Are Ragdoll Cats Expensive?

Ragdoll cats are some of the most famous cats in the world because of their brilliantly floppy personalities and dazzling looks. But with all of these great 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. But the overall price depends significantly on the cat's specific characteristics. In addition, there are other things to consider. It's not just the initial cost of the kitten or the cat themselves but also all the things that go into the 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. However, 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, you first need to figure out which kind of Ragdoll cat you are looking to buy. Whether or not you want a pedigree cat with unique markings might significantly influence the final price you will have to pay.

Moreover, suppose you want your cat to exhibit the breed characteristics in the finest detail. In that case, you should be prepared to invest more.

But how much more significant 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 better understand your options, 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 they are not fit for competitions but perfectly fit for pets. In addition, 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 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 suitable 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 only pet, this is a category you might consider. 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, 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 perfectly display the breed's characteristics, making them fit for official competitions. However, these cats are sold neutered or spayed, which reduces the overall price since they cannot reproduce.

Suppose you are looking to participate in cat shows but do not want Ragdoll kittens in the future. In that case, this is the ideal category for you.

Show-quality Ragdolls are purebred pedigree cats that can't be used for breeding (they're neutered or spayed). So instead, 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, which is why some Ragdoll cats are expensive.

3. Breeder Quality

These Ragdoll cats might be mismarked, which makes them unfit for official competitions. But, on the other hand, they might have great genetic and hereditary lines and great dispositions.

Therefore, they can be used as breeders because their offspring may ideally exhibit complete breed characteristics.

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

4. Show/Breeder Quality

These Ragdoll cats display the breed's characteristics 100%, making them competition-worthy. They are also fit to be breeders because their offspring can 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, many other factors can influence the final price of a Ragdoll cat.
The ones mentioned above are only some of these factors. Continue reading to find out what to look for or what to ask a breeder about before you purchase your Ragdoll cat:

Vaccinations

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

However, this differs from one state to another (and can vary from one breeder to another). So, 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, it might signal that they are trustworthy and genuinely invested in this. Please read our page about how to find a good cat breeder to find out more.

DNA Testing

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

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

Age

The age of a Ragdoll also affects its cost. Kittens are typically more costly than adult Ragdoll cats. However, an adult Ragdoll will cost you about a hundred dollars less than a Ragdoll kitten.

Health

A good pet quality Ragdoll cat is insured by their parents' DNA tests and health insurances; therefore, they are more costly. In addition, 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 reflected in the final cost of the Ragdoll cat.

Neutering/Spaying

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

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

Ragdoll Price Ranges

Now that you know the main factors to consider, 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 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). Still, it certainly comes with a lot of responsibility and maybe with higher prices. 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 there are no abandoned Ragdolls out there precisely because the breed is so popular, but this is a common misconception.

Despite their popularity, some people abandon these cats because something happens in their life that forces them to give them up. For example, a tragedy happens, and they can no longer afford them, they find out someone in the family is allergic, and many more reasons. So, consider the option of adopting a Ragdoll kitty. There are many out there who need 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 must be ready to take care of them in the long run.

Moreover, some of them could have chronic illnesses, which will bring about extra costs. If you are on board with this, consider adopting a rescue Ragdoll. 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? 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.
Plenty of long-term costs come with owning a cat, and you must be well aware of them before you get one.

In fact, this is one of the most common mistakes people make when buying a pedigree animal. They are willing to make the initial investment. Still, they need help to 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

Veterinary bills are essential to the long-term costs of owning a cat.
If you feel that your Ragdoll is in good health, visiting the vet clinic once a year is exemplary. For senior cats, most veterinarians suggest 2 visits a year. Regular veterinary care checkups with the vet can cost you a few hundred dollars. But if something is wrong with your kitty, diagnostic testing can cost quite a bit more.

Consider setting 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

Your cat is bound to get sick throughout its lifetime, 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 may be more considerable.

Food

This is probably the main expense that comes with caring for a cat. Therefore, it is vital you feed your cat high-quality cat food to keep it healthy in the long run.

Investing in good cat food like, a raw diet, 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 your research on feline nutrition before all else.

For example, suppose you need to be made aware of the best Ragdoll food. In that case you can consult a vet (but sometimes they need to be better versed in feline nutrition). Or check out our page on Ragdoll cat foods with terrific veterinarian information.

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

Food Bowls

A feeding bowl is another item you have to invest in. Ragdoll 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 cost approximately $10-$15.

Kitty Litter

Kitty litter is another item you must 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 right away, 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 regularly. You should expect to gather a collection of grooming tools to ensure that your cat's fur is free of mats and tangles.

Some Ragdoll 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 many excellent options to choose from, so be prepared to account for these in your budget.

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

Cat scratchers

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

Cat Collar and ID Tag 

Some owners like to ensure their cat has an ID tag and collar.
If your Ragdoll kitty 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 armchair, but you might want to get it in its own bed in time. This is an important element because lounging space is essential for cats.

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 an entire collection of pet travel accessories.

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

FAQs - Are Ragdoll Cats Expensive?

In Conclusion

So, are Ragdoll cats expensive? As you can see, many costs come with getting your 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? Are there other costs to be taken into consideration? Let us know your opinion in the comments section below!

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