As a life-long cat lover, writer, and owner of 3 Ragdoll cats, I‘m here to give you the real scoop on what it‘s like sharing your home with one of these famous floppy felines. Read on for the complete guide to the pros, cons, costs, care taking, and must-knows before adding one of these stunning blue-eyed beauties to your family!
A Brief History: Origins of This Affectionate Breed
While the friendly Ragdoll personality we love may feel like a new development, references to docile, boneless white cats have appeared throughout history. A 17th century story refers to British sailors keeping white cats that would collapse when cradled.
Floppy felines are even mentioned in T.S. Elliot‘s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats! Today‘s Ragdoll breed traces back to a domestic long haired cat in Riverside, California named Josephine. After being injured by car in the 1960s, Josephine healed up and gave birth to calm, sweet-natured kittens.
A local breeder, Ann Baker, saw something special in Josephine‘sFriendliness and striking piercing blue eyes. She adopted several progeny and Josephines and embarked on a years-long selective breeding program to reinforce the desired personality and physical traits. The early foundation cats were exceptionally docile – to the point of concerning vets with their lack of normal feline curiosity and energy.
Modern American and European Ragdoll breeding programs now aim for a healthier balance – retaining the stellar temperament while breeding out extremes in passivity that could negatively impact quality of life. Proper socialization and a stimulating home environment ensure today‘s Ragdolls grow into well-adjusted, loving companions.
Fun fact: Early generations of Ragdolls were named after Baker‘s favorite foods like Hershey and Fudge!
Ragdoll Cat Size, Appearance and Allowed Colors
A standard Ragdoll is quite large for a domestic cat, though females tend to stay smaller than the male counterparts.
Size:
- Male Ragdolls range from 15-25 lbs at maturity
- Females average 10 to 15 pounds
Facial Features:
- Blue to aquamarine colored eyes
- Pointed facial markings with a white diamond
- Medium-sized ears
Body:
- Heavy boning – substantial feel
- Long torso and frame
- Fully furred tufty paws
Coat Length/Texture:
- Semi-long length
- Silky yet abundant
- Minimal undercoat
In championship cat shows like TICA, Ragdolls are expected to conform to a defined set of point pattern and color standards.
Permitted Patterns:
- Colorpoint – Body light with darker points
- Mitted – Four white paws with darker points
- Bicolor – Primarily white with colored head and tail
Allowed Colors:
- Seal – Rich dark brown points
- Chocolate
- Blue
- Lilac
- Cream
- Cinnamon
- Fawn
So in plain English – the most common mature Ragdoll colors are light bodied with distinct brown/black, chocolate brown, gray, or reddish points.
No matter their specific colors, all Ragdolls tend to darken considerably as they mature from their lighter kitten phase. This awkward uglier stage around 6-18 months causes some owners to unfairly give up on their cats before their final glorious coat comes in!
Ragdoll Cat Popularlity Continues to Grow
Originally limited to California in the 1960s, Ann Baker‘s Ragdoll breeding program quickly saw massive demand as word spread of these captivating pointed cats with their puppy-like personalities.
Ragdolls now consistently rank in the top 5 most popular breeds according to major cat registries like TICA, coming behind only everpopular kitties like the Maine Coon, Persian, Exotic Shorthair, and British Shorthair.
As of 2021, TICA has registered over 93,000 Ragdolls worldwide since tracking started – giving a sense of just widespread this much loved breed has become. No signs of declining interest yet…the Ragdoll‘s fame is clearly still growing in America and internationally!
The Pros: Why Ragdolls Make Such Wonderful Pets
At last – the part you‘ve been waiting for! Let‘s dig into all the reasons Ragdolls have earned their reputation as an exceptional breed for forming strong human bonds.
Extremely Affectionate & Attentive
Ragdolls take extreme pleasure in accompanying their chosen people everywhere, including underfoot in the bathroom. Don‘t be surprised if they vocally demand lap time orgroom themselves next to you in bed each night. They don‘t do well left alone for extended periods.
In a noisy, busy household full of distractions vying for attention, you never need doubt where your Ragdoll‘s loyalty lies. Their singular focus remains fixed on their special humans. Expect to feel thoroughly appreciated for any affection you provide in return!
Comfortable Being Carried Around
Unlike many cats who tolerate handling at best, most Ragdolls thoroughly enjoy being cradled like babies and carted around. My 13 lb chocolate point boy Arlo will even relax across my shoulders while I‘m standing – reminiscent of a pirate parrot!
I like bringing Arlo with me to do household chores so he can "supervise" my work. Cradling these cuddly cats releasestension and comforts both parties. By the way – try supporting their hindquarters if picking up your overweight Ragdoll to avoid straining their fragile backs.
Gentle Temperament Ideal for Families
With proper introduction and stepwise desensitization when needed, Ragdolls tend to thrive in lively environments with respectful kids, dogs, and other household pets. Of course all interactions should still be cautiously supervised. But most Ragdolls take teasing, tail pulling, and ear prodding in stride far better than more volatile breeds.
I always advocate teaching young children how to properly pick up, hold, pet, and respect an animal before bringing one home. With the right parental guidance, Ragdolls make exceptionally patient, sweet-natured playmates and snuggly bed warmers for kids of all ages.
Minimal Shedding Makes Them Hypoallergenic
While no cat is truly non-allergenic, Ragdolls tend to provoke significantly milder reactions in allergy sufferers compared to their heavily shedding Tabby cousins. Because they lack the typical downy feline undercoat, Ragdolls lose comparatively little hair on bedding and furniture.
Their silky semi-long top coat traps more loose dander against the skin as well. For households struggling with cat allergies, try fostering or pet-sitting a friend‘s Ragdoll to test your reaction before adopting. Finding the right low-shedding breed can make all the difference for an allergy sufferer wanting feline companionship!
Bright Side of Being "Dogs in Cat Fur"
Thanks to their extreme loyalty and aim to please people, Ragdolls are sometimes jokingly likened to “dogs in cat suits”. And I have to agree – they show an atypically strong drive to greet owners at the door, constantly shadow them from room to rooom, and even play fetch with their favorite toys!
While vocalizing more than most breeds with an extensive range of meows and chirps, seasoned Ragdoll owners come to appreciate this cat-to-human communication style. Consider it flattering that they always feel the need to keep you updated on their feelings!
Overall these quirky personality traits just reinforce what devoted sidekicks Ragdolls make. Unlike ordinary cats slinking off to nap alone all day, Ragdolls seek out human interaction actively. Their emotionally supportive presence helps normalize anddestress challenging situations.
After all – not many therapies exist more powerful than a purring lap cat!
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