The Vet’s Ragdoll Cat Guide: Facts, Care, and Training Tips

Known for their calm and cuddly temperament, the Ragdoll cat is a popular choice of household cat in Australian families. Ragdolls are typically good with children and other pets, making them great family pets.

• Ragdoll cats are a breed of domestic cat that was developed in the 1960s in California, USA by breeder Ann Baker. They are known for their docile nature and affectionate personality, which is believed to have been bred into them through selective breeding with other cat breeds.

• Ragdoll cats are easily recognised by their distinctive blue eyes, point colouration, and soft, fluffy fur. Males can weigh anywhere between 5-10 kilograms, whereas females typically weigh between 3-6 kilograms. They are known for their relaxed demeanour and tendency to go limp when picked up or held, which is where they get their name.

• Ragdoll cats have specific nutritional needs, as they are prone to obesity and urinary tract problems. It's important to feed them a balanced diet that is high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and includes plenty of water to keep them hydrated.

• Ragdoll cats are often described as gentle, affectionate, and relaxed. They are known for their love of human company and enjoy being held. They are also intelligent cats and can be trained to do tricks or walk on a leash. 

“Ragdoll's are a delightful breed. Relaxed and friendly, they are great companions for people of all ages. What sets them apart from other cats is their tendency to go limp when held or cuddled, which is a unique and endearing trait. Owners should provide them with regular veterinary checkups, a nutritious diet, and plenty of mental and physical stimulation to ensure their overall well-being."

- Dr Jane Miller BSc, BVSc (hons)

Appearance: Adult Ragdoll cats can weigh up to almost 10 kilograms, and be as long as 100 cm. Whilst they are a relatively large breed, they are gentle and calm. Ragdoll coats can also vary, with varying coat patterns in terms of colouring and spots that get darker as they age. Ragdolls typically feature either a:

• Colourpoint pattern (a lighter body with a darker face, ears, legs, and tail)

• Mitted (white paws and chest)

• Bi-colour (a white body with larger coloured points on face, ears, legs, and tail)

Temperament: With their calm temperament, there is no need to worry about the personality of your Ragdoll cat. This breed is super affectionate and has earned its name from often going limp when held.

Activity Level: These calm cats don’t need a large amount of vigorous exercise a day. They are often happy with some self-led active playtime throughout the day.

Health: Due to their large size, Ragdolls can be prone to weight issues and becoming overweight. Monitoring food intake and activity levels can help minimise these impacts. This breed is also prone to other health issues such as bladder stones, renal failure and heart disease. 

Lifespan: The average lifespan of a healthy Ragdoll is between 12 and 18 years, but this is dependent on health issues and other health circumstances.

Whilst Ragdolls have soft and fluffy coats, they only have a single coat, meaning that they experience less shedding and matting compared to other fluffy breeds. However, this doesn’t mean you skip out on any grooming for your furry friend.

Shedding patterns: Shedding within Ragdoll cats is minimal in comparison to many other fluffy breeds of cat. However, they are not considered a hypoallergenic breed, as they still shed. To keep up with this, be sure to brush your cat regularly to avoid excessive shedding and matting.

Grooming: The grooming needs for your Ragdoll can be easily met through regular brushing, claw trims, and baths from time to time. By regularly trimming your cat’s claws and brushing, you can avoid a lot of discomfort or issues. You can either do these things yourself or take your Ragdoll to the groomer. 

Recommended products: Finding the right products that work for your Ragdoll can be difficult, but we recommend investing in some good quality claw clippers, an appropriate brush as well as a shampoo that works best for your cat’s skin and fur.

With your Ragdoll cat, there are some health issues that you should be aware of and keep on your radar. We will provide you with our best tips on how to identify and minimise the impacts of these health concerns, and how best to accommodate your pet.

Bladder stones: Your Ragdoll cat can be prone to bladder stones, leading them to feel in pain and uncomfortable when going to the bathroom. Signs that your cat is experiencing bladder stones include blood within urine, your cat vocalising pain or having trouble in the litter box. To prevent your Ragdoll from getting bladder stones, and work through them, provide fresh water every day, a veterinary-approved diet and be sure to take them to regular vet appointments.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic disease that is common within Ragdoll cats. This disease is most commonly found in older male cats, but can still be present in younger cats. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is caused by the thickening of the heart walls, with some cats never showing signs. The first symptoms of this disease being present are typically a lack of energy, staggered breathing or heart murmurs. Genetic testing can help identify this condition sooner.

Weight issues (obesity): Due to their size, many Ragdoll cats are susceptible to weight issues, potentially leading to obesity. This can be combated through the regulation of food and treats along with the integration of daily physical activity. You can utilise puzzle treats and feeding bowls to regulate the amount of food your Ragdoll is eating, and how fast they consume their food.

Gum disease: Ragdoll cats are also susceptible to gum disease, so be sure to get your furry friend regularly examined as this may turn out to be a more serious issue. To decrease the likelihood of serious gum disease, be sure to get your cat checked for gum disease and regularly brush their teeth.  Regular dental scale and polish treatments may be necessary.

When attempting to train your Ragdoll, we recommend starting as early within their life as possible - preferably when they are a kitten. However, we will provide you with our best tips and tricks on how to train your Ragdoll and make the most of its playful nature!

Read our vet-written Kitten guide here

Intelligence and trainability: Ragdoll cats are highly intelligent and can be trained if you give them the time and space. However, they have a lower intelligence when it comes to their hunting instincts, making them perfect indoor cats.

Effective training tips: There are many ways you can go about training your Ragdoll, but you need to find the most effective method for you and your cat:

Positive reinforcement: Reward your cat with their favourite treat for actions you want them to do, and over time they should understand that the action is associated with the reward.

Use their toys: If your Ragdoll is quite playful, using their playtime to teach them new commands can be a more effective way for them to follow and remember an action.

Clicker/noises: When your cat exhibits the behaviours or commands you want, you can use a clicker or a common sound to reinforce the behaviour. If you are consistent with these sounds, your Ragdoll will associate the clicker or sound with positive behaviour.

Use of pheromones: The use of feline-specific pheromones such as Feliway is always useful to encourage a calm feline home.

However, you need to ensure that you always have fun with your Ragdoll and give them the love and affection they need. The best way to train this breed is through positive experiences to keep their gentle temperament. 

Ragdolls don’t often need an extensive amount of exercise per day, but it is wise to integrate some physical activity in their daily routine. Ragdolls will normally opt for being indoors, occasionally exploring outside. By integrating at least 10 to 20 minutes of playful exercise into your cat’s routine, you can lower the risk of health conditions such as obesity.

Frequent play sessions: The best way to get in your Ragdoll’s recommended amount of exercise is through frequent play sessions. We recommend short bursts of play integrated throughout your day, as this breed also enjoys a good nap.

Get creative: You can get creative with the type of activities you provide for your Ragdoll, such as homemade obstacle courses, scavenger hunts and scratching posts. 

Walking on a leash: Due to their intelligence, this breed can also be trained to walk on a leash. This is a great way to integrate some safe outdoor time for your cat.  Outdoor cat enclosures are another way to stimulate your cat in a safe environment.

Whilst Ragdoll cats are often known for their calming and gentle nature, they can have bursts of unwanted behaviour. Whilst not frequent, we will give you our top tips on tackling these behaviours.

Aggressiveness during play: One of the most noticeable negative behaviours seen in Ragdolls is their potential to become aggressive during play. This can result in harm to you such as scratches or ongoing aggressive energy. This is all in the name of fun for them, so be sure to set boundaries with them and redirect their energy.

Lack of “street smarts”: Something to keep in mind with your Ragdoll is that they are not the most well-equipped outdoors. Whilst they may want to explore from time to time, it is important that they are kept indoors unless taken out by you.

General playfulness: Ragdolls are known for being cheeky and playful, and will knock things over when looking for a game. Keeping glasses, liquids, or chemicals away from unsupervised Ragdolls will help keep their playtime safe.

How to tackle these behaviours: Regulating these unwanted behaviours goes back to the basic training of your cat. The use of pheromones such as Feliway can be very effective in creating a calming environment. 

As for an overly adventurous Ragdoll, giving them time outside under your watch can satisfy their need for some time in nature, whilst also keeping them safe.

As a large breed, your Ragdoll needs sufficient nutrients to maintain their health. Whilst you should be wary to not overfeed them, your cat should get the appropriate amount of food daily.

Nutritional balance: Ragdolls need to sustain a high-protein diet, and this can be achieved through the integration of meat into their meals. Feline nutritionists recommend that a Ragdoll’s diet should consist of at least 50% animal protein. Look for food that has high-quality protein sources, such as chicken, turkey, or fish, as well as essential vitamins and minerals.

Avoid carbs: We recommend giving your cat as few little carbs as possible, as this often leads to one of their common health issues, obesity. Feeding this breed with high protein foods with high water content allows them to minimise the impact of potential health issues like obesity.

Wet and dry foods: We recommend that you feed your Ragdoll a balance of wet and dry foods to help manage their digestive, dental, and nutritional needs. Dry food is useful for dental health by scraping away plaque and tartar as the cat chews. Wet cat food can be more appealing to cats because of its texture and moisture content, and it can help with urinary tract health by providing additional hydration.

Portion sizes: Remember, every cat is unique, so it's important to speak with your veterinarian and tailor your ragdoll's nutritional plan to their individual needs.

Whether you have a Ragdoll or you're thinking about getting one, we hope you learnt something by reading our article. Whilst this guide is great start to learning about Ragdoll ownership, never stop seeking out new information from reputable sources. Share your experiences with other Ragdoll owners, and always continue to learn more about your cats breed, temperament and how best to care for and love them.

This article was written by Dr. Jane Miller