Are Ragdoll Cats Expensive?

Ragdoll cats are some of the most popular cats in the world because of their brilliantly floppy personalities and their dazzling looks. But with all of these amazing traits comes a cost boost as well.

So, are Ragdoll cats expensive? The short answer is yes, they are among the more expensive cat breeds out there. But the overall price depends greatly on the cat's specific characteristics and much more than that - it's not the initial cost of the kitten or the cat themselves, but also all the things that go into proper care of a feline companion.

Ragdoll cats are an astonishing cat breed having attractive looks (large and sturdy cats with beautiful blue eyes). The felines from this breed are:

• Lovable
• Loyal
• Calm
• Gentle

They are perfect family pets and easy to care for. Due to their unique qualities, Ragdoll cat breeds are more expensive than the most common breeds of cats.

Ragdolls have playful nature and love playing games. This makes them a good fit for kids and families.

What kind of Ragdoll cat are you looking to buy?

Before you start looking for options, the first thing you need to do is to figure out which kind of Ragdoll cat are you looking to buy. Whether or not you want a pedigree cat with special markings might greatly influence the final price you will have to pay.

Moreover, if you want your cat to exhibit the breed characteristics down to the finest of details, you should be prepared to make a larger investment.

But how much larger of an investment do you have to make if you want a show-worthy Ragdoll cat? And if you don't, what kind of cats are you looking for?

To get a better idea of the options you have, take a look at the main cat categories from a breeder's standpoint why are Ragdolls more expensive than other breeds:

1. Pet Alter Quality

These Ragdoll cats are unfit to be shown in cat competitions because they do not have the perfect show quality markings of the breed 100%.

This means that they are not fit for competitions, but perfectly fit for pets. They may be mismarked or display incomplete coloration formats. For example, my Rags was a seal mitted Ragdoll with a dark chin. The breed standard says a seal mitted Ragdoll should have a white chin, so his dark chin made him unfit to a be a show quality Ragdoll cat.

Pet alter quality Ragdoll cats are less costly. They're mostly spayed or neutered. A mixed-breed kitten is good for those who prefer Ragdolls just for their personality. These cats will usually cost about $1200-$2800, depending on the breeder, where they are located and more.

If you are looking for a Ragdoll cat to be your pet only, then this is a category that you can certainly look into because it will always be significantly less expensive than others.

On the other hand, if you want to purchase a Ragdoll cat to take it to competitions later on, then you have to exclude pet alter quality cats.

While most Ragdoll breeders neuter or spay pet alter quality cats, some leave this up to the owner. You should talk to the breeder and ask about this, also depending on your personal preferences.

If you want Ragdoll kittens (that will also be pet show quality), then there is a high chance you might get them.

2. Show Alter Quality

These Ragdoll cats display all the characteristics of the breed perfectly, which makes them fit for official competitions. However, these cats are sold neutered or spayed, which reduces the overall price since they cannot reproduce.

If you are looking to participate in cat shows, but do not want Ragdoll kittens in the future, then this is the ideal category for you.

Show quality Ragdolls are purebred pedigree cats but they can't be used for breeding (they're neutered or spayed). The cat breeder performs a DNA test to ensure that the cat is not a mixed breed or just supplies papers from a legitimate cat association like CFA or TICA.

These Ragdolls cost $1500-$4000 or more. These cats have perfect markings, and are some of the reasons why some Ragdoll cats expensive.

3. Breeder Quality

These Ragdoll cats might be mismarked, which makes them unfit for official competitions. However, they might have great genetic and hereditary lines as well as great dispositions and therefore can be used as breeders because their offspring may exhibit the full set of breed characteristics perfectly.

They are similar in price to show alter quality cats, but the final cost depends on the specific characteristics of the cat. They might cost $1800-$3000+ dollars.

4. Show/Breeder Quality

These Ragdoll cats display the breed's characteristics 100%, which makes them competition-worthy, and they are also fit to be breeders because their offspring has the chance to be of the same show-quality cat as their parents.

As you may expect, this is the most expensive Ragdoll cat you can buy. The average cost of these cats is over $2300-$5000+.

Other Factors that Influence the Price

Aside from the cat's quality, there are many other factors that can influence the final price of a Ragdoll cat.

Here are only some of these factors, which should give you an idea of what to look for or what to ask a breeder about before your purchase your Ragdoll cat:

Vaccinations

When you purchase a pedigree cat, the breeder may be required to give it the full set of vaccinations beforehand.

However, this differs from one state to another (and can vary from one breeder to another), so make sure you check the requirements according to your location. If so, the breeder will provide proof of these vaccinations in the cat's official papers. Since there is a cost to vaccinations, that's why the cat might cost more.

Vet Checks

Another requirement is taking the kitten for vet visits.

Most breeders prefer to take the kittens to at least 2 checkups before they sell them to their owners. This is extremely important because kittens are very sensitive during the first part of their lives.

If a breeder took the cats to the vet twice, then it might give you a sign that he or she is trustworthy and truly invested in this. Read our page about how to find a good cat breeder to find out more.

DNA Testing

To determine the show and/or breeder quality of a cat, DNA testing must be performed. This is the ideal way to determine a cat's breed quality.

If a breeder has performed such tests, then it is very likely that these will be reflected in the final price that you have to pay for your cat. DNA testing costs $45-$150 dollars, which is also an adding factor that reveals why are Ragdoll cats expensive.

Age

The age of a Ragdoll also affects its cost. Usually, kittens are more costly as compared to adult Ragdoll cats. Adult Ragdoll will cost you about a hundred dollars less than a Ragdoll kitten.

Health

A good pet quality Ragdoll cat insured by their parents' DNA tests and health insurances; therefore are costly. Some amateur cat breeders might not be as concerned about the health of their breeding cats.

It is a good reason why it is advised to get a Ragdoll cat from an experienced, reputable cat breeder.

Kitten Care

The costs of taking care of a kitten (proper food, litter, accessories, etc.) add up in the weeks that breeders keep them.

Considering that most of them keep the kittens for 12 to 14 weeks or even more, this comes with a financial investment that will be reflected in the final cost of the Ragdoll cat.

Neutering/Spaying

In most cases, when it comes to altered cats, breeders pay for neutering or spaying. The cost of the procedure will also be reflected in the final cost of the Ragdoll kitten.

Keep in mind that spaying costs significantly more than neutering, as it is a much more complex procedure, which means that in some cases, females can be more expensive than males.

Ragdoll Price Ranges

Now that you know the main factors to take into consideration, it's time to get to the numbers. Are Ragdoll cats expensive?

In the table below you can see the price ranges for each quality type of Ragdoll cat. This should give you a more specific answer to whether or not Raggies are expensive and an overall idea of how much do Ragdoll cats cost.

Adopting a Ragdoll Cat - Is it Possible?

Yes, it is. Rescuing a Ragdoll cat comes at a lower initial cost (if there is a rescue adoption fee or a rehoming fee), but it certainly comes with a lot of responsibility and maybe with some higher prices along the way.  As mentioned earlier, owning a Ragdoll cat can be a long-term investment past the initial cost of buying or adopting them.

Make sure to look at our page about Rescue Ragdolls because it includes more detailed information about how you can adopt one. 

When you think about adopting or buying a Ragdoll, your first question usually is: Are Ragdoll cats expensive?

Most people think that there are no abandoned Ragdolls out there, precisely because the breed is so popular, but this is a common misconception.

In spite of their popularity, some people abandon these cats because something happens in their life that forces them to give them up, a tragedy happens and they can no longer afford them, they find out someone in the family is allergic and many more reasons. So, do not overlook the option of adopting a Ragdoll kitty, because there are plenty out there in need of a new home!

Keep in mind that adopting a rescue animal is a big commitment. Some of these cats come with physical or psychological traumas and you have to be ready to take care of them in the long run.

Moreover, some of them could have chronic illnesses, which will bring about some extra costs along the way. If you are on board with this, then look into adopting a rescue Ragdoll because you will be saving a soul at the end of the day.

Here the question is: Are Ragdoll cats expensive enough to drop the idea of buying one? Or will it be good to adopt a Ragdoll?

Of course, when you adopt a Ragdoll cat, it can be more affordable for you than buying a Ragdoll cat. But it might be a challenging procedure to find a Ragdoll for adoption.

Adopting a Ragdoll from an animal shelter can cost between $200 and $1000.

Other Factors that Influence the Overall Cost of Owning a Ragdoll Cat

Is the initial investment enough to determine whether or not a Ragdoll is expensive or not? Certainly not.

Aside from buying the cat, there are plenty of costs that come with owning a cat. Ragdoll kitties are high maintenance pets.

• Food
• Litter
• Brushes and accessories
• Toys
• Veterinary visits

These are just some of the expenses you should keep in mind when you're adopting a kitty.

There are plenty of long-term costs that come with owning a cat and it is essential that you are well aware of them before you get one.

In fact, this is one of the most common mistakes that people make when buying a pedigree animal. They are willing to make the initial investment, but they cannot visualize the long-term financial commitment of owning a cat.

Once they see that caring for a cat is not free of charge, then they end up abandoning it. To prevent that from happening, people should always understand what it means to own a cat.

Here are only a few of the expenses that you can expect when purchasing your new cat:

Veterinary Bills

An important part of the long-term costs of owning a cat is the veterinary bills.

If you feel that your Ragdoll is in good health, it is good to visit the vet clinic once a year. For senior cats, most veterinarians suggest 2 visits a year. Regular veterinary care checkups with the vet can cost you a few hundred bucks...but if something is the matter with your kitty, diagnostic testing can cost quite a bit more.

You may want to set up a medical plan at your local vet's office, which should include at least the basic requirements. You might also invest in cat health insurance like my sister did. Here are the main things you should keep in mind:

Emergency Care and Unplanned Procedures

Throughout its lifetime, your cat is bound to get sick, and you need to be ready to take care of it when it does.

Some medical plans cover emergency care, but you should always keep in mind that the overall cost be may larger.

Food

This is probably the main expense that comes with caring for a cat. It is extremely important that you feed your cat high-quality cat food because that will keep it healthy in the long run.

Investing in good cat food like a raw diet in the long run should save you money on veterinary bills.

Before buying your cat's food, it is crucial to understand proper feline nutrition. This is paramount. Feeding your cat a proper diet will, in the long run, keep you for unnecessary vet visits and chronic diseases. Do you research on feline nutrition before all else.

If you are not aware of the best Ragdoll food, you can consult a vet (but sometimes they are not well-versed in feline nutrition) or our page on Ragdoll cat foods with terrific information from veterinarians.

Ragdoll owners might invest quite a bit of money in their cat's diet every month, which ends up being another factor in why are Ragdoll cats expensive.

Food Bowls

A feeding bowl is another item you have to invest in. Raggie cat owners use food bowls daily, so they must make sure that they are:

• Durable
• Easy to use
• Clean

Feeding bowls for food and water will approximately cost you $10-$15.

Kitty Litter

Kitty litter is another item that you will have to invest in regularly if you have a cat. Opting for high-quality litter will keep your house odor-free, which makes it worth the investment, but it adds up to the overall cost at the end of the month.

A cat litter tray or litter box is also essential for your cat. You will have to buy the best quality litter box that should be easy to use and clean.

Accessories

After you get a cat, there are some accessories that you may need to provide for it.

There are a few essential ones, which we have mentioned above and that you'll need straight, such as a:

• Litter box
• Cat litter
• Litter scoop
• Water bowl
• Food bowl

But there are plenty of others that you will have to add along the way, such as:

Grooming accessories

Your Ragdoll cat will need to be groomed on a regular basis. You should expect to gather a collection of grooming tools to make sure that your cat's fur free of mats and tangles.

Some Ragdolll cat owners have grooming kits, including a nail trimmer, hairbrush, and comb. Cat nail clippers can be necessary if you want to trim their claws periodically.

Read our post about the Best Cat Brush Cat Grooming Tools.

Cat toys

Ragdolls are mostly indoors, which makes their lives a little less active. Cat toys can help enhance their indoor lifestyles. There are so many excellent options to choose from, so be prepared to account for these in your budget.

Ragdolls are unique pets. They love playing. Ragdolls can love wrestling and smelling different things. Therefore, you will need to buy some toys for your cat to keep their muscles and brains active.

Cat scratchers

These are extremely important for your cat because they help with their claw grooming process. Be prepared to experiment with several cat scratchers before you find your cat's favorite.

Cat Collar and ID Tag 

Some owners like to make sure their cat has an ID tag and cat collar.

If your Ragdoll kittey accidentally gets outside, a collar and ID tag will help you reunite with your cat if your cat gets lost somewhere accidentally. A quality cat identification tag and collar start at $20.

Cat beds

Your cat may sleep on your sofa and your armchair, but you might want to get it its very own bed in time. Lounging space is important for cats, so this will be an important element.

Cat Carrier

Although a Ragdoll is fine walking around the home, you will still need to buy a carrier for it. A cat carrier is helpful when traveling with your Ragdoll cat, as it provides a secure place.

Pet travel accessories

Depending on how far you want to go with your cat, you may be looking at a full collection of pet travel accessories.

You'll want to have a cat carrier to take it to the vet, but if you want to take your cat out on walks, then you may want to look into cat strollers and cat leashes and harnesses.

FAQs - Are Ragdoll Cats Expensive?

1. Are Ragdoll cats good indoor cats?

A Raggie is the perfect indoor cat. These cats are very social pets in comparison with other cat breeds. Because of Ragdoll's loving and calm nature, these cats are suitable for families with children.

2. Are Ragdoll cats good for 1st-time cat owners?

Ragdoll Cats are the ideal pets for the 1st time cat owners. Ragdolls are also suitable for families having kids because Ragdolls have unique, friendly nature.

3. Is it good to buy two Ragdoll kittens or cats rather than one?

If you buy two Ragdoll cats or kittens instead of the one, you might get a special discount from your breeder because many cat breeders provide a deal if a person buys more than one Ragdoll.

The discount can vary (from $100 to $300+), depending on your floppycat's quality.

Moreover, your cats will have the company of each other all the time and you wouldn't have to worry about your fluffy friend being lonely, while you're away.

4. Are female Ragdoll cats more expensive than male Ragdoll cats?

Yes, it can. As discussed earlier in this article, a female Ragdoll can cost you more than a male Ragdoll. Because a female cat costs more to spay, but also because a female cat can get pregnant and deliver babies.

5. Is it possible to buy a Ragdoll cat without being scammed?

Sure it is. Be sure to check out our Ragdoll breeder scam page to avoid getting scammed. You will have to find a reliable and reputed cat breeder if you want to buy a cat without being scammed. A feline from a reputable breeder will cost you more, but you also get a healthy, purebred Ragdoll cat that way.

6. Are Ragdoll cats loving and affectionate? 

Ragdolls are thought to be the most loving cat breeds across the world. Because they are bred in a specific way to generate special characteristics that makes them rare cat breeds in some circles. This is one of the reasons why are Ragdoll cats expensive.

7. Are Ragdoll cats expensive?

Ragdoll cats usually cost about 1200 to 4000+.dollars. But the price of a Ragdoll varies in different areas. However, a Ragdoll can be more expensive than other cat breeds because of its exclusive nature.

8. How does coat color matter in the debate of why are Ragdoll cats expensive?

The Ragdoll cats have about twenty color variations. Some of the color coats and patterns are not easy to breed. For this specific reason, some of the color patterns of Ragdoll cats are rare and have higher prices.

In Conclusion

So, are Ragdoll cats expensive? As you can see, there are a lot of costs that come with getting your very own Raggie including the initial investment required for buying the cat and the long-term costs of caring for it.

Are you an experienced Ragdoll cat owner? Do you think that there are other costs to be taken into consideration? Tell us your opinion in the comments section below!

Did you enjoy reading about the reasons why are Ragdoll cats expensive? Then, you're going to love these posts, too:

• One Ragdoll Cat or Two?
• Ragdoll Cat Personality – What Traits & Temperament Describe Your Cat?
• Ragdoll Cat Price
• Ragdoll Cats for Sale: Essential Info to Know When Buying a Ragdoll
• Ragdoll Cats and the facts for Genetics, Colors, & Patterns