The Ragdoll cat is a breed of giant cats, very hairy and very active. The breed was born in the United States, from a series of crosses, and only arrived in Brazil in the early 1980s. The story is very curious, but what really draws attention is the result: a huge and super cute cat. The Ragdoll cat breed is very affectionate and likes that nice cuddle of the owner. That is: it is a great cat.great companion for other animals (including dogs), children, adults and the elderly. The Paws of the House gathered all the information about the personality, care, curiosities, health and much more about the breed. Check it out below and fall in love!

Cat: Ragdoll breed and its origin

The history of the Ragdoll breed begins in 1960 in the United States. The American Ann Baker was responsible for the registration of the first specimen of the breed, her white Ragdoll, who was named Jospehine. The original kitten has an influence on the choice of the breed's name. Ragdoll in English means "rag doll" and this name was chosen precisely because Josephine was a pet that enjoyed the moments of the breed.Because of this history, many people call today's felines of the Ragdoll cat breed "Ann's children".

It is estimated that the giant Ragdoll cat is the result of crosses between the Angora, Burmese and Sacred Burmese breeds. The feline is recognized by the major international cat associations, such as CFA, FIF and TICA.

Ragdoll: breed characteristics are very striking

This kitten is well known for its striking features: Ragdoll is a large cat, with a slender and long body. The pelt on the belly of the Ragdoll cat is often a little larger than normal when compared to the abdominal fat of other breeds, however this aspect is totally common for the breed. This kitten is full of striking features in its appearance, but there is aA particular feature that usually impresses anyone who knows this feline and Ragdoll lovers: the breed's size. Its height varies from 50 to 60 cm, weighing from 4 to 9 kg.

The coat of the Ragdoll cat is also something that draws a lot of attention and can have some variations in the tone pattern. There are three patterns that are most common for the Ragdoll breed: black and white colors are mixed in two of them, except in the colorpoint (it has no white, only dark colors on the tail, paws, ear and face). In the mitted there is white at the tips of the paws, legs, chest and chin; and in the black and white.bicolor is when the face has two distinct colors. What should be observed is not the color of the fur, but the colors of the extremities. These are the most common variation patterns of the black and white Ragdoll. Another very famous coat color is that of the white and chocolate Ragdoll cat, which resembles the Siamese breed. In these specimens, the chocolate color is mixed with the lighter colors on the animal's chestand the darker tone is presented at its ends.

Initially, only two colors were considered by breeders: the Seal color, which are the Ragdolls with the dark brown, almost black ends; and the Blue color, which has the bluish gray ends. Then, new colors appeared due to the crosses between Ragdolls, such as Lilac, Chocolate, Red, Cream, Torbie and finally, Tortie - or turtle shell -, which only appears in Ragdolls.The fur of this kitten is fluffy and it is known for being practically a fluffy pillow, as no one can resist running their hand through and petting its fur.

See photo gallery of the Ragdoll cat: size and colors of the breed are impressive

Cat: Ragdoll breed has a docile and friendly personality!

Despite being a much larger cat than conventional kittens, don't be alarmed, the Ragdoll's personality is extremely docile, affectionate and loving. They are lap-loving cats and value the company and attention of their owners - they even like to follow their guardians around, just like dogs do. So, if you spend all day out of the house, it may not be good to invest in this breed. TheRagdoll kittens, especially, depend on care to avoid feeling lonely - they really don't like the idea of not having someone around. The option may be to adopt another cat to make their days less boring. The socialization of this kitten is very important for its development.

Being a big cat, many confuse its size with its personality. But, believe me, if you put a Ragdoll cat outdoors, it will not know how to defend itself! They are animals incapable of making a mess and can even get hurt if they get into a fight. The Ragdoll is so good that on the internet it is common to see videos of this cat throwing from one person to another at close range (byplease don't throw your kitten to test if it's true or not - the videos already prove it). The reaction of cats in this situation is zero annoyance or discomfort!

In addition, it is well known for its intelligence. When it comes to the Ragdoll, the cat of the breed is considered more intelligent than most felines. Because it is also very active, it is indicated that the breed's guardians invest in training from an early age. That way, the kitten learns the tricks more easily.

Ragdoll: cat breed and its curiosities

• The Ragdoll breed arrived in Brazil with publicist Ana Viggiani and veterinarian Glauco Mello. Ana imported her first kitten in 1982, Samson; and Glauco imported his first couple, Dandenong Tufik and Chatandolls Shelda, in 1998. Both were pioneers in perpetuating the breed in Brazil;

How to care for the Ragdoll cat?

• Coat : "Does the Ragdoll cat shed a lot of hair?" This is a common question for many people. Because they have long hair, the Ragdoll breed requires frequent brushing so that the hair does not get tangled or knotted. In addition, it prevents hairballs! In warmer temperatures, a hygienic grooming can help these animals to be cleaner and not to be so hot. Bathing the Ragdoll should beconsidered by the owner with the help of a veterinarian: as the cat has excessive hair, it may be necessary to avoid discomfort to the feline. When compared to other breeds, the Ragdoll sheds a lot of hair, but all these precautions can help with the situation.

How is the health of the Ragdoll breed?

Although they are considered healthy cats, it is important that Ragdoll cats do not exceed their ideal weight. If they reach between 10kg and 12kg, it is already good to turn on the alert and seek a veterinarian for an evaluation, as it may be feline obesity. Do not leave food available, as we usually do with our kittens, as the Ragdoll is a breed that can easily become overweight.

Ragdolls live about 10 to 15 years and it all depends on how they are cared for, of course. You also need to watch for diseases that may be genetic, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is an enlargement of the left ventricle of the heart in cats.

Ragdoll kitten needs guardian attention

The first phase of the Ragdoll kitten's life is all good, but it needs attention from the guardian with some basic care. Vaccinations for cats, as well as deworming, are essential for any breed. In addition, the guardian must pay attention to the pet's adaptation. Arriving in a new home can be difficult for any kitten, and this is no different with the Ragdoll kitten, who isIt is important to gatify the house before welcoming the new member of the family and to be patient with their adaptation process in the new home.

Thinking of buying a Ragdoll cat? Breed value ranges from R$ 5.500 to R$ 10.000

How much does a Ragdoll cat cost? This is the question of many people who are passionate about the breed and are planning to buy it in the future. Planning is more than necessary to buy a Ragdoll kitten. Price of the breed varies from R $ 5.500 to R $ 10.000. Moreover, it is worth researching a lot before buying a Ragdoll cat: price may vary according to genetics and characteristics of the membersEverything can influence how much the Ragdoll will be sold for, the price of the kitten is usually more expensive than most breeds.

Before buying or adopting a Ragdoll cat, it is essential to find out about the lineage of the furry (if you know the parents of the kitten, even better to know about the health history). If the cattery does not allow visits to the premises, be suspicious and do not buy the cat there - always look for safe and reliable places. Also find out about FIV and FeLV tests and respect the time frame.breastfeeding: ideally, you should only receive your baby after 60 days.

Ragdoll: see x-ray of the breed!

• Porte : large
• Average height : 50 to 60 cm
• Average weight : 4 to 9 kg
• Life expectancy : 15 years
• Coat : semi-long (in large quantities)