Originally published Nov 28, 2014
How Long Does a Ragdoll Cat Live?
In short, the average lifespan of a Ragdoll cat is 9-15 years, but averages are just that - averages. They can certainly live longer. My Rags passed 19.5. My parents' Caymus just passed at 16 years old in December 2020. And some readers have had Ragdolls live as long as 26 years.
Average Lifespan of a Ragdoll Cat
When my childhood Ragdoll cat, Rags, was around 14 years old, I remember Googling what the average lifespan of a Ragdoll cat was. I found out that the average lifespan of a Ragdoll is 9-15 years. Of course, with Rags being 14, I wasn't crazy about reading that! Of course, Rags died at 19.5 years old, so he helped that average grow a little bit. How do they come up with those averages anyway?
Something to remember about averages is that they are taken from a large crop of numbers - in other words, you have cats that die before 9 years of age and you have cats that die when they are older than 15 years old.
Lifespan of a Ragdoll Cat - The average lifespan of a Ragdoll cat is 9-15 years. They can certainly live longer. Some readers have had Ragdolls live as long as 26 years.
Regardless, I would always estimate around 15 years old if you are considering adopting a kitten because that kitty will be with you a long time and if you don't see stability in your life, then it might not be the right time to adopt a cat. Of course, you can never predict the future, so you might also think your life will be stable and something can happen that alters everything. There's not an exact to anything in life, but I believe it is important to consider the life expectancy of a kitty when you are adopting one.
No one wants to think about their kitty passing on, but it is a part of life and a sad part every responsible pet owner must face.
As your cat ages, you may be considering what you will do when they pass - how will you handle it? How will you commemorate their life? You might want to check out different pet burial options if you don't already have something in mind - that way it might be easier to deal with when the time comes. Research now could save you from making a spontaneous decision in a moment of grief later.
The average lifespan of a Ragdoll cat is 9-15 years
Important Numbers about a Cat's Age
Yes, the average lifespan of a Ragdoll cat is 9-15 years, but this extends far more than that. It's important to keep in mind that the age of 10 is an important hump in a cat's life and that most Ragdolls do get past it and live longer than that. Most of them get to the age of 15, but some of them live well past that as well, like my Rags, who made it all the way to 19.5. My parents' Ragdoll cat Caymus passed at 16.
You'll be happy to know that there are Ragdoll cats that have even made it to 25. That is nothing short of impressive, but there are a lot of factors that influence the longevity of a cat's life. Let's go through the most important ones because this should give you a much better idea of what the lifespan of a Ragdoll cat might be.
The lifespan average for the Ragdoll breed is 9-15. But you need to narrow that down to the individual, your Ragdoll cat.
Factors that Influence Longevity in Ragdoll Cats
When you hear a lifespan of up to 15 years and even more, this means that this is how long your cat could live if all goes well. There are plenty of things that can leave a great mark on the body of a cat and either expand their life or shorten it. The good news is that you can actually control many of these. As long as you take proper care of your cat, which you surely have every intention to, you can provide it with an excellent chance at a long life. Here are the main factors you should be aware of:
Genetics
As mentioned above, the lifespan average for the Ragdoll breed is 9-15. But you need to narrow that down to the individual, your Ragdoll cat. You might get more accurate information than the breed average can provide by asking how long your cat's parents have lived. If possible, look into the lifespan of its grandparents as well. This should offer more precise information.
However, don't forget to ask about the conditions of the parents' and grandparents' deaths. It's important to get a bit of medical history because that could point you to the genetic diseases that they might have passed on to your cat. By being aware of these, you can inform your veterinarian of them and you can work more thoroughly on preventing them.
It's important to get a bit of medical history because that could point you to the genetic diseases that they might have passed on to your cat.
Gender
It is difficult to pinpoint whether tomcats or female cats (mollies) live longer because each gender is exposed to certain factors that might influence their lifespan. Male cats are territorial and when they are in heat, they often fight other males to get to the females.
This can be a major risk factor if your male cat lives outdoors and actually has the chance to leave home in pursuit of females, and, naturally, if the male cat has not been neutered. However, it should be taken into account that most Ragdoll cats that come from catteries are already neutered when they get to their families, so running off after cats is an out of the ordinary situation.
Female cats, on the other hand, are exposed to some important risk factors. Even if neutered, there is still some risk that they might develop breast cancer. While neutering minimizes the risk, it cannot remove it altogether.
On regular checkups, the veterinarian will always examine the cat's breasts because prevention is the best policy when dealing with issue. As for female cats that are not neutered, that will produce kittens, they are exposed to the risks brought on by complications when giving birth.
Acute diseases have a rapid onset and development. This can affect the life span of a cat.
Acute Diseases
Acute diseases have a rapid onset and development. Most of the time, they seem to appear out of nowhere and acting fast is absolutely crucial. To make sure you can do that, you should do some research into emergency veterinary care options. If the time ever comes for you to need urgent care for your cat, it's best to know where to turn to. Talk to your veterinarian about this next time, just to have it all cleared out.
Aside from that, it is very important that you are able to recognize the symptoms that your cat might be displaying. Some of them are quite subtle, life apathy, loss of appetite, not drinking enough water, not peeing enough, so you always need to pay attention to your cat. As for prevention for acute diseases, it all goes into general preventative measures.
Chronic Diseases
Due to genetic factors, Ragdoll cats are prone to developing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. But just because they are prone to it as a breed, does not mean that they are sure to get it.
However, you can use this information to work on preventing heart disease in your cat. In fact, when it comes to chronic disease, that is the very best you can do - work on prevention. Take your cat to the vet at least two times a year for checkups.
This ensures that any disease that your cat might be suffering from will be caught in its early stages, rather than when it is already advanced. In some chronic diseases, the symptoms are extremely difficult to notice, if any.
For example, it's very difficult to spot if a cat has chronic kidney disease, but it is something that would come up in a regular blood work checkup.
Infectious diseases are quite violent and difficult to treat. The good news is that vaccination covers a great deal of the very dangerous ones.
Infectious Diseases
Infectious diseases are quite violent and difficult to treat. The good news is that vaccination covers a great deal of the very dangerous ones. This is why you should never overlook yearly vaccination.
This starts when your cat is just a kitten, when it will get the vaccines it needs to build a strong immunity to infectious diseases. But this has to be maintained throughout its life, so make sure you don't miss vaccination appointments with your vet! It can help your cat live awhile longer. Please note that both outdoor and indoor cats have to be vaccinated.
Trauma
In most cases, you can't foresee trauma and when it comes, it can have dire consequences. After it happens, all you can do is call that emergency number and take your cat to the hospital. But while you can't prevent everything, there are some major situations that you can make sure your cat is never in.
For instance, you can install a catio for your balcony and safety for your windows to make sure that your house is catproof. Another thing you can do is supervise your cat when it is outside, if that is the case.
Nutrition plays an immensely important role in your cat's development and quality of life.
Nutrition
This plays an immensely important role in your cat's development and quality of life. Providing your cat with a balanced diet and high-quality food will help its body stay healthy. Regardless of your preference in cat food, aim for products that do not use additives, artificial taste enhancers, and other chemicals.
It is also very important that your cat has a diet that is appropriate for its age. Young cats need a very different diet than adult cats, and an entirely different one than senior cats do. Another element to keep in mind is whether your cat is neutered. If you cat has been neutered, then it must receive a diet for neutered cats for the rest of its life to avoid obesity.
Aside from the diet, there are some nutritional supplements that you can give your cat, such as Omega-3 or vitamins. However, it is best to consult your veterinarian before your start giving your cat supplements, especially when it comes to vitamins.
Where and how the cat lives will greatly influence its lifespan.
Lifestyle
Where and how the cat lives will greatly influence its lifespan. Here are a few things that might have an important role in the cat's lifestyle:
Indoor or Outdoor
Whether a cat lives indoors, in an apartment or a house, or if it lives outdoors, will certainly influence how long it will live. Cats that live only outdoor get much more exercise and breathe fresh air all day, which is very healthy, and can make them live longer.
On the other hand, they are also exposed to meteorological factors such as rain, snow, and extreme cold. This can have a negative influence on their health, in the long run. They are also exposed to trauma if they only live outside.
As for indoor cats, they are sheltered from cold and dangers, but they are at risk of living a sedentary life, which is abnormal for cat and can shorten their lifespan.
However, this is something you can easily correct by playing with your cat. Overall, living indoors is better for your cat. What's even better is living indoors, but being taken outside in the garden, or the park (with the proper protection of course) and being supervised in this time.
If your cat is stressed in its day-to-day life, this can have a very negative influence on its health and lifespan.
Stress
If your cat is stressed in its day-to-day life, this can have a very negative influence on its health and lifespan. Cats can be stressed by other cats, members of the family, noises, not being able to sleep, dogs or other animals that can scare them, and a great many other things. The only thing you can do is observe your cat and make sure that it is calm and relaxed. If not, you should try to identify the stress factors and work on removing them.
Activity
A sedentary lifestyle will actively shorten a cat's life because it predisposes it to certain chronic diseases and diminishes its ability to fight disease, in general. This is why it is very important to play with your cat every day. Choose cat toys that exercise its body, but its mind as well and your cat will be healthier.
Cats are independent animals, of course, but they still need a great deal of affection.
Affection and Involvement
Cats are independent animals, of course, but they still need a great deal of affection. If their owners are affectionate with them, cats are more engaged and happier, which also helps them live longer. A state of happiness means a cascade of "positive" hormones in the body, which definitely provide a longer life to the cat. So, spend time with your cat every day and it will actually live longer!
Do you have a Ragdoll cat that's alive? What about one that has passed? How old was your Ragdoll kitty when she or he passed?
How old is your cat now? Tell us all about it in the comments section below.
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Christy B
Thank you, I loved my rags, fed her organic food, fresh water, only got her vaxxed 2x since she had severe allergies and arthtitis. had since she was a bottle fed baby. I went on a trip and left her with her two other adopted sisters and she had a stroke, was goining into DKA diabetes and the stroke caused neurological damage, after $1,500 and her not wanting to fight but to sleep I made the choice to put her down. She did not fight but held my hand and went to heaven. My first cat ever, she lived to be 3 months short of her 15th birthday. I figured she died of a broken heart. I still cry over her and miss her like crazy. I felt like a failed her since she had not had a physical in 6months, but I had covid then a car accident and no car for 2 months this year. We can only do the best we can and I took to the vet 1 week before she died for an eye irritation and within days she got sick and went so fast
Irisz
My ragdoll, Fiona just turned 19 this April and she is still looks and behaves like a young cat - so it's great to hear I have the chance to have her around a few more years. She is my first cat, alongside a black domestic shorthair, Frodo - they were born a week apart and they grew up together. Both are indoor only, feeding them age-specific high quality dry food with occasional wet food and treats. And of course, regular vet check-ups. They had their teeth checked every few years, tartar removed and blood tests to check out their kidneys. Both show signs of decreasing kidney capacity so I switched food again and started adding supplements and immune boosting drops and they seem to work for both of them. I had a 3rd cat (Tade, domestic longhair), I lost him last September at the age of 11 - he had chronic kidney disease and needed a regular laser surgery to remove his epulis from his gums - a type of disease most typical for dogs... Anyway, since all 3 got the same food/care/treatment, I strongly believe genetics can be a huge factor too in their life span.
Thank you for the great article!
Jenny
That's awesome about Fiona - be sure to check out catinfo.org - lots of info on there about dry food! Dry food is not a good diet overall - but yes, genetics play a huge roll. Sorry about your Tade - that's young for CRF.
Joann
My 13 year old female, Abby, was diagnosed with heart failure on Sunday and I am devastated. I had it in my mind that she would live to 18 so hearing that she has 6-12mths to live if I'm lucky is breaking my heart. She is and will stay on a diuretic for the rest of her life and she has perked up some. Deciding when the quality of her life has declined enough to euthanize her will be one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. All I can do now is love her and make sure she stays as comfortable as possible.
Jenny
I am so very sorry! Have you looked into alternative treatments? Or supplements?
Helen
Thanks for the article. I lost my first ragdoll Tigga at 4 years of age from pkd he was such a spunky boy broke my heart still miss him. After that we got two boys Shadow and Zimba who are now 9 years old hard to believe Shadow will be 10 in October. Both had their vet check and vaccinations this week so happy they are both fit and healthy. We have a outdoor contained enclosure for them they can access thru a dog door which has cat towers to climb and grass in a tub to lay in so they get lots of fresh air but are completely safe.
becky
we bought 2 ragdoll brothers both neutered as kittens. we lost our blue colourpoint at 18 due to a non malignant growth on his liver, we were heartbroken. His brother a blue bi colour we still have and he is going to be 22 in July. he was diagnosed with kidney disease 4 years ago and we put him straight on a renal wet diet. He has numerous supplements including seraquin for his mobility and psyllium husk and katalax to keep his bowels moving. Fellaway cystease for the odd bout of cystitis and maxi guard gel for his teeth. all these extras have kept him in generally good health. He is obviously an old boy now but he is loved beyond belief.
Lesley
My fur baby is 21.1/2 but sadly he has only one week before he passes onto a better place. I am absolutely heartbroken at the thought of losing him. The most beautiful of breeds
John Waugh
Good morning my name is John and
We have a chocolate brown ragdoll cat and I'm trying to find out why when I go to pick him up and cuddle him he then starts really attacking my arms and hands and bites?
Kind regards. John Waugh
Phill
Our raisin is fourteen been diagnosed with cancer in her sinuses and face they say 2 to 3 months awfull
Lesley
Have you had him checked out at the vet John? Could be an underlying problem
Jenni
Hi John! Ragdolls, while known for being docile, are still animals with individual preferences, personalities and quirks. My 16 year old (Kumo) is known for having a “strong personality” (!!), and if he wants you to cease what you’re doing, he will take measures to insure that you do! (Usually starts with a warning *licking the hand, which will evolve into a nip if not heeded.)
Your cat is letting you know the aforementioned interaction is unwanted. This doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to snuggle EVER, but he might not enjoy being picked up. (Kumo used to but doesn’t anymore. ♀️) I’ve had cats my whole life and the one thing that works with every age, breed and personality is PLAYING HARD TO GET. Ignore your floof and he’ll be all over you!!
Ivan C Dubbs
My Ragdoll Dewey is now going on his 20th birthday he is the love of our life. He is an indoor cat that always tries to sneak outside but we go crazy and get him inside asap. I was thinking god for bid he passes away of doing freezing him and sending to a company that can preserve his body.
Jenny
Wow! 20 is awesome! What is his diet?
Jared
Thanks for the post. A very interesting article. I have 2 cats, 1 of which is a ragdoll. As of next March, he will turn 13yo. He is my best bud. I hope he lives to 25. But statistically, males don't live as long as females. We'll see. Fingers crossed.
Btw, you can't neuter female cats. You can spay them though.
Jenny
Thank you. Got that sorted as well as a few other mistakes. Diet is the most important factor as well as lack of stress =)
Phill
Our raisin is fourteen been diagnosed with cancer in her sinuses and face they say 2 to 3 months awfull
Jenny
Ugh. I am so very sorry. You might join this group on Facebook and see if they have some ideas - Allie's Crew.
Beth Wilhelm
My beautiful, sweet make Ragdoll Sunny died at 6 of renal disease. I was crushed. He was my first cat- I loved him to the moon and back. He was a flame point.
Wendy Killian
My ragdoll Fran passed at 6 from cancer. It was really fast. Just a week from when we noticed she wasn't eating till she was gone. She was a runt. Only 4 pounds her whole life and tiny like a juvenile cat. She was a great cat. Very affectionate and playful. Miss her much.
Mignon
I love this post because I am a Ragdoll mom of Coco Kimba Mufasa
Jenny
Oh, great!
Susan Montgomery
My kittens have a classic rag doll father and a slim black medium hair mother. They are 5 months old and look exactly like their mom, medium black hair (I can see some stripes almost like shadows. Mom has gold eyes and dad blue. Their eyes are brown with turquoise around the iris and we’re green for a time after their baby blue at birth. They are floppy but quite assertive and will struggle to be put down when “done” being held. I have a 10 1/2 year old neutered male tabby who is Mr mom to the girls and has cleaned them daily since he got to know them. I brought the kittens to visit since they were 4 weeks old twice a week (in a closed playpen) until they were allowed to come permanently at 8 weeks. He always hissed at them including at 8 weeks but only for about 1 1/2 days when they boldly walked up to him and touched noses. I would send photos of their interactions at being mothered if I new how. They both also attempted to nurse on him and one still does even though he now mounts them after they shamelessly flirt (my vet won’t fix them until 6 months., and that’s our story.
RolandD
We said goodbye to Woji today. She was a 15-year old seal point ragdoll. She had cancer in her tummy up but was happy, comfortable and alert up until this AM.
I’ve lost cats before but wow nothing takes up residence in your heart like a ragdoll.
Jenny
Oh, I am so very sorry for your loss! Hugs and love to you!
Chad
My kitty just passed away at 16yrs and 10 months. She was a lilac lynx Ragdoll.. She was loved by everyone who met her. She is greatly missed.
Patti Johnson
ALWAYS A SUPER FABULOUS & PAWESOME & VERY RELEVANT POST TO RE-SHARE, Jenny honey! TYSVM!!! 🙂 <3
Big hugs & lots of love & hugs!
Patti & Miss Pink Sugarbelle 🙂 <3 <3 <3
Robin
I am Robin. Just had to put down my 10 yr blue seal at 5:30am on 5-14-22. His deteriorated health came out of nowhere, no warning, just a week, no health problems, came home to find him, not eating, drinking, and not able to stand, sit, or walk anymore, an indoor cat, never around other animals, heart broken, was my all!
Jenny
Oh, I am so very sorry! That is awful =(
ellieboo
I’m wondering if anyone has any experience with lymphoma in cats.
I had to put the love of my life Elliot (Ellie) to sleep yesterday—he was 11 1/2, and I am devastate beyond belief.
I got Ellie from a pet rescue 11 1/2 years ago—he was about 4 months old.
Until last year I thought he was a Himalayan/Siamese mix because of his long silky coat, point markings & he loved to talk! A friend came over last year & said “that’s a Ragdoll!” I had heard of Ragdolls, but wasn’t familiar with the breed—sure enough, when I did some research, he not only had the physical attributes of a Ragdoll, it all the personality traits too: followed me EVERYWHERE, slept on the pillow head-to-head, became “floppy” when I told him he was a good boy, thought he was a lap cat despite his 19 lbs, absolutely loved people, and was the most loving creature I’ve ever encountered.
He’s always been healthy, was strictly indoors, was feed Wellness & Weruva since I got him, minimal kibble, & filtered water. Last week I was recovering from an emergency appendectomy. My friend—a very cat savvy, cat-loving cat owner, watched Ellie (& Zoli—my Russian Blue) while I was in the hospital for 2 days. I wish that week of recovery was clearer—I’m trying to remember everything I can, but because of the anesthesia & surgery, much of it is fuzzy. I got home Sunday afternoon on 9/16. Fed “the kids”as I call them, & hit the couch to rest. Sometime around probably Thursday (9/20) I noticed that Ellie hadn’t eaten any of his food, and he was camped out on an armoir in the other room—still with visibility of me, but not by my side as he always was. Friday the same thing, although he took a few bites of food & was drinking. I thought maybe he needed to cough up a fur ball, so I gave him some Petromalt. But his behavior continued to change. He wasn’t sleeping on the pillow with me, but on the edge of the bed, & seemed to want to be on the kitchen counter or armoir rather than by my side. Sunday night he had a near miss while jumping onto the kitchen counter—I heard it, didn’t see it—I went in and he appeared to be favoring his left leg. Monday I had to go into work, but made an appointment with his vet for the next day. That night he slept on the bathroom floor—something he’s never done, and he appeared weak in hind legs. He wasn’t eating at all, even though I was giving him his favorite food. I noticed now that he seemed to have lost muscle mass: I could feel his spine & leg bones. I knew something was very wrong, & couldn’t wait to get him to the vet. I took him in Tuesday morning, & by then the sclera of his eyes, his oral mucosa & the area right in front of his ears was jaundiced (yellow)—the vet said his gums also looked anemic. He had lost 2 1/2 lbs since his checkup 7 months ago. He had some tenderness in his abdomen on palpation. The vet’s initial diagnosis was pancreatitis, and suggested keeping him overnight with IV fluids, pain medication and something for nausea, which we did. They ran labs & got abdominal x-rays. The vet called that evening & said his WBC was 46,000–very high, but congruent with pancreatitis—he was waiting for the final breakdown of white blood cells which would zero in on what was going on. I called the next morning right after they opened for a status on Ellie, and I spoke to vet who said he had deteriorated over night & that he was now having some shortness of breath & there was fluid in his lungs. I left work to go see him, and omg I couldn’t believe how rapidly he had deteriorated. He looked ravaged, & seemed short of breath. I picked him up to hold him, and he was so uncomfortable, just miserable. The vet came in & said they’d received the WBC breakdown, & that the prognosis was very poor: Ellie had lymphoma. I was crushed & stunned. So quickly? He had been himself just 6-7 days ago, eating, playing, nothing that would indicate he was so sick. Looking at how miserable he was, and knowing I wouldn’t put him through the chemo experience ( It wasn’t even an option at that point), I put Ellie to sleep. I am so emotionally derailed, I can’t stop crying. The house is empty: he had such an amazing presence, so full,of life , such a happy boy all the time. Please help me get through this—I am crushed.