Floppycats

The Lifespan of a Ragdoll Cat Story

How Long Does a Ragdoll Cat Live?

In short, the average lifespan of a Ragdoll cat is 9-15 years, but averages are just that – averages.  They can certainly live longer.   My Rags passed 19.5.  My parents’ Caymus just passed at 16 years old in December 2020.  And some readers have had Ragdolls live as long as 26 years.

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.

Lifespan of a Ragdoll Cat – The average lifespan of a Ragdoll cat is 9-15 years. They can certainly live longer. Some readers have had Ragdolls live as long as 26 years.

As your cat ages, you may be considering what you will do when they pass – how will you handle it? How will you commemorate their life? You might want to check out different pet burial options if you don’t already have something in mind – that way it might be easier to deal with when the time comes.  

Important Numbers about a Cat’s Age

Yes, the average lifespan of a Ragdoll cat is 9-15 years, but this extends far more than that. It’s important to keep in mind that the age of 10 is an important hump in a cat’s life and that most Ragdolls do get past it and live longer than that. 

Factors that Influence Longevity in Ragdoll Cat

There are plenty of things that can leave a great mark on the body of a cat and either expand their life or shorten it. The good news is that you can actually control many of these. 

Genetics 

You might get more accurate information than the breed average can provide by asking how long your cat’s parents have lived. If possible, look into the lifespan of its grandparents as well. This should offer more precise information. 

Gender

It is difficult to pinpoint whether tomcats or female cats (mollies) live longer because each gender is exposed to certain factors that might influence their lifespan. Male cats are territorial and when they are in heat, they often fight other males to get to the females. 

Acute Diseases 

Acute diseases have a rapid onset and development. Most of the time, they seem to appear out of nowhere and acting fast is absolutely crucial. 

Chronic Diseases 

Due to genetic factors, Ragdoll cats are prone to developing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.  

Infectious Diseases 

Infectious diseases are quite violent and difficult to treat. The good news is that vaccination covers a great deal of the very dangerous ones. This is why you should never overlook yearly vaccination. 

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