Ragdoll

The Ragdoll is a calm, gentle and sociable cat. According to the CFA's breed profile, it's loving without being demanding: it greets you when you come home, stays near you during the day, and many sleep next to their owners at night. PDSA also notes that a Ragdoll is rarely far from you in the house and is usually happy to jump onto your lap or slip into your bed.

It isn't a very active breed. It enjoys play but doesn't insist on it; a short session with a wand toy is usually followed by a long rest. The CFA says Ragdolls are also quite trainable: some learn to fetch or to come when called. You'll rarely hear one; it isn't talkative and may simply greet you with a soft mew now and then.

Where does the "ragdoll" name come from?

Ann Baker, who developed the breed, described her foundation cat, Josephine, as so placid that she relaxed every muscle and went limp when picked up; that's where the breed's name comes from. The CFA states plainly that this trait isn't typical of most Ragdolls today. So some Ragdolls do go floppy in your arms, but don't expect it of every one. And remember that even a calm cat isn't always in the mood to be held; let it go when it wants down.

The Ragdoll is a great fit for families looking for a calm indoor cat and who enjoy spending time in the same room as their cat. If you want a very active cat that always wants to play, you may want to look at other breeds.

The CFA notes that Ragdolls are rarely aggressive or temperamental, which makes them good companions in homes with children. The same source advises introducing them to resident cats or dogs with extra care because they trust people and animals so readily: the other pet may not be as gentle. Teach children not to carry the cat around for long and to support its hind legs when lifting it; a big Ragdoll is heavy. For a step-by-step guide, see our article on introducing two cats.

The Ragdoll was developed in the 1960s by breeder Ann Baker in Riverside, California. According to the CFA, the foundation cat was a white domestic longhair named Josephine who carried the colorpoint gene. Baker loved the temperament of Josephine's kittens and created the breed by crossing them with other domestic longhairs, selecting kittens with the look and personality she wanted.

The breed spread quickly. FIFe recognized the Ragdoll in 1991; the CFA accepted it for registration in 1993 and granted championship status in 2000. According to CFA registration statistics, the Ragdoll rose within a few decades to become the most popular cat breed in the world.

The Ragdoll is one of the larger cat breeds, with a broad chest, a long, muscular body and solid bones. Its broad head is shaped like a triangle with equal sides, and its eyes are large, oval and vivid blue. The hind legs are slightly longer than the front legs.

• Weight: According to the CFA, it isn't unusual for mature males to reach or exceed 20 pounds (about 9 kg); females are usually smaller. PDSA gives an average weight of about 12 pounds (5.5 kg).
• Coat: Semi-long, silky and soft; made up mostly of guard hairs, without a thick undercoat. The fur is longest around the neck, where it forms a bib.
• Points: All Ragdolls carry the colorpoint gene: the body is always lighter than the face, ears, legs and tail. The eyes are always blue.
• Patterns: FIFe considers three patterns essential to the breed: colorpoint (no white), mitted (white "mittens") and bicolor (an inverted white V on the face and white legs). The CFA also includes the van pattern, where only the ears, tail and mask are colored.
• Colors: Seal (dark brown), blue, chocolate, lilac, red and cream, plus tortie and tabby (lynx) versions of these.

The breed matures slowly. According to the CFA's breed profile, the coat color settles at about 2 years and full size and weight at 4, while the standard puts full coat and color at about 3 years.

A Ragdoll's coat looks long, but it's easier to care for than it looks. The CFA notes that because there's no thick, dense undercoat, the coat sheds and mats less; combing once or twice a week with a metal comb is usually enough to remove loose hair and small tangles. PDSA recommends grooming at least once a week and paying special attention to the armpits and around the neck, where tangles form most often. Like any cat, a Ragdoll sheds more when the seasons change.

• Claws: A sturdy scratching post is a must; if the claws grow long, they can be trimmed the way your vet shows you.
• Ears, eyes and teeth: Check them weekly while grooming; show your vet any redness, odor, discharge or bad breath.
• Play: Even though it's not very active, a few short hunting games a day help keep both its weight and its mood in good shape.
• A safe home: Open windows and balconies are risky for a cat that trusts people and its surroundings so easily; use screens and netting. See our cat-safe home checklist.

For more ideas, see our article on cat grooming.

Ragdolls don't need a special food; a complete, balanced cat food that suits their age and lifestyle is enough. The real issue is how much: the CFA notes that the breed is known for its love of food and may be at risk of obesity, so portions should be watched. Being a calm indoor cat also lowers its energy needs. In the 2024 study by Teng and colleagues, cats whose weight was further from the median for their breed and sex had shorter lives.

• Measure food instead of eyeballing it; decide the daily amount with your vet based on your cat's ideal weight.
• Because the breed keeps growing until about age 4, talk to your vet about when to switch from kitten food to adult food.
• Count treats as part of the daily food; food puzzles slow eating down and keep the cat busy.
• A long coat can hide weight: being able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat is a good sign.
• Weighing your cat once a month shows changes early.

The CFA considers the Ragdoll relatively healthy thanks to its diverse genetic background, but there is one important known inherited heart disease. The information below is for awareness only; ask your vet about diagnosis and treatment.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)

HCM is the most common heart disease in cats: the wall of the heart's left ventricle thickens and the heart has trouble filling. The Cornell Feline Health Center lists the Ragdoll among the breeds predisposed to HCM. In 2007, a gene change linked to the disease was found in Ragdolls (the R820W change in the MYBPC3 gene). The researchers noted that it differs from the change known in Maine Coons and arose independently in the two breeds, which is why there's a separate DNA test for Ragdolls.

According to UFAW, about 30% of Ragdolls in the UK carry this change; in the US, 28% were found to be carriers, with 8% carrying two copies. Cats with two copies are affected much more severely: UFAW reports that heart failure and blood clots often start before age 2 in these cats. In a 2014 survey of 236 Ragdolls, the median survival of cats with two copies was 5.65 years; in cats with one copy and in cats without the change, it was over 15 years.

An important detail: according to UFAW, Ragdolls that test negative can still develop HCM, because other, still unknown genes may play a role. That's why an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiography) complements the DNA test. UFAW recommends that every Ragdoll kitten be tested before purchase unless both parents are known to be free of the change, and that the parents should have a clean heart ultrasound. Cornell notes that breathing faster than 35 breaths a minute at rest can be a sign of heart failure.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)

PDSA also lists PKD among possible problems in Ragdolls: small fluid-filled sacs (cysts) that are present in the kidneys from birth grow over the years and can damage kidney function. According to PDSA, there's a DNA test for this too, so ask the breeder.

A 2024 study using the Royal Veterinary College's VetCompass data found a life expectancy at birth of 10.31 years (confidence interval 8.86–11.76) for 69 Ragdolls that died in the UK in 2019; the longest-lived cat in that group was over 21. In the same study, mixed-breed cats had a life expectancy of 11.89 years. PDSA gives an average lifespan of 11 to 13 years for the breed.

Life expectancy is strongly affected by cats lost at a young age, so this number doesn't mean "a Ragdoll dies at 10." As the 2014 survey showed, cats carrying two copies of the HCM change may live much shorter lives; choosing a kitten whose parents have been tested reduces this risk. The VetCompass study also shows that neutered cats and cats at their ideal weight live longer.

• Consider a shelter: Purebred cats end up in shelters and rescues too. A calm, blue-eyed, longhaired mixed-breed cat can make a companion much like a Ragdoll.
• If you buy from a breeder: Ask to meet the parents, and ask for the HCM DNA test (R820W), heart ultrasound and PKD test results. PDSA suggests discussing the health history of the parents and grandparents.
• Red flags: Steer clear of sellers who won't show you the mother, can't provide test results, always have kittens available or promise that "this breed never gets sick."
• Registration: Rules vary by country; many places require or recommend microchipping. In Türkiye, owned cats must be microchipped and registered in the PETVET system.