The result was a very friendly, gentle cat with a long body and short legs.
We take a look at this beautiful cat breed and discover twelve amazing facts that you didn’t know about Ragdolls.
1. Ragdolls Always Have Blue Eyes
Ragdolls used to be also known as “Blue-eyed Persian” because their unique feature is that they all have blue eyes.
Ragdoll eyes can have various shapes and different shades of blue but all purebred Ragdoll cats have beautiful blue eyes.
It’s worthwhile noting here that although they are known as blue-eyed Persians, they are not related to Persians, which is a different cat breed.
2. Ragdolls Shed Hair
As Ragdolls have no undercoat, they shed a lot less than most cats. This means that they need a lot less grooming and their hair doesn’t matt as easily.
However, they still shed hair just like any other cat.
3. Ragdolls Are A Large Domestic Cat Breed
When you look at a photo of a Ragdoll, you may be forgiven to think that they are cute, fluffy, and small but on the contrary.
Ragdolls are one of the largest domestic breeds of cats, and that’s not just thanks to their beautiful hair.
A Ragdoll can reach up to 20 pounds in weight. Add their long coat, and you get a cat that’s almost the same size as a small dog breed.
4. Ragdoll Kittens Are All White
Kittens born from Ragdolls are always white. Their color and pattern will just develop in the first two weeks of their life.
The breeder will likely be able to have a feel for what color they will be, and what possible pattern they may show depending on the color/pattern combination of the parents.
5. Ragdolls Do Feel Pain
Surprisingly one of the many myths and rumors is that Ragdolls don’t feel pain because they are so quiet and calm.
This is not correct! You may not be able to see when they are in pain but if you observe them, you will be able to see the subtle cues when they don’t feel well.
When cats get sick, they sometimes hide or start behaving unusually. If your cat howls or behaves differently, you need to pay careful attention and if in doubt, take your cat to the vet.
6. Ragdolls Are Naturally Quiet
As mentioned already, Ragdolls are calm and quiet by nature. This may depend on the individual cat.
Some cats chatter away when watching the birds outside the window, while others let the world quietly drift by.
However, generally, this cat breed can be sometimes so quiet that they don’t show distress at all.
7. Ragdolls Have Dog-Like Personalities
Domesticated cats can display traits that are very similar to dogs. Ragdolls have picked up some of the more positive dog traits, such as playfulness and loyalty.
Some cats just prefer their freedom and couldn’t care less about their humans but that’s not the case for the Ragdoll.
Ragdolls are loyal to their families and they enjoy the company of humans.
Often they can sit patiently outside a door to wait for their owner to come home and play.
Just like any cat, Ragdolls love to play but this type of cat also enjoys a game of fetch now and then. You may even find them carrying around their favorite toy.
8. Ragdolls Aren’t All Cuddly Snugglers
We found our Ragdolls love to cuddle on the sofa but not all of them would come and join in.
Each cat has his or her personality, and also how a cat has been raised plays a big part in how they socialize later as adults.
If you are looking to adopt a Ragdoll, you should first and foremost look at their personality. You may or may not have found a loyal cuddler.
9. Ragdolls Live Longer Than Other Cats
One of the lesser-known facts is that Ragdolls have a slightly longer lifespan than some other cats.
Opinions are divided as to how long a Ragdoll can live but it’s likely to be between 15 and 20 years. This is the life expectancy of an indoor cat though.
For cats that go outside regularly, this might be lower as they will be exposed to more diseases and other things that could increase the risk for them to be younger earlier.
10. Ragdolls Aren’t Hypoallergenic
This is one of the most common misconceptions about Ragdolls. As they don’t have an undercoat, it’s often assumed that they are hypoallergenic.
While the shedding of the undercoat is often the cause of allergies, there are also many other causes of cat allergies, such as saliva.
11. Ragdolls Are Adults At 4 Years Old
Ragdolls mature very slowly. This means that they are considered only to be fully grown at the age of 4.
You may not notice it but they can grow quite significantly within their first four years.
Their color and pattern may change slightly but will have settled by the time they get into their fifth year.
12. Ragdolls Aren’t Deaf
This misunderstanding comes from the connection with their bright blue eyes. Deafness happens very often in cats that have blue eyes.
However, this is mostly true for fully white cats. As Ragdolls come in a whole range of patterns and colors, they luckily don’t have this mutation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get your last-minute questions answered here!
What Is Special About Ragdoll Cats?
Ragdolls are well known for their friendly and docile temperament as well as their affectionate nature.
This is what makes them stand out from many other cat breeds, and it makes them the perfect cat for kids.
Do Ragdoll Cats Talk A Lot?
No. Ragdolls are a calm and quiet breed. However, depending on your cat’s character, they can sometimes chatter and be vocal.
Conclusion
Just like many cats, Ragdolls have their personality, and although some traits are breed-specific, it’s important to look at a cat as an individual.
With their loyal and affectionate character, Ragdolls can become a truly wonderful family members.
Although they do have longer hair, good care and attention mean you are looking after a companion who will reward you with their cuddles for many years to come.
I’m Courtney Trent and I hope that I can answer some burning questions that you have about cats, as well as some questions that you’d never have thought to ask before.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
So, stay a while and learn more about domestic and wild cats from Windhaven Ocicats.
