Ragdoll Facts: 8 Surprising Things You’ll Love to Learn

Ragdoll cats are fluffy and adorable and make great pets. Ragdoll owners certainly love their feline family members, and many are opposed to caring for any other breed. The cat’s blue eyes, silky coat, and charming personality will make any cat lover sit up and take notice. If you’ve ever wondered if you’re missing some information about your Ragdoll cat, we have eight surprising Ragdoll facts that might make you appreciate your pet even more.

The 8 Most Surprising Facts About Ragdoll Cats

1. Ragdolls All Have Gorgeous Blue Eyes

While this isn’t surprising to most of us, Ragdolls have gorgeous blue eyes. All kittens are born with blue eyes, but the Ragdoll’s beautiful eyes stay blue throughout its life. The cats’ eyes come in different shapes and shades, but they are all blue.

It is important to note that all purebred Ragdolls have blue eyes. If you look at your Ragdoll and she has flecks of green or yellow in her blue eyes, she’s probably a mixed breed, not a purebred cat.

2. The First Ragdoll Cat Came from California

The first Ragdoll was bred by Anne Baker from Riverside, California, in the 1960s. She then trademarked the name Ragdoll and registered it. She set up her own registry, which places strict guidelines on anyone looking to breed or sell a cat under the Ragdoll name. That means that your little Ragdoll’s ancestors hail from California.

3. The Ragdoll Comes in Different Colors and Patterns

The Ragdoll cat breed comes in different colors and patterns. With six colors and four patterns, you can’t help but find a Ragdoll you’re sure to love. They’re available in red, seal, chocolate, blue, lilac, and cream colors.

The four patterns include van, bi-color, color point, and mitted. When you’re looking for a Ragdoll from a breeder, you may be able to get one of the Ragdoll kittens in your favorite color and pattern to give a forever home.

4. The Ragdoll Is One of the Largest Domestic Cats

Many pet owners don’t realize it, but the Ragdoll is one of the largest domestic cats. Like the Main Coon, this cat is enormous and hard to ignore. A full-grown Ragdoll cat weighs 8 to 20 pounds, with the males getting quite a bit bigger than the females.

5. Ragdolls Love Water

Don’t be surprised if you’re in the shower or lounging in the tub and your Ragdoll suddenly jumps in with you. While people usually think cats hate water, Ragdolls prove that theory wrong. Just like the popular Savannah Cat, Ragdolls love water and love to play in it. Your pet may enjoy bath time even more than you do.

6. Ragdolls Are Puppy-Like Cats

Ragdolls are considered to be a lot like dogs, and some use the term  “puppy-like cats” to describe their pets. They love to be cuddled, picked up, and played with. You can expect your Ragdoll baby to follow you from room to room, wait by the door and greet you when you come home, and sleep with you. This cat will even curl up in your lap like a baby while you binge-watch TV.

7. Ragdolls Go Limp When You Pick Them Up

Ragdolls were named after one of their most enduring traits. Unlike other cats that try to squeeze out your arms or merely tolerate being picked up, Ragdolls go limp in your arms and seem to enjoy it.  It will go limp when you pick one up, just like a ragdoll. They’re more comfortable around humans than some breeds and even friendly to strangers and other pets.

8. Ragdolls Are Quiet

Unlike many breeds that are vocal and loud, the Ragdoll breed is very quiet. Some breeders say that the Ragdoll breed is so quiet that it doesn’t meow or howl when it’s sick or in pain, which can complicate matters for owners.

To some extent, all cats hide their pain, but it’s best to monitor your Ragdoll’s behavior closely for troubling signs, such as a lack of appetite, litter box problems, diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy. You can contact your vet for an appointment if you notice any signs of illness, but maintaining bi-annual veterinary visits will also ensure your Ragdoll stays healthy.

Reasons to Adopt a Ragdoll Cat

There are many reasons to adopt a Ragdoll cat, and we’ve listed a few of our favorites.

Conclusion

Ragdoll cats are large and adorable felines with gorgeous blue eyes. If you’ve considered adopting one of these lovely cats, we hope our article has helped convince you that they’re exceptional pets. As you’ve seen, there are several reasons that a Ragdoll cat makes a great house pet. Before searching for Ragdoll breeders, contact your local rescues and shelters to see if you can locate a Ragdoll to become a new member of your family.

Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock