Cats are domestic animals that humans love to relate with for their companionship, friendship and loyalty. They are cute and diminutive creatures and are the second most domesticated animals after dogs.
Cat are members of the Felidae family which is made up of mostly wild cats like tigers, leopards, cheetahs, etc. They are the only domesticated cats in the family. These animals have a very developed sense of smell, excellent vision and sense of hearing.
They are strong, sleek and flexible and can climb heights all of which makes them nimble, agile and with good balance. While these properties are general to cats, felines come in a wide variety of breeds. Each breed has its unique characteristics and this to a large extent determines the way they look and behave.
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There are about 40 – 70 breeds and one of these is the Ragdoll. The Ragdoll is one of the most compelling and attractive cat breed available. You can learn about cats here.
Physically, they come with fluffy white coats. They are cuddly, floppy, loyal and affectionate with charming blue eyes. All of these characteristics make them great family pets.
History
The Ragdoll is relatively a new breed of cat. It was developed in California in the 1960s by Ann Baker who desired a beautiful yet loving and gentle feline. To develop the breed, she selected felines that have gentle and non-aggressive traits.
She started with Josephine, a longhair with unknown ancestry. Josephine was a white cat with Siamese-type markings that had genes with a black tuxedo design. Most Ragdolls available today are descendants of Josephine and her son named Daddy Warbucks.
As per the Cat Fancier Association, this breed of cats is the second most popular in the U.S. However, they were not recognized until as recently as 1993. They also only attained championship status in the year 2000.
Ragdolls have the tendency to go limp and because of this, Ann Baker called them by this name. Much later, other breeders decided to begin breeding their own Ragdolls. This led to the formation of the Ragdoll Fanciers Club International. This act also ensured that there was standardization in breeding them.
Physical Characteristics
Ragdolls are large cats. They are also beautiful and may come in various coat patterns. They typically do not get their coat’s full color until they are age two. Usually, by age 4, they reach their full size and weight.
While male Ragdolls may weigh up to about 15 to 20 pounds, females weigh around 10 to 15 pounds. You may also find some that are above 20 pounds in weight. This breed of feline has a broad chest that complements its firm and muscular body. They also have long and fluffy tails.
They have a large and symmetrical head that is proportionate to their body with somewhat of a flared set of ears. Their eyes are wide-set and circular and can come in different shades of blue or gold.
The legs of the Ragdoll are somewhat long but with the back legs a little longer than the ones in front. These are full of fluff that tapers when it closes to their feet. Their paws are also quite large with tufts of hair jutting out from between them. This may need to be trimmed occasionally.
Personality
This breed of felines is quite adorable. They are often referred to as “puppycats” because of how they follow their owners around. They like to be held and pampered and are as docile and submissive especially when picked up.
They have a smart, affectionate, gentle, loyal and friendly disposition and although they like attention, they are typically not demanding. They are quiet and won’t make noise unless they are bothered by something. Even when they do make a sound, it is low and sweet just to call your attention.
Unlike a lot of cats, they do not aim to climb or conquer the various heights around the home. Rather, they are content with lying on the floor or jumping on the sofa or bed along with you. Because of this, they are often called “floor cats”.
They have an easygoing disposition and moderate energy. They enjoy playing fetch and are easy to walk when on a leash.
Health, Care and Nutrition
On average, Ragdolls live up to around 12 to 15 years. However, it is important to know the common health issues they are prone to so this can be taken care of. One of these is a heart problem referred to as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. You can conduct a DNA test to know if your pet is susceptible to this.
Another issue is feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and bladder stones. They may also develop conditions such as testicular cancer, prostate infections and tumors. Females can have ovarian cysts as well as uterine infections.
You must keep watch over your Ragdoll because of their tendency to stray. Their friendliness leads them to approach other animals and humans and this means they can be attacked easily. Their long white coat can also get dirty easily when unnecessarily exposed.
Nevertheless, they require minimal grooming. You can comb their coat regularly using a comb made of steel. Also, trim the fluff that sticks out between their paws and ensure to brush their teeth to avoid periodontal infections. Clean eye discharges with a soft and damp cloth by gently wiping the area and remove any ear wax weekly.
Your Ragdoll’s diet should include a named source of meat and taurine. You may also give them natural and healthy treats. Avoid overfeeding them so they do not get obese.
You can do this by feeding them per serving a portion of what they need to eat daily. You can read more about this breed from this article https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-breeds/oriental-shorthair.
Conclusion
Cats are cute and adorable animals with Ragdolls one of the most attractive. If you desire a friendly, easygoing, easy to care for and family-friendly pet, you should seriously consider getting one from this breed.
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