Ragdoll cat breed profile

Whether your cat is a purebred ragdoll, or a ragdoll mix, learning about this breed can explain a lot about your pet’s personality, habits and overall health. 

Ragdolls are larger cats with a docile and friendly personality that loves to cuddle — does this sound like your cat? Here’s some fun facts you may not have known about your pet’s breed.

What size are ragdoll cats?

Ragdolls are typically bigger than an average cat, Dr. Carly Fox, senior veterinarian at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York City, says. Female cats will generally weigh lower, between 10 and 15 pounds, whereas males can weigh up to 20 pounds. It can take up to 4 years for them to reach their full maturity and size. 

What are ragdolls’ fur like? 

These cats have semi-long, silky fur, with a similar texture to a rabbit. Ragdolls are a pointed breed, meaning they have darker markings around their face, ears, tail or legs and a lighter-colored body. They can be a variety of different colors, but are most commonly flame point (white bodies with reddish ears), seal point (white bodies with darker faces and legs), lilac point (white or gray bodies with slightly darker faces), cream point (cream-colored bodies with slightly darker faces), chocolate point (brownish-pink bodies with darker faces), red point (white bodies with reddish-orange faces) and blue point (white or gray bodies with slightly darker faces and bright blue eyes). 

Like all pets, ragdolls aren’t hypoallergenic, Dr. Fox says. They will occasionally shed and require regular grooming and brushing to avoid knotting. If you struggle with pet-related allergies, you may want to talk to your doctor before bringing a ragdoll cat home. 

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What are ragdolls’ personalities like?

These cats are generally calm, smart and friendly. As kittens, they’re usually smart and crave attention, without being demanding. 

“Ragdolls are sweet, gentle giants who are excellent family pets,” Dr. Fox says. “They handle being picked up very well and enjoy being babied.”

They're also generally docile, lower-energy cats and are sociable. Ragdolls can make great companions for all ages and households, are known to be great with children and easily acclimate into a new home. Like other cat breeds, they can live between 12 and 18 years. 

What are common health issues for ragdoll cats? 

Whenever you bring a new pet into your life, you should schedule a vet visit as soon as possible to examine your pet’s health. If you’re a ragdoll cat parent, Dr. Fox says they’re prone to heart diseases and obesity. 

According to Dr. Fox, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a heart disease typically seen in ragdolls. This disease is not curable but can be treated with medications. 

“All ragdolls should have an echocardiogram to screen for heart disease but especially those with heart murmurs,” Dr. Fox says.

Adopting a ragdoll cat

Like with any pet, integrating a ragdoll into your home should be done slowly. If there are any other pets (or small children) in the home, make sure to always be present during their interactions to avoid injury, Dr. Fox says.

Are you interested in adopting a ragdoll, ragdoll mix, or any pet at all? We think every pet deserves a home and encourage you to check out our shelter partners. 

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