Ragdoll

Temperament & Behavior: The perfect family pet, the Ragdoll is gentle and affectionate, even-tempered and relaxed. Happy to play with kids and to be cuddled and dressed up, Ragdolls are sometimes compared to dogs because of their characteristic friendliness and the fact that they can be taught to play fetch.

As friendly as most Ragdolls are, Isabelle Bellavance, a Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) breed council secretary for Ragdolls, cautions that not all cats of this breed are the same, and some may not like to be held. That said, Bellavance describes the breed as happy-go-lucky, trusting, easygoing and somewhat naïve, potentially to their detriment.

“They are not always aware of danger,” Bellavance says. “Many will approach a dog thinking it is just another playmate.”

This breed is also particularly loving, especially the male Ragdolls. Female Ragdolls can be a bit more selective of who they want attention from, where they want it and when, says Bellevance.

Personality: Ragdoll cats love their people, and it shows. This breed will greet you at the door, is happy to be held and will even participate in a game of fetch.

Behavior with Kids: If you need a kid-friendly cat, this is the breed for you. A Ragdolll is happy to be cuddled and carried, and they’re even known to tolerate the occasional game of dress-up.

Life Span: On average, Ragdolls live to be between 12 and 15 years old.

Inherited Health Issues: Certain health conditions can occur at an increased frequency in Ragdolls or as a result of genetics. These conditions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), Cryptococcosis, Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and Calcium oxalate urolithiasis.

Preventive Care: In order to keep a Ragdoll cat as healthy as possible, care should be taken to monitor them at home for any changes, as well as maintaining regular visits to the veterinarian once or twice per year. Ragdolls are more susceptible to developing calcium oxalate crystals in their urine or bladder stones, so care should be taken to feed a properly balanced diet to regulate the pH of the urine. If crystals develop, affected cats should be fed prescription diets, as recommended by a veterinarian.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) occurs more commonly in Ragdolls than in some other breeds. However, many affected cats are asymptomatic until the disease is fairly advanced. Regardless, cats should be examined by a veterinarian once or twice a year for signs of a heart murmur or arrhythmia, as well as being monitored at home for changes such as a loss of appetite, less energy or breathing changes.

Nutrition: Ragdoll cats have a fairly low energy level relative to many other breeds. As such, the have a propensity for becoming overweight if overfed or insufficiently exercised. Be sure to feed a balanced diet with a good quality commercial cat food. Avoid offering table foods or too many treats, since these will quickly pack on the weight.

Daily Consumption: An adult Ragdoll eats 1/3 to 1/2 cup of dry food per day

Energy Level: Not interested in exercise, would rather doze the day away

Exercise: Ragdolls thrive on interaction with their humans, says Bellavance, and they mostly love lounging with their people rather than running and jumping. They are very smart and many Ragdoll owners like teaching their cats to play fetch, which is a great way to help their cats stay fit in a way that both cat and owner enjoy.

Ragdolls love their people and aren’t the most rambunctious breed of cat, which can be a change from high-energy breeds who love to jump. Ragdolls do crave attention, though, and they’re likely to follow you from room to room and meet you at the door when you come home. As such, they don’t love being left alone for long periods of time.

Ragdolls can also be somewhat clumsy because they tend to be bottom heavy, says Bellavance. Try not to let your Ragdoll jump up too high with a teaser or laser when playing, as they do not always fall on their feet. “Also, do not provide them with a cat tree that is more than five feet or has very steep steps, as they can miss and fall,” she says.

Climate: While Ragdolls are adaptable to most climates, in warmer climates they are more apt to shed.