Ragdoll
USA · 1960sBig, gentle and famously floppy when held
Ragdolls are large, calm cats with blue eyes, darker points and a soft semi-long coat. Many relax completely when picked up, and most follow their people from room to room.
At a glance
Life with a Ragdoll
Expect a quiet companion that greets you at the door and wants to be in the same room — often on your lap. They play in short bursts and are not big climbers or counter-jumpers. They mature slowly and reach full size at about 3–4 years.
- Families with gentle kids
- Homes with a calm dog or another cat
- People who want a lap cat that likes being held
- You’re out 10+ hours a day — they get lonely
- You want an independent cat
- They would have to go outside — they are too trusting
- Brush 2–3 times a week, more in the spring molt; check behind the ears and in the armpits.
- Watch the waistline: measured meals and daily play.
- Keep them indoors or in a catio.
Health
HCM (a heart disease) is the main breed concern, and a known gene variant causes it in some lines. Bladder stones and obesity also occur.
- HCM DNA test (Ragdoll gene) for both parents — look for N/N
- Heart scan (echocardiogram) of the parents by a cardiologist
Prices are rough ranges from registered breeders and vary by line, color and region. A much cheaper “purebred” kitten is a common scam sign.
See Ragdoll kittensSimilar breeds
Sources: breed standards and profiles from CFA and TICA, DNA tests listed by the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, and veterinary breed profiles.