Ragdoll cats are gentle and docile pets with a relaxed temperament.
Ragdoll cats love being around their family and snuggling in bed.
Keep reading to learn more about the gorgeous cat breed.
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RAGDOLL CATS CHARACTERISTICS
- Country of Origin: United States
- Weight: 10 to 20 pounds
- Eye color: Blue
- Lifespan: 13 to 18 years
- Coat: Long
- Colors: beige, black, blue, brown, chocolate, cream, ebony, grey, lavender, lilac, orange, red, sable, silver, tan, white.
- Patterns: Bi-color, color point
- Tendency to shed: Occasional
- Grooming needs: Easy to care
- Attention needs: High
HISTORY
The ragdoll cat appeared in 1960 in California, United States, at the hands of Ann Baker, in Riverside, California.
The Ragdoll cat was a cross breeds between Josephine, a long-haired white angora with Daddy, a sacred male from Burma.
On the first litter was born Warbucks, who is believed to have been the first ragdoll cat.
The Ragdoll breed was recognized as a purebred cat in 1965.
RAGDOLL CATS APPEARANCE
The Ragdoll breed is a large, strong, compact, and muscular cat; its body is slightly long, although it is harmonious and proportionate.
Females usually weigh between 7 and 14 pounds (3.5 and 6.8 kg), while males weigh between 11 and 19 pounds (5.4 and 9 kg).
- The ragdoll cat’s head is medium, broad, and generally round.
- The eyes are large, oval, and deep blue, this being one of the main characteristics of the ragdoll cat.
- The ears are medium, with a broad base and pointed ends.
- The neck is short and wide.
- The ragdoll’s chest is broad and strong in proportion to its muscular appearance.
- The legs are medium-length and equally robust, and the rear ones are slightly longer than the front ones.
- The feet are large, round, and compact.
- The tail is long, wider at the base, and with a round trip.
PERSONALITY
As we have already mentioned, the ragdoll is a docile cat breed that gets along well with other cats, animals, and children. This feline does not tend to meow much and prefers to emit weaker and more delicate sounds to communicate with its human companions.
Ragdolls are playful and curious cats who love discovering new things and playing and spending time with their human and animal companions.
The ragdoll is the ideal companion for children as long as they know how to respect the animal to avoid harming it.
RAGDOLL CATS HEALTH
The life expectancy of the ragdoll cat is around 10 years. It is a relatively healthy breed, although, due to its semi-long hair, digestive problems such as trichobezoars (hairballs in the stomach) may appear.
The most common diseases that affect ragdoll cats are:
- Urinary problems
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
In addition, the ragdoll is a cat with a tendency to obesity, so it is essential to control its diet.
It is essential to attend regular veterinary visits and follow the vaccination and deworming schedule established by the veterinarian.
Due to the characteristics of its coat, it is advisable to brush the ragdoll cat once a day or at least twice a week to prevent knots and hair ingestion.
As we said, despite being a cat with a calm temperament, she loves to play and spend time with his companions. In fact, ragdolls are familiar cats, so it is common for many of them not to tolerate solitude well.
FOOD AND DIET
The ragdoll needs a proper diet to avoid becoming overweight and, above all, according to its growth stage.
FACTS ABOUT RAGDOLL CATS
- Ragdolls are one of the largest domestic cats.
- They weigh between 12 to 20 pounds.
- Their lifespan is 12 to 15 years.
- Ragdolls have light-colored bodies with darker extremities, with lots of colors such as frost, blue, chocolate, seal, red, lilac, and cream.
- Ragdolls are sociable and dependent cats.
- They shed moderately, more heavily in spring and fall.
- These felines need regular brushing to keep the coat smooth.
LIVING WITH RAGDOLL CATS
- Ragdolls need interactive exercise to maintain their health.
- They need regular combing or grooming but are not high maintenance like Persian cats.
- If you are looking for an easygoing cat that loves to stay in your lap, then Ragdoll cats are ideal for you.