All about Ragdoll breed
Description
Appearance
Gallery
Origin
Temperament
English
Description
Appearance
Gallery
Origin
Temperament
Description
Appearance
Gallery
Origin
Temperament
English
Description
Appearance
Gallery
Origin
Temperament

Ragdoll

The Ragdoll is a breed of cat that originated in the United States. These cats are characterized by their docile and calm temperament. The breed received its name from their astonishing ability to relax when picked up and become as limp and floppy as a ragdoll.
Parent breeds:
Burmese cat
Male
Female
Size
length
43-53
16.9-20.9
cminch
cm inch 
hight
23-28
9.1-11
cminch
cm inch 
weight
4.5-9
9.9-19.8
kglbs
kg lbs 
weight
4.5-6.5
9.9-14.3
kglbs
kg lbs 
life span
12-15 years
country of origin
breed origin
size

Appearance

The Ragdoll is a large and quite heavy cat, with legs of medium size that are proportionate to the body and have powerful musculature. The feet are large and round in shape, always with numerous hairs between the pads. The muzzle is well-developed and rounded. The eyes are large and oval, always blue in color and slightly slanted. The ears are wide at the base and rounded at the end. The fur of the Ragdoll is very soft and made up of a lot of guard hairs. It can come in six distinct colors: seal, chocolate, red, and the corresponding 'dilutes': blue, lilac, and cream. There are also lynx and tortoiseshell variations in all colors and three patterns: colorpoint, bicolor, and mitted. Ragdoll kittens are born white; they develop good color at 8-10 weeks and attain full coloration and coat at the age of 3-4 years.
Coat type
Eye colour
Fur colour
Body type
Ears
Eyes shape
Fur length
Fur type
Head shape
Tail
Size
Coat type
Eye colour
Fur colour
Body type
Ears
Eyes shape
Fur length
Fur type
Head shape
Tail
Size

Origin

The peculiarity of this breed lies in the presence of reduced muscle tone, a phenomenon that cannot yet be explained. When you pick up the cat, you will notice that it becomes completely relaxed. The first kittens with this feature were born to an American breeder from California named Anne Baker, who crossed a Josephine cat with a Burmese cat. In an unusual move, Baker spurned traditional cat breeding associations. She trademarked the name Ragdoll, established her own registry - the International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA) - around 1971, and enforced stringent standards on anyone who wanted to breed or sell cats under that name. Ragdolls were also not allowed to be registered by other breed associations. In 1975, a group led by a husband-and-wife team, Denny and Laura Dayton, broke ranks with the IRCA to gain mainstream recognition for the Ragdoll breed. Starting with a breeding pair of IRCA cats, this group eventually developed the Ragdoll standard that is currently accepted by major cat registries such as the CFA and the FIFe. Around the time of the spread of the Ragdoll breed in America during the early 1960s, a breeding pair of Ragdolls was exported to the UK. Eight more cats followed this pair to fully establish the breed in the UK, where it is recognized by the Governing Council of Cat Fancy.
Parent animals
Breed origin
Parent breeds
Origin countries

Temperament

The Ragdoll is a very affectionate breed that greatly enjoys human company, making it ideal for families who can dedicate time and pampering to them. They tend to be very subtle in the way they communicate, so you will rarely hear them meow, and they will let you know their needs through very slight sounds. Despite their calm nature, Ragdoll cats still need to burn off energy, and in addition to naps, they will also enjoy playtimes to run and climb in corners. Their affable character makes these cats adapt easily to different situations and environments. They are also friendly felines, and if socialized correctly, they can get along very well with children and other pets.
Activity Level:
Calm

Keeping conditions

Diet preferences
Reproduction
Grooming
Common health issues
Diet preferences
Reproduction
Grooming
Common health issues
Cats of this breed do not require any special diet. They should be fed high-quality cat food rich in proteins and fats. It is also important to provide them with free access to fresh and clean water so they can get enough nourishment.
Ragdoll cats are known for their late reproductive maturation, with males typically ready to mate at around 2 years of age. Female Ragdolls usually give birth to litters of 4 kittens, with an extreme of up to 9 kittens. The kittens of this breed have slower physical development compared to other breeds. Their eyes typically open between the 10th and 14th day after birth, and the weaning period is relatively prolonged.
Litter size
4 kittens
kittens
While Ragdolls do not have a thick undercoat, they still require regular grooming. It is recommended to brush their coat twice a week using a stainless steel comb to remove dead hair that can lead to tangles. Bathing a Ragdoll cat should be done every few weeks to months, depending on when the coat feels greasy or looks stringy. Additionally, you should clean your cat's ears, brush their teeth regularly, and trim their nails as needed. Providing a scratching post is also beneficial for your cat to sharpen its claws and prevent damage to your furniture.
Grooming intencity:
Requires lots of grooming
Like all purebred and alley cats, the Ragdoll is susceptible to feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This disease is hereditary and involves the thickening of the cardiac wall, leading to reduced efficiency in pumping blood. In some cases, it can result in sudden death. The breed is also prone to polycystic kidney disease, a hereditary condition characterized by the gradual development of cysts primarily in the kidneys.

References

  1. Ragdoll Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragdoll