The Ragdoll : Character, Education, Health, Price - The right cat for you ?
Very affectionate and with its large blue eyes specific to its breed, the Ragdoll is a cat that stands out from others by its great sociability and its ability to become a real living plush. But before thinking of welcoming him into your life or your family, you must get to know him well, he is not a purebred cat like any other.
From its origins to the modalities of adoption, through its character, its health, its education, its food and even its price, we offer you a complete presentation of this purebred cat, to help you get to know it better and especially to determine if it is right for you or not.
The Ragdoll an ideal cat for whom?
The Ragdoll is an indoor cat that does not necessarily require a large space, which makes it an ideal companion for people living in apartments. Its calm, soft and discreet character makes it suitable for people looking for peace and quiet.
On the other hand, he is a sociable cat, very attached to his master and who hates solitude: he tends to follow him everywhere to seek his attention. It is therefore a feline not recommended for people who are too busy or more often absent. Likewise, his physical appearance and the quality of his coat make him need a caring and careful master to take care of him on a daily basis.
Origin and history of the Ragdoll
The Ragdoll is a breed of cat of American origin that appeared in 1963 in California. It was created by a breeder named Ann Baker, from a (hazardous) cross between a Persian Angora and a Sacred from Burma. The Ragdoll gets its name from its amazing peculiarity of becoming as soft as a "rag doll" when worn.
The Ragdoll was recognized in the USA in 1971, and internationally by the FIFé in 1992. This very popular breed in America and in certain countries such as England and Scandinavia is still struggling to find its marks in France where it is nevertheless present. since 1986. But the trend seems to be reversing, because the Ragdoll arouses more and more interest in French lately.
Physical characteristics of the Ragdoll
Size and weight
The Ragdoll is a fairly large cat with a long and rectangular body. In adulthood, females can reach an average weight of 4 to 6 kg. As for the males, they are even larger and imposing, around 9 kg.
Head, Eyes, Ears and Tail
Ragdolls have a medium head in the shape of a rounded equilateral triangle, with a flat forehead that ends in a slight hollow at the nose, and a well-developed, rounded muzzle.
They have large oval eyes that are always blue in color, a feature of these felines that prevents them from being confused. As for the pointy ears, they are erect in the shape of a triangle at the ends of the head. Finally, the cats of this breed have strong legs as well as a long tail well supplied and carried in plume.
The coat and the coat
The Ragdoll is a real ball of hair because of its abundant and silky fur. It has medium-long hairs (short on the face, longer the rest of the body) a little similar to those of the Persian. As for her dress, it comes in 3 varieties: basic colourpoint in solid color (cream white) with darker ends; a van dress with coloring exclusively on the head, ears and tail, the body remaining white down to the legs; finally a two-tone dress.
Behavior of the Ragdoll
The essence of what makes the uniqueness of the Ragdoll lies in its behavior and its character. He is a particularly gentle, calm and discreet cat. Very affectionate, aggressiveness and violence are not in his nature. Despite his massive build, he is a patient and cuddly kitty who never sticks his claws out, which is a good thing if you have kids.
In addition, it is a very sociable cat that tolerates the presence of its congeners or other pets as well as those around its master. He loves hugs and enjoys being carried by members of his family. Taking it in your arms you will be fascinated by its amazing ability to relax and become very soft, giving the impression of being a living plush.
Finally, he also appreciates the tranquility and comfort of the sofa, hardly ever venturing outside. You will notice that it is a little worried cat and not very sensitive to the pain, which does not perceive the danger. You will therefore take care not to leave it out unattended at the risk of exposing it to accidents.
Health and care for the Ragdoll
It is common for the Ragdoll to develop certain hereditary diseases specific to its breed, but also other diseases common to all cats. The first genetic disease to affect it is feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which manifests itself in enlargement of the walls of the heart and occasional shortness of breath. In addition, Ragdoll is prone to polycystosis, a kidney disease caused by weak kidneys.
In the interest of protecting yourself from these health risks, we advise you to take out health insurance designed for Ragdoll. But before that, be sure to provide him with all the preventive care and vaccines (typhus, coryza, leucosis, anti rabies, etc.) intended to protect him from these specific diseases or those common to all cats.
In addition, the Ragdoll has a tendency to be overweight, a problem that can be accentuated with its lack of activity. You must therefore be particularly vigilant about the quality and quantity of the food to be served to him.
Does the Ragdoll need specific food?
The Ragdoll does not need specific food for its breed. Like all cats, they need a healthy and balanced diet, without food supplements, and perfectly adapted to their strict carnivore diet. In other words, foods (wet and dry) rich in animal proteins, vitamins and other minerals essential for the growth and maintenance of the animal's body.
In addition, it must be a diet without cereals, sugars or other products unsuitable for carnivorous animals. Just like you should avoid giving it human food.
What budget to have a Ragdoll?
Several criteria go into determining the cost of acquiring a Ragdoll, and under these conditions, it is difficult to give you a fixed price. Among the various criteria that influence the cost, we can note among others: the pedigree, the quality of the coat, the breeding, the LOOF registration, but also the sex of the cat.
Buying a Ragdoll kitten from a breeder will cost you:
- For a male around € 600 to € 2900, or on average € 1113.
- For a female around € 600 to € 2,900, or on average € 1,129.
The accessories adapted to the Ragdoll
All the cat accessories are not necessarily useful or adapted for the Ragdoll, you must privilege the use of those which meet its main needs. Thus, for hygiene for example, it will need a litter. Likewise, to quench your thirst with fresh and healthy water on a daily basis, a water fountain can be practical.
Moreover, you have understood that some Ragdolls are not very athletic cats who tend to squat on sofas. To arouse their interest and preserve their physical form, practical toys are necessary: candy balls, cat trees or scratching posts for example. Finally, note that these different accessories must be adapted to the size and build (large or medium) of your Ragdoll.
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Where to adopt a Ragdoll?
The Ragdoll being a purebred cat, the best places for its adoption are catteries or professional breeders and shelters. Indeed, professional breeders have at heart the welfare of animals and the preservation of the characteristics of the breed. The same goes for shelters that take care of cats of various origins. By choosing these places you will be sure to adopt a healthy Ragdoll.
Besides these places, you can also adopt from a private individual. Indeed, some people are sometimes led to separate from their little felines and look for a new foster family for them, through announcements (often online). If you want to adopt from a private individual, we advise you to do so from a person you know and not from a stranger, to avoid any involvement in animal trafficking.
