdoll puppies need special care, especially with regard to their fur. Regular brushing will help prevent tangling and matting.
Like almost all large cat breeds, this one reaches maturity around the age of 3 or even 4 years.
Health and care
They are generally healthy cats with a life expectancy of 9 – 15 years if well cared for and follow diets specific to each life stage. In some cases, a Ragdoll cat can also live up to 20 years. However, this breed is prone to a disease called feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which can lead to heart attacks in the first few years of life. Most deaths among this breed occur around the age of 2 and 3 years.
Also read: How long can we leave the cat alone at home? Are you going on vacation?
It is recommended that from puppyhood, the Ragdoll cat goes for regular medical check-ups to see if it suffers from hereditary health problems. Also, when you decide that you want to buy a Ragdoll kitten, it is important to choose a responsible breeder who offers guarantees regarding the health of the kitten.
As I said before and when I referred to Ragdoll kittens, except for regular brushing to keep their fur nice and clean, cats of this breed do not require specific care.
History of the Ragdoll breed
The Ragdoll cat breed does not have a very distant history. The first Ragdoll puppies were born in 1960 in Riverside, California (USA). The breed was created by Ana Baker by crossing a Persian cat with a Siamese or Burmese crossbreed.
Although it is known from which crossbreed the Ragdoll cat originated, it can no longer be reproduced as it was at the time of its origin. There is not much information, but it is said that the mother cat, who gave birth to the first kittens Ragdoll, would have suffered an accident while she was pregnant. This is where the strange appearance and character of cats of this breed may have come from, which do not have all the typical characteristics of a feline.
In conclusion, the Ragdoll cat stands out for its gentle and affectionate nature, quickly becoming the center of attention in any family, even those with small children or other pets. Their intelligence and curiosity, combined with their distinctive physical appearance, make this breed a popular choice for cat lovers around the world.
