Ragdolls is a feline breed that, when picked up, become limp like a rag doll. However, juxtaposed to its reaction when handled, as well as its name, Ragdolls, are neither lazy nor idle. They’re large cats that bond with their humans and are very social beings as opposed to other stiffer cats.
They are also not to be mistaken with a Ragamuffin (check it out here), which is a direct descendant of Ragdolls. Unlike their predecessors, ragamuffins are lazy and often found sleeping.
Back in the 1960s, Ann Baker, an American breeder, had discovered the very first Ragdoll after she paired her pure longhair with other male cats she came to own. She decided to note a particularly relaxed breed with both an endearing face and a loving personality. She named this breed the Ragdoll, which is characterized to be blue-eyed cats with lighter points, meaning the color of the body is lighter than the paws, tail, ears, and face.
Ragdolls are a great breed to start with, especially if you’re more comfortable with cats that don’t snub or ignore you. Ragdolls are great at vocalizing what they want and if something is wrong. They’re also mostly docile to other animals around the house. If you’re planning on adopting one, here are seven facts you need to know before taking in a Ragdoll cat.
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Fact #1: Ragdolls Are Lapcats
If you think about cats and their general personality, you’d be surprised to find out that Ragdolls like to be held and receive constant physical contact with their owners. Not only that but compared to the usual cat nature of being a loner, this breed finds itself thriving in constant bonding with their human. For cats, to thrive means to meet their developmental, physical, and mental needs. It helps their immune system get stronger, thus having fewer health problems.
But it’s not just these cats that receive something in return. Humans also find many advantages when a cat is more friendly, affectionate, and loving towards them—petting a cat can significantly lower one’s depression and anxiety levels, especially when the cat begins to purr. Many studies have also shown that felines, such as the Ragdoll cat, can help their owners avoid cardiovascular diseases. Lastly, cats give companionship, which lessens human loneliness.
Fact #2: Ragdolls Are A Fairly New Breed
Ann Baker was the sole pioneer for the ragdoll cats back in the 1960s. Despite it being a very long time ago, Ragdolls are still considered a new juvenile breed. Little is known of Baker’s methods of breeding, or if the paired male for her longhair was truly a purebred or a half-breed. Some speculate the Ragdoll has some Siamese origins. Others think it had Persian or Burmese DNA. Since there are no official records, the parents of the first Ragdoll cat are a mystery.
Fact #3: Not All Ragdolls Have Blue Eyes
Just like the expectation that goes, not all blondes have blue eyes. The same can be said with Ragdoll cats. Although the very first cat had blue eyes, breeding and crossbreeding throughout the years have produced a variety of colors, from hazel to green to a mix of both. However, many cat-owners prefer to have their Ragdoll retain the original color as that of the first Ragdoll. Nevertheless, eye color doesn’t change anything in its physical form or personality.
Fact #4: One Of The Bigger Breeds
Did you know this fluffy cat with a beautiful, sleek figure and bright blue eyes can weigh up to 20 pounds? Ragdolls are listed in the top 10 of the biggest cat breeds of all time (link: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/pets/g26898596/large-cat-breeds/#), with Maine Coon snagging the number 1 spot. They’re perfect for cuddling and hugging, though carrying them around would prove to be a challenge!
Fact #5: These Kitties Are Docile And Quiet
Ragdolls are known to be peacekeepers and are content to laze around with their owner on the couch. They’re not demanding nor picky of what to eat, although since they weigh on the much larger size, keep in mind, you’d need to feed them a little more than you would an average-sized cat. Feed them wet food packed with protein and fewer carbs to make sure they don’t put on more weight than necessary.
Taking care of your Ragdoll as you would any cat would give them no reason to meow loudly at you all the time. Their quiet demeanor can help you detect their health easier. A quiet cat becomes loud when it feels something is wrong with its body, or they have a severe wound you’ll need a vet to fix up. As an owner, make sure to monitor their attitude closely at all times.
Fact #6: Ragdolls Are Late-Bloomers
If you plan to take in a Ragdoll cat, don’t be surprised if their development and growth are slower than most breeds. Typically, they mature fully after four years, when other breeds and cats only take two years to grow into adults. Nobody exactly knows why they take their time in growing, but some speculate it’s because they need to properly grow into their large frame.
Fact #7: Ragdolls Can Have Serious Health Issues
This breed, like any other cat, can have its own set of health risks aside from cat flu, gastrointestinal problems, and joint problems. However, it is known that Ragdolls have a higher incidence of developing cardiac diseases, commonly in the form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This disease is caused by the thickening of the cardiac walls and muscles, making it harder to pump out blood. A trip to the vet annually can keep track of its development.
