Elegant Ragdoll Cats – Colors and Patterns Explained

Ragdoll cat colors and patterns come in a wide variety. Each one is gorgeous and elegant in its own right. For example, the Ragdoll pictured below, Dandenong Tora Rhianne, is a Seal Mitted with a blaze. The blaze is the white stripe that goes down the center of the nose.

Ragdoll Colors & Patterns Quick Guide

Ragdoll Patterns and Colors
Photo credit: Floppycats.

The Ragdoll cat has a soft semi-long coat that does not require as regular a grooming as many other long-haired breeds. Ragdolls are born white (unless they are mink cats), and Ragdoll cat colors and patterns come in slowly.

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When is Color Determined?

Seal Mitted Ragdoll Cat Charlie as a Kitten and as an Adult
Photo credit: Floppycats.

You can tell seal and Blue anywhere from a few days to a week, but you cannot determine chocolate and lilac for 3-4 weeks. All color is entirely evident by 8-12 weeks, but Ragdoll patterns and colors only come for about 2 years.

Any cat that is a color-pointed breed (like a Ragdoll, Birman, Himalayan, Siamese, etc.) will color later in life because the point gene reacts to the surrounding warmth. As a result, all point kittens inside their mom, with a constant warm temperature, will be born (almost) completely white.

Changes Based on Temperature.

Blue Lynx Mitted Ragdoll Cat Trigg Bliss Happy IMG_0511
Photo credit: Floppycats.

The moment the kittens start to be exposed to the lower ambient temperature, they start to color. Since their extremities tend to be colder, they will color the fastest. Ragdoll cats will continue to color with age (the older, the less blood will flow through the veins, and the darker the cat will become). They will also continue to vary with the season.

For example, some full-grown Ragdolls will be slightly lighter in summer than in winter. Any cat that is a point will color later in life because the point gene reacts to the surrounding warmth.

Here is a list of the different Ragdoll cat colors. 

Ragdoll Breeds
Photo credit: Floppycats. Myst (Blue Colorpoint Ragdoll) and Merlin (Seal Mitted Ragdoll) (owned by Karen Wilkinson)

If you are looking for pictures of specific Ragdoll cat colors and patterns, they will be on each of the following pages.

Ragdoll Cat Breeds

Ragdoll Cat Color Patterns Blue Bicolor Mitted Point Lynx 1.6
Photo credit: Floppycats.

Aside from color, Ragdoll cats also display various patterns. As defined by the Cat Fancier’s Association, here are the main patterns observed in Ragdoll cats and their main characteristics:

The Bi-Color Pattern

Seal
Photo credit: Floppycats.

For bi-color Ragdoll cats, the points are restricted to the ears, tail, mask, and saddle area, where they appear shaded. The mask is white and looks like an inverted “V,” which remains within the outer edges of the eyes. Please note that symmetry is preferred for this color pattern. The nose leather is pink.

The body appears colored like this – the cat’s chin, chest, and underside are white, while its upper body may display spots. Its legs and feet are entirely white, which is the preferred variant. They may also show minor dark spots.

The paw pads are preferred to be pink, but a mixture of colors on the paw pads and the fur are acceptable because of the presence of two colors in the pattern. Please note that to determine the color, the point color of the ears is the deciding factor.

It is cause for penalties if the “V” extends beyond the outer edges of the eyes or is excessively asymmetrical. White markings on the ears may also lead to penalties. If the “V” is absent or if it has dark spotting, the cat is disqualified. This is also the case if the cat presents extensive dark areas on any of its legs. This is more in-depth on Bi-color Ragdolls.

The Van Pattern

Ragdoll Breeder Tennessee Center Hill Ragdolls 1
Photo credit: Center Hill Ragdolls

For this pattern, the point color is restricted to the ears, tail, and mask. The color of the ears and tails is dense and clearly defined. Minor white spotting is allowed. The mask may be limited to the upper part and display some gradual fading in color.

The body, the legs, and the feet of the van pattern cat must be pure, glistening white. Please note that minor spotting is allowed. The nose leather and the paw pads are pink.

Should the cat present more than 20% color on the body, this is cause for penalties. Additionally, the cat is disqualified if the point color on the head or the tail is absent entirely.

The Colorpoint Pattern

Seal colorpoint Ragdoll Cat Harlow IMG_3432
Photo credit: Floppycats. Seal colorpoint Ragdoll Cat Harlow

For this Ragdoll cat pattern, the point appears darker, with a well-defined color on the ears, mask, feet, and tail. In addition, the nose leather and paw prints are fully pigmented and match the point’s color.

There is a definite contrast between the body and the points. Therefore, the chest, bib, and chin areas may be lighter in color. Please note that the presence of any locket or white spot anywhere on the cat’s body is cause for disqualification.

The Mitted Pattern

Seal Mitted Ragdoll Cat Charlie with a Blaze on Red Asian Chest IMG_0486
Photo credit: Floppycats. Seal Mitted Ragdoll Cat with a Blaze, Charlie

Mitted Ragdoll cats display points in well-defined colors on the legs (except for the feet), ears, mask, and tail. They may even have a white blaze shaped like a star, a diamond, an hourglass, or a line in one patch or broken, centrally, and symmetrically located anywhere from the top of the nose leather to the forehead.

The chin has to be white, and it must extend into a white stripe on the belly. The front feet display white mittens, which must be evenly matched. It is preferred that these go up to the wrist joint. On the hind legs, the white must go up to and around the hocks entirely and extend no higher than mid-thigh.

The nose leather appears fully pigmented and must match the point’s color. As for the paw pads, these must be pink, but they may display minor spotting of color, which corresponds to the color of the points. The body must be in definite contrast with the points.

Mitted Ragdoll cats must also have a white belly stripe, which may vary in width from the bib, between the forelegs, and down the midline of the cat’s underside. Please note that soft shadings are allowed on the body. Keep in mind that the full color is achieved at two years of age and that the absence of the white chin is a cause for disqualification.

Ragdoll Cat Markings and Colors – FAQs

Blue Lynx mitted Ragdoll Cat trigg chiggy cleaning bathing Seal mitted with a blaze Ragdoll cat Charlie
Photo credit: Floppycats.

Now that you’ve seen all the primary colors, patterns, and markings, we have more interesting information about Ragdoll cat characteristics. We’ve prepared a list of the most frequently asked questions about Ragdoll colors and patterns.

What Is the Most Popular Ragdoll Color and Pattern?

Ragdoll Cat Charlie sleeping overnight on Peach Pet Provisions Pet Pillow Bed
Photo credit: Floppycats.

The most popular Ragdoll color is the seal point. This is what the traditional Ragdoll cat looks like and what people expect to get when it comes to Raggies.

After the seal point comes the blue point Ragdoll, which has dazzled many cat lovers with its lavishly good looks and steel gray coat. The next Ragdoll on the popular list is the lilac. This off-white shade with lavender-pink tones is exceptional, so people are looking for this particular type of Raggie.

What Are the Rarest Ragdoll Colors?

flame-point-ragdoll-cat
Photo credit: Melanie.

Despite their popularity, lilac Ragdolls are still very rare. Another rare sight is the flame point Ragdoll cat. Raggies that come in these colors are very important for breeding because they possess this rare set of genes that gives these unique colors.

Are All Ragdoll Cats Born White?

Blue Lynx Mitted Ragdoll Cat Trigg Chiggy August 2019 IMG_5589
Photo credit: Floppycats. Blue Lynx Mitted Ragdoll Cat Trigg.

Yes. Regardless of their final color, all Ragdoll kittens are born entirely white. Then, in the first few weeks of their lives, they start to develop their coat color.

While some might take approximately one month to be visible, others take much longer. For instance, it takes as long as two years for mitted Ragdolls to develop their final coloration pattern.

How Can I Tell What Color My Ragdoll Kitten Is?

Charlie as a Ragdoll Kitten
Photo credit: Floppycats.

You must wait at least one month to find out which color your Ragdoll kitten is. In the first part of their lives, all Raggies are white, but they gradually get their coloration.

After only a few days, you can get some hints, but it takes as long as 3-4 weeks to see if you have a chocolate or a lilac Ragdoll cat. The color becomes completely visible at 8-12 weeks, but for the patterns to finalize, it might take as long as two years, as is the case for mitted Ragdolls. So, be patient, and enjoy exploring your cat’s coloration!

Do Ragdoll Cats Change Color?

Ragdoll Cat Color Change – Charlie
Photo credit: Floppycats.

Yes, they do. The most spectacular Ragdoll color progression change in Ragdoll cats is that caused by temperature. It is most visible when the cat is exposed to heat or cold for an extended time.

While this is unlikely to happen in normal conditions, the temperature-related color change becomes visible when the cat’s body temperature goes up or down. When their body temp is high, the fur on their bodies (not their legs or extremities) becomes visibly lighter in tone.

Then, when their body temperature goes down, the fur on their bodies becomes darker in tone. If you notice any change in your Ragdoll cat’s fur color, you should first take its temperature and then take it to the vet for a checkup.

Do Ragdolls Change Colors When They Get Old?

Seal Ragdoll Cat Color Change Charlie
Photo credit: Floppycats.

Yes, they do. When Ragdoll cats age, their senior years will be marked by the whitening of their fur. This becomes particularly visible on their faces, but it is not restricted to this.

First, their coats will become darker on their bodies and their extremities. This is a response to their chronic drop in body temperature, which is considered average for senior cats. Aside from that, they might get some white hairs on their faces.

When Do Ragdolls Get Fluffier?

Ragdoll Cat Charlie WInter Coat vs Summer Coat
Photo credit: Floppycats.

Temperature is the main factor that determines the fluffiness of your Ragdoll cat’s coat. But, of course, this is different in the cold and warm seasons.

During the colder months of the year, the Raggie gets its winter coat, which is visibly fluffier. Still, when the warmer months arrive, it will begin to shed and be left with smoother and shorter fur.

What Is a Traditional Ragdoll Cat?

Seal colorpoint Ragdoll Cat Harlow IMG_3432
Photo credit: Floppycats.

The typical color for a Ragdoll cat is the seal point. It’s all in the Ragdoll history story. The first Raggie, Josephine, was what we now call a seal point; all the Ragdoll cats in the world are her descendants.

The standard colors for Raggies were the four common Himalayan – Seal, Chocolate, Lilac, and Blue. As for the patterns, these were solid points, from their Siamese part, mitted, from their Birman part, and bi-colors.

What Is So Special About Ragdoll Cats?

Seal mitted Ragdoll cat Caymus IMG_1438
Photo credit: Floppycats.

What seems to set Ragdoll cats apart from other breeds is their floppy nature, puppy-like personalities, and bunny-like fur. As such, many “dog people” prefer Ragdolls over other cats. While not all Ragdolls are floppy, most don’t mind if you hold them. Also, not all Ragdoll coats are the same, but the breed standard is a non-matting bunny-like fur.

As you can see, there are plenty of color markings for Ragdoll cats. This wonderful breed comes in seal, blue, lilac, chocolate, flame, cream, and tortie. They can also display various patterns, such as bi-color, van, colorpoint, and mitted.

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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,

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