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The Ragamuffin is a large, cuddly cat with a long, fluffy coat. Their personalities are just as adorable as their looks, as they love being held, cuddled, and carried around. They are one of the newest cat breeds around, established in 1994.
Ragamuffins are very similar to Ragdolls, both in temperament and appearance. However, one critical physical difference is that Ragamuffins can come in any colour or pattern. This results from traditional Ragdolls being bred with Persians, Himalayans and other domestic longhaired cats to remove the dominant colourpoint gene.
Learn more about RagaMuffin Breed
Meet the Ragamuffin cat
Ragamuffins are large cats that can weigh anything between 10 and 20 pounds. Underneath their thick fur, they have a muscular body and stand between 10 and 15 inches tall. However, although they are large kitties, they take a long time to fully mature. A Ragamuffin will not reach its full size until 4 to 5 years old. Furthermore, they have a decent life expectancy, living until 12 to 16 when well cared for.
Their bodies have a rectangular shape with a broad chest and shoulders. Their heads are a modified wedge shape with a reasonably short muzzle and puffy whisker pads. Their ears are slightly small, but their eyes are large and round. These gorgeous eyes can be any shade of blue or green.
Ragamuffins have long, silky coats, but surprisingly, they don't have super high grooming needs. Their fur is tangle-resistant, and they have average shedding rates, so brushing them once or twice a week is sufficient. Moreover, their hair is usually bushier around the neck, giving the appearance of a mane.
An interesting fact is that Ragamuffins are born white, and their colouring develops as they grow. Unlike Ragdolls, they can be a whole range of colours and patterns. Some popular colours are white, black, blue, orange and brown. Additionally, they can be a solid colour or any pattern, such as bi-colour, calico, tabby or colour point.
The temperament of a Ragamuffin
Like Ragdolls, Ragamuffins are sweet, gentle, and cuddly. They have a docile nature and make fantastic lapcats as they thrive in the constant company of their owners. They are easy to care for as they don't have high energy needs; instead, all they ask for is plenty of love. However, one thing to note is that they quickly get bored if they don't receive sufficient attention. Cat toys and trees help, but a Ragamuffin specifically needs interaction with its owners.
As kittens, Ragamuffins are pretty playful, but they become more accustomed to lazing around the house as they age. They are smart, though, and can even learn tricks. They develop solid bonds with everyone in the house, including other cats and children. They are patient and gentle and, thus, are extremely unlikely to show aggression. Their friendliness extends beyond the family unit as they act confident and comfortable around visitors.
Just like their cousins, many Ragamuffins have the tendency to go limp when you pick them up, and they will stay in your arms purring away with content. However, as they are crossbreeds, this is not the case with every Ragamuffin, and their personalities can differ.
10 reasons to add a Ragamuffin to your family
- They get along with everyone - It's hard not to fall in love with a Ragamuffin. They display friendliness and affection to everyone they meet and enjoy the company of children and other animals.
- They come in all colours and patterns - What makes this breed better than Ragdolls is that they can be any colour or pattern possible!
- They love being held - You can pick them up and carry them around without them trying to wriggle out your arms. Plus, they will regularly curl up in your lap or by your feet.
- They are calm - Ragamuffins are not a breed to zoom around the house and climb the curtains. They have playful streaks, but they generally have a tranquil disposition and promote a sense of peace in the home.
- They're not scared of strangers - Because they crave human attention, they won't hide from your guests. Instead, they'll make themselves seen and enjoy the extra petting.
- Their fur is easy to care for - If you love longhaired cats but worry about having to follow an extensive grooming routine, a Ragamuffin is for you. Their tangle-resistant fur only needs to be brushed once or twice a week.
- They never display aggression - Many families with young kids choose a Ragamuffin as it's not in their nature to lash out, even if they are mishandled.
- They are smart - Attempt to teach your Ragamuffin some simple tricks and be surprised at how quickly they pick them up.
- They take 4-5 years to reach full size - They may be a large breed, but they grow much slower than most and remain kitten-like for longer.
- As kittens, their shading changes every day - Your Ragamuffin kitten will likely be born white and slowly develop its coat colour. Therefore, as kittens, their fur shade is an ever-changing carousel.
Best homes for a Ragamuffin
Ragamuffins make fantastic pets for families with young children, thanks to their patience and tolerance. Furthermore, these felines prove to be excellent emotional support animals and companions for people who live independently. They are also ideal for seniors because of their low exercise needs and calm nature.
They will ease into a home with other pets, too, providing the other animals are friendly and not territorial. These fluffy felines are lovers, not fighters, so if you have a particularly overbearing cat that likes to dominate, they may cause your Ragamuffin stress and unease. Because of this reason, you should also keep a Ragamuffin as an indoor-only pet as this will prevent them from getting hurt by roaming cats.
While they seem to fit nicely into many different families, it's important to remember that they don't like to be left alone all day despite their mellow nature. Therefore, they may not be the right choice for busy professionals who are not home much.