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Are you considering getting a Ragdoll cat and want to understand how to identify one?
Whether you’re at the pet store, breeder, or looking through local listings – knowing the specific characteristics of this particular breed will help ensure you make the best decision when selecting your new feline companion.
With luxurious thick coats, bright blue eyes, and distinct pointed markings – it’s easy to see why they are known as one of the fluffiest breeds of cats around!
Read on for tips on how to identify a Ragdoll cat so that you know precisely what features set a Ragdoll apart from all other felines.
Personality Traits of a Ragdoll Cat
Ragdoll cats have some unique personality traits compared to other cats. Ragdoll cats are known for their docile nature and social skills. They also tend to be quite active and interactive with their owners. Let’s look at the Ragdoll breed’s characteristics and why they make such great pets.
1. Affectionate
When looking for a Ragdoll, one thing to keep in mind is to ensure it is affectionate towards its owner(s). This can help ensure that your new pet will be comfortable in its home environment and won’t become scared or anxious due to unfamiliar surroundings or people it does not know.
Before bringing your new cat home, ask the previous owner about how affectionate the cat is so that you can ensure it will fit in well with your family.
2. Docile
Ragdolls have a very docile personality, meaning they are not easily agitated or aggressive. This is great if you have children, as it means that your cat will be more tolerant of them than many other breeds of cats.
The ragdoll’s docile nature also makes them easy to train and handle, making them ideal for first-time cat owners.
3. Social
Ragdolls are incredibly social animals, making them great for households with multiple pets or frequent visitors. They love interacting with people and will often follow their owners around the house to get attention from them.
Ragdolls also get along well with other animals, so if you already have another pet, this shouldn’t be an issue.
4. Engagement
Ragdolls are known for being quite active and engaging when interacting with their owners.
While some cats may prefer to sleep all day or remain aloof, ragdolls will often come over and request attention from their owners by rubbing against their legs or meowing softly until they receive a response. This level of engagement makes them enjoyable companions who can provide hours of entertainment.
Physical Characteristics of a Ragdoll Cat
The Ragdoll cat is an incredibly distinctive breed that can be easily identified by its physical attributes. These cats have large, round heads, striking blue eyes, and silky fur that tends to be pointed in chocolate, seal, lilac, and cream colors.
Ragdolls are also significantly larger than other breeds. When fully grown, they weigh between 10 and 20 lbs, so if you see a vast cuddly feline strutting around, chances are it’s a Ragdoll.
1. Blue Eyes
Identifying a Ragdoll cat is easy; look for those bright blue eyes! True to the breed standard, most Ragdoll cats have striking blue eyes. If your cat has different colored eyes, they are not a true Ragdoll.
Unfortunately, some breeders advertise non-blue-eyed variations of this breed as though they meet the standard. Still, these cats are not accepted by any significant Ragdoll association and do not fit into the written Breed Standard.
2. Coat
When identifying a Ragdoll cat, one of the first characteristics that come to mind is its beautiful coat texture. The fur of Ragdolls is soft, luxurious, and very light to the touch, often with medium-long strands that are less likely to mat than many other breeds.
Keeping their coats looking sleek and healthy is relatively easy, thanks to how little they shed. Even though they have fluffy fur, much of what is generally considered shedding will often sit on the fabric’s surface – making it easier to clean up.
So when it comes time to groom your cat, you can rest assured knowing that you won’t need too much effort with a Ragdoll!
3. Color Patterns
Ragdolls are some of the most beautiful cats and come in an array of stunning color patterns including white, black, cream, lilac, gray, blue, chocolate, seal, and red. Let’s take a closer look at these unique cats’ five distinct color patterns.
3.1) Colorpoint Coats
The first type of coat is called “Colorpoint.” This pattern is characterized by a white undercoat with darker points around the face, ears, tail, and legs. The facts come in various shades, including Seal, Blue, Lilac, Chocolate, Red, and Cream. The muzzle area may also have a secondary color or tabby markings, which add to the uniqueness of each individual cat.
3.2) Bicolor Coats
The second type of coat is called “Bicolor.” This pattern consists of a white undercoat with large patches of color, usually on the face and belly area, along with dark points around the ears, tail, and legs, as in Colorpoints but on a larger scale.
3.3) Mitted Coats
The third type of coat is called “Mitted,” which is similar to Bicolors but with one significant difference; Mitteds have white mittens extending from their paws up to their elbows (front) and hocks (back). The mittens may also have light tabby markings adding even more character to these beautiful cats.
3.4) Lynx Coats
The fourth type of coat is called “Lynx,” which has stripes along its sides that originate at its shoulders and run down toward its hips, giving it an almost tiger-like appearance when viewed from certain angles.
3.5) Tortoiseshell Coats
The fifth and final type is referred to as “Tortoiseshell” or simply “Tortie” for short due to its resemblance to actual tortoise shells in terms of colors & patterns, specifically cream, red, or pink.
4. Size and Weight
Ragdolls are large cats. Females tend to weigh between 8–15 pounds, while males typically weigh between 12–20 pounds. They tend to reach full size in two years but can continue growing until around five. This means that even if you buy a kitten from a breeder, it could still grow quite large.
As far as height goes, they typically reach 9–11 inches tall when fully grown. Despite their size, they are surprisingly good jumpers and climbers, thanks to their muscular bodies. Their legs are long but well-proportioned and not overly bulky.
Identifying a Ragdoll Cat with DNA Testing
How can you be sure your cat is really a Ragdoll? Well, it’s easy – get a DNA test!
That’s right – DNA testing has become so advanced that it can now identify your cat’s breed with accuracy. Let’s take a look at how this works.
1. What is DNA Testing?
DNA testing involves taking a sample from an animal (usually saliva) and sequencing its genetic code to identify which breed it belongs to. This type of testing is becoming increasingly popular as people want to know precisely what kind of pet they have.
It’s also becoming increasingly common for pet owners to use DNA testing to learn more about their pets’ health and wellness and their ancestry.
2. Why Get A DNA Test For Your Ragdoll Cat?
A DNA test can give you peace of mind when it comes to knowing whether or not your cat is genuinely a Ragdoll. With so many different types of cats, it can be hard to tell which breed your cat belongs to without researching and getting an expert opinion.
By getting a DNA test, you can avoid all the guesswork and be sure about your cat’s identity! Plus, if you’re looking for a new Ragdoll kitten but need to decide which breeder to trust, getting a DNA test done before bringing them home can help ensure that they are indeed purebreds.
3. How Does The Test Work?
The process for getting your cat tested for its breed couldn’t be more straightforward – collect some saliva from your kitty using the provided swab kits and send it off to the laboratory, where it will be tested using advanced techniques.
Once the results come back, they will definitively tell you whether or not your beloved feline companion is indeed a Ragdoll!
Professional advice on how to Identify a Ragdoll Cat
Here are our top tips for identifying this lovely breed of cat.
1. Consult a Reputable Breeder
The best way to identify a Ragdoll cat is to consult a reputable breeder. A good breeder will have extensive knowledge about the breed and can help you determine whether or not your cat is a Ragdoll.
Make sure you check out the credentials of any breeder before making an appointment, as there are, unfortunately, some less-than-reputable breeders out there who may need help to provide the information you need.
2. Check for Documentation
If you want to avoid going through a breeder, then your next best bet is to check for documentation. All reputable breeders will provide their customers with papers proving their cats are purebreds. If your cat does not have such documents, it may not be a true Ragdoll.
3. Contact the Official Associations
Another great way to identify a Ragdoll cat is by contacting official associations such as The International Cat Association (TICA), which registers purebred and non-purebred cats and kittens.
By getting in touch with these organizations, you can ask questions about your cat’s background and learn more about his heritage.
4. Ask Your Veterinarian
Finally, asking your veterinarian for advice on identifying a Ragdoll cat can also be helpful. Your vet should be familiar with the breed and its characteristics and will be able to tell you whether or not your kitty fits into that category based on physical factors such as size, shape, fur type, and coloration.
Conclusion
Identifying a Ragdoll cat can be tricky. Still, this guide gives you all the specific physical characteristics and personality traits to help distinguish one from other cats. From the signature Siamese coat patterns to having large eyes and ears and being joyful yet docile, you should now have a better idea of what separates Ragdoll cats from other breeds. And for absolute certainty of identification, you can always opt for DNA testing. Lastly, please share this post with your friends so they can more easily identify a Ragdoll cat!
