Ragdoll Munchkin Cat? {Exploring This Cat’s Unique Characteristics}

A Ragdoll Munchkin cat is a crossbreed between a Ragdoll cat – one of the larger breeds of cat – and the Munchkin, which (as you can probably guess from the name) is one of the smallest breeds of cat mixes.

Munchkin cats are already quite a scarce and controversial breed, and so cross-bred Ragdoll Munchkins are certainly not common. But the combination of traits makes them quite a popular choice for some cat owners. Want to learn more about these hybrid cats? Let’s take a look.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER: As Dawn of Bluebonnet Munchkins, a Munchkin breeder, told me, “I don’t agree with the crossing of Munchkins to so many other breeds, also let it be known that Munchkins can come in all colors, and I’ve had Ragdoll coloration show up on my purebred Munchkins…as of breed does carry points. Crossing 2 breeds isn’t always best for either breed cause then you are also crossing genetic health problems.”

Another breeder told that Munchkins can come marked like Ragdolls since Munchkins come in all colors. Munchkins, bred to standard, do not come with any other mutations including ears or coats other than straight.

What is a Munchkin Cat?

Munchkins are a breed of cat that is known for its very short legs. They still have a long body, but they are overall short cats that despite their unusual proportions is still a very active and social cat.

The Munchkin breed is a controversial one – it has been recognized by TICA since 1994, but other organizations such as the Cat Fanciers Association are yet to accept these cats due to the controversy around the breed’s short legs.

According to TICA, the breed is named after the munchkins in The Wizard of Oz as both creatures are on the short side. And a Munchkin holds the Guinness World Record for being the shortest living cat – Lilieput, a tortoiseshell munchkin from Napa in California who stands at just 5.25 inches from paw to the top of the shoulders.

What is a Ragdoll Cat?

A Ragdoll cat is one of the larger breeds of domestic cats that are commonly owned. Named because of their tendency to go floppy like a ragdoll when picked up, these cats are generally very friendly and loving when it comes to their owners. They have a semi-long silky coat and come in a distinct selection of colors and patterns.

The Ragdoll breed is an official breed recognized by all major cat breed organizations including both TICA and the Cat Fanciers’ Association.

History of Munchkins

While short-legged cats have been documented for many years, the breed is recognized as beginning in the 1980s when breeder Sandra Hockenedel found a short-legged pregnant cat.

Because of the abnormally short legs of the breed, it remains quite controversial as some critics have voiced concerns over the breed potentially having issues with mobility and other health problems. The short legs are a result of a genetic mutation, and some argue that breeding Munchkin cats is unfair and cruel, as they may experience pain and a limited lifestyle.

However, TICA states that Munchkin cats are not prone to arthritis, don’t experience any exceptional mobility problems with age, and have no associated debilitating genes.

History of Ragdoll Cats

Ragdoll cats were first bred in the 1960s by Ann Baker in Riverside, California. Ann bred a cat named Josephine – a white Angora Persian-type cat – longhaired Burmese and Birman sires. The litters were substantial cats that were very loving, had beautiful blue eyes, and were known to flop like a ragdoll when picked up.

Ragdolls have been accepted as an official breed for many years. While Munchkins cats weren’t recognized by TICA until the 1990s, Ragdolls were accepted by the organization as soon as they were formed in 1979.

What Is a Ragdoll Munchkin Mix Cat?

A Ragdoll Munchkin cat (or a Munchkin Ragdoll cat) is a crossbreed between Munchkins and Ragdolls. It’s not recognized as any kind of ‘renowned’ crossbreed – it’s not like a Golden Doodle in the world of dogs where they get their own name – but it’s just the term for a cat that was bred from a Ragdoll and a Munchkin cat.

Munchkin Cat vs Ragdoll Cat: A Comparison

Here’s how the two breeds of cat compare:

Ragdolls vs Munchkin Size

Unsurprisingly based on what you already know about the body type of these cats, Ragdolls are much larger than Munchkins. A typical adult female Munchkin will weigh 5-7 pounds, while an equivalent female Ragdoll will weigh 10-15 pounds.

And it’s a similar story for male cats – Munchkins average 7 to 10 pounds and Ragdolls average 15 to 20 pounds. Ragdolls are essentially twice the size of Munchkins, on average.

Some people assume that Munchkin cats stay kitten-sized their entire life, but that’s not true. Their height is limited to around 6-9 inches tall, but they still have a body that can average up to 14 inches – not huge, but average for many cats.

Munchkin Cat vs Ragdoll Care

Neither cats have excessive grooming needs – a weekly brush is normally enough to remove any dead hair to prevent tangles and mats from forming.

TICA does recommend that you should bathe a Munchkin cat occasionally in order to keep your cat’s coat hygienic, but this isn’t necessary for Ragdolls.

Ragdoll vs Munchkin Temperament

Both Ragdoll cats and Munchkins cats are good family pets that are social and enjoy attention. Both are playful, both are cuddlers, and they like to have a selection of toys available.

Ragdoll cats tend to act almost like puppies, following their owner around the home. Meanwhile, Munchkins generally demonstrate a more curious nature and love to explore. That doesn’t mean that Munchkin cats aren’t great companions, or that Ragdolls aren’t curious. Also, these are the broad characteristics of each breed, but remember that every cat is unique in their personality.

What Do Ragdoll Munchkin Cats Look Like?

The litter of a Ragdoll and Munchkin kittens essentially are dwarf Ragdoll kittens – they have a similar face to a Ragdoll cat, although often a little rounder, and usually have a medium-length coat but with the short legs of a Munchkin.

It’s more likely that the crossbreed will be a similar size to a Munchkin, with the shorter legs causing the height to be reduced.

Munchkin Kittens

Expect a Ragdoll Munchkin mixes to likely weigh similar to a regular Munchkin kitty, or maybe slightly more – but they won’t be as large as a purebred Ragdoll.

What Is the Temperament of Ragdoll Munchkin Cats?

With Ragdolls cats and Munchkins cats already having a similar temperament, you can expect their offspring to be equally lovable and playful. They will normally be quite cuddly and inquisitive kittens but can either be a little more energetic or more reserved kitty, depending on the nature of their parents.

What Are Common Health Issues of Munchkin Ragdoll Cats?

Some of the potential common health issues that these cats could face include:

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a disease where the heart muscles are thickened that is more common in Ragdoll cats
• Polycystic Kidney Disease, a condition that can be passed down through cats that causes cysts to develop on the kidneys
• Lordosis, an abnormal curvature in the spine that can be caused by the body shape of Munchkin cats

These important issues of owning kitties will need to be followed closely by your vet.

What Is the Lifespan of a Munchkin Ragdoll Cat?

Both cats have an average lifespan of around 15 years, though this of course can vary a lot for each individual cat. Still, because both cats average out at around the same, you can expect these crossbreed kittens to have a similar length of life provided they are healthy and free of genetic diseases, and if you care for them well.

How to Buy These Cats

Interested in buying a Ragdoll Munchkin cat? Here’s what you need to know:

Where to Find a Ragdoll Mix

Finding Ragdoll Munchkin kittens for sale isn’t always straight forward. They’re a crossbreed and so they won’t always be available, and because a Munchkin Ragdoll Cat is unusual it can be hard to find a registered breeder that has Munchkin Ragdoll kittens for sale.

You might find that unofficial sites like Craigslist are more fruitful here, but you have to be extra careful to buy from someone on a site like this. Anyone selling cats or kittens on Craigslist or Facebook could be scamming you, or worse they may be someone selling genuine cats but that doesn’t know or care how to look after kittens in their early weeks or months.

Some reputable breeders will use these sites, so don’t assume every Munchkin Teacup Ragdoll or Munchkin Kittens for sale on them is problematic, but you must do your research and check the seller out before you commit to buying cats from them.

And as hard as they are to find to buy, it can be even tougher to find a Munchkin Ragdoll for adoption. These cats are generally bought specially, and they’re extremely loving. It’s very rare that someone would give them up for adoption, and if they did then they would likely be snapped up quickly. It’s not impossible, but if you specifically want Munchkin Ragdoll kittens then you’ll need to register your interest with a wide range of adoption centers and hope for the best.

How Much Do Ragdoll Munchkin Cats Cost?

Munchkin cats alone are an uncommon breed, meaning Ragdoll Munchkin cats are even harder to find. As such, demand is usually high and that’s reflected in the cost of these kittens.

While there aren’t many prices, I can compare to give you a broad range, most of the prices quoted for a kitten online seem to be in the $1000 to $2000 range, which is high for a crossbreed that isn’t recognized by some organizations.