LovenCats

Size: An average-size adult Ragdoll will be 23-28cm in height, weighing between 3.6-9.1kg

Coat: The breed has a semi long-haired, ‘plush’, silky coat (similar to rabbit’s fur) that requires regular grooming to prevent knots or tangles.

Colour: Ragdolls are a pointed breed (meaning they have a relatively pale body with darker markings on the face, ears, tail or legs). Colours include seal, chocolate, blue and lilac, with three pattern variations.

Life span: Full maturity isn’t reached until four years of age and life expectancy is usually up to 15 years.

What makes a Ragdoll cat special? Ragdolls initially got their name from their tendency to go limp when picked up, and while this isn’t always the case, they are generally happy to be held.

Their trusting nature means they should be introduced with extra care to existing cats or dogs, who might not be quite as gentle. Some owners choose to keep them indoors for similar reasons.

Adaptable to most environments, Ragdoll cats are playful without being overly active. It is usually easy to train them to use a litter tray as they will respond best to positive reinforcement.

Ragdolls are one of the largest of the domestic cat breeds, with a big Ragdoll cat weighing over 6kg. Known for their love of food, it is important that you ensure your cat stays at a healthy weight by keeping an eye on their portion sizes. Stick to their food packaging guidelines when dishing up, and keep your pet’s age, size and activity level in mind.

Excessive weight gain can be hard to spot under your Ragdoll’s plush coat, but a correctly fed Ragdoll should have a long, well-built body beneath their fur without any extra padding along their rib cage. Providing lots of opportunities for active play can help to keep your pet at their ideal weight.

Medium length with a silky texture, the Ragdoll’s coat needs regular grooming to keep it in good condition. You should use a wide-toothed comb to remove any tangles and prevent matting. In cases of extremely matted fur, a Ragdoll may even need to be shaved.

Unlike some breeds, Ragdolls have a single coat without an undercoat. This can make them better suited to some people with allergies, though they are not completely hypoallergenic. The lack of undercoat also makes shedding more manageable.

Two key Ragdoll characteristics are their blue eyes and ‘pointed’ markings. In the mitted variety, these darker points are overlayed with white. For a similar breed with different colours and markings, including tabby and ginger.