Ragdoll Cat Colors and Patterns

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.

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.

Ragdoll Colors & Patterns Quick Guide

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.

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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.

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

• Blue Ragdoll
• Chocolate Ragdoll
• Cinnamon Ragdoll
• Cream Point Ragdolls
• Lilac Ragdoll
• Mink Ragdoll
• Red Ragdoll or Flame Ragdolls
• Seal Ragdoll
• Solid Ragdoll
• Tortie Ragdoll

Are you interested in knowing what types of Ragdoll color patterns produce what color patterns in kittens? If so, please click on either link below to find out more.

Ragdoll Cat Breeds

• Ragdoll Color Chart by Richard Kauffman
• Ragdoll Red Color Chart

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

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.

The Van Pattern

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

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

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

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.

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.

Which is your favorite of them all? What color is your Ragdoll cat? How long did it take before its color was apparent? Tell us all about it in the comments section below.