The Ragdolls and the Ragamuffins are sweet adorable cats like any other pussy cat in the feline family. They are cute cats which can weigh around 15 pounds. When looked at closely, they are very similar.
As far as the appearance is concerned, the color of the furs of the cats is what could tell each apart. The Ragamuffins have more color variations. But, in what other ways do the Ragdolls and Ragamuffins differ. We’ll see while analyzing the characteristics of these cats.
The Ragdoll Cat Breed
The Ragdoll cat is a large, muscular feline. It weighs more than many other cats and its reflexes are somewhat slower. We will explain everything about the Ragdoll cat breed in this section, from its history, characteristics, behavior, health, and how to care for them.
History of the Ragdoll
Ragdoll cats are from the West Coast. They were created in Riverside, CA, by a woman named Ann Baker. Although some breeds of cats were created hundreds of years ago, Ragdoll cats are only a few decades old.
The first calf was in the early 1960s in California and it quickly grew into a loving breed. Ann Baker had wanted to make a relatively large cat that has long fur with calm behavior.
Characteristics of the Ragdoll cat
In the feline world, the Ragdoll is distinguished by three unique characteristics.
The first is its sweet, calm, and docile character. The second is the low muscle tone and great flexibility, which allow it to adopt incredible positions, as well as bend in the strangest ways. And, the third is its low sensitivity to pain.
This insensitivity makes it take risks because pain is an alarm of danger, and by not perceiving it, the animal does not react.
The Ragdoll is a very large cat, almost as large as the Maine Coon. The average Ragdoll has a large, muscular body, with strong bones and is somewhat elongated.
Their shoulders and torso are extremely broad and have bulky hindquarters. They can weigh between 4.5 and 9 kilograms.
The head is broad and rather triangular or wedge-shaped, with rounded contours. The skull is flat between the ears.
The eyes are very large and oval. They are of a wonderful deep blue or sapphire color. They are far apart and aligned with the base of the ears. They have an extreme angle in the direction of the outer base of the ear.
The hair ranges from medium to long. It is soft and adheres to the body. It is longer around the neck, on the outside of the muzzle, on the top of the head, on the shoulders, and the back. On the front legs, it is thick, between short and medium, while on the back legs it is also thick, but long and fluffy.
Regarding the feeding of Ragdoll cats, there are no special requirements, except for considerations related to a conditioned diet according to their size and physical characteristics.
Behavior of the Ragdoll cat breed
The Ragdoll exudes and transmits sweetness, kindness, and goodness. It is extraordinarily affectionate and dependent on its master, to whom it dedicates its entire existence.
Its slow movements and its sweet and calm character make it the ideal cat to have at home, especially for calm people, not very fond of many activities.
The Ragdoll, in terms of aggressiveness and behavior, is the antithesis of a feline. Its affable character and the affection it expresses towards the owner make it always calm and confident. It likes to spend several hours on its knees.
On the other hand, it coexists perfectly with other animals. And due to its behavior, it never establishes rivalries with them. It always reacts with submission or, in extreme situations, withdraws and hides.
This cat is constantly glued to people’s heels, eager for cuddles and caresses. Care must be taken not to step on it.
Caring for the Ragdoll cat
The Ragdoll is a real animal, with its own needs and it requires proper maintenance.
Apart from normal grooming, the Ragdoll does not require special care. However, it must be borne in mind that it is a cat that must be protected and watched, since its insensitivity and unconsciousness to danger often cause problems.
Although its fur barely tangles, it must be brushed with a wide-toothed comb daily to remove knots and dead hairs, followed by a long-toothed wire brush gently.
This is especially important at the end of winter, when the cat loses its thick coat, to reduce the risk of hairballs.
General health of the Ragdoll cat
Like all feline pets, you must take your kitten to the vet regularly so that he can recognize and diagnose possible problems.
As a general rule, it is enough to go twice a year. It is essential to keep your animal’s vaccination schedule up to date.
Because they are large and robust cats, they can have a certain tendency to suffer obesity when they are somewhat older. In general, males are the most prone, especially in pets that have been neutered.
To avoid this, it is necessary for the Ragdoll cat to preferably eat dry food, especially when they begin to reach a certain age. If the feline likes them, you can also add croquettes or low-calorie feed to its diet. This type of cat food is not always well accepted, but it is very effective in controlling its weight.
The Ragamuffin Cat Breed
Ragamuffins are huge in size and in sweetness. You will not tire of caressing their soft fur. They love to fall asleep in the arms of their master. Their story is very curious, given that they come from a split in the Ragdoll breeding organization.
History of the Ragamuffin Cat
This breed was born in 1990, as a result of the disagreement of a group of breeders of the International Organization of the Ragdoll Cat based in the USA. Janet Klarmann, Curt Gehm, and Kim Clark were concerned about the genetic health of the Ragdoll when they were in their fifth generation inbred.
Therefore, they decided to disassociate themselves and work on their version of the Ragdoll. They created a new breed, different from the Ragdoll, with a greater number of colors and patterns. To do this, they made crosses with Persians, Himalayas, and long-haired domestic cats.
Characteristics of the Ragamuffin cat
This breed of cat has heavy bones and a robust rectangular body, but without losing on their beautiful appearance. The front is slimmer than the back and the head is small as a result of its broad chest and prominent shoulders.
Its hair is shorter and thicker than that of the Ragdoll, its head is not flat, but domed, and its eyes are nut-shaped, unlike the oval ones of the Ragdoll. Ragamuffins have a greater variety of colors and patterns.
They have medium-long, abundant, thick, and silky hair. There are ragamuffins in white, black, blue, cream, red, coffee, lilac, chocolate, brown, tan, silver, or cameo.
These felines are also born completely white like their ancestors, the Ragdoll. Its dominant colors begin to emerge after 3 months of age.
Ragamuffins have a fat pad in the lower part of the belly. And, like large cats, they reach maturity at 3-4 years of age. By all accounts, they are a beautiful and loyal breed that will soon become your best friend.
Behavior of the Ragamuffin breed
The Ragamuffin is eminently docile, sociable, and affectionate. They need the company and affection of humans.
It will always be ready for you to caress, hold, or play with. Some compare this breed to the dog because it will always come to greet you. It will show the same behavior with all strangers. Everyone is its friend.
It loves caresses, sleeping, and eating with its owners. You can take advantage of that gluttony to teach them certain simple commands. They adapt perfectly to living with other pets and with children, since they do not usually play with their claws.
Caring for the Ragamuffin cat
These felines do not require different care than other breeds. Their hair require regular brushing, 2-3 times a week using a long, metal-toothed comb. Their teeth, ears, and eyes should also be cleaned every week.
You can use specific toothpastes for cats to avoid oral diseases. For the ears, you can use a homemade solution made with equal parts of warm water and vinegar. In the case of the eyes, you can opt for a moistened cloth to prevent eye diseases.
Do not give the Ragamuffins cow’s milk, as it will not sit well and may cause stomach upset. Do not forget to leave fresh and clean water daily for them to drink when they deem it necessary.
General health of the Ragamuffin breed
There are no known congenital or hereditary diseases of this breed. However, due to its gluttony, you must take care of its diet both in its composition and in the daily amount ingested. The greatest risk to their health is obesity, given their voracity and corpulence.
Make sure it drinks water regularly to avoid feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) or similar urinary problems.
Do not forget to provide the annual vaccination boosters against feline diseases such as influenza, enteritis, or leukemia, especially if your pet has access to the outdoors.
So which breed is best for you?
- Appearance
As far as the appearance is concerned, the Ragamuffins seem a bit more beautiful, although they are very similar. However, the Ragamuffins have more color variations than the Ragdolls.
- Lifestyle
Ragamuffins are not recommended for those who spend little time at home. They love activities and love to cuddle. Meanwhile, the Ragdolls are more docile and require lower maintenance.
- Health
Both are prone to obesity and you have to watch their weight. The health of the breed you choose depends on the breeder you buy from and the veterinary care it receives.
| Ragdoll | Ragamuffin | |
| Coats | Ragdolls have darker color points | Have more variety of coat color |
| Eyes | Very beautiful bright blue eyes | Have different eye colors that can be rounded and similar to a walnut. |
| Behavior | Very docile, playful, cuddly, and floppy | Very docile, playful, and cuddly |
| Health | They are prone to obesity | They are prone to obesity |
| Topline | Have angular topline with raised hindquarters | Have flatter topline |
Conclusion
The Ragdolls and Ragamuffins have a shared history and are recognized as unique cats. They are large and long-haired cats. Both breeds are very similar in appearance, friendly, and relaxed at home. This is the reason they are some of the most popular cat breeds in the world.
