Ragamuffin cats first appeared around the 1970s and were developed by crossing Ragdolls, Himalayans, and Persians. Although they originally came from various breeds, they are now considered purebred, and today, they are loved by many!
Before you purchase a kitten, though, you should do extensive research to learn as much as you can about this breed and how they will fit into your life.
Ragamuffin Characteristics
Energy
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A high-energy cat needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep healthy and happy, while a low-energy cat needs minimal physical activity, but still needs mental stimulation. When choosing a cat, It’s important to ensure their energy levels match your lifestyle.
Trainability
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Cats that are easy-to-train are more willing and skilled at quickly learning prompts and actions with minimal training. Harder-to-train cats are usually more stubborn or aloof and require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
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Certain cat breeds are more prone to various genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every cat in those breeds will have these issues, but they do have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan
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Due to their size or potential genetic health issues of a specific breed, some cats have shorter lifespans than others. Proper nutrition, exercise, mental stimulation, and hygiene also play an important role in your cat’s lifespan and quality of life.
Sociability
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Some cat breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other cats and animals. Cats that are more social have a tendency to rub up on strangers for scratches or jump on laps for cuddles, while cats that are less social shy away, hide, are more cautious, and even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed or gender, it’s important to socialize your cat and expose them to many different situations.
It doesn’t take long for most people to figure out that Ragamuffin cats are generally a well-rounded breed. They are a happy medium between lazy and highly strung, they tend to be healthy, and they are highly trainable. The traits that stand out the most, though, are their social skills. Ragamuffins are incredibly friendly cats compared to some other breeds. A lot of new pet owners also enjoy knowing that this breed has a long lifespan, with some sticking around for as long as 20 years.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Ragamuffin
The Ragamuffin is affectionate, curious, and social. Most of these cats enjoy spending a lot of time with their human companions, though they are friendly toward strangers too. However, it’s worth noting that they are vocal at times!
Ragamuffins are docile and prefer to spend most of their free time indoors. Do not bring home this cat if you want to put them to work and catch mice around the yard! These cats are less energetic than most other breeds, with fewer hunting instincts. They do enjoy an occasional game or play session, but cuddling up with their owners is preferable
Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪
Ragamuffins are ideal for families of all kinds. They are good with adults, children, and even young babies. Still, to be safe, you might want to supervise them whenever they are around young children.
It is also nice to know that these cats tend to avoid jumping on counters and knocking stuff over. This doesn’t mean that it will never happen, but it is rare for this breed.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽
The Ragamuffin is one of the few breeds that have relatively no issue with spending time with other animals, including cats, dogs, and smaller animals like guinea pigs and hamsters. Of course, you must always supervise them around smaller pets.
While Ragamuffins can become close companions with canines, they might prefer some space from more rambunctious pups; they’d prefer to hang around easygoing dogs.
Things to Know When Owning a Ragamuffin
While we have covered lots of information regarding the Ragamuffin’s personality traits, there is still a lot more to learn as far as daily responsibilities go. Here is everything that you need to know about the work required to take care of this breed.
Food & Diet Requirements
Ragamuffins are naturally large animals. Most of them weigh around 20 pounds when fully mature. However, they have relatively low activity levels while still loving to eat! This can lead to obesity and other related health problems, so try not to let them free-feed.
When purchasing a commercial dry or wet food, keep in mind the importance of avoiding artificial ingredients, fillers, and preservatives. Always check to ensure that the first ingredient listed is real animal protein.
Exercise 🐈
A lot of people assume that since Ragamuffins don’t spend as much time running or playing as other breeds, they are lazy. They do love to lounge, but that doesn’t mean they’ll never choose to participate in a play session either. Try to get them up and moving as much as you can. The more you keep them active, the better their health will be.
Training 🧶
Ragamuffins are intelligent. Training a cat is never as easy as training most dogs, but it also isn’t impossible. Many owners have taught their cats to do tricks, but the process of training takes a lot of time, patience, and positive reinforcement. Whenever you’re training animals, refrain from yelling or using physical force; this is only going to make them afraid of you.
Grooming ✂️
Ragamuffins do have long, fluffy coats, but they aren’t as high-maintenance as you’d expect. Cats already do a fairly good job at keeping themselves clean, so the most brushing that you’ll need to do is roughly once per week. On top of that, you must keep their nails trimmed and their ears cleaned. They usually don’t need baths unless they get into something really messy.
Image By: Pxhere
Health and Conditions 🏥
Ragamuffin cats tend to be in good health with an appropriate lifestyle. When they are well-cared for, they tend to thrive. Still, there are always some conditions that you need to be mindful of.
Minor Conditions
Polycystic kidney disease
Serious Conditions
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Male vs. Female
As far as temperament goes, male and female Ragamuffins are about the same. Both are friendly, docile, and affectionate. The main difference between the sexes is behavioral. Males are more territorial than females and might try to mark their territory inside the house. Conversely, females are more dependent on human companions but easier to train. Other than that, though, there aren’t a whole lot of differences between male and female Ragamuffin cats.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Ragamuffin
1. They’re easier to groom than you might think.
Don’t let their long locks fool you! Ragamuffins are a lot easier to groom than most people believe. Their fur is long and silky while remaining relatively tangle-free. You only need to brush or comb them about once per week to keep their coat looking beautiful.
2. They are highly affectionate.
While it does depend on whom you ask, we believe that the Ragamuffin is one of the most lovable cats around. This breed is friendly and affectionate. Most of the time, they prefer to spend their days lying on their human’s lap and taking a nap rather than exploring or isolating themselves in a quiet room.
3. They tend to go limp.
No, this isn’t dangerous. Some cats just seem to go limp when humans pick them up; Ragdoll cats are particularly famous for doing this. Each feline is different, but it’s not uncommon for a Ragamuffin to completely relax in your arms. This behavior stems from instinct because it’s what they did as a baby when their mom would pick them up.
Image By: Kill_Baal, Shutterstock
Final Thoughts
You probably already admire the Ragamuffin for their unique beauty, but even though a cat is beautiful, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are a good fit for your home. Thankfully, Ragamuffins tend to fit into the lifestyles of most people. They aren’t high-maintenance, and all they really want is to be loved. If you’re looking for a cat that loves to be indoors and cuddle, this breed might just be a perfect choice.
Hallie has been a proud environment and animal enthusiast ever since she was little. She attributes her love for the environment and all its creatures to her childhood when she was showing horses and devoting her attention to her pets after school. Hallie lives in Michigan and can be found playing with her two rescue cats, Chewbacca and Lena, and her dog, Clayton. When Hallie isn’t using her degree in English with a writing specialization to spread informative knowledge on pet care, you can find her snuggled up on the couch reading books or watching nature documentaries.
