Ragdoll cats are sweet, friendly, loving, make wonderful companions for humans and get along great with children. They’re easy-going and will keep your days fun-filled. It’s no wonder adorable Ragdolls are a popular cat breed amongst cat enthusiasts!
To help you find out if Ragdolls are the one for you, we prepared a comprehensive guide about them. Read on to learn more about their behaviour, characteristics and care.
*Disclaimer: All content published in this article is for general knowledge. It should not be deemed as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Please consult a vet for an accurate diagnosis of your cat’s health condition. judi bola 88
Key Physical Traits
| Weight | |
| Height | |
| Life expectancy | 12 - 15 years |
| Coat |
Common Personality Traits
Easygoing
Cats are typically habitual creatures and aren’t adaptive to their surroundings. However, ragdolls are one of a kind! They’re calm and easy-going, and don’t need to be entertained 24/7.
Moving homes with them will be easy with their go-with-the-flow nature. Give them a toy or a cat tree and they’ll be content!
Gentle
Ragdolls are gentle giants and the friendliest cats you’ll meet! Unlike most territorial cats who don’t like sharing their space and toys, Ragdolls will happily share theirs with prior introduction to their new furfriend.
They’re gentle with their own kind as well as with dogs and children!
Affectionate
Known as puppy cats, Ragdolls are affectionate and love to be held. Don’t be surprised if they come running to greet you at the door or follow you everywhere around the house.
You can even play fetch, train them to walk on a leash or teach them tricks!
Caring For Ragdoll Cats In Singapore
Other than ensuring they can adapt to Singapore’s weather, we also need to ensure our Ragdolls exercise well and are well-groomed! We’ll be sharing tips about how we can keep them healthy and happy.
Adapting To The Hot and Humid Climate in Singapore
Did you know that Ragdolls’ fur coats can insulate their own bodies on hotter days? These cats can regulate their body temperature so they adapt well to Singapore’s weather!
Additionally, they can also cool themselves by drinking water, sweating and laying on their backs in cooler areas.
If overheated, Ragdolls may pant, drool, breathe heavily, lick their fur continually and even vomit. When that happens, use cool water to soak their fur and apply cool compress to the limbs quickly! If your furkids do not feel better, take them to the vet immediately!
Tip!
Add ice cubes to their water bowls to help keep the water cool. You may also place cooling mats or damp towels around the house to help them cool down.
Residing in a HDB Apartment
Unfortunately, cats aren’t allowed in HDB apartments according to HDB’s guidelines on pets.
This is because they may shed fur, defecate, urinate in public areas or make caterwauling sounds that disturb the neighbours.
Exercise for a Ragdoll Cat
Ragdolls are large and muscular and will require regular exercise, otherwise they can become overweight easily. A 20-minute daily play time with balls, high-activity toys or games can keep these playful kitties active and healthy.
Grooming for a Ragdoll Cat
Grooming Ragdolls can be an enjoyable experience if you start the grooming practice with them when they’re kittens. Here are some guidelines to help you kickstart your grooming journey.
| Grooming activity | Frequency | Reason (if any) |
|---|---|---|
| Hair trimming | - | Ragdolls shed their coats naturally and do not require haircuts. |
| Bathing | Once a month | |
| Brushing | Twice a week* | Regular brushing is needed otherwise they may suffer from digestive problems from ingesting hair while grooming themselves. |
| Teeth brushing | Daily | This will help to keep tartar off their teeth to prevent dental diseases. |
| Ear cleaning | Once a week | It is necessary to check their ears weekly for wax, debris, signs of infection or ear mites. |
| Nail clipping | Once every 1.5 to 2 weeks | Cat nails tend to grow quickly and need to be trimmed regularly. |
*During shedding season, more frequent brushing will be required. You can also opt to have them deshedded at grooming centres.
Diet For Ragdoll Cats
Ragdolls require a well-balanced diet that’s high in proteins, vitamins and moisture. Feed your cats balanced meals with appropriate portions every day, as they gain weight easily with high-energy food.
For a balanced diet, your Ragdolls’ meals should ideally consists of:
- 60% protein
- 30% fat
- 2% – 5% carbohydrates
Here are some recommended foods to incorporate in their diets:
- Food with high moisture content
- Whole meats
- Steamed white fish or unsalted canned fish
- Raw minced beef
Here are the foods to avoid:
- Processed meats
- Grains
- Milk
- Food containing high amounts of sodium
- Only dry food diets
You may want to consult a vet for the best diet for your furkid.
Possible Health Issues
Polycystic Kidney Disease
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a heritable form of disease that Ragdolls may be prone to. If affected, cysts will develop on their kidneys and lead to kidney failure later in life.
Most cats are only diagnosed with PKD when they’re in advanced stages of kidney disease. Early detection is vital as it can slow the progression of the disease by managing the symptoms.
Signs and symptoms:
- Lethargy
- Vomitting
- Weight loss
- Depression
- Polydipsia (excessive thirst)
- Polyuria (excessive urination)
Treatment:
- Supportive life care
- Potassium supplements and IV fluids
- Iron supplementation (if disease is caused by anaemia)
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Ragdolls commonly suffer from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a condition that thickens the heart muscle due to an overactive thyroid gland. If the condition worsens, it can cause blood clots to form inside the heart.
Though the genetic mutation causing HCM is present at birth, it only shows up when the cats are adults. Some Ragdolls develop HCM at a young age between 1 – 2 years of age, while some develop much later, between 6 – 8 years of age.
All Ragdolls are encouraged to undergo genetic testing, however, a cat with a negative test result may still develop HCM. Therefore, routine ultrasound examinations of the heart help to detect HCM early.
Signs and symptoms:
- Heart murmur
- Irregular heartbeat
- Increased respiratory rate
- Laboured breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Lethargy
- Appetite loss
- Hiding
- Loss of function of one or more legs
Treatment:
- Beta blockers or calcium channel blockers — improves heart relaxation
- Platelet inhibitors — thins blood to prevent formation of blood clots
- Diuretics — controls abnormal fluid buildup
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Urinary tract problems are common amongst Ragdoll cats, and can affect the ureters, urethra, bladder and the kidneys. Cystitis is the most common form of UTI, which is also known as bladder infection.
Signs and symptoms:
- Urinary incontinence
- Constant need to urinate with difficulty
- Pain when urinating
- Foul smelling urine
- Blood in urine
Treatment:
- Antibiotics
- Hydration
Price Of Owning A Ragdoll Cat In Singapore
One-Off Costs
Sterilisation
Sterilising cats has many benefits. Besides reducing risks of some cancers and womb infections in females, it also curbs undesirable behaviours in males during heat.
Sterilising a female cat will be more costly than sterilising a male cat. The procedure will cost about $210.
Microchipping
Microchipping your furkid will cost between $50 and $90. This procedure is important as they provide the best chance for your furkids to be found if they go missing.
Recurring Costs
There are many recurring costs to ensure the best care for your kitty, but here are some of the essential ones.
- Food: $72+ per month
- Litter box: $10 – $70 every 6 – 8 weeks
- Litter: $13.10 per 10L bag
- Grooming: $50 – $100+ per session
- Dental scaling: $190+ per consultation
- Health checkup: $45+ per consultation
- Vaccinations: $40 – $50 every 1 – 3 years
Some other costs you may want to include are the costs of pet insurance, home grooming accessories and toys!
Just brought home a Ragdoll kitty? All you have to do is sign up for our Kitty Bonus Plan to be gifted a free Kitty Pack* (worth up to $57).
The Kitty Pack from Pet Lovers Centre includes
• kitten litter,
• kitten dry food of your choice and
• a 1-year VIP membership for new members!
*Redemption is limited to 1 pack per owner and address.
Fun Facts About Ragdoll Cats
The first Ragdoll came from California
Anne Baker of Riverside, California, first developed and trademarked Ragdolls in the 1960s. They’re said to originate from an offspring of Josephine, an Angora-type cat and a Burmese.
Anne also set up her own registry called the International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA), which held stringent standards on people who wanted to sell cats under that name.
The world’s most famous two-faced cat was a Ragdoll
There was a Ragdoll born with 2 faces named Frank and Louie (Frankenlouie) who was not expected to live long. This Janus cat had 2 eyes, 2 mouths and an extra eye that was blind.
His owner took such good care of him that he led a long life of 15 years before passing away. Till date, he is still the longest-lived Janus cat in the world!
Ragdolls go limp when picked up
These beauties earned the name Ragdolls because they go limp when they’re picked up like a rag doll toy! But the reality is, every cat is unique and may not go limp as you wish. Most are floppy, while others only flop when they’re asleep and some do not flop at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Ragdoll cats needy?
Ragdolls require attention and love to spend time with their humans. To decide if you can leave Ragdolls alone or not will depend on their individual temperaments. You can leave them alone if you know they feel safe and comfortable at home.
It is recommended that you or someone else can be home to care for your furkid at all times. Otherwise, hiring a pet sitter on days when you cannot be home will be ideal.
Are Ragdoll cats smart?
You’ll be pleased to know that Ragdolls are very intelligent. Their intelligence can be shown in areas of communication and adaptability. They can also learn tricks very quickly and enjoy playing fetch with their humans.
Do Ragdolls get jealous?
Although Ragdolls are known to be easy-going and affectionate, they can get jealous when they receive less attention suddenly. Some obvious signs of jealousy include biting, increased vocalisation, swatting and scratching objects or people and causing physical obstruction.
How do I know if my Ragdoll cat is happy?
You’ll know when Ragdolls are happy as they’re one of the most expressive cat breeds out there. When they’re happy, they may expose their bellies, blink slowly at you, or stick their tails straight up. If you’re lucky, you may even hear a friendly chirp, trill or a cute purr.
Do Ragdoll cats shed a lot?
Ragdolls are long-haired cats, and shed once to twice a year. Although they do not shed as much as other long-haired cats as they do not have an undercoat, it is still a considerable amount.
