Ragdoll Cat: Breed Information, Traits & Many Photos

Yes, they can be. While they do engage in social activities and spend time with their human parents, most Ragdoll cats are not vocal. So, if you are looking for a cat to have conversations with, this may not be it. However, their quiet nature makes them ideal for apartment living.

No, they are not. This is one of the common misconceptions about this breed, particularly the lighter-color members such as lilac points or blue points. Their lightly-colored coats and their blue eyes have made many question their hearing, but it is not the case for Ragdoll cat.

Energetic, curious, and engaging, Ragdoll cats have a surprising dog-like personality which will immediately show once you start living with them. This is why they actually tend to be playful and very resourceful in spending their time around the home.

They can simply enjoy being by themselves by finding something to play with, and they typically relish playing with their human companions just as well.

There is so much that makes Ragdoll cats special! They’re beautiful cats with striking blue eyes and bunny soft fur that is a joy to stroke, but more importantly, their loving and calm nature gives them a gentle and affectionate personality, without being high maintenance.

They often seem to be in touch with their owner's emotions, so they are wonderful at sharing in your happiness and comforting you when needed.

Their dog-like personality is aimed to hint that they are very social animals that will greet you by the door and spend a lot of time with you, preferably engaged in activities. Ragdolls are also very playful cats. They are famous all across the World Wide Web for playing fetch with their owners.

Yes, they are. Ragdoll cats are more interested in their human companions than other cat breeds, so you will have a friend in your Raggie. They usually spend their time in the same room as their owner, they will stay close, but they will not hover or become insistent to get attention.

Yes, they are and they are also very interested in spending time with their masters. Their intelligence is above average and it makes them very fun to be around. If you spend time with them and train them, you can get excellent results with this breed.

Yes, they are. Ragdolls are very smart, in fact, especially when it comes to emotional intelligence. They are very capable of communicating, offering, and asking for affection from their human companions. They are astute in social intelligence and are great at communicating their needs.

Ragdolls are also quick learners - you can easily see this if you offer them interactive games that require them to use their memory and mathematical intelligence. However since they were bred to be mainly indoor cats, Ragdolls do not have great survival skills. Leave them outside for too long and they may not find a way to manage, as many other cats eventually do.

Having said this, just as with humans, intelligence is a muscle and you can always train your Ragdoll to become even smarter.

It depends. Ragdolls have made quite a reputation for themselves in being affectionate and cuddly, but every single cat is different, just like us humans are. Some of them won’t like to be held per se, but they will show affection by following you around the home or sleeping next to you. However, they may be a bit averse to being held.  
 
Having said this, most Ragdolls do like being picked up and held - it’s where their very name came from. When you pick them up, they tend to loosen up and relax so much, to the point that they become as limp as an actual ragdoll toy. If you notice your Ragdoll isn’t particularly fond of being picked up, make sure to reinforce positive interaction, use catnip and establish an affection routine it may come to rely on daily - you may soon notice changes.

Compared to other cat breeds, Ragdolls are known for genuinely loving their human companions. This will often make them eager to spend as much time with you as possible and want to get involved in whatever activity you’re involved in.

It’s a well-known fact that Ragdolls have a dog-like personality, which means you can expect them to follow you around the home. If you’re going to the door to greet a guest, they’ll be there. If you’re going to the kitchen to prepare a meal, they’ll most likely accompany you.  
 
They usually want to be around you and they fully enjoy your company, which will prompt them to follow you around the home. This trait of their personality adds to their affectionate and cuddly way of being, making them very popular among cat owners.

It depends. All Ragdolls have their own unique personality, regardless of their gender. Some cat owners claim that male Ragdolls are more affectionate and easygoing, while females are supposedly more aggressive in play. Having said this, both Ragdoll genders are known to be affectionate in nature.  
 
If you’re looking to adopt a Ragdoll, don’t solely base your decision on the gender of the cat. If you can, try instead to get to know the cat and get a feel of its personality - this is a much clearer indicator of how affectionate it will be in the future, while you’re living together.

Purring is the most common sound that cats make, and it is normally a sound associated with contentment. Cats make the low rumble sound to show that they are happy, but not always – it can also be a sign of fear or nervousness, so always try to take purring in context with body language.

Cats purr by controlling the muscles in their larynx and diaphragm, and it’s believed that the vibrations purring causes could be done to relax the cat.
As for whether Ragdoll cats purr, yes, they do – but every cat is different, so some may purr more than others. And in some cats, you might not even hear them purr – it can be inaudible if your cat is particularly quiet. If it is inaudible, gently put your finger on the soft part of their throat, and you will feel the vibration of their purr.

Just like humans, each Ragdoll has its own unique personality and you may find that some like to cuddle and others may shy away from it. But generally speaking, Ragdolls are really fond of cuddling and this trait is a trademark of their personality.

In fact, Ragdolls are known for being very affectionate. They will follow you around the house, engage in your activities and simply jump in your lap whenever they want to cuddle. They will straight out ask you to show them love by being affectionate with you and cuddling.

The more mature they are in age, the more cuddly they will get - in comparison, Ragdoll kittens tend to divert their attention to whatever sparks their curiosity. These are warm cats that enjoy human companionship, warmth and quality time spent together. Apart from this, their impressive size and beautiful coat makes them extra snuggly and pleasant to hold and cuddle with.

Just depends on the cat, not the breed. My childhood cat, Rags, barely ever meowed – until he got older and after he went through chemo did he meow – and that was more of a grumpy meow.  
 
My Charlie meows a lot. So much more than I was ever used to a Ragdoll meowing.

My Trigg’s meow is like a mouse squeak. Check out the video below to see the different types of meows among my parents’ two Ragdoll cats, Caymus and Murphy and my Ragdoll cats’ Charlie and Trigg.

Ragdolls are known to be very outgoing and friendly all around, which means they are not prone to get attached to only one person. In fact, they love human companionship altogether and they will prove this by getting along with everyone in the household.

They play well with both kids and adults, while also being open towards new people entering your home. This is precisely what gives them that dog-like quality so many cat owners tend to love about Ragdolls.  
 
Cats usually require quite some time to warm up to people and this happens only after you’ve gained their trust. However, Ragdolls have a pretty engaging and cuddly nature, which enables them to approach people equally, without playing favorites.

They love family in all its entirety and will blend in beautifully, interacting with every family member with the same amount of affection and attention. They will even play well with children, so you’ll notice them get cuddly with your youngest as well.

Ragdolls are not dumb in any way, but they do lack certain skills that other cats have. Although they are great at communicating their needs, asking for and offering affection, engaging with various human activities, they do falter when it comes to surviving outside.

Ragdolls are mainly indoor cats and, compared to other cat breeds, they simply don’t have what it takes to survive in the wild. They are snuggly, playful and affectionate - and all these qualities make them a great fit for the home. If you bring home interactive games that put your Ragdoll’s intelligence to the test, you’ll notice how far from being dumb they really are.

They have great memory, learning capacity and mathematical abilities that will quickly help them solve any puzzle and make them move to their next quest.

Simply put, it’s because they love your companionship. Ragdolls feel immense joy around their human companions, so they’ll often make sure to follow you wherever you go around the house.

You may even find your Ragdoll next to your legs when you go to the door to greet a friend or the pizza delivery person. They are well-known for their dog-like personality, which makes them active and playful with a keen desire to be around you a lot of the time.

They are communicative, affectionate and cuddly and will make sure that you notice these qualities in them. Spending quality time with their humans is extremely important to this cat breed, so expect them to be wherever you are in the home. It’s not to say that they hate being alone, but they’d much rather be with you if they can.

The one that matches your heart’s desire. The fact is that Ragdolls are awesome cats and they can be good companions for dogs, other cats, children, and you, but you must be willing to invest equal time into this relationship.

The more time you spend, the more you will receive, and the better the chance you have at finding the perfect cat for your home. Read more about Ragdoll Cat Stereotypes here.

Ragdoll cats are purebred – there are no two breeds that make a Ragdoll. The breed originated when a white Angora Persian-type cat was bred with both a longhaired Burmese and a Birman in the 1960s in California.

Ragdolls generally make for excellent pets. They’re calm and affectionate, making for a great companion, with a calm temperament that makes them easy to care for and fall in love with. They’re great around kids and can get along well with other animals too, although always take care when introducing any cat into a family with other pets.

Ragdoll cats are traditionally thought of as indoor cats, and some breeders will make adopters sign a form confirming they won’t allow their Ragdoll outside. But many Ragdolls will enjoy the outdoors if you give them a safe space, whether that’s a garden, a catio or if you’re walking your cat on a leash.

They aren’t normally a breed that you would let roam freely - there are too many dangers that Ragdoll cats aren’t used to, so they may be naive. But if you are with your cats and keeping them safe, they can absolutely enjoy some outdoor time.

There are some dangers you need to be aware of when letting your Ragdoll cat go outside, so it’s worth reading up on those and making sure you’re prepared before you start letting your Ragdoll explore.

They can, if you want them to and if they want to.  This is entirely too subjective to answer across the board. It’s up to you and the cat. The Ragdoll cat I grew up with, Rags, slept with me every night at the foot of my bed. My parents’ Ragdoll cats, Caymus and Murphy, who passed in 2020 and 2021, slept with me every night when I lived with my parents in my early 20s and when I visited. My Ragdolls, Charlie and Trigg, never sleep with me. They will join me to watch TV before bed, but they leave as soon as I turn on the TV. 

Yes, they do. Ragdoll cats are considered one of the longest living cat breeds out there. The average lifespan of a Ragdoll cat gets as high as 20 years, which puts them at the top of the list. Naturally, there are plenty of factors that might influence the development and lifespan of a cat, but Ragdolls begin with a good life expectancy, which is certainly in their favor.

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.

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.

Ragdoll cats are known for their rather impressive size. They will often weigh between 10 to 20 pounds, with females reaching their full weight at around 10-15 lbs, while male Ragdolls can even surpass the 20 pounds mark.

They are a large breed and they reach their full size when they’re about 4 years old. It takes a long time to reach full body maturity and once they do, you’ll notice how their weight complements their personality even better. This is because they are very affectionate in nature and their generous size makes them even more cuddly and comfortable to hold.

Official records aren’t normally kept for individual cat breeds, but I know that some Floppycatters have had Ragdolls that have lived until they were 26 years old, so they may live as long as that or even longer. 

The average lifespan tends to be between 9 and 15 years but they absolutely can live a lot longer than that. My parents’ Ragdoll cats, Caymus and Murphy, passed respectively at 16 and 16.5 years old. My Rags (reason I founded this website) died at 19.5 years old.

Yes, they are. Ragdoll cats are among the largest cat breeds out there. Not only do they have long fluffy coats, but they are quite long. They typically weigh between 15 and 20 pounds, for males, and 10 to 15 pounds, respectively, for females. Their size and their adorable personality has earned them the nickname "The Gentle Giants".  
 
It’s important to make sure you hold them with both your hands in order to offer the proper support such large cats need. Since their size exceeds that of regular cats, you need to also ensure you adapt your living space to their requirements, by offering them spacious and sturdy napping places.

As any other cat breeds, Ragdoll cats are also prone to certain health conditions that may or may not develop throughout their lifetime:

Obesity in Cats - Ragdolls are already large in size and they may become even larger if you don’t pay attention to their diet. In order to prevent obesity from occurring, you will need to vary their diet, by switching between dry and wet food. It’s also indicated that you plan their meals, ensuring they get a predetermined food intake at regular times each day.  
 
Bladder and kidney stones - Your Ragdolls may be prone to kidney stones as they get older, especially after, and if they’ve already had other kidney-related infections. This is often attributed to a poor diet (dry food!) that fails to hydrate them properly. Diversity in the diet is also key in preventing bladder stones from occurring in your Ragdoll cats. This condition develops because the body tends to retain and sediment more minerals than necessary, which then painfully block your furry friends’ bladder.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - HCM is a common heart disease in many cats and it also affects Ragdolls. The cause is mostly genetic and there’s not much you can do about it, except to conduct a DNA test to identify this gene when they’re really young.

Feline infectious peritonitis - This is a viral disease caused by a coronavirus that your cat can get from being outdoors. Weight loss, fever and lethargy are the symptoms of this disease. You can best prevent this disease by keeping rigorous hygiene whenever they come back home from freely roaming outside.

Cats vomiting is not unique to Ragdoll cats.  Usually, the number one reason cats vomit is because of their diet.  To learn more about feline nutrition, you can visit our page on best wet cat food for Ragdolls on what cats should eat here.
 
If you have a chronic problem with your cat vomiting, then you want to see your veterinarian to rule out a more serious underlying medical issue. Daily grooming and the proper diet will also help with hairballs if that's a problem.

No, as a general rule they do not. But they may throw up for a variety of different reasons that have to do with the quality of their food, their eating pace, hairballs or emotional distress.

If a Ragdoll’s stomach is quite sensitive and rejects low-quality food which can result in throwing up, you'll want to work on their microbiome and prioritize a high-quality diet. They may also gobble down on their food, forgetting to be patient with chewing, so you may find your Ragdoll vomiting afterward. Especially if hairballs were involved as well.  
 
Another reason why your Ragdoll may vomit can come as a symptom of emotional distress. Many cats will throw up when they’ve been left alone for too long, for example. It’s simply their body’s way of dealing with the unpleasant emotional situation that they can’t actually process or understand.

However, if throwing up becomes a regular occurrence, it’s important that you take your furry friend to the vet, just to make sure it’s not a symptom of anything more serious.

Ragdoll cats will normally reach between 9 and 13 inches in height, and between 17 and 21 inches in length (excluding the tail). In terms of weight, females will average between 10 and 15 pounds (4.5 to 6.8kg) while males will average 15 to 20 pounds (6.8 to 9.1kg). Of course, sometimes they are bigger, with some Ragdolls reaching up to 30lb (13.6kg). And sometimes they are smaller, like my aunt’s Ragdoll who is only a mere 9 lbs.

A good brushing frequency for Ragdoll cats would be twice a week, which is just enough to prevent hairballs from falling and to maintain their thick coat nice and smooth. A good brushing frequency for Ragdoll cats would be twice a week, which is just enough to prevent hairballs from falling and to maintain their thick coat nice and smooth.  
 
Fortunately, despite being semi-long and pretty thick, a Ragdoll’s fur will remain relatively neat and detangled. However it’s still best if you begin grooming your furry friend early on, so that it gets used to the entire process, enabling it to ultimately see it more like a pleasant petting session. For great results, it’s recommended that you use high-quality professional tools. These will help you not only properly groom your Ragdoll cat, but also keep your house hair-free and clean.

Having said this, here are 4 of our favorite grooming tools for Ragdoll cats:
Safari® Cat Shedding Comb
Zen Clipper Cat Nail Clippers
EquiGroomer Grooming Tool for Cats
Lilly Brush BE FOREVER FURLESS PET HAIR REMOVER

For more tips and tricks on how you can better groom your Ragdoll, read the Grooming the Fluff: Tips & Tricks for Grooming Ragdolls and Other Long-Haired Cats eBook.

Unlike other cat breeds, Ragdolls do not have an undercoat, which is typically the cause for excessive shedding in cats. Do Ragdoll cats shed? Yes, the Ragdoll cat will still shed.  They are also not hypoallergenic cats.  
 
The other advantage of the lack of undercoat is that a lot of people that are usually allergic to cats can have a Ragdoll. Most people are either allergic to cat saliva or to their undercoat. Of course, the people allergic to cat saliva will also be allergic to a Ragdoll, however, those allergic to undercoats could not be allergic to a Ragdoll.

Unfortunately, there is not an easy way to know which allergy that you have. It would need to be tested by a dermatologist. Furthermore, Ragdoll coats don’t typically mat like other longhaired cats tend to do.

Their semi-long fur is thick and although matting does not occur frequently, they still need to be groomed at least twice a week in order to maintain the coat neat and detangled.  
 
They need to be engaged - Since Ragdolls are pretty high-energy and love human companionship, make sure to keep them engaged regularly in games and physical activity. It’s where they shine the most, enabling their beautiful personality to fully emerge. They do manage to keep themselves entertained around the home, but they will love you all the most when you show them the attention they crave for.

It depends. Each Ragdoll is different in traits and personality, but generally speaking, compared to other cat breeds, Ragdolls will be more tolerant of baths and may in fact even enjoy them. It’s important to note they are very clean cats by nature, so bathing cats too often is not necessary.

Many Ragdoll owners have claimed their furry friends love running water, as it actually draws their curiosity. In order for you to successfully bathe your Ragdoll cats, it’s important to start out when they’re young, so they can get used to the entire process.

They also need to be gently accommodated to the bathroom environment. When you prepare their bath, make sure you use lukewarm water with which you can rinse your Ragdoll for a couple of minutes before applying the shampoo

In short, yes, you can take your Ragdoll for a walk. Cats are typically wary of being taken outside, so you will need to go through this process slowly. If you want to take your Ragdoll for a walk in the park, it’s indicated that you take your furry friend on a leash.

You may want to train your Ragdoll first, before you can expect it to be at ease with being outside like this. You may want to take a few steps, crouch and then call it to you. If your cat comes, be sure to reward it with some treats.

Repeat this step a couple of times more until your Ragdoll feels safe and more relaxed. When you start out with your walks, be sure to choose a route without any distractions that may startle your Ragdoll. Watch your cat’s body language, be in tune to whatever it may tell you about how it’s feeling outside and adapt the process accordingly.

Be sure to check out our page about the best cat leashes and harnesses.

It depends, as each Ragdoll will react differently to water. However, it seems that Ragdolls may not be so averse to water as other cat breeds can be. In fact, many owners claim they’ve seen their Ragdolls thrilled with seeing and hearing water running down from the tap. They become curious about it and may touch the water with their paws. When it comes to baths, it’s just the same. Some Ragdolls may enjoy the process from the get-go, while others need to be trained into it with patience and care.  
 
In general, Ragdolls are pretty open cats, they welcome new experiences and they learn quickly, so water may be another one of those realms they quickly befriend. It’s important that you get them accustomed to water at a very young age - this way they may grow up to feel very familiarized with water.

One of the big things about Ragdoll cats is that they are supposed to be indoor-only cats.  In fact, many Ragdoll breeders make adopters sign contracts saying they won’t let their cats outside.

The answer is more of an answer to “Should they go outside?” The most common reason people give as to why a Ragdoll cat 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.  And also, how you’re going to let them outside. More great information on the topic here. Can Ragdolls cats go outside?

Ragdoll cats come in a variety of patterns and colors. Each one is absolutely beautiful and elegant in its own right. 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 minks) and Ragdoll patterns and colors come in slowly. 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 completely evident by 8-12 weeks but Ragdoll patterns and colors do not 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 basically because the point gene reacts to the surrounding warmth. As a result, all point kittens that have been inside their mom, with a constant warm temperature will be born as (almost) complete white.

Read more about types of Ragdoll cat colors and patterns here.

Ragdolls display a genetic mutation that affects an enzyme in the metabolic pathway between tyrosine and the final pigment, which is sensitive to temperature. This mutation makes a Ragdoll cat coloration dependent on its body temperature.

Most Ragdoll cats are bi-colored and it is all due to this mutation. In the areas of the body where the temperature is lower, such as the extremities – the paws, the edges of the ears – the fur will be darker in color, while the areas where the temperature is higher – the torso – the fur will be lighter in color. More about the Ragdoll color predictor here.

Yes, they are. All Ragdoll cats are born white, regardless of the color they will end up having as adults. In their very first days, all the kittens look alike, and then, day by day, they start to develop pigment and their fur becomes colored in the Ragdoll transformation. However, it can take as long as two years for some color patterns to be fully developed. This video has their transformation in 100 days.

Yes, the vast majority of Ragdoll cats have blue eyes. This is considered to be the typical eye color for this breed. While there can be some exceptions out there, you can be pretty sure that your Raggie will have blue eyes.

The most recognizable trademark of a Ragdoll cat is their impressive and luxurious coat. It’s semi-long and it gives Ragdolls the air of gentle royalty so many people have come to love. However there’s a clear difference between how Ragdolls look when they are kittens and how they are as mature cats. This is because all Ragdolls are white when they are kittens and tend to change their coat color as they grow up.  
 
Having said this, in time you’ll notice how their fur gets colored and their pattern intensifies, making the contrast even starker against the remaining white. This change in color happens as a result of a genetic mutation that affects a particular enzyme, making the Ragdoll’s coloration dependent on its body temperature.

When it comes to cats, it’s important to remember they are all unique, but they do have some patterns that can be easily identifiable. One of them is the blaze Ragdoll. A blaze simply refers to a white stripe or spot on your cat’s face.  
 
The blaze may be positioned on the forehead or it can stretch a little bit more, from between the eyes to the nose and sometimes until it reaches the very tip of the cat’s nose.

Ragdolls will often have this recognizable facial feature - the Ragdoll blaze. A Ragdoll’s blaze can be very discreet or downright visible - regardless of this, you can typically expect the blaze to be white in color. With Ragdolls, you’ll most likely encounter three types of blazes:  
 
⭐ The star - This is a small star shape that you can notice on the forehead of your furry friend.
🔹 The diamond - This shape is a much larger star placed on the cat’s forehead.
⌛ The hourglass - This shape closely resembles an hourglass, displaying itself as an oblong shape running down the Ragdoll’s face, from between its eyes to their nose. This hourglass may sometimes be imperfect or broken in shape, but positioned just the same on the face.

Yes, Ragdolls can be grey. However, the official denomination will most likely be ‘blue’ when they are registered. The grey Ragdoll is a dilute of the stronger-colored seal and chocolate Ragdolls. The seal Ragdoll is typically the most popular Ragdoll type among cat owners, with the blue one coming in close on the second position. The grey coat makes their blue eyes pop even more, making them absolutely stunning.  
 
The seal Ragdoll is typically the most popular Ragdoll type among cat owners, with the blue one coming in close on the second position. The grey coat makes their blue eyes pop even more, making them absolutely stunning. You’ll find this grey coloring around the nose area, the back and on the paw pads. This grey shading gradually turns to white towards the stomach area. These beautiful blue Ragdolls will often come in various patterns, such as Blue Tortie, Blue Colorpoint, Blue Lynx Mitted and Blue Lynx Bicolor.

Yes, red point Ragdolls or flame point Ragdolls are among the rarest Ragdoll cats out there. While blue Ragdolls are the most popular and the most common, red ones are not so easy to come across. So, if you are looking for a cat of this color, then you may have to consult several catteries before you find one. Read more about Red Ragdolls here.

"Blue mitted" the color pattern of a Ragdoll cat which means that the body is bluish white, of a cold tone, which shades gradually to white toward the cat’s stomach and its chest. Its points are deep blue but it has white mitts at the end of its legs and its dominant eye color is also blue. As for the nose leather and the paw pads, these are slate-colored.  Mitted Ragdolls are supposed to have a white chin - but some will have a dark chin - which is OK too - but not “show quality” by Ragdoll cat show standards.  
 
Read more details about Blue Ragdolls here.

This is one of the most controversial subjects in the Ragdoll community – Can Ragdolls Be Black?  
 
While we know that Ragdolls can certainly be black, whether or not they are “legitimate” still remains highly debatable. Black Ragdoll cats can exhibit all the breed-specific features, such as the large size, the silky coat texture, and unique personality, but they do not have the traditional Ragdoll points (mask, legs, ears, blue eyes, and tails). Black Ragdolls are also referred to as solid Ragdolls, precisely due to the absence of the points on their coats. As disambiguation, solid Ragdolls, meaning Ragdoll cats of a single color, are not only black. There are also solid Ragdolls that are of other colors specific to the breed, such as white, blue, or lilac.

Moreover, there are black Ragdolls that are bi-colored. The most frequent combination of colors is black and white. While these do exhibit some points, the full array of Ragdoll-specific points is not present.

The controversy lies in the acceptance of black and other solid Ragdolls for official competitions. While more and more breeders are beginning to include solid Ragdolls, showing them in competitions is still not fully supported. According to the International Cat Association (TICA), non-pointed Ragdolls may only be shown as household pet in competitions. At the moment, they do not have official participation rights.

Can Ragdolls be black?

Seal Ragdolls can come in a variety of patterns, but their dark brown fur is what makes them all seals.  
 
- Colorpoint
- Colorpoint mitted (or sometimes just known as “Seal Mitted” or “Seal Point Mitted”)
- Mitted with a blaze
- Bicolor
- Lynx
- Tortie or Torbie

And the above patterns can be combined – for example, you can have a Seal Lynx Mitted with a blaze Ragdoll cat.

The seal mitted Ragdoll is perhaps one of the most magnificent looking felines on earth, in my humble opinion.  
 
The seal color in a cat is one of a dark brown and then the mitted part means, quite literally, that they will have white mitts and usually a white chin. If they are mismarked like Rags, who had a brown chin, then that can happen too. It just means that they are not show quality Ragdolls.

The bicolor Ragdoll is a sought after color pattern and is one of the three accepted color patterns of the Ragdoll Cat breed. When looking at show quality, there are two ideal marking patterns: Minimal white and maximum white. Minimal white marked bicolor ragdolls have the pink paw pads and noses. They have an inverted and symmetrical V in the mask and almost the whole back is colored. There is white on the front and back legs and a long white strip that goes from just under the chin to the underside base of the tail. Some of the point coloration could be visible.  
 
The seal Ragdoll is typically the most popular Ragdoll type among cat owners, with the blue one coming in close on the second position. The grey coat makes their blue eyes pop even more, making them absolutely stunning. You’ll find this grey coloring around the nose area, the back, and on the paw pads. This grey shading gradually turns to white towards the stomach area. These beautiful blue Ragdolls will often come in various patterns, such as Blue Tortie, Blue Colorpoint, Blue Lynx Mitted and Blue Lynx Bicolor.

In the maximum white marked bicolor there is, as the name suggests, more white than color. The color forms what looks like a saddle on the back of the feline. Paw pads and nose is pink and belly and legs are completely white. The mask extends past the eyes. Ragdoll kittens are born white and their colors deepen as they age. There are numerous colors that the bicolor ragdoll can come in: seal, flame, blue, and tortie. They can come in the lynx or non lynx pattern. Read more about Ragdoll cat colors and patterns here.

It really depends on several things:   
 
Ragdoll Genetics - were their parents fluffy?

Temperature - Where you live and the outside temperature comes into play - for example, a Ragdoll in Minnesota has a better chance of being fluffy than one that lives in Aruba, for example.
Seasons - Some cats have a fluffier coat in the winter and lose the majority of it in the summer. During the colder months of the year, the Raggie gets its winter coat, which is visibly fluffier, but then, when the warmer months arrive, it will begin to shed and it will be left with a smoother and shorter coat.
Diet - What your kitty eats will also dictate how their coat will react/grow/shine, etc.

Read more answers about Ragdoll cat colors and patterns here.

Please note that there are only two ways to know for sure if your cat is a purebred Ragdoll:  
 
If the cat has official papers from an authorized Ragdoll breeder stating that the cat is a purebred pedigreed Ragdoll.

If the cat takes a DNA test - this can confirm or deny that the cat is a Ragdoll. If your cat does not have papers from a breeder, then the only way to confirm that it is a Ragdoll is by performing a DNA test.

Aside from these two official methods on how to identify a ragdoll cat can be done by analyzing the cat, which you can read more about here.

Many people say that male Ragdolls tend to be sweeter, but plenty of owners of female Ragdoll cats would say the opposite. A good rule of thumb is that it’s not about the sex of the cat, but the personality in general, so the best question to ask is whether the Ragdoll cat breeder has any insight into the kitten’s personality. Read more answers on the question should you adopt a male vs female ragdoll.

This is a question a lot of people interested in adopting a Ragdoll cat ask. Many people say that male Ragdolls tend to be sweeter, but plenty of owners of female Ragdoll cats would say the opposite. A good rule of thumb is that it’s not about the sex of the cat, but the personality in general, so the best question to ask is whether the Ragdoll cat breeder has any insight into the kitten’s personality.
 
- Sometimes female kittens take a little longer to transition.
- Visit with kittens of both genders and have some playtime with them, then choose a kitten you have a connection with.
- Female kittens can be a little more aggressive in play, but still strongly bond with their owners.
- Since females can become protective mothers, they might be a bit more careful and aloof.
- Often breeders want to sell male cats first because males can breed as young as 5 months, so this is why it often seems like the females are the last to sell.
- Males are usually bigger, which is what a lot of pet owners are looking for in a Ragdoll cat.
- Females might have fewer issues with UTIs and blockage than males.  Do keep in mind though that a proper diet will eliminate the UTI problem entirely.  Please read catinfo.org for more info.
While some believe that male cats have better temperaments than females, many owners find that there isn’t much difference once they are altered.

Try to get a pair of kittens if possible. Ragdolls are very social and need company, so a sibling or another kitty might prevent behavior issues caused by loneliness.

Overall, the Ragdoll cat temperament tends to be friendly and affectionate in both genders, though it really just depends on the personality of the individual cat and the love and trust they develop with their owner. Try to focus on getting to know a kitten’s personality when you’re thinking about Ragdoll kittens for adoption, rather than relying on gender as an indicator of what they will be like. Read more answers on the question of adopting a Ragdoll male vs female kitten.

We have put together a comprehensive guide that will help you know what to plan for, so you can be prepared.  You can check out our A Ragdoll Kitten Care Guide: Bringing Your Ragdoll Kitten Home

Ragdoll cats are known for being very relaxed and affectionate towards their human companions. However this is not always the case, since they go through different development stages, just like us. Having said this, Ragdoll Kittens are known for being more curious, energetic and difficult to keep in one place. As any other kittens, they want to explore their environments and will often find themselves in trouble, even if unwillingly.  
 
At about 11-12 months of age, they will start to change and you’ll notice a shift in their behavior. As they leave their early childhood behind, they will become more calm and more prone to showing you affection. In time this behavior will only intensify, enabling them to grow into the cuddly personality they’re so well-known for.

As any other kittens, Ragdoll kittens need to get properly acquainted with their new environment and sleeping space. In order for this to happen, you need to create a safe space for them. You can offer positive reinforcement whenever they sleep in their designated space or you can leave them their favorite blanket or a similar item that offers them security and comfort. Depending on what you want as well, you can train your Ragdoll to sleep in its kitty bed somewhere further away from your bedroom, at the foot of your bed or maybe even next to your pillow.  
 
The one thing to remember about Ragdolls is that they need plenty of entertainment since they are active and playful in nature. So make sure you leave toys around its sleeping space, so your furry friend won’t feel estranged.

It depends. Ragdoll cats are not particularly known to scratch furniture, but they are cats, after all, and they need to sharpen their claws, so the occasional furniture damage may occur.  
 
In order to prevent any scratching episodes from happening on your furniture, it’s essential that you get your Ragdoll a scratch post that can satisfy its needs.

Just be sure to get one that’s large and sturdy enough to accommodate your cat’s impressive size. They are good learners, so they will quickly leave your furniture alone and switch to the scratch post.

We always keep a running list of scratchers we love for Ragdoll cats.

Generally no, Ragdoll cats are not high maintenance. Obviously, it depends on your definition and perspective, but you don’t need to spend every waking minute attending to something for your Ragdoll.

They do need semi-regular grooming, but once or twice a week should suffice just to help remove any loose fur and dead skin that could cause matting if left untreated. 

And Ragdolls do need exercise and stimulation, so spending quality time with them often and making sure they have toys they can use, either with you or alone (if safe), is important too. But don’t let them play with toys that involve wires or strings when you aren’t around, as they could get hurt.

Every cat is different, and Ragdoll kittens who have minimal interactions with owners or other pets could still be happy and playful.

On the other hand, some pet owners report that they didn’t even know their cat was lonely until they brought home another pet, and then the two became inseparable.

Here are a few signs that your cat might be lonely:  
 
Aggression – becoming aggressive or dominant with you, particularly when you are getting ready to leave the house.
Anxiety – signs of anxiety could include fear of loud noises or strangers visiting, as well as excessive grooming, which can be a cry for more attention.
Vocalization – communicating unhappiness at your departure with loud vocalizations.
Marking and Destruction – moving or wrecking household objects while your gone, or squatting and spraying – leaving feces and urine in obvious places while you are gone might be your cat’s way of conveying their unhappiness.

If your cat seems a little too sad to see you go and a little too excited for your return, it might be a sign that they are lonely in your absence. If you have asked, "Can ragdoll cats be left alone?" This post will help.

As with any other cat breeds, it’s quite easy to tell if your Ragdoll is happy. You’ll need to watch and interpret its body language and the way it communicates to you.

First of all, you can see your Ragdoll is happy whenever it’s high energy, in the mood to play or simply following you around, ready to engage with you and other members of the household. Apart from this, your Ragdoll is also happy when relaxed and you can tell this by looking at the way it holds its body.

If your Ragdoll sits or sleeps next to you, then it means it’s comfortable enough and feels safe in your presence. If its eyes are half closed and its paws tucked snuggly underneath the body, then it means your Ragdoll is absolutely relaxed and happy.

Another way to tell if your Ragdoll is happy is by looking at how vocal they get. When they are happy, they will delight you with their sounds. A Ragdoll may also bring you gifts and may jump in your lap to ask for affection. This is a surefire way to know it’s happy.

Cats are usually not the kind of pets you can leave alone for indefinite amounts of time and Ragdolls are certainly not any more tolerant of solitude than other cats. In fact, their affectionate nature makes them long for the human companionship they enjoy so much. They love playing, following you around, or simply cuddling with you, so be sure to be able to offer them enough quality time spent together. It’s not indicated that you get a Ragdoll if you know you’ll be away most of the day and there’s no one else that can stay at home.  
 
Ragdolls get along just as well with kids and even with other pets, so companionship actually comes in many shapes and forms for them. Whenever you are away for too long, your Ragdoll may show symptoms such as marking, vomiting, vocalizing or aggressive behavior. Having said this, Ragdolls are a great fit for people with inconsistent and flexible schedules.

Ragdolls are known for their impressive size and luscious coat, which require offering them a proper diet. This needs to be diverse, with a good intake of protein and vitamins.

A well-balanced raw diet is the best choice for a Ragdoll or any cat. It is the closest thing to the diet that they would have if they were needing to fend for themselves.

Not all owners are willing or can feed raw, so next best is canned for - and we keep a list of the best wet food for Ragdoll cats.