Ragdoll Kittens As Family Pets
Have you ever heard of Ragdoll cats? They have only been around since the 1960s, when a cat breeder in the United States developed the breed. If any Ragdoll kittens are available in your area, you might want to consider one as a pet. Let’s take a look at this fascinating line of felines.
The breed name Ragdoll refers to the very docile nature of these cats. When picked up, they usually relax and go limp. Picking one up is like picking up a rag doll. Ann Baker, a cat breeder, was intrigued by the very laid back attitude of some kittens that a neighbor had. She bought several of them and used them as the basis for the breed.
Ann did not wish to work with the established cat registries, so she started the International Ragdoll Cat Association. She acquired a trademark on the word Ragdoll. For years she would only allow Ragdoll cats to be registered with the IRCA. The situation has evolved since then. She no longer controls the name, and the cats are now commonly registered in the standard cat registries.
In addition to their docility, these cats are also known for their large size. Females run from 8 to 15 pounds, but the males can be as large as 20 pounds. They come in six different colors with three different patterns, so there is quite a lot of visual diversity in this breed. They have blue eyes.
They are considered long haired cats, and like other long hairs, they shed, particularly during season changes. However, unlike many other long hairs, they don’t have an undercoat of short hairs. This means they don’t shed as much, so there is less clean up. They also don’t need as much combing because they are less likely to develop matting in their hair.
The Ragdoll’s laid back, docile nature makes it an ideal pet for a family with children. They will probably work best as indoor pets. Their unagressive nature could make it risky for them to be outdoors.
These cats are more interested in humans than many other breeds. If you have one, it may follow you around the house and will sometimes come when called. They have been trained to play fetch. They like to play, but are fairly gentle about it.
When the breed was still under tight control, the Ragamuffin cat was developed from it as a competitive move in 1994. The Ragamuffin name had to be used because Ann still had Ragdoll trademarked. It was intended to be humorous, but people liked the name and it is still in use.
The breed has become a recognized member of the standard repertoire of cat breeds. They can now be listed in the same cat registries that are used by most breeds today. People show them frequently. They are becoming available outside the United States.
Well, hopefully this brief look will pique your interest in looking at some Ragdoll kittens. They can certainly be attractive cats. Many feel that they are ideal pets.
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