Do Ragdoll Cats Make Good Pets?
Are you wondering, “Should I get a Ragdoll cat?” or “Is a Ragdoll cat right for you?” Suppose you are ready to welcome a new family member into your home. In that case, it’s important to research ahead to determine whether your prospective new furry friend will be a good fit for you and your family.
Here at Floppycats, we know a lot about Ragdolls, from extensive research on them and our personal experiences of owning them and loving them in our homes.
Ragdoll cats are incredibly popular kitties that steal the hearts of many. Still, not every cat is the perfect fit for every human. So today, we’ll walk you through some questions you should ask yourself if you are considering adopting a Ragdoll cat.
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These questions should help you determine what factors might alter your decision and can act as a discussion guide for whoever is alongside you as you adopt your potential kitten. However, before we walk through those significant factors, we want to walk through a bit of history on the breed:
A Short History of Ragdoll Cats
The Ragdoll cat breed began with a cat named Josephine, a non-pedigreed, white, long-haired Persian/Angora cat bred with several Birman or Burmesesque cats. The litters they produced included many docile, affectionate cats with the famous Ragdoll trait of going limp when picked up. Baker continued to breed the line for cats with these characteristics, selecting for traits like the tendency to relax when picked up, pointed coloration, large size, and the sweet Ragdoll cat personality.
Today, Ragdolls are marketed by Ragdoll cat breeders as being particularly family-friendly, calm cats with striking blue eyes. Ragdoll cat patterns include pointed, mitted, bi-color, high-mitted bi-color, and lynx. (You can read more about their colors and patterns in our previous post.) As a beautiful and sweet breed, these kitties make great pets and delight many cat lovers.
The Ragdoll is one of the most popular cat breeds in the world due to its amazing personality. They are known to be “gentle giants,” making them excellent family pets for someone looking for that temperament.
**Please know that after having this website for 14 years, I have learned the importance of stressing that BREED STEREOTYPES for any cat breed can be deceiving. DO NOT EXPECT that if you adopt a Ragdoll kitten that it will fit the breed description. Every cat is a living soul, meaning it will have a different personality and may or may not possess some or all of the breed’s qualities.
All that being said, it’s time to move on to how to decide if this specially-bred type of cat is for you. There are many different aspects of how you might decide whether Ragdoll cats are for you, from their appearance to their personality to common concerns people might have about them. We have all the detailed answers to questions you might have about Ragdolls.
So, without further ado, here are some questions you should ask yourself when considering adopting a Ragdoll cat.
What Appearance Are You Looking For?
As mentioned above, Ragdolls’ name comes from this cat breed’s tendency to go limp and relaxed when picked up. This is one of the best-known features of this type of cat.
Ann Baker has trademarked the breed name “Ragdoll,” and she set up her own breed registry, the International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA). She urged breeders to meet specific standards to qualify so there is a certain amount of consistency among Ragdolls. These are the main physical features of the Ragdoll cat breed:
- Large cat breed – Comparable to the Norwegian Forest Cat, the Maine Coon, the Egyptian Mau, or the American Bobtail, Ragdoll cats are quite large. Males go up to 20 pounds, while females may vary from 10 to 15 pounds. This makes it one of the largest cat breeds in the world.
- Blue eyes – Ragdoll cats are known for their big blue eyes, which are absolutely stunning!
- Semi-long-haired cat – Ragdolls have a soft semi-long, plush coat, which makes them easier to groom than other long-haired cats. They do not have an undercoat, which is very important because this is where the excessive shedding usually comes from in other cat breeds.
- Endurance – The life span of Ragdoll cats averages around 15 years. Each individual’s life span varies according to genetic facts, medical issues developed throughout the years, quality of nutrition and care, living conditions, etc.
As you can see, these factors make Ragdolls lovely, royal-like cats that are highly sought after. But unfortunately, many people see these features and don’t do further research.
After all, cats are living, breathing souls; no matter how beautiful they are, there is more to them than just their looks. So make sure that you take all the other factors into consideration.
What Personality Are You Looking For?
Once again, every Ragdoll cat is different, so if your cat doesn’t match this exact description, don’t fret! It’s imperative to get to know the kitty you’re considering adopting and decide based on its personality.
That being said, these are some of the main features Ragdoll cats are bred for and generally adhere to:
- Ragdolls are incredibly friendly with humans – both their masters and other people.
- Ragdolls are very close to their masters, but they are not pushy.
- Ragdolls show their love through constant proximity to their masters.
- Ragdolls are very playful cats with a lot of love to give.
These characteristics make these cats fit for almost any type of home. However, they are best suited for owners looking for a relaxed cat with which they can develop a close relationship.
They may not be a good fit for someone who wants a bold, energetic, independent cat. Although we love Ragdolls, their usual personality isn’t for everybody, and they can sometimes be interpreted as clingy.
Do You Want an Indoor or Outdoor Cat?
One of the big things about Ragdoll cats is that they are bred to be indoor-only cats. Many Ragdoll breeders make adopters sign contracts saying they won’t let their cats outside.
The most common reason people give as to why this popular breed should not go outside is because of their docile and too-trusting nature – that they wouldn’t know how to defend themselves against predators.
As with many decisions, the decision to let your Ragdoll outside is a subjective one. Still, letting them outside without losing them would have to be intentional. So if you’re still deciding whether to have an outdoor cat, Ragdoll cats might not be for you. More great information on the topic here- Can Ragdolls cats go outside?
Do You Have Other Pets?
How will bringing your new cat into your family work if you have other cats? Introducing a new cat into the household is a complex process. Still, it should be easier with Ragdolls because they are docile and friendly. If introduced correctly, Raggies should get along well with other cats.
If you have a dog, that can be worked out as well. Ragdolls are some of the few cat breeds that get along with cat-friendly dogs. It is highly recommended that at least one of the animals be of younger age and introduced gradually and kept under constant surveillance, at least at first, but getting a Raggie to befriend a dog is undoubtedly possible.
Do You Have Children?
When looking into whether a pet would be an excellent addition to your family, you must check whether the breed you seek is friendly to children.
Ragdoll cats are some of the best felines for families with children because of their floppy, laid-back personalities. These cats are often patient enough to interact with children and are not known to become violent with them. However, each kitty is a living, breathing soul with a personality. No article can definitively say how a Ragdoll kitty you bring home will perform in your home.
Are You Okay With the Process of Adopting a Ragdoll Cat?
Suppose you are looking for a Ragdoll cat. In that case, it is probably best to buy either a rescue Ragdoll (a Ragdoll that has been abandoned or needs to be adopted because a family is moving out of the country or for various other reasons) or a retired breeder (these purebred cats range in age from 3 to 8 years old and they are cats that breeders have used to breed.) However, you can also get Ragdoll cats from breeders.
There are a lot of different levels of Ragdoll cats:
- Pet (Alter) Quality
- Show (Alter) Quality
- Breeder Quality
- Show/Breeder Quality
The cat’s level directly correlates to the different price rungs from a reputable breeder. Depending on what level you’re looking for, the prices of purebred Ragdoll cats from breeders can range from $1200-$5000+.
When considering adoption, it’s vital to remember that the pet’s price isn’t the only cost involved. You need to save up money for not only the cat itself but food, toys, care supplies, vet bills, money to repair any household damage that may occur, and more.
Of course, Ragdoll owners know the cost is worth it to them. Still, evaluating whether you can afford those costs and whether a Ragdoll is worth the extra money for you and your household is essential.
Do Ragdoll Cats Make Good Pets?
In summary, Ragdoll cats are a large, beautiful breed with a specific look, often including blue eyes and silky fur. Many cat lovers find them to be a very endearing breed.
They are affectionate, playful, friendly, and usually very close to their masters. Still, owners who want a more independent cat breed can sometimes read them as clingy. However, they are likely to get along with children and other pets if appropriately introduced since they tend to have happy temperaments.
These beautiful cats are not the best pets for people who are looking for outdoor cats only. While they are a fantastic breed, they are bred to be indoor cats, and letting them outside is not a good idea.
This popular cat breed is a more expensive option than other cats, with prices ranging from $1200-$5000+, depending on the Ragdoll cat you want to adopt. And, of course, these numbers are only part of the picture in the context of your pet’s unique medical needs, food, toys, and home costs.
In our biased opinion, Ragdoll cats make great pets! First, however, you must evaluate whether this breed fits your family’s lifestyle. Hopefully, this post has given you some meaningful criteria for adopting a Ragdoll cat.
Did you like reading about whether a Ragdoll cat would fit your family well? Then, you’re going to love these other posts we have for you:
Hi, I’m Jenny Dean, creator of Floppycats! Ever since my Aunt got the first Ragdoll cat in our family, I have loved the breed. Inspired by my childhood Ragdoll cat, Rags, I created Floppycats to connect, share and inspire other Ragdoll cat lovers around the world,
Great article Jenny !
I would add that even though a Ragdoll should be an indoor only breed – you CAN take them outdoors if you have a way to protect them from harm. Some outdoor options include :
– A CATIO
– A leash and harness made for large breed cats.
– One of the popular outdoor PET TENTS made for small dogs. These are usually available at pet stores or online. A puppy tent made for lap dogs is PERFECT for a cat and allows them to be outside in fresh air with you when the weather is nice.
Your yard is fully enclosed with a high fence that has been made to prevent animals from jumping high enough to escape. (like your backyard)
I would only add the importance of screening your breeder if that’s the way you want to go. There are so many scammers out there, from never getting a kitten after a deposit is made to getting a “purebred” kitten at purebred prices that a less experienced buyer might not recognize is clearly not purebred. Loved the article! I’m such a researcher and overthinker that floppycats.com with its articles, videos, interviews w veterinarians, a book and more – wow! What a treasure trove!! Thank you, Jenny!
Rag dolls are super loving and I hope to always have them in my life
Super pawesome & fabulous info, Jenny honey! My opinion? Yes, Ragdolls make Truly Awesome Additions To Any Loving Home! #GetSomeLillyBrushes #NeedAGreatVacuum #EmbraceTheFloof 🙂 <3
Big hugs & lots of love & purrs!
Patti & Miss Pink Sugarbelle 🙂 <3