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Ragamuffin Cat: Breed Profile, Characteristics, and Care Guide

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| Updated: April 28, 2023
Ragamuffin Cat side profile

A Ragamuffin cat is that big, fluffy, and friendly cat that will melt your heart with its sweet and loyal personality. They are very similar to Ragdoll cats, but they have their own unique history and characteristics that make them stand out.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about the Ragamuffin cat breed, including its origin, appearance, personality, health, care, and suitability. By the end of this article, you will better understand whether the Ragamuffin cat is the right breed for you and your family.

Breed Overview

Weight 10-15 pounds
Length 12-18 inches
Coat Length Medium-long
Coat Colors All colors and combinations
Coat Patterns Solid, pointed, mitted, bicolor, tortoiseshell, tabby, calico, etc.
Eye Color All colors and combinations (except mink and sepia)
Personality Sweet, loyal, affectionate, cuddly, easy-going, playful, vocal
Lifespan 13-16 years
Hypoallergenic No
Good with Kids Yes
Good with Pets Yes
Origin USA (from ragdoll cats)

History of the Ragamuffin Cat Breed

The Ragamuffin cat breed originated from some of the same foundation cats as the Ragdoll cat breed. These cats were developed by a breeder named Ann Baker in Riverside, California, in the early 1960s from street cats. One of these cats was a domestic long-haired cat named Josephine, who had a reputation for producing unusually docile and relaxed kittens.

Ann Baker registered her cats privately with the International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA) and trademarked the names Ragdoll and Cherubim for her breeds. She also created strict rules and regulations for her breeders and charged high fees for her cats.

By 1994, some IRCA breeders decided to break away from Ann Baker and form their own group. They renamed their cats from IRCA Cherubim cats to Ragamuffins, a name suggested by one of the founding members, Curt Gehm. They also allowed some outcrossing to domestic longhair cats, Persians, and IRCA Ragdolls.

The new group aimed to create a breed that was similar to the Ragdoll but with more variety in colors and patterns, body type, and personality. They also sought recognition from various cat associations and achieved it over time. Today, the Ragamuffin cat breed is recognized by several organizations, including The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), The International Cat Association (TICA), The American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA), and The Cat Fanciers Federation (CFF).

Physical Appearance of the Ragamuffin Cat Breed

The Ragamuffin cat breed is a large, long-bodied cat with a rectangular shape and a broad chest and shoulders. They have substantial bone structures and full bodies that are muscular and heavy. They also have a fatty pad on the lower abdomen that gives them a cuddly appearance. The Ragamuffin cat reaches full maturity at approximately four years and can weigh between 10 and 15 pounds. Females are generally considerably smaller than males.

Head

The Ragamuffin cat’s head is a broad modified wedge with a pleasingly rounded appearance and no obvious flat planes. The forehead and tophead are moderately rounded, and the muzzle is short and rounded, tending to broadness. The chin is firmly rounded, reflecting a proper bite. The cheeks are full, and there is puffiness to the whisker pad, which results in the characteristic sweet look of the Ragamuffin cat.

Ears

The Ragamuffin cat’s ears are medium in size, set as much on the side of the head as on the top of the head with slight flaring, tilted slightly forward. The ears are rounded with moderate furnishings in pleasing proportion to the head.

Eyes

The Ragamuffin cat’s eyes are large, walnut-shaped, and expressive, moderately wide set, and contribute to the characteristic sweet look. They can have a slight oriental slant, but it is not required. The more intense the eye color, the better. All eye colors are allowed, including odd-eyed. Exception: mink colors must be aqua, and sepia colors must be yellow/gold to green.

Coat

The Ragamuffin cat’s coat is medium to medium-long, soft, dense, and silky. The texture may vary slightly with color. The fur length is slightly longer around the neck and outer edges of the face, resulting in the appearance of a ruff and increasing in length from the top of the head down through the shoulder blades and back. The coat on the sides and stomach is medium to medium-long. The fur on the front legs is thick and short to medium in length. The fur on the hind legs is medium to medium-long and thick, with the appearance of a wispy frill on the hindquarters.

Tail

The Ragamuffin cat’s tail is long in proportion to the body. It is fully furred, similar in look to a plume or soft bottlebrush, and medium at the base with a slight taper.

Legs

The Ragamuffin cat’s legs and paws are heavily boned, medium in length, with the back legs slightly longer than the front legs, yet in proportion to the body. The paws are large and round, able to support the weight of the cat without splaying and with tufts beneath and between the paws. Allowance is made for finer boning in females.

Colors and Patterns

The Ragamuffin cat can come in various colors and patterns. Some of these color patterns are the same as those of the ragdoll, such as color point, mitted, bicolor, tortoiseshell, tabby, calico, solid, etc. However, unlike ragdolls that only come in four colors (seal, blue, chocolate, and lilac), ragamuffins can come in any color or combination of colors.

Pros

  • Ragamuffin cats are sweet, loyal, affectionate, and cuddly, forming strong bonds with their owners and getting along well with children and other pets.
  • Ragamuffin cats have beautiful, luxurious coats that come in various colors and patterns and do not require much grooming or maintenance.
  • Ragamuffin cats have a long lifespan of 13 to 16 years and are generally healthy cats that do not have any breed-specific health issues.

Cons

  • Ragamuffin cats are expensive to buy, ranging from $1200 to $2000 on average..
  • Ragamuffin cats are prone to obesity and need to have their diet and exercise monitored and controlled to prevent health problems such as diabetes, arthritis, liver disease, and reduced lifespan.
  • Ragamuffin cats are not hypoallergenic and may trigger allergies in some people due to their shedding, dander, and saliva.

Health and Lifespan of a Ragamuffin Cat

The Ragamuffin cat breed has an average lifespan of 13 to 16 years, which is slightly longer than most breeds. However, like any other cat, they can be prone to some health issues that may affect their quality and length of life.

Some of the common health problems that may affect the Ragamuffin cat are:

  • Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Obesity
  • Dental problems

To ensure your Ragamuffin cat stays healthy and happy for as long as possible, you should take them to the vet regularly for check-ups, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and genetic testing.

Care and Grooming of a Ragamuffin Cat

Grooming

Ragamuffin cats have thick, luxurious coats that require weekly brushing or combing to prevent mats and tangles and remove loose hair and dirt. You can use a wide-toothed comb or a slicker brush to detangle the fur and distribute the natural oils gently. You can trim the fur around the eyes, ears, and paws if needed.

Diet and Nutrition

The Ragamuffin cat’s diet should be balanced and high-quality, with real meat or fish as the main ingredient. You should avoid foods that are high in carbohydrates, fillers, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. You should also provide fresh water at all times and limit treats and human food. You should monitor your cat’s weight and adjust the portions accordingly to prevent obesity.

Exercise

The Ragamuffin cat’s exercise needs are moderate, as they are not very active cats. However, they do enjoy playing with toys and games that stimulate their curiosity and intelligence. You can provide them with balls, mice, feathers, puzzles, tunnels, scratching posts, and cat trees to keep them entertained and fit. You can also play with them using a laser pointer, a wand toy, or a string to bond with them and make them happy.

What Kind Of Personality Do Ragamuffins Have?

The Ragamuffin cat breed is suitable for families with children, other pets, and people who live in apartments or houses. They are very adaptable and sociable cats that get along well with everyone they meet. They are not aggressive or territorial and will happily share their space with other animals. They are gentle and patient with children and tolerate their hugs and kisses.

The Ragamuffin cat’s personality is sweet, loyal, affectionate, and easy-going. They are very attached to their owners and will follow them around the house. They love to be held and cuddled like a baby and will go limp when picked up. They are also very vocal and will communicate with you using various sounds and expressions. They are not demanding or needy but will appreciate your attention and company.

The Ragamuffin cat has some quirks and habits that may surprise or delight you. For example, they have a tendency to love water and may join you in the shower or bath. They also have a fascination with shiny objects and may try to steal your jewelry or keys. They are also very playful and curious even in their old age and will never lose their kitten-like charm.

Where to Buy a Ragamuffin Cat

If you have decided that the Ragamuffin cat breed is right for you, you might be wondering where to buy one. The average Ragamuffin cat price ranges from $1200 to $2000, depending on the breeder, location, color, pattern, and quality of the kitten. They are not a very common breed, though, so you might have to do some research and be patient to find your perfect kitty.

Oftentimes you can find reputable breeders by visiting websites of cat associations such as The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), The International Cat Association (TICA), The American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA), and The Cat Fanciers Federation (CFF). In this case, you can also visit breed-specific sites of Ragamuffin clubs and organizations such as The RagaMuffin Kitten Breeders Society (TRKBS) and The RagaMuffin Associated Group (RAG).

Some websites we found that list breeders or Ragamuffin kittens for sale or adoption are:

Hopefully, these will at least get you started in your search!

Conclusion

A Ragamuffin cat can be a wonderful companion for anyone looking for a big, fluffy, friendly cat that will melt their heart with its sweet and loyal personality. They are easy to care for and get along well with everyone they meet. They have a long history and a variety of colors and patterns to choose from.

We hope this article has given you some useful information about this amazing breed. We would love to hear your thoughts or experiences with Ragamuffin cats in the comments section below or on our social media pages. Thank you for reading this article, and don’t forget to check out our other articles!

More Cat Breeds

If you’re interested in learning about similar cat breeds, check out:

FAQ

What are ragamuffin cats?

Ragamuffin cats are a medium to large cat breed with long, silky coats and sweet, loyal personalities. They are descended from ragdoll cats but have more variety in colors and patterns.

How much do ragamuffin cats cost?

Ragamuffin cats cost between $1200 to $2000 on average, depending on the breeder, location, color, pattern, and quality of the kitten. You should also factor in the costs of food, litter, toys, grooming, vet visits, and other expenses.

What is a ragamuffin cat mixed with?

Ragamuffin cats are not mixed with any other breeds. They are a purebred cat breed that was developed from ragdoll cats and some outcrossing to domestic longhair cats and Persians in the 1990s.

Are ragamuffin cats hypoallergenic?

Ragamuffin cats are not hypoallergenic. They have long, thick coats that shed moderately and produce dander and saliva that can trigger allergies in some people. However, some people may have less severe reactions to ragamuffin cats than to other breeds.

How long do ragamuffin cats live?

Ragamuffin cats have an average lifespan of 13 to 16 years, which is slightly longer than most cat breeds. However, their lifespan can vary depending on their health, diet, lifestyle, and genetics.

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