1. Key Characteristics
- Weight: 15–20 pounds for males, 10–15 pounds for females
- Life Expectancy: 18 years
The Ragamuffin is a large, strong and healthy cat with a medium-long coat that comes in various colors and patterns. The coat is thick and resembles rabbit’s fur. The cat has large, expressive eyes and thrives on human companionship.
2. Where They Came From
Though there are conflicting stories about this cat’s origins, the most commonly accepted history involves breeding that began with the Ragdoll cat. Ann Baker began breeding Ragdoll cats in the 1960s after acquiring a beautiful cat with a calm and affectionate personality. She formed an association to protect the breed and had strict breeding requirements.
In 1994, a group broke off from her organization because of these requirements and began breeding Ragdoll cats with Persian cats and Himalayans. This new breed came to be known as the Ragamuffin. The Cat Fanciers’ Association accepted the breed in 2003 and allowed their advancement to championship class in 2011.
3. How Friendly Are They?
Ragamuffins are known for their relaxed and affectionate personalities. They thrive on human companionship and attention, and are often found waiting at the door for you and will curl up in your lap for hours. They are patient with children and enjoy being around other pets.
Cuddling and playfulness is common in the breed. This intelligent lap cat can be vocal at times and will want to stay close to you. Ragamuffins doesn’t reach maturity until 4–5 years of age, so be prepared for an extended kitten period full of playfulness and an overload of cute.
4. Is This the Right Cat for You?
Exercise Needs
LOW: Ragamuffins don’t have any special exercise needs. Keep them indoors; their affectionate and trusting nature can make them unaware or fearless of outdoor dangers.
Their physical activity should be similar to that of most cats (sleeping long hours, playing, running and jumping). Contact your veterinarian if your Ragamuffin isn’t as active as they usually are; this could be a sign of a health issue.
Grooming Needs
MEDIUM: The Ragamuffin’s medium-long coat is dense and soft with a long, plush tail. The fur doesn’t mat or clump easily, making grooming frequency minimal.
Brush your Ragamuffin at least once a week or daily if you want to minimize shedding. Trim the cat’s nails as needed (usually once every 1–2 weeks) and clean the ears and teeth to promote good overall health.
Health Problems
LOW: There are no known genetic health problems in the Ragamuffin breed. They can become overweight, so their food intake should be monitored and consistent.
This video provides a great overview of the qualities that make the Ragamuffin such a desirable feline companion:
5. Where to Adopt One
If you consider getting a Ragamuffin for your next pet, please check adoption resources — even purebred animals end up in shelters.
Try Petful’s own pet adoption page. (Select the “Cats” tab, and you can filter your results by breed and ZIP code.)
Additional Resources
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