ABOUT RAGDOLL CATS
Life Span: 13 - 18 Years
Weight: 10 - 20 Pounds
Shedding Amount: Occasional
Intelligence: High
Activity Level: Calm
Height: 9 - 11 Inches
Coat Length: Medium - Long
Vocalness: Quite
Playfulness: High
Temperament: Social, Affectionate, Gentle, Loving
Good With: Children, Seniors, Families, Cats, Dogs, & Other Pets
Other Traits: Easy to train, easy to groom, friendly towards humans, friendly towards other pets, friendly towards strangers, low prey drive, tolerates being picked up and held, good lap cat, good for first time pet owners. ​
Ragdoll Cats Appearance
Ragdolls: Distinctive Characteristics
Ragdolls stand out for their large size, semi-long coat in a pointed pattern, and sparkling blue eyes. They are among the largest of the domesticated cats, with some males weighing in at 20 pounds or more. A Ragdoll has a light-colored body with a darker face, legs, tail and ears. They come in three patterns: mitted and bicolor, both of which have white, and colorpoint, which has no white. Ragdolls don’t reach their full size and coat development until they are three to four years old.
Ragdoll Breed Standard
The Cat Fanciers Association breed standard says the Ragdoll should have a large, broad head in a modified wedge shape. All sides of the head should be of equal length and the muzzle should be gently rounded. The eyes are described as vivid blue ovals. Medium-size ears have rounded tips and tilt forward. Supporting the head is a heavy, strong neck, which segues into a large and long body that is broad, solid and heavy-boned. The heavy-boned legs are moderately long, with the hind legs longer than the front legs. Large round paws are tufted with fur, and the long tail looks like a waving plume.
Ragdoll Coat and Color Varieties
The Ragdoll has a silky coat that is moderately long. It’s short on the face, blossoms into a ruff around the neck, shortens again on the shoulder blades, then lengthens toward the tail, which is fully feathered with fur. Depending on the association, the coat comes in four patterns--bi-color, van, mitted and colorpoint—up to six colors: seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, and cream, and points that may be solid, lynx, tortie, or torbie (tortie and lynx). That adds up to many different possibilities when it comes to color and pattern.
Ragdoll Coat Patterns
Mitted Ragdolls are just what they sound like: they have four white feet, plus a white chin and belly, and sometimes a white spot on the face that may look like a blaze, star or hourglass. Bi-colors have even more white than mittens, including on the chest and belly and sometimes on the back. On the face they may have a white inverted V-shape. Vans have the most white on the body, and Colorpoints have no white.
Ragdolls sold as pets may have slight cosmetic imperfections that make them unsuitable for the show ring. These might include ears set higher on the head than preferred, a nose that doesn’t turn up at the tip, eyes that aren’t Crater Lake-blue, or maybe mitts that don’t go up high enough on the hind legs. As long as they have the sweet, loving Ragdoll temperament, none of that really matters for a cat who will be a beloved companion instead of a show-ring star.
Ragdoll Cats - Common Questions
What are the main characteristics of Ragdoll cats?
Ragdoll cats are known for their large size, semi-long coat, and striking blue eyes. They have a docile temperament and are among the largest domesticated cat breeds.
How big do Ragdoll cats typically get?
Ragdoll cats can reach impressive sizes, with some males weighing over 20 pounds. They usually reach their full size and coat development by the age of three to four years.​
What is the standard appearance of a Ragdoll cat according to breed standards?
According to breed standards, Ragdoll cats should have a large, broad head with equal-length sides, vivid blue oval eyes, medium-sized ears with rounded tips, and a heavy, strong neck leading into a broad and long body with heavy-boned legs.
What coat patterns and colors do Ragdoll cats come in?
Ragdoll cats come in various coat patterns, including bi-color, van, mitted, and colorpoint, and can have up to six colors: seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, and cream. Their points may be solid, lynx, tortie, or torbie.
How do Ragdoll coat patterns differ from each other?
Ragdoll cats come in various coat patterns, including bi-color, van, mitted, and colorpoint, and can have up to six colors: seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, and cream. Their points may be solid, lynx, tortie, or torbie.
Can Ragdoll cats be good companions for families with children and other pets?
Yes, Ragdoll cats are generally gentle and patient with children and can coexist peacefully with other cats, cat-friendly dogs, and even small animals like guinea pigs and rabbits when introduced properly.
Should Ragdoll kittens be adopted in pairs?
It's recommended to consider adopting two Ragdoll kittens simultaneously for optimal companionship and enrichment, as they enjoy having a sibling or buddy to explore and play with, especially when their humans are away from home.
