Ragdolls are beautiful cats, with affectionate personalities. They are currently ranked as the second most popular cat breed registered with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF). When choosing a breed of cat to own, could the Ragdoll be the purr-fect choice for you?

Table of contents

History 

Ragdolls originally hail from sunny California, where the breed was first developed in the 1960’s. It took a while for the breed to make its way to the UK, but the GCCF formally recognised the breed in 1990. Since then, their popularity has grown and grown. 

Looks

They are a large, sturdy cat and Ragdoll boys can weigh up to 9kg once they reach adulthood. Ragdolls have startlingly blue eyes (move over, Paul Hollywood!) and a medium-length, silky coat. They come in eight distinct colours – seal, chocolate, red, blue, lilac, cream, tabby and tortoiseshell. They are a pointed breed, meaning they have a pale body with darker markings on the face, ears, tail, or legs.

Personality

If Ragdoll kittens experience lots of gentle, loving handling during their socialisation period of 2-7 weeks of age, they can grow into enormously affectionate and sweet-natured pets. Some owners describe their personality as almost dog-like; they seek companionship with their owner and can be very playful and amusing. 

Ragdolls are intelligent, sensitive cats who like to be amused. With the right training, Ragdolls have even been known to master a few party tricks, such as recall, roll over and even games of fetch. 

Care

A Ragdoll’s coat will mat unless brushed at least a couple of times a week. Grooming should begin from early kittenhood so that it becomes part of their regular routine. 

Ragdolls can grow into large cats, and their luxurious coat can make excessive weight gain harder to spot. It’s important to keep an eye on portion sizes and to encourage exercise through play to keep them fit and healthy. Feeding puzzles are an excellent choice for these inquisitive cats. 

Health and hereditary disorders

All pedigree cats are at higher risk for disease than the average moggy. This is because gene pools in pedigree cat populations tend to be smaller, which can result in the development of inherited disease. For this reason, it is usually more expensive to insure a pedigree cat, and Ragdolls are no exception.

Ragdolls carry a gene for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a heart disease that can lead to early heart failure. Since 2007, breeders can test for this problem. It’s important to check that the breeder has a health certificate to show that their kittens have been screened for HCM. Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is also present in this breed.

So, do Ragdoll cats make good pets?

Ragdolls can make excellent pets for an owner willing to engage their cat in regular play and frequent brushing. For peace of mind, pet insurance is advisable. As with any pedigree cat, it’s essential to look for a reputable breeder committed to producing healthy, well-socialised kittens. A helpful resource, The Kitten Checklist, has been created to help guide decision making when it comes to buying a kitten.  

Further reading