Fun Ragdoll Facts For Kids

The Ragdoll breed is an indoor, domestic cat that has dog-like qualities and is an ideal pet to keep. The Ragdoll breed did not form naturally but was created by Ann Baker in the '60s. Ann Baker lived in Riverside, California when she came across a beautiful stray Persian cat named Josephine who had been in an accident. Her neighbors took Josephine in and very soon the cat gave birth. Ann was very surprised to see the docile and calm nature of the kittens and thought that maybe the accident Josephine had changed her characteristics. Although that idea has been proven false, Ann kept breeding Josephine's kittens to see what would be created as a result. One of the kittens, Daddy Warbucks, was the first Ragdoll kitten who had the typical physical characteristics of a Ragdoll cat. She named the breed 'Ragdoll' because of the tendency of the kittens to go absolutely limp once held, just like the toy. Keep reading for some more amazing facts about the Ragdoll cat.

If you liked this article with great Ragdoll cat facts, also check out these other articles with fascinating facts about Maine coon and Canada lynx. 
 

What type of animal is a Ragdoll?

A Ragdoll is a type of domestic cat breed.

What class of animal does a Ragdoll belong to?

The Ragdoll belongs to the Mammalia class of animal and its phylum is Chordata, suborder is Feliformia, and subfamily is Felinae.

How many Ragdolls are there in the world?

A Ragdoll is a breed of domestic cat that is specifically bred for people around the world to buy. Therefore, it is difficult to keep track of exactly how many Ragdolls there are in the world since breeders sell Ragdoll kittens to owners.

In the '90s, there were only 393 kittens registered under the Ragdoll Cat Fanciers' Association (RFCI). This number soon increased to 1376 in 2003 and as of 2019, there are over 100 registered breeders who breed Ragdoll kittens and sell them.

Where does a Ragdoll live?

A Ragdoll is most popular in the United States and the United Kingdom. However, they may be found anywhere in the world as long as the temperature does not get too cold.

What is a Ragdoll's habitat?

Ragdoll cats are very comfortable in indoor, domestic spaces. This cat prefers the warmth of the home it lives in. It may venture outdoors but it is adverse to very cold temperatures.

Who do Ragdolls live with?

Ragdolls are a cat breed which is extremely laid back and comfortable with other animals. Ragdolls can live easily with members of their own breed or other cat breeds. Ragdolls can also mix freely with dogs and are very comfortable around humans. They can live with a full family if needed.

How long does a Ragdoll live?

A ragdoll cat's lifespan is longer than the average lifespan for domestic cats. They have been seen to live for 15 to 20 years.

How do they reproduce?

On average, Ragdoll cats deliver a litter of four to five kittens although the number may sometimes be smaller.

Ragdoll cats usually gestate for 63 to 67 days before delivering kittens. This cat breed does not mature quickly but instead takes around four years to become sexually mature and ready to mate. Ragdoll kittens are born absolutely white in color.

There are plenty of signs through which one can determine that a Ragdoll cat is pregnant. The cat will gain unusual weight, it will experience 'pinking up' and it will start showing a distended abdomen around a few weeks into the pregnancy.

What is their conservation status?

Ragdolls are a breed of domestic cats which can be bred in captivity. Their population is estimated to be quite large so there is no immediate threat to their numbers. Ragdolls are listed as Least Concern  under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

What do Ragdolls look like?

Ragdolls are one of the largest domestic medium hair cats who are known for their 'pointed' coloring. This implies that they have a completely white color body with small markings on their face, ears, paws, or tail of different colors such as red, seal, brown, blue or grey. Their body is quite long and sturdy and their coat is referred to as a 'plush coat'. The coat is usually of white fur and they have completely clear blue eyes. Regular grooming is quite necessary for the sake of the health of their fur and body. Apart from a white coat, Ragdolls can also come in various colors like bicolor, blue point, color point, and mitted. Ragdolls can also come in lynx and tortoiseshell variations which also affects their color.

How cute are they?

Ragdolls are one of the cutest breeds found within domestic cats. With their crystal-clear blue eyes and beautiful white fur coat, they make for a very pretty picture. They are one of the most adorable cat breeds and are a popular choice of pet.  They are perfect for keeping on your lap and will soak up the care and attention you shower them with. Even the famous singer Taylor Swift has a cute Ragdoll cat named Benjamin!

How do they communicate?

Ragdolls are usually quiet cats who can adapt to almost any environment, habitat and changes. Like other cats, it uses the 'meow' sound to catch its owner's attention. They may also use their body language and physical expressions to exhibit what they are feeling. Ragdolls are not normally howling cats so when they resort to the 'howling' sound, their owners must take note as it is probably an emergency situation. They may also start making a small amount of noise when they feel sick or are feeling pain.

How big is a Ragdoll?

Ragdolls are usually 17-21 in (43-53 cm) long and 9-11 in (23-28 cm) tall. A giraffe is almost twenty times bigger than a Ragdoll cat with a height of 200 in (508cm).  

How fast can a Ragdoll run?

Due to the size of this cat, Ragdolls can run pretty fast and are quite smart as well. If they are trained properly with praise and treats, they may flawlessly execute neat tricks. Ragdolls can also jump very high.

How much does a Ragdoll weigh?

Male Ragdolls weigh more than female Ragdolls. The weight of a male Ragdoll lies between the range of 12-20 lb (5.4-9.1 kg) while the weight of female Ragdolls lies between the range of 8-15 lb (3.6-6.8 kg).

What are their male and female names of the species?

Ragdolls do not have separate, unique terms to denote the male and female types of their breeds. Usually, a male cat is called a 'tomcat' if it is not neutered and a 'gib' if it has been neutered. Female cats are referred to as 'queen' cats, especially in a breeding context.

What would you call a baby Ragdoll?

A baby Ragdoll does not have a separate name for itself.  It is referred to as a Ragdoll kitten.

What do they eat?

Judging by their size, Ragdolls are one of the largest domestic cats. It is essential to follow the guidelines on the packaging of cat food which makes up a cat's diet. It is also important that the owner does not overfeed the cat and keeps it healthy and fit by making it exercise and train regularly as these cats are prone to obesity.

Are they slobbery?

Ragdoll cats are not slobbery at all but they do shed a bit. It is a myth that Ragdolls do not shed since they do not have an undercoat. However, they shed somewhat lesser than the regular amount. They need proper grooming and combing for their beautiful coat to keep shining. Otherwise, it might become matted in texture.

Would they make a good pet?

Ragdoll temperament ensures that these cats would make amazing pets! Apart from being really cute and beautiful, these cats are not fussy and will not demand too much attention or time. This cat has a wonderful personality and will live peacefully and in harmony with any other pet or member of your house. The cat also likes to cuddle so you will get your daily dose of affection from Ragdolls! Ragdolls are a good and appropriate choice for a family or for individuals who want to keep and care for a pet cat. Their personality is like that of a dog sometimes and they can even be kept on your lap.

Did you know...

Many people carry a misconception that cats with blue eyes are normally deaf. However, Ragdoll cats are not born deaf.

Most people think Ragdoll cats are laid back like a dog and love to cuddle but that actually depends on the kind of home they have grown up in as well as the care and training they have received. These cats are mostly very affectionate and voluntarily cuddle with their owners but not all Ragdolls share this characteristic if they have not grown up in a warm, loving atmosphere.

Characteristics and health issues

Since the Ragdoll cat is an indoor cat, it can face a number of health issues.

Ragdolls suffer from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which is essentially a heart disease and can lead to heart failure in cats. These cats can also be born with congenital heart diseases (such as an abnormal valve in the heart) or acquire it through age.

Ragdolls also suffer from mouth and gum diseases. They are especially prone to gingivitis which indicates that their gums and teeth have swollen due to the accumulation of food materials and inadequate care with brushing.

Ragdolls also suffer from respiratory diseases. They can suffer from feline asthma or catch cat flu. The only way to tackle cat flu is by getting the cat vaccinated otherwise the cats of this breed may keep sneezing and coughing.

Ragdolls may also suffer from other health problems like gastrointestinal or kidney problems.

Getting your own Ragdoll

Ragdolls are one of the cat breeds that are perfect for adopting as family pets. They are different from other domestic cats because of their quiet, relaxed nature. However, this cat with blue eyes also needs regular grooming so you cannot completely ignore its needs either.

Finding a cat of one of these breeds is fairly easy. If you want to adopt a Ragdoll kitty then it will cost you around $75 to $100 to bring home. Buying adult Ragdolls is much more expensive as they can cost anywhere between $500 to $2000 if you are buying from a licensed breeder.

Whether you buy or adopt a cat, Ragdoll pets will definitely add something to your home with their quiet but loving personality.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including Siamese cat, or Balinese cat.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Ragdoll cat coloring pages.