Are Ragdoll Cats Expensive?

Last Updated on November 6, 2021 by Jenny

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 that they are among the more expensive cat breeds out there, but that the overall price depends greatly on the cat’s specific characteristics. In this article, we are going to tell you just how expensive Ragdoll cats can be according to the various elements that may influence the price.

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 will 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:

1. Pet Alter Quality

These Ragdoll cats are unfit to be shown in cat competitions because they do not display the characteristics 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.

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

3. Breeder Quality

These Ragdoll cats are mismarked, which makes them unfit for official competitions. However, they can be used as breeders because their offspring may exhibit the full set of breed characteristics perfectly. These are similar in price to Show Alter Quality cats, but the final cost depends on the specific characteristics of the cat.

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 have the chance to be of the same quality as them. As you may expect, this is the most expensive Ragdoll cat you can buy.

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, 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.

Vet Checks

Another requirement is taking the kitten for veterinary checkouts. 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 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.

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 them. The cost of the procedure will also be reflected in the final cost of the Ragdoll cat. Keep in mind that spaying costs significantly more than neutering, as it is a much more complex procedure, which means that in most cases, females are more expensive than males.

Ragdoll Price Ranges

Now that you know the main factors to take into considerations, it’s time to get to the numbers. 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.

Adopting a Ragdoll Cat – Is it Possible?

Yes, it is. Owning a Ragdoll cat does not necessarily mean making a huge investment. Rescuing a Ragdoll cat comes at no initial cost, but it certainly comes with a lot of responsibility, and maybe with some bigger costs along the way. Make sure to look at our page about Rescue Ragdolls because it includes more detailed information about how you can adopt one.

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 they are not ready or not willing to put in the work that comes with taking care of a cat. So, do not overlook the option of adopting a Raggie, 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.

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. From food and litter to accessories and toys, and all the way to veterinary visits, there are plenty of long-term expenses that come with owning a cat and it is essential that you are well aware of them before you get your own.

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 are the veterinary bills. Ragdoll cats require a regular amount of checkups and veterinary care, but that will still draw up quite the vet bill. You may want to set up a medical plan at your local vet’s office, which should include at least the basic requirements. Here are the main things you should keep in mind:

Periodic Care and Checkups – All cats must be vaccinated on a yearly basis and they must have at least two checkups per year. Once the cat get older, the checkups should become more frequent and more elaborate. Another aspect is dental care, which is often not covered by the medical plans in vet offices.

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 will save you money on veterinary bills, but it will add up to quite a bit each month. You are looking at dried cat food, wet cat food, as well as natural cat treats.

Kitty Litter

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

Accessories

After you get a cat, there are some accessories that you have to provide for it. There are a few essential ones, which you must have right away, such as a litter box, a water bowl, and a food bowl, and there are plenty of others that you will have to add along the way, such as:

Grooming accessories – Your Ragdoll cat will have 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 is neat and healthy at all times. You will also need to get grooming tools for your cat’s claws because you will have to trim these periodically.

Cat toys – Ragdolls are playful cats, so you will have to provide them with a full set of toys. There are so many excellent options to choose from, so be prepared to spend quite a bit on these.

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

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 must 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.

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. What do you think about our assessment? Do you think that there are other costs to be taken into consideration? Tell us your opinion in the comments section below!