Is My Cat A Ragdoll Or Himalayan? (Similarities & Differences)

Ragdolls are very cute cats, but they also come in a variety of colors and patterns. They are often confused with Himalayans because both breeds look similar. In reality, though, these two cat breeds are quite different.

The Himalayan breed was developed in India and Nepal. These cats are known for their long fur and distinctive markings. Their coats are usually black or brown with white patches and spots.

Himalayans are generally larger than ragdolls. They weigh between 4 and 8 pounds, compared to ragdolls’ 2 to 3 pounds. Himalayans tend to be calmer than ragdolls.

Himalayans were first imported into the United States by an animal shelter in California. The Himalayan Association of America is now working to increase awareness about this beautiful breed.

Ragdolls originated in England. They’re small, sleek, and have short hair. Most have a solid color coat that can range from light gray to dark gray. Some have stripes on their bodies and some don’t.

Ragdolls are smaller than Himalayans. They typically weigh around 2 to 5 pounds, while Himalayans weigh between 6 and 10 pounds.

Ragdoll kittens are also born blind and deaf. When they open their eyes at around 7 weeks old, they’ll begin to see and hear. By 12 weeks old, they should start eating solid food.

Both Himalayan and Ragdoll kittens can live up to 15 years. However, Himalayans tend to live longer than ragdolls. This is because Himalayans are more active and playful.

Both Himalayan and Ragdolls are loving pets who enjoy being petted and playing with toys. However, Himalayans are generally quieter than Ragdolls. It’s not unusual for Himalayans to prefer sleeping to playing.

Are Ragdoll Cats More Intelligent Than Himalayan Cats? 

In general, Himalayan cats are smarter than ragdolls. Both breeds are intelligent, but Himalayans are more likely to show it through playfulness.

According to the American Himalayan Foundation, Himalayan cats are “more curious, playful, affectionate, and independent.”

According to the Ragdoll Club International, ragdolls are “gentle, quiet, and friendly” and “loyal companions.”

How To Ascertain If My Cat Is A Ragdoll Or Himalayan

If you want to know if your cat is a ragdoll or a Himalayan, there are several things you can do. You can ask your vet, or you can take a look at your cat’s face. Ragdolls have rounder faces than Himalayans.

You can also check out your cat’s ears. Ragdolls will always have rounded ears, whereas Himalayans will have pointed ones.

If you think your cat might be a Himalayan, you can also look at its paws. Ragdolls have shorter legs than Himalayans. Also, Himalayan cats will have a tail that hangs down when they walk.

There are other ways to tell if your cat is a Himalayan or a ragdoll. For example, Himalayan cats will be heavier than ragdolls. And Himalayan cats will have longer tails than ragdolls.

But all of these differences are subtle. So, if you aren’t sure whether your cat is a Himalaya or a ragdoll, you can just keep watching him or her and wait until you figure it out!

How Do Himalayan And Ragdoll Cats Compare In Terms Of Their Personality? 

Himalayan and ragdoll cats share many personality traits. Like most cats, both breeds like to be loved and cuddled. They also love attention and will often sit near you, so they can get as close as possible.

But Himalayan(s) and Ragdolls differ in terms of how much they enjoy playing. Himalayans are usually more playful than Ragdolls. They’ll jump into your lap, wrestle with each other, and chase after balls and toys.

However, Ragdolls are good at hiding and escaping from trouble. They’re also great escape artists. They’ll hide under furniture or in boxes and then leap out when no one is looking.

What Are The Health Risks Involved With Ragdoll Kittens? 

Ragdoll kittens are healthy and safe. But like any kitten, they can develop health problems. These include:

  • Eye infections
  • Kidney disease
  • Heart disease
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Deafness
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Liver disease
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Respiratory illness
  • Skin diseases
  • Ear mites
  • Ringworm
  • Feline leukemia virus
  • Feline immunodeficiency virus
  • Feline herpesvirus 1
  • Feline coronavirus
  • Feline calicivirus
  • Feline panleukopenia
  • Rabies
  • Parvo
  • Distemper
  • Bacterial pneumonia
  • Tuberculosis
  • Bordetella bronchiseptica
  • Giardiasis
  • Cryptosporidiosis
  • Ectoparasite infestation
  • Flea allergy dermatitis
  • Parasitic worms
  • Internal parasites
  • External parasites
  • Fungal skin conditions
  • Feline acne
  • Food allergies
  • Urine spraying
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Chronic kidney failure
  • Obesity
  • Arthritis
  • Gingivitis
  • Periodontitis
  • Tooth decay
  • Dental disease
  • Otitis externa
  • Ocular discharge
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Corneal ulceration
  • Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
  • Ulcers
  • Retinal detachment
  • Glaucoma
  • Other eye disorders
  • Pneumonia
  • Gastrointestinal disorders
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Vomiting
  • Jaundice
  • Hepatic lipidosis
  • Pancreatitis
  • Pyelonephritis
  • Nephrotic syndrome
  • Renal tubular acidosis
  • Cystitis
  • Urinary tract obstruction
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Urinary calculi
  • Hematuria
  • Proteinuria

How Do Ragdoll And Himalayan Cats Compare In Terms Of Intelligence? 

Both Himalayan and ragdoll kittens are very smart. However, Himalayan kittens tend to be smarter than ragdoll kittens.

They’re also more independent and self-reliant. This means that they don’t need constant supervision. They can take care of themselves without having to ask for help.

They’re also more curious and inquisitive than ragdolls. Himalayan kittens will investigate their environment by sniffing things and exploring.

But ragdolls are also very curious and inquisitive. They’ll explore the world around them by investigating everything they see.

Do Himalayan And Ragdoll Kittens Have Similar Temperaments? 

Yes! Both Himalayan and ragdolls have similar temperaments. They’re friendly and affectionate. Like all cats, they love being petted and cuddled.

Both breeds enjoy being held and carried. Himalayan and ragdoll kitties are also very loving toward people. They’ll purr if you stroke them.

Himalayan and ragdoll cats are also both very social animals. They love spending time together. They’ll play with each other and even sleep together.

Are There Any Significant Differences Between Himalayan And Ragdolls? 

Yes. Himalayan and rag dolls are different in many ways. For example, Himalayans are larger than Ragdolls.

The average weight of a Himalayan is about 6 pounds while the average weight of a ragdoll is only 4 pounds.

The coat color of Himalayan cats is usually solid black or white. Their coats may come in various shades of gray, brown, cream, blue, or tabby.

Their eyes are large and round. The irises are dark brown or black. Their ears are also rounded and covered in soft fur whilst their tails are bushy and long.

Ragdolls on the other hand are smaller than Himalayans. The average weight of a rag doll is 3 pounds. Their coats are typically some shade of light fawn or apricot.

Their eyes are small and oval shaped. Their ears are pointed and covered in short hair. Their tails are not as bushy as Himalayan’s.

Conclusion

To conclude, you can determine whether your cat is a ragdoll or Himalayan by looking at its size, coat color, and tail length.

There are also notable physical differences between the two types of cat, and thus it is important to know which breed you own before making any assumptions.

Analyzing your cat’s behavior will help you to determine whether they are a ragdoll or Himalayan as ragdolls tend to be more active and playful compared to Himalayans.

Courtney Trent
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