Last Updated on July 8, 2021 by Jenny
First published Feb 16, 2010 and updated as photos are sent in.
Mink Cats are just darker versions of their lighter counterparts–like Blue, Lilac, Red, Seal , Solid , and Tortie.
So, what is a Mink Ragdoll anyway?
6 months to 18 months to 4 years
Photo Credit: Jerri K.
Minks are a particular type of Ragdoll cat. The term “Mink” does not refer to a color or a pattern. It is not a different breed either. It refers to a bloodline, which goes back all the way to the very first Ragdoll cats created by the very first breeders of Ragdoll cats. They are purebred Ragdoll cats, as confirmed by SBT and TICA.
While most breeders use traditional Ragdoll cats, there are a few others who breed traditional Ragdolls and minks.
KB, a Seal Mitted Mink Ragdoll
“One does not simply look this good on accident😼”
Mink Ragdoll Genetics
Among the very first Ragdoll cats ever, from Ann Baker’s cattery, Raggedy Ann, there were cats like Josephine, which was a solid white Ragdoll, and Buckwheat, which was a black Burmese-type cat, both holding official pedigrees.
Burmese cats played a huge role in the development of the Ragdoll breed, even at a genetic level.
Burmese cats have the cb gene, which gives them their brownish coat, even though their general background features a black coat. As for the points – mask, ears, legs, and tail, these are very dark and the rest of the body is much lighter in tone.
When Burmese cats were bred to create Ragdoll cats, the Mink bloodline presented a combination of genes, called the Mink gene, which combines the pointed gene and the Burmese gene – cbcs.
16 days to 6 years
When two Mink Ragdoll cats are bred, this is what the litter will look like: 50% will be Mink colored, 25% will be Sepia colored (this is actually the Burmese brown color, which is referred to as Sepia for Ragdolls), and 25% will be pointed traditional Ragdolls. Let’s see how this happens:
– some of the kittens will get the cb gene from both their parents, which translates into the sepia color. Statistically, they will represent 25% of the litter.
– some of the kittens will get the cs gene from both their parents, which translates into the pointed traditional variation. They are also 25% of the litter, according to genetic statistics.
Benny, a Seal Mitted mink Ragdoll cat
– some of the kittens will get the cb from one parent and the cs from the other parent, which translates into the Mink color. They represent 50% of the litter, according to genetic statistics.
When two Minks are bred, only half of the litter will be Mink, which adds to the challenge of developing on this bloodline.
Another thing you should be aware of is that some breeders might tell you that their kittens are 1/2 Mink or 1/4 Mink, but genetically, that makes no sense. To be Mink Ragdolls, they must have the cbcs gene and there is no halfway measure for this.
Each of the kittens in the litter described above is 100% Mink, 100% traditional, and 100% Sepia, respectively. Just because they have Mink parents does not make Ragdoll cats Minks necessarily. This is a tactic used by some breeders to increase the value of the cats they are selling.
What Does a Mink Ragdoll Look Like?
Mink Ragdolls got their name because the fur of this type of Ragdoll cat is much smoother than that of a traditional Ragdoll cat.
This might be difficult to imagine, since Ragdolls are known all over the world precisely for exceptionally smooth coats, but the feeling you get when you pet a Mink Ragdoll is of mink fur.
Another notable difference is the eye color. While traditional Ragdoll cats have bright blue eyes, Mink Ragdolls have mesmerizing aqua eyes, which are a combination of blue and green coloring. Their eyes are the color of oceans.
12 weeks, 1 year and current
Mink Ragdolls Colors and Patterns
Mink Ragdolls are easy to spot from day one, literally. While traditional Ragdolls are born with white fur all over their bodies, Minks are born with colored fur.
Eur. Premior
Seal Tabby Mink Ragdoll Cat – 6 weeks and 3 years
(Admin note: outside the USA, “Lynx” is referred to as “Tabby” it is the same thing).
As for the color itself, well, this varies between the full range of Ragdoll colors – seal, blue, lilac, chocolate, flame, cream, and tortie. They also display the full range of patterns as well – colorpoint, mitted, bi-color, and van.
However, there is a crucial difference from traditional Ragdoll cats. Even though Mink Ragdolls are the same colors, their colors are stronger, richer, and somewhat darker than those of traditional Ragdoll cats. You could say that Minks are traditional Ragdoll cats in high contrast.
Leo, Blue Bicolor Mink Ragdoll Cat
Mink Ragdoll Cat Temperament
Many people wonder if Mink Ragdolls have the well-reputed dog-like personality of Ragdoll cats. Thankfully, yes they do. Their fur might be smoother to the touch and richer in contrast, their eyes might be a different color, but their personality is just as floppy, friendly, and docile as all Ragdoll cats.
This is probably the most important characteristic of Ragdoll cats and it is certainly present in Minks.
Mink Ragdolls vs. Traditional Ragdolls
Aside from that, Minks have gorgeous aqua eyes, a luxurious combination of blue and green that reminds of the depth of the sea. Traditional Ragdolls have clear blue eyes. Another key difference is that the Mink kittens are born with colored fur. This sets them apart from all the other Ragdoll cats, which are born white.
What Mink Ragdolls and traditional Ragdolls have in common, though, is a very diverse color spectrum, as well a wide variety of patterns. They also share the most charming personality in the feline world – the unique combination of friendly and floppy, and their affinity for humans.
4-5 months old to 2 years old
Photo Credit: Cassidy Westlund
Mink Ragdoll FAQ
Are mink ragdolls rare?
Depends on who you talk to. Some say they are, some say they aren’t. Minks come from a specific bloodline of Ragdoll cats that goes down all the way to the very first Ragdolls cats.
When two Minks are bred together, only half of the litter is comprised of Minks. This makes these cats not as common, but they have very high genetic value for the Ragdoll cat breed.
Do mink ragdolls shed?
Yes, they do, just like any other Ragdoll cat. While their fur is thicker and smoother to the touch, Mink Ragdolls still shed. They still need to be groomed regularly to keep shedding down to a minimum.
However, please note that for cats with long coats, Ragdolls do not shed a lot. With proper care and continuous effort from the owners, the shedding can be handled easily.
Seal Mink Ragdoll Cat
Photo Credit: Kristi Pemberton
Are Mink Ragdolls more expensive?
Yes, they are more expensive than traditional Ragdoll cats because they come from a superior bloodline of the breed. This bloodline goes down to the very first Ragdoll cats ever bred by Ann Baker, which puts them in an entirely different league.
Mink Ragdolls present superior characteristics in terms of coat smoothness and thickness, coloring, as well as eye color. Moreover, they are bred from a limited pool, with a 50% rate of Mink reproduction. All of these elements make Mink Ragdolls more expensive than other Ragdoll cats.
Mila, a Blue Bicolor Mink Ragdoll Cat
Photo Credit: Sonja Schlandt
Are Minks a different breed than Ragdolls?
No, Minks are not a different breed. Not only are they legitimate Ragdoll cats, but they are direct descendants of the very first Ragdoll cats ever bred.
This makes their bloodline extremely important for preserving the genetic pool of the Ragdoll breed. They display superior physical characteristics – they have a thicker and smoother coat, aqua eyes, and their kittens are born with colored fur.
How can you tell a Mink Ragdoll apart from a traditional Ragdoll cat?
The primary factor that can help you tell the difference between a Mink Ragdoll and a traditional Ragdoll cat is the color of the eyes.
Minks have aqua eyes, which is a combination of blue and green, while traditional Ragdolls have full-on blue eyes. Then, you should compare the softness and smoothness of the fur. Minks have a much smoother fur than traditional Ragdoll cats, which is similar to mink fur.
12 weeks old ti 1.5 years old
Photo Credit: Sasha Aaron
Can you have Ragdoll cats that are 1/2 Mink?
No, you can’t. There are several variations within the Ragdoll breed, from a genetic standpoint. A cat can be considered a Mink Ragdoll only if the cat has the cbcs gene, in which case that cat is 100% Mink.
A traditional Ragdoll cat coming from Mink Ragdoll parents does not have a higher genetic value than a traditional Ragdoll coming from traditional Ragdoll parents.
How can you get traditional Ragdoll by breeding two Mink Ragdoll cats?
Yes, you can. When two Mink Ragdoll cats are bred, both the parents possess the cbcs gene, which is specific for this bloodline.
However, genetic statistics relay that this gene will only be transmitted as it is to 50% of the litter. 25% of the litter will have the genetic markings of a traditional Ragdoll cat – the cscs gene.
What color is a Mink Ragdoll?
Mink Ragdoll cats are not restricted to a single color or pattern. The specific characteristics they possess refer to the thickness and smoothness of their fur and the color of their eyes.
Mink Ragdolls can be of any of the Ragdoll-specific colors – blue, seal, chocolate, lilac, flame, tortie, cream – and patterns – colorpoint, van, bi-color, and mitted.
Do Mink Ragdolls have blue eyes?
No, they usually do not. Mink Ragdolls usually have aqua eyes, which is a combination of blue and green. Some say that their eyes look like the Caribbean Sea. There are minks that keep the blue eyes they are born with. Minks are the only variation to display this eye color, which sets them apart from the rest of the Ragdoll cats.
Photo Credit: Krista Janes
Can you tell the Mink Ragdoll cats in a litter?
Yes, you can. While other variations of the breed might be more difficult to spot early on, Mink Ragdoll kittens have a unique characteristic – they are born with colored fur, while all the other Ragdoll cats are born with full white coats.
This way, it is easier to spot out the Minks in the litter.
Photo Credit: Kristy Marson
Are Mink Ragdolls recognized as Ragdoll cats?
Yes, they are. According to TICA ragdoll standard, The International Cat Association (TICA), Mink Ragdolls are recognized as legitimate Ragdoll cats. They are allowed to have pedigreed and they are eligible for competitions and can be presented in shows.
Are Mink Ragdolls friendly?
Yes, they are. Mink Ragdolls have the same adorable personality as all Ragdoll cats. They are extremely human-friendly, they are very docile, easy-going, and floppy.
This is the common trait displayed by all the various types of Ragdoll cats and it is the main reason for the breed’s enormous popularity.
If you are really interested in showing your Ragdoll cat, there is a terrific website that shows what the cat must look like – Ideal Markings in Mitted and Bicolor .
Please contact floppycats.com if you have a Ragdoll kitty who has this color type and you’d like for he or she to be featured on this page!
Would you like to see more Ragdoll cat pics? Click on any of the color patterns below to see more:
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Hello. A friend who breeds Ragdolls told me about a litter, several years ago, that produced a mink seal point kitten. I have seen the photos and you can definitely see the kitten is coloured at birth. How often would a mink kitten appear in a traditional litter? And would this mean both parent had the mink gene?
The comment from Ragdoll Lover Worldwide is correct. This post is HIGHLY misleading, and it is very irresponsible of a blogger with such an influence to write such a bad article.
Ragdoll breed standards exist to establish, maintain, and better the breed. I am not sure why this post is so intent on supporting cats that do not meet the Ragdoll standard that the original breeder, Ann Baker, and multiple international cat associations have established – even going as far as to say that Mink Ragdolls have a superior bloodline? Why does no association allow them to be shown then, if they are such a better, superior line of Ragdolls? They are more uncommon because responsible breeders, who wish to better the breed, actually follow the breed standard, which does NOT recognize them and does not allow them into cat shows. If they were truly superior and a better version of the breed, you think they’d be accepted into the breed standard and more breeders would have them to better the breed. Minks are more expensive because they are falsely marketed as rare, creating consumer demand as Ragdoll Lover Worldwide stated.
If you are going to “shop” for a cat as expensive as a Ragdoll instead of adopting, please do your research and go to a REPUTABLE, ETHICAL breeder who FOLLOWS the breed standard and wishes to BETTER the breed. I don’t want to be that person as I have a Ragdoll of my own, but there are so many strays, animal shelters are always full, and so many cats are euthanized every year – according to ASPCA, over 800,000 cats are euthanized every year in the US. I understand that it is very difficult and competitive to find a real Ragdoll to adopt, and that your love for them is too great that you would rather buy one from a breeder than adopt a stray cat – I feel the exact same way! But we must be responsible and do our part.
Reputable breeders do not contribute to the stray and animal overpopulation problem. They breed out of their love for the breed, to share the happiness they feel from Ragdolls with other families, and seek to better the breed and follow the standards. They are not in it for the money, and it’s not even really profitable for them unless they’re a backyard breeder/kitten factory. They do not contribute to the stray problem because they make sure to spay/neuter every pet kitten before it leaves their home to prevent unintentional/unregulated breeding, which adds to the stray problem. More often than not, they will also say in the kitten contract that in the case you are no longer able to care for your Ragdoll, they will take it back and care for it themselves or find a good home for it for you. They do not let their Ragdolls go into shelters, therefore not adding to the problem.
If you’re going to spend thousands of dollars to buy a cat rather than adopt, go to a breeder that does not add to the stray/shelter problem. Go to a breeder that seeks to better the breed, not one that seeks to pump out “rare” kittens for money like elves making presents in Santa’s Workshop. Ask for health and genetic testing papers and pedigrees of both of the parents. Go to a breeder has done or still does cat shows, as they follow the breed standard. You’re spending big bucks to specifically get a Ragdoll, right? So make sure you’re getting one with BLUE EYES and that’s NOT MINK OR SEPIA, with official pedigree papers. Otherwise, you’re basically getting a random moggy (cat-version of mutt) with who-knows-what origins, and if that’s the case you might as well just adopt one from a shelter that has the look you want. That way you save money and save a life. Boom, two birds with one stone.
It just makes me sad to see so many people get scammed or spend so much money on a cat that’s not even a real Ragdoll, which provides money and demand to backyard breeders. Please, if you’re going to buy a cat, please be responsible. Get a pointed, blue-eyed, non-mink/sepia Ragdoll, and don’t listen to this post as if it were factually correct. 🙂
I have to disagree with this post. It is entirely misleading and based on biased opinions and speculation. As a popular Ragdoll blogger, I urge you to do more research and write about the topic of minks from a neutral perspective so as to not mislead the public.
“While most breeders use traditional Ragdoll cats, there are a few others who breed using Minks. This is one of the reasons why Mink Ragdolls are so rare.”
Mink Ragdolls are “rare” because most Ragdoll breeders are working with official Ragdoll breed standards. These standards are put together by a panel through hardwork, planning, cooperating efforts with other Ragdoll enthusiasts, and collectively becomes the ‘definition’ of the cat breed. Breeders thereafter should strive to breed to standard and not stray from the definition of that particular cat breed just because they want to produce some “rare colors” based on consumer demand. The integrity of breeding should not be based on consumer demand, it’s foundation is built on furthering the goals of maintaining and improving the breed.
“Among the very first Ragdoll cats ever, from Ann Baker’s cattery, Raggedy Ann, there were cats like Josephine, which was a solid white Ragdoll, and Buckwheat, which was a black Burmese-type cat, both holding official pedigrees.”
The Ragdolls are a man-made created breed. Ann Baker bred a bunch of stray cats together in order to create the Ragdoll breed. That should not be confused with her goals. The goal was not to keep the look / lines of the stray cats. The goal was to selectively breed the best temperaments, isolate the color / pattern genomes, and develop and improve the Ragdoll breed.
“Mink Ragdolls are a superior bloodline of Ragdoll cat, but what do they actually look like? What makes them superior, anyway? They got their name because the fur of this type of Ragdoll cat is much smoother than that of a traditional Ragdoll cat.”
Mink Ragdolls are NOT a superior bloodline, and this is entirely misleading if it is stated as a fact. But if this is your opinion, it should be clear to your viewers that it’s your opinion, and not a commonly shared fact. If they were a superior bloodline, why are they not written into the registry standards? Why has TICA and CFA refused to write “mink” into the Ragdoll breed standards they published? TICA allows them to be registered. But of course, all you need is one parent to be a Ragdoll to register a kitten under the breed “Ragdoll.” CFA does not recognize them at all, they are not permitted to be registered or shown in CFA.
“Another notable difference is the eye color. While traditional Ragdoll cats have bright blue eyes, Mink Ragdolls have mesmerizing aqua eyes, which are a combination of blue and green coloring. Their eyes are the color of oceans.”
Ragdolls are a blue eyed pointed breed, plain and simple. This is what they are known for, and this is one of the traits they they should be bred for.
“To sum up the differences between Mink Ragdolls and traditional Ragdolls, it should be pointed out that Minks are a superior bloodline and that they are rare.”
I disagree with both for the reasons stated above. I also think you should research and look into what a traditional Ragdoll is. A traditional Ragdoll is not a “non-mink” Ragdoll. A traditional Ragdoll is one that has absolutely no outcrosses, with its ancestors traceable to the foundation cats. Non-traditional Ragdolls include the accepted outcrosses: lynx, tortie, torbie, reds, creams, etc. Mink Ragdolls are it’s own category. They do not have superior bloodlines and they are only rare in the essence of breeders breeding to standard properly. Everything we as humans do, we do to learn from and improve upon. We don’t get stuck at the inception and refuse to improve.
“[Minks are rare.] Only some breeders get to use cats from this bloodline in their catteries.”
On the contrary. Superior Ragdoll bloodlines from reputable breeders breeding to standard are rare, and only some breeders get to use cats from THOSE bloodlines in their catteries. Mink breeders have a notable reputation of selling breeding rights to any person who is willing to pay top dollar for them.
“[Mink ragdolls are more expensive] than traditional Ragdoll cats because they come from a superior bloodline of the breed.”
I disagree. Mink Ragdolls are expensive because they are bred based on consumer demand. Because the majority of other breeders refuse to work with mink lines because it does not conform to standard, this provides an opportunity for Mink breeders to re-define themselves as “rare breeders breeding rare bloodlines” which is largely misleading.
“This bloodline goes down to the very first Ragdoll cats ever bred by Ann Baker, which puts them in an entirely different league.”
And it was never a part of Ann Baker’s goals. Her goals was to create a blue-eyed pointed breed. The “Ragdoll” name is attributed and connected to her name. If someone wanted to preserve this other variation, they should’ve created their own breed for those mink cats, not piggy-backed on the reputation of the Ragdoll breed. As you said “an entirely different league,” so they should’ve created their own breed.
“Are Mink Ragdolls recognized as Ragdoll cats? Yes they are.”
I disagree with how this worded. They are NOT recognized as Ragdoll cats universally. In between the two largest cat registries in the U.S., they are only recognized for registration in TICA. It should be further clarified that they are NOT eligible for competitions in shows as your blog says, they are only eligible for competitions in shows as an EXPERIMENTAL breed.
I’ve been a long-time supporter of your blog and social media. But after this, I’m very disappointed in how misleading, uninformed, and biased this blog post is. Do you even have a Mink Ragdoll to be biasly promoting them now??
Can anyone speak to the controversy around Minks? I recently bought from a breeder who has in the past bred mink ragdolls, but online there seems to be a backlash against recognizing this color, or breeders who use this color.
This does not change my mind about the breeder, as out of every cattery we researched, they were the most thorough, transparent and it was clear the cats were well kept and healthy. I am just wondering what everyone thinks of this “Ragdoll color purity” topic…
Love the kitties.
Hey Jenny! Your timing on this one couldn’t have been more perfect! We will be welcoming our new fur ball in a few weeks! He’s a blue bicolor mink rag.
And interestingly, our girl, a flamepoint – has the eyes of a mink and the softest fur ever. I just had nothing to compare to, since she is our first rag. But after reading your article, it’s all coming together that she is likely a mink too. so thanks!
=)
So glad you re-posted this one, Jenny! LURVE the minks soooo very much! So much beautiful darkness! Yummy!! 🙂 <3
Big hugs & lots of love!!
Patti & Miss Pink Sugarbelle 🙂 <3
I would love to upload a pics of my beautiful mink babies but its not on here how to do so. This is second time ive tried! help 🙂
Tamara,
Unfortunately, you cannot load photos onto the site – I have to do it.
If you are thinking of submitting them as Ragdoll of the Week, then you will need to send me their stories and photos all in one email to info [at] floppycats.com.
Thanks,
Jenny
Hi there, having looked at your website I decided you might be the best person to advise me what colour ragdoll kitten I have bought.
Her coat is the colour of fudge, this colour of fudge is over most of her body. She is a bi point with booties.
I was told she is lilac but having looked on webistes they look to be very white with a tint of grey.
Is she possibly a MINK???.
Thank you for your time ,
madi