There are over 200 million cats worldwide, but only 45 breeds, with 11 being longhaired¹. The Ragamuffin is a standout, known for its gentle nature and a coat that’s just begging for snuggles.

Ragamuffins are among the biggest cat breeds² and are the 33rd most popular². They were created by mixing Ragdolls, Persians, Himalayans, and domestic long-haired cats. This mix gives them a coat that’s easy to care for, needing only weekly brushing³.

Key Takeaways

• Ragamuffins are known for their plush, silky coats and large size
• They were developed by breeders to introduce more colour variations and patterns to the Ragdoll breed
• Ragamuffins are often described as “puppy-like” due to their affectionate and cuddly nature
• These gentle giants can weigh up to 20 pounds for males and 15 pounds for females
• Ragamuffins have a life expectancy of up to 18 years

Introducing the Ragamuffin

The Ragamuffin’s story is linked to the Ragdoll breed⁴. It’s thought that Ragamuffins came about when Ragdoll breeders mixed them with other longhaired cats. These included Turkish Angoras, Himalayans, Persians, and domestic longhairs⁵. This mix aimed to increase the Ragamuffin’s colour variety and size, making the breed more diverse⁴.

Origin

The creation of the Ragamuffin was not without its challenges⁴. Ann Baker, the Ragdoll’s founder, controlled the breed’s standards closely. This led to some breeders leaving to form the Ragamuffin breed⁴. These disagreements and legal issues eventually made the Ragamuffin a distinct breed⁴.

Controversy

The Ragamuffin’s creation sparked a lot of debate⁴. Even though it’s closely related to the Ragdoll, it became its own breed. This was due to disagreements and legal fights between Ann Baker and other Ragdoll fans⁴.

Distinctive Ragamuffin Attributes

The Ragamuffin is known for its loving and sweet nature. They are friendly, docile, and make great pets⁶. These cats get along well with kids and other pets, fitting right into family life⁶. They love attention and cuddles, making them wonderful companions.

Loveable Purrsonalities

Ragamuffins act like big puppies, becoming very calm when held⁶. They are smart and can learn to walk on a leash or do tricks⁶. Their playful and loving nature makes them a joy at home.

Physical Features

Ragamuffins are big and strong cats⁶. Males weigh 6.5 kg to 10 kg, females 4.5 kg to 6.5 kg⁶. They grow fully by about 48 months⁶. They have a soft, medium-length coat in many colours and patterns⁷. Their colours appear as they get older⁷.

Behaviours

Ragamuffins are playful and love attention⁶. They follow their owners everywhere, wanting to be close all the time⁶. They can be trained to walk on a leash and learn tricks, showing their smarts and desire to please⁶. With a long life of 12 to 16 years⁶, they are loyal friends for many years.

The Ragamuffin: A Gentle Giant

Ragamuffins are truly gentle giants⁸. They come from the Ragdoll breed, developed in the 1960s. These cats can weigh over 20 pounds⁹. They were created by Ragdoll breeders who wanted more variety in colour and pattern.

Despite their size, Ragamuffins are calm and loving. They form strong bonds with their families⁹. They love to cuddle and be close to their owners, young and old⁹.

Ragamuffins are lap cats at heart. They enjoy spending time with their people, often lounging by their side⁸. They get along well with other pets if introduced carefully, making them great for homes with multiple animals.

Ragamuffins have beautiful, plush coats⁹. They come in many colours and patterns⁸. Their looks and gentle nature make them beloved family pets⁹. They bring warmth, comfort, and happiness to their owners.

Grooming and Care for Your Ragamuffin

Ragamuffin cats are known for their soft, silky coats that need little grooming¹⁰. A weekly brushing with a stainless steel comb is enough to keep them looking great¹⁰. This routine is key for their looks and keeps their coat healthy.

Looking after their teeth is also crucial. Brushing their teeth a few times a week stops dental disease¹⁰. Trimming their nails and cleaning their ears with a special mix also keeps them well¹⁰.

Some breeders, like iCandy RagaMuffins, bat kittens a few times before they go to their new homes¹⁰. This is common in the Ragamuffin world, as Sara Thornton DVM says grooming is vital for their show readiness¹⁰.

To keep your Ragamuffin’s coat perfect, use special grooming products¹⁰. Groomer’s Goop, Davis degreaser, and Dawn Dishwashing detergent are good choices¹⁰. A Chris Christensen Buttercomb is also great for combing their coat¹⁰.

Ragamuffins need regular grooming to stay looking great¹⁰¹¹¹². Brushing, dental care, nail trimming, and ear cleaning keep them healthy and happy¹⁰¹¹¹².

Ragamuffin

The Ragamuffin is a big, fluffy cat breed known for its teddy bear look and loving nature¹³. They are great companions, acting like dogs by following their owners everywhere and loving lots of attention¹³. Their big size and gentle nature make them perfect for families and homes with other pets¹³.

They were officially recognised as a breed in 1994¹³. Ragamuffins are friendly and have thick, soft fur¹³. They have strong bones and a big body type¹³. Their fur comes in many colours like white, black, and red, or mixed patterns like stripes and spots¹³. Some even have different coloured eyes, a rare feature¹³.

The Ragamuffin started from the Ragdoll breed in the 1960s in California by Ann Baker¹³. They can be crossed with other breeds like the Siberian and British Longhair¹³. Many cat associations like the UFO and CFA accept them as show champions, but they have some colour rules¹³.

Ragamuffins first showed up in the 1990s in the US¹⁴. They are a mix of Ragdolls and other long-haired cats like Persians¹⁴. These cats can have health issues like heart and kidney diseases¹⁴. This shows why careful breeding is important¹³.

The Ragamuffin was created in 1994 by mixing Persians, Himalayans, and Domestic Longhairs¹⁵. The CFA added them to their list in 2003¹⁵. They are known for being calm and friendly, making them great for families¹⁵. Their fur comes in many colours, with blue and brown tabby being favourites¹⁵. It takes them about four years to grow up fully¹⁵. They might get a bit chubby, so watching their diet is key¹⁵. A Ragamuffin kitten can cost up to £800¹⁵.

Common Health Issues in Ragamuffins

Ragamuffins are usually a healthy breed but can face certain health issues. Cardiomyopathy, a common heart disease in cats, is one of these problems¹⁶. They may also inherit polycystic kidney disease (PKD) from their Persian roots¹⁶. Their size makes them more likely to become overweight, so it’s important to watch their diet closely¹⁶.

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a heart disease that can hit Ragamuffins. It makes the heart muscle weak and thick, which can cause heart failure if not caught early. Regular vet visits and early spotting are key to managing this in Ragamuffins.

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

PKD is a genetic issue that can affect Ragamuffins. It causes cysts in the kidneys, which can lead to kidney failure¹⁶. This condition comes from their Persian ancestors, so it’s a big health worry for Ragamuffin owners¹⁶.

Obesity

Ragamuffins can easily get overweight because of their size¹⁶. Owners should team up with their vet to figure out the right food amounts and times for their Ragamuffin. Keeping an eye on their diet and making changes as needed is key to keeping them at a healthy weight¹⁶.

Knowing about these health issues and working with a vet can help Ragamuffins live long, healthy lives¹⁶.

Ragamuffins are usually healthy but need to watch out for cardiomyopathy, PKD, and obesity¹⁶¹⁷. Regular vet visits and managing their diet and exercise can help them stay healthy and live a long life¹⁶.

Fun Facts About Ragamuffins

Ragamuffin cats are a delightful breed known for their charming traits and interesting features. They first showed up in the United States in the 1990s¹⁸. They were made by mixing Ragdolls with other long-haired breeds like Persians and Himalayans¹⁸.

One of the standout features of Ragamuffins is their coat colors and patterns. They come in many colors, including browns, blondes, blacks, and tortoiseshells¹⁸. Some even have heterochromia, which means they have two different colored eyes¹⁸.

Ragamuffin kittens are born white, and their unique patterns and colors start to show as they grow¹⁸. These big cats take about four years to fully grow up¹⁹. They can live for about 18 years on average¹⁹.

Ragamuffins are known for being very affectionate and calm. They love to cuddle with people and are often called “lap cats”¹⁸. They like living indoors but also enjoy going outside safely¹⁸. With treats and positive training, they can learn new tricks and enjoy playtime¹⁸.

However, Ragamuffin cats do have health issues. They can get conditions like Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Polycystic Kidney Disease¹⁸. But with the right care and vet visits, they can still be happy and loving companions for many years.

Popular Ragamuffin Names

Ragamuffins have big personalities that deserve names that match their charm. Owners have many choices for their pets²⁰. From classic names to those inspired by myths, there’s something for everyone.

For girls, names like Cloudy, Luna, Kiara, Belle, and Princess are popular²⁰. Boys might be named Teddy, Vinny, Tucker, Romeo, or Simba²⁰. These names show off the Ragamuffin’s sweet nature and size.

Names inspired by books and myths are in style, with Piper and Penny being favourites²¹. People also like names from nature and food, showing the Ragamuffin’s wide appeal²⁰.

Most Ragamuffin names have one or two syllables, showing a mix of simple and unique names²⁰. Whether you pick a classic or something new, your Ragamuffin will love it.

Most Ragamuffin owners prefer classic and nature-inspired names, with a love for mythical and literary names too²⁰. Food names are also popular, showing the breed’s fun side²⁰.

Choosing the right name for your Ragamuffin captures their unique spirit²². A name reflects the special bond between cat and owner²².

Insuring Your Ragamuffin Companion

As a Ragamuffin cat owner, making sure your pet is healthy and happy is key. They have unique looks and might face health issues. Getting pet insurance can help with vet bills and give you peace of mind²³.

The ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers plans that cover vet visits, emergencies, and health problems²⁴. With insurance, you won’t worry about unexpected vet bills. Your Ragamuffin will get the care they need²⁴.

Ragamuffins are big, friendly cats that can live into their teens²³. But, they can get sick with things like heart disease, kidney issues, and obesity²³. Pet insurance can help cover these costs and keep your Ragamuffin healthy²⁴.

Having pet insurance is great for regular vet visits or emergencies²⁴. The ASPCA Pet Health Insurance lets you pick a plan that fits your Ragamuffin’s needs²⁴.

Conclusion

The Ragamuffin is a unique and captivating²⁵ cat breed. They look like a plush teddy bear, are big²⁶, and very loving. These cats are perfect for families or individuals who love cats.

People love them for their gentle nature, playful ways²⁵, and how cuddly they are²⁵. These gentle giants²⁵ will win the hearts of any cat lover.

Ragamuffins come in many coat colours and patterns²⁷. This means you can choose one that fits your style. They are calm and patient²⁵, making them great for families with kids.

These cats need a bit of play to stay fit²⁵. But, they are easy to care for²⁶. Their mix of looks and personality makes them a top choice²⁵ for cat lovers.

Source Links

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