Ragdoll Kittens – Everything You Need to Know about Ragdoll Kittens

There’s nothing more exciting than the idea of a new Ragdoll kitten joining your family.

Are considering buying a Ragdoll kitten? In that case, you need to know a lot to ensure you’re purchasing responsibly to raise your Ragdoll with the best care.

With that in mind, here’s a look at everything you need to know about Ragdoll kittens so that you can be confident that you are ready to be the best Ragdoll owner you could be.

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Ragdoll Kittens – The Basics

Before you buy a Ragdoll, you’ll want to learn more about them, so you can be sure they are the right cat for you so they go to their forever home. After all, given the average lifespan of a Ragdoll cat, this could be at least a 15-year commitment. Then, of course, we think they are the best cat breeds (but we’re biased). My Rags (the reason I started Floppycats) made it to 19.5. At the same time, my parents’ Ragdolls Caymus and Murphy lived until they were 16 and 16.5 years old, respectively.

Quick Breed Facts

Lifespan: 12 – 17 years
Body Type: Large and luxurious coated cats.
Hypoallergenic: Yes. They do not have an undercoat.
Common Traits: Blue eyes. Color-pointed cats (their color points change as they develop).

Please be aware that the Ragdoll cat facts listed above can apply or not – Ragdolls are living beings with personalities, so although there are breed stereotypes, you cannot always guarantee your cat will have all of these things solely because they are a Ragdoll. Like not all Ragdolls are floppy cats or snugglers, but some can be. Most Ragdoll cats tend to be gentle and calm – but a new kitten might have a ton of energy… so getting to know your kitten is essential.

Ragdoll Kitten Color Development

Ragdoll cats come in various beautiful shades and patterns, including seal, lilac, chocolate, cream, blue and red, but they aren’t born that way.

They are color-pointed cats, so their color points change as they develop. See Ragdoll Color Progression and Development. Ragdoll kittens are born white, regardless of their final color and pattern. You might start to get some hints of the color in the first few days, but generally, it takes longer for the full color and pattern to come in.

Ragdoll kittens come in a variety of colors and patterns. You’ll want to know which color and pattern you want in your new kitten. That way, when you approach a breeder, you’ll be able to ask if they can produce a specific color pattern, like a blue-eyed seal-point, based on their breeding cats. They might specialize, for example, in bicolor Ragdoll cats.

It’ll start fully visible in around 12 weeks, but it could take a couple of years.
Here is a list of the different Ragdoll cat colors. If you are looking for pictures of specific Ragdoll color patterns, they will be on each of the following pages:

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Ragdoll Kittens as Pets

Ragdoll kittens often make for excellent pets. A pure-bred Ragdoll kitten will grow into a large cat that is long-haired and beautiful, with a wonderful personality that is calm and affectionate. While every cat is unique and individual, a Ragdoll is generally known for being good with kids and dogs. They are also known to enjoy the attention that their owners will give them – ideal as companion pets.

Once they acclimate to their surroundings, most Ragdoll kittens will be very friendly with their owners. However, adopting a Ragdoll kitten may take some time to relax and feel at home – they may be nervous or withdrawn.

And again, while every cat is different, they should settle relatively quickly. They will feel at ease in their surroundings if you give them the necessary space to relax when they need a break and their new environment isn’t too loud and busy.

Ragdoll kittens are very playful and often retain this characteristic in adult life. Ragdolls love to be stimulated mentally and physically with toys. They are curious cats, often to the point of naivety. Removing hazards from your home while your Ragdolls are kittens is best.

They’re brilliant cats. But they may not be aware of how dangerous some things could be to them, and their playful nature could get them into trouble if left to their own devices.

They can be affectionate, but don’t be alarmed if your kitten doesn’t take to cuddles immediately.

They have a lot of energy as a kitten and may want to spend more time exploring. Still, they will likely develop into very affectionate adult cats.

Ragdolls are almost puppy-like in their affection for their owners and happily follow them around the home. Ragdolls indeed break the stereotype of cats that are aloof and eternally independent.

Ragdoll Health Problems

From a health perspective, Ragdoll kittens are a good cat breed – typically at lower risk of some serious conditions. Ragdoll kittens should only be sold if they are healthy. They should be free of the gene which causes Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a form of heart disease that can be common in the breed and causes weakness in the heart muscle. Reputable breeders will have their breeding cats tested for HCM and PKD (polycystic kidney disease) to ensure that the conditions are not genetically passed down to their offspring.

Adopting a Ragdoll kitten from a reputable breeder is not a health guarantee, as kittens could have hidden health problems that may not get caught in regular tests. It’s unlikely, but if you are concerned by any symptoms your kittens are showing, check them as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to ensuring your kittens remain healthy while building their strength.

Rabies Shots

While it may vary by location, it usually is the law that Ragdoll kittens should get rabies shots. This disease is dangerous for both kittens and humans. Vaccinations are controversial, however, so we did this interview with Dr. Jean Hofve so that you can learn more.

Ragdoll Kitten Rarity & Origin

Ragdoll kittens are rarer than some other cat breeds. Still, they are often available throughout the year – you may need to travel further to a reputable Ragdoll breeder. They aren’t hard to find, but there are probably fewer Ragdoll breeders than those other cat breeds.

Ragdoll kittens are relatively new compared to other cat breeds. In the 1960s, when Ann Baker founded the breed – she bred a white Angora Persian-type cat queen, Josephine, with a Himalayan coat pattern (Siamese). That combination produced beautiful longhaired Burmese and Birman sire males. Baker selected the kittens with the desired looks to keep the strain pure. As a result, all true Ragdolls are descendants of Josephine.

The breeding resulted in beautiful cats of larger size with non-matting coats. Additionally, they had a very affectionate, equable disposition. Daddy Warbucks was one of the foundation males for the Ragdoll cat breed.

Ragdoll Kittens for Sale

Are you looking for tips on buying a Ragdoll kitten? Here’s everything you need to know.

Ragdoll Kitten Cost

The cost of a Ragdoll kitten will vary depending on the quality. A pet-quality Ragdoll will likely cost somewhere between $1200 and $1800, while a show or breeder-quality Ragdoll may cost up to $3000-4000. For a Ragdoll kitten that is strong for both show and breeder qualities, the cost may go up to $5000.

Where To Buy Ragdoll Kittens

It’s crucial to adopt Ragdoll kittens from reputable breeders. Look for a cattery registered with the cat association TICA as a starting point. But be aware that the only criteria to be registered with TICA is that the breeder has signed a code of ethics – and they might lie!

It would be best if you also researched the breeder to ensure they are reputable. First, search for them online, checking out any complaints against them. Then, get in touch and ask whether they own both parents and can provide the medical and genetic histories.

As a guide, if they offer a bargain Ragdoll, they are likely to be untrustworthy.

Here are the pages on the site that you might find helpful:

• Ragdoll Breeders
• Recommended Ragdoll Breeders
• Bad Ragdoll Breeders

Here you will find some videos of visiting Ragdoll breeders and what you can expect:

Checklist to Evaluate Cat Breeders

These are a few guidelines that you should consider when evaluating where to get your new kitten.

• Are they members of TICA (The International Cat Association) or CFA (Cat Fanciers Association)?
• Do they show their cats? (Attending a local cat show is a great way to find a good breeder)
• Do they conduct genetic testing?
• Do they keep kittens at least 12 weeks of age?
• Do they provide a health guarantee? Or a health certificate?
• Do the kittens come to you already spayed or neutered?
• Are the kittens raised underfoot?
• Do you feel comfortable with the communication with the breeder? You want to be able to contact your breeder months or years down the road with questions.
• How long is their waiting list? Do they always have available kittens or space out each litter?
• Is your overall impression that they are trustworthy or that there’s something off?
• Do they breed within the written standard of pointed, traditional blue-eyed only? Do you care if they do not?

Beware of Kitten Buying Scams!

It’s easy for scammers to make a quick buck selling kittens that do not exist. They can easily set up a website or social media page. – they steal photos of cute Ragdoll kittens and post them under the umbrella of a Ragdoll breed cattery. It’s essential to do a lot of research into breeders before buying.

You can learn more about how to avoid scams on our Cat Scams: Breeder + Kitten Website Scams

Kittens for Sale on Craigslist

Generally, reputable breeders will avoid selling their kittens on Craigslist, so you should avoid buying from there too. Ragdoll kittens available on Craigslist are likely to be from an inexperienced breeder or scammer. It’s best to stick to breeders with their professional website – it’s part of the ethical nature of running a business and reproducing life!

Ragdoll Kittens for Adoption

While Ragdolls are a premium breed of cat with a high cost, sometimes it can be possible to find one for adoption in cat rescue. For example, suppose you need the money to pay for a Ragdoll kitten outright. In that case, a rescue Ragdoll cat will typically cost less in adoption fees. Be aware that you may be waiting a while if you only want a Ragdoll kitten – it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack to find a Ragdoll kitten in a shelter or a rescue. Our page on Ragdoll Rescue will help you know where to look.

Retired Ragdoll Cats for Adoption

Sometimes a breeder may retire a Ragdoll cat, meaning that older Ragdolls may become available.

You may be able to find one that you can adopt. However, most breeders will still look to sell their Ragdoll cat for a fee. After all, these are still quality cats, especially if they have been breeder quality. But you will pay much less than if you were buying a Ragdoll kitten.

Caring for Your New Ragdoll

Here are a few essential tips on how to care for Ragdoll kittens. You could start with our book, A Ragdoll Kitten Care Guide, which covers cat care for your kitten after bringing it home from the breeder.

Feeding Your Kitten

When first bringing home your new baby, the best cat food to feed your Ragdoll kitten is the same as their breeder was feeding them. Once they are comfortable in your home, you are welcome to change their diet to the one you feel more comfortable feeding. The best food for any cat and its nutritional needs is a well-balanced raw cat food diet, and that is what I feed my Ragdoll cats.

Feeding a species-appropriate diet will help with weight management, overall health, and well-being and prevent allergies and other inflammation-inducing problems in all cats.

Kittens are often hungry and should be fed cat food multiple times a day in smaller doses – up to 5 times a day if your kittens are interested. You will eventually reduce this to 2-3 times a day as they mature.

Grooming Your Kitten

While Ragdoll cats don’t have an extremely high-maintenance coats, they still need grooming once or twice a week to prevent any mats or tangles from becoming a long-term problem.

Starting early with a Ragdoll kitten is an excellent way to get your cat used to being groomed, meaning they’re less likely to fight it as they age. But spend time finding the right comb – if your kitten hates the one you’re using, try alternatives, as you don’t want it to be a traumatic experience.

You should get them a scratching post early too, but you should be OK with getting them used to having their nails trimmed early.

FAQs About Ragdoll Cats

Looking at other breeds of cats? Check out our articles that compare Ragdolls to other breeds:

• Birman cat
• Burmese cat
• Maine Coon cat
• Persian cat
• Ragamuffin cat
• Siamese cats