While cats have an unfortunate (and inaccurate) reputation for being antisocial and hating humans, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Many cats are little love bugs and will want to snuggle up to their favorite human all day. While breed isn’t the only thing that affects a cat’s temperament and personality, there are some breeds that are known for being friendlier.
Ragdoll cats are one such breed that are often suggested as a good cat for folks who want an easy going, friendly cat. If you’re thinking about adopting a Ragdoll cat, here are some things to consider as they may or may not be the right cat for you.
What Do Ragdoll Cats Look Like?
If you haven’t seen a Ragdoll cat before, they are really cute. Ragdoll cats have long fur and gorgeous blue eyes. They also have point coloration similar to my favorite type of cat, Siamese cats. Ragdolls will average around 15 pounds in weight, but may not reach their full size until they are four years old.
Ragdolls are known for having extremely soft and luxurious fur that is longer, though they only shed an average amount. Despite their reputation for being hypoallergenic, Ragolls aren’t actually hypoallergenic as they will still shed enough to set off an allergic response.
What Are Ragdoll Cats’ Personalities Like?
Ragdoll cats tend to be extremely friendly and bond very well to their humans. In fact, they’re usually okay with strangers and are known for being a bit more affectionate than some other breeds of cats. You’ll often find your new best friend snuggling up with you or being a little shadow wherever you go. They may also curl up on your bed with you at night so you can get some purrs as your drift off to sleep.
While all cats need play and you shouldn’t get a cat just because you’re looking for an easy pet, Ragdolls are a bit lower maintenance than other breeds like Bengals. You’ll still want to make sure they get plenty of mental stimulation or they can be prone to behavior concerns like destructive scratching or even aggression. I’ve worked with Ragdoll cats on aggression cases before so while they can be friendly, if you don’t meet their needs you may find that changes. They can also be great with kids, but you still need to teach your children how to properly interact with a cat in order to prevent problems.
Because Ragdoll cats are so sociable toward humans, they’re a great candidate for cat training. Even if your Ragdoll isn’t super food motivated, because of their high sociability, you may be able to use an alternative reinforcer for training such as praise, petting, or attention. If you are interested in training your cat (Ragdoll or not!), you can set up a cat training session with me or get a clicker training kit to help you get started.
Ragdoll Care
Radgoll cats have similar care needs to most other cats, but they tend to have higher sociability so they’d appreciate a home where they can get adequate love and attention. They also will enjoy playing with you and need plenty of mental stimulation. You may even be able to get them to fetch, but that ultimately depends on if your cat wants to fetch.
Because Ragdolls have longer hair, you’ll want to make sure they get regular brushing to keep their coat soft and luxurious. If you’re looking to make this task easy, I suggest a glove brush so brushing your cat becomes just like petting (though you may still need to use a different kind of brush occasionally, but this is good for keeping their fur manageable). Consider getting a them a sanitary trim around their rear so waste doesn’t get stuck in their fur. Similarly, they may prefer a non-clumping litter over a clumping variety so they don’t get clumps of litter stuck to their fur.
Ultimately, Ragdoll cats are fantastic companions and a great addition to your family. They are best suited for someone who wants an affectionate, friendly cat that will enjoy play time and will want to spend a lot of time interacting with your family. If you prefer a cat that’s a bit more standoffish, don’t be lured in by the Ragdoll cat’s fluffy appearance. You’ll be unhappy when your cat is following you into the bathroom!
