Last Updated on January 1, 2022
There is a wide variety of cat breeds available today. One can argue there is a cat breed with the perfect personality for every cat lover out there. If you come across any list of the best cat breeds in terms of personality, temperament, and affection, you will find they all have one cat in common – the Ragdoll! What makes this breed so special in the hearts of many? Let’s look at the top 10 reasons why Ragdolls are considered to be the perfect cat breed!
1.) Ragdolls Are Very Affectionate
One thing that stands out from other breeds is the affectionate nature of a Ragdoll cat. While there is no guarantee your Ragdoll will end up being a fluffy ball of love, more often than not a Ragdoll will end up being a very affectionate cat. They love pets, snuggles, and being around their human companions. They also love to interact with other cats and will often make friends much easier than other breeds. Ragdolls are definitely one of the friendliest cat breeds.
2.) Ragdolls Aren’t Super Expensive
Ragdoll cats are by no means cheap but in comparison to many other breeds available, you will find they are much more affordable. The price of a purebred Ragdoll kitten in the US will run you between $800 and $1,300 on average. The cost will go up significantly for cats who are show-quality or ones that come with breeding rights.
3.) Ragdolls Are Generally Healthy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is at the top of the list when it comes to health risks for Ragdoll cats. The good news is that it is genetic and adults can be screened before breeding to ensure their offspring will not end up with this form of heart disease. Polycystic Kidney Disease is another concern but again, can be prevented through proper breeding. Outside of these two major health concerns, you will have to keep an eye on a Ragdoll’s weight as they are prone to obesity because they love to eat! Another common concern is bladder stone risk. This can be avoided through proper nutrition.
4.) Ragdolls Have A Long Life Expectancy
Ragdoll cats have a longer life expectancy compared to many other breeds and mixes of cats. A healthy Ragdoll can live anywhere from 15 to 25 years old, in some cases even reaching 30 and beyond! They are among the healthiest of breeds which is what gives them their longer-than-average lifespan.
5.) Ragdolls Are Very Intelligent
If you want a cat that will do tricks on command, walk on a leash, enjoy car rides, and more – Look no further than the Ragdoll! Ragdolls are incredibly intelligent and not prone to frustration like other intelligent breeds. They are very food motivated which makes them an ideal cat capable of learning all sorts of tricks, commands, and skills. They are one of a handful of breeds known to even play fetch with their owner, not lessons required!
6.) Ragdolls Are Interactive
Ragdolls like to be around all the action. Even if they are just loafing on the sofa, they want to be close to where most life takes place in their home. For this reason, they are very interactive. They will follow you, inspect what you are doing, help you with chores (which may or may not be very helpful!), and be by your side like a little puppy. Even with new people, they are not known to be shy and will enjoy pets from people they have only just met.
7.) Ragdolls Are One of the Most Gentle Breeds
If you want a cat that will be good with children (even toddlers!) then the Ragdoll is the cat you have been looking for. They have one of the most passive and gentle temperaments of all breeds. They are known to even know to not use their claws when playing with younger children as if they understand that it can hurt them.
8.) Ragdolls Aren’t High-Maintenance
For a long-hair cat, Ragdolls are surprisingly low-maintenance. This is especially true for the Mink variety of Ragdolls who have finer, softer hair that is very unlikely the tangle. You will want to brush your Ragdoll once a week and two to three times a week during seasonal changes. If you start young, bathing your Ragdoll is also optional as most will tolerate water much better than other cat breeds. It is best to only do this no more than once every 2 to 3 months so their skin doesn’t become too dry.
9.) Ragdolls Aren’t Picky Eaters
Known for being very food-motivated felines, Ragdolls love to eat! They are not typically picky eaters either which makes it easier to change their diet if you need to for health reasons or cost concerns. Just make sure if you do change their diet, you do it gradually. It is always best to feed them a high-quality wet food diet since they are prone to bladder stones.
10.) Ragdolls Are Social
Ragdolls love to vocally interact with people and other pets. They aren’t shy about it either. They will vocalize their wants, needs, and let you know when something is up. While they aren’t considered to be quiet cats, they are not annoyingly loud. Some cat breeds will bellow and make ear-piercing meows whereas Ragdolls have a much softer and sweeter, passive meow.
Things To Consider Before Adopting
Ragdolls need more attention than other breeds – If you travel or work long hours outside your home, a Ragdoll cat will not be a good match for you.
Ragdolls live a long time – Make sure your plans match up to having one as a long-term companion.
Ragdolls are not cheap – If you find a Ragdoll kitten for under $800, it is very unlikely to be a pure breed Ragdoll.
Quick Tips For Adopting a Ragdoll Kitten
Do you have a Ragdoll cat? Let us know other reasons why they are the perfect kitty companion!
