There are so many facts about ragamuffin cats that you need to know. The ragamuffin breed is a large, plush cat, as kind and mellow in personality as they are beautiful. Don’t confuse them with the ragdoll from which they are descended. Although they have many similarities, they are separate breeds with unique traits.
And while the word ragamuffin has connotations of scruffy little street urchins, this feline version is the polar opposite. They don’t fare well outside, being too placid and trusting of the threats of the outside world.
Gentle, even-tempered, and amenable, the stroke-able ragamuffin is a cat that makes you feel all is well with the world, no stress.
Let’s find out more facts about ragamuffin cats.
32 facts about ragamuffin cats
1. If you love ragdolls...
Ragamuffins and ragdolls go hand in hand, with their history closely intertwined as the ragamuffin stems from the ragdoll. Ragamuffins retain the ragdoll’s long hair and mellow nature but with a kaleidoscope of new colors. Both are large, fluffy, and affectionate, but the trademark pointing of the ragdoll is largely absent in the ragamuffin, and they have more of the street cat about them.
2. A new breed
Given that the most ancient cat breeds go back some 3,000 years, a cat that was registered only in 2003 constitutes feline modernity. This was the year the Cat Fanciers Association stamped them as an official breed for showing purposes. However, they first made an appearance in the US in the 1990s and were established as a breed during that decade.
3. Fun for the family
Sweet and agreeable, the ragamuffin tends to make an ideal family pet as they are so easygoing. They don’t seem to mind being dressed up for birthday parties or fancy dress, love kids and provide emotional support to one and all.
4. Substantial size
The ragamuffin is a medium to large cat breed with fairly heavy bones. Their full, silky coat tends to make them look even more substantial, while their round faces and puffy whisker pads add to the chubby look. Males may weigh up to 20lbs.
5. Slow growers
It can take up to four years for a ragamuffin to reach their full stature. A male ragamuffin may weigh up to 20lbs, with the females slightly lighter at 15lbs.
6. Long coats, easy-care
You may think that these long, luxuriant coats require hours of daily grooming but not a bit of it. This silky fur does not tangle or mat easily, so a quick once-over with a comb once or twice a week with one of the best cat brushes will be enough.
7. Heterochromic
While the ragamuffin’s eyes can be any solid color, heterochromia – where each eye is a different color – is a fairly common genetic condition. However, this isn’t a disease and is usually harmless unless caused by an underlying medical condition.
8. Raga-rabbit
The ragamuffin’s copious silky fur is so soft it is often likened to that of a rabbit. Soft, silky, and gloriously abundant, this is a cat just asking to be cuddled.
9. Multi-colored
Whatever your color tastes, there’s a ragamuffin to suit. They are available in all colors: black, blue, chocolate, cream, fawn, lilac, red, and white being the most popular.
10. Darling muffins
When the ragamuffin was being established as a separate breed from the ragdoll, from which it is largely descended, the name liebling – which means darling in German – was put forward, but it’s ragamuffin that stuck.
11. Pattern-tastic
As well as the myriad colorways of ragmuffin’s coat, it also comes in several different patterns, allowing for seemingly endless variations. These include solid, tortoiseshell, tabby, mink, calico, bi-color, tuxedo and smoke.
The only pattern that is not accepted is the Siamese colorpoint, which is special to the ragdoll. There are pointed ragamuffins around, and they are permitted to be both bred and registered, but they cannot be shown.
12. Bottlebrush tail
The ragamuffin’s tail is wonderfully voluminous, medium at the base with a slight taper. It resembles a plume or soft bottlebrush.
13. Knickerbocker glory
Oh yes, these floofy fluffballs have the most fabulous pair of knickerbockers, thanks to the long fur on their hindlegs.
14. Playmates
Ragamuffins are known for being playful and curious. They are friendly, social, and will greet visitors at the door hoping for some interaction. They form strong bonds with humans and love to play. They are definitely one of the best cats for extroverts.
15. Lifespan
You can expect a ragamuffin to live between 12–16 years, although a healthy cat that is well cared for may often live until 18 or more.
16. Watch their weight
Ragamuffins tend to indulge themselves at mealtimes (or perhaps it’s the owner overdoing the snacks), and as they are not an especially active breed, this can make them susceptible to obesity. Monitor their food intake, keep the treats in check, and consult your vet if you are concerned. Muffin by name...
17. White kittens
One fact about kittens that are ragamuffins is that they are usually born white, like their cousins, the ragdolls. Their color and pattern develops as they get older.
18. Velcro-cats
Ragamuffins love human company so much that they have earned themselves the reputation of being “velcro cats” as they are so attached to their people. They’ll follow you to the bathroom, and sit on the edge of your bathtub – forget privacy if you have a companionable ragamuffin!
19. A weighted blanket
A weighted blanket has many benefits, such as calming restlessness, reducing anxiety, and improving sleep. Well, a ragamuffin cat is a real, live, weighted blanket that even purrs to ramp up the feel-good factor. The ultimate lap cat, at up to 20lbs you’ll certainly know about their presence – so enjoy the positive effects.
20. Indoors are best for this breed
Ragamuffins are so easygoing and trustful that the outside world is probably too dangerous for them with predators to take advantage of their amiable characters. They simply aren’t streetwise. If you do want to take them out, how about building a catio, or training them how to walk on a leash.
21. Ragamuffin heritage
The ragamuffin’s breeding is not an exact science but in essence, it originally involved crossing ragdolls with other longhaired cats such as Himalayans and Persians. This gave greater variety to the gene pool, while still preserving the wonderful aspects of the ragdoll.
22. Cuddly cats
Ragamuffins are super affectionate and typically enjoy cuddles. They are placid in temperament, and some, although not all, go limp when you pick them up, one of the hallmarks of the ragdoll breed. These are just a few reasons that cats are the perfect companion.
23. Fairly rare
Probably due to the fact that they are a newish breed, the ragamuffin is a fairly rare cat but numbers are growing. There are only a few dozen ragamuffin breeders in the US, so competition for kittens is fierce. This contrasts with the very similar ragdoll, which is the most popular breed of all.
24. Walnut eyes
The ragamuffin has a particularly sweet expression, with large, rounded, walnut-shaped eyes complementing their endearing faces.
25. Ladylike females
Females can be substantially smaller than males. While a female can be as small as 10lbs, a male can weigh double.
26. Docility is a hallmark
Breeders say that the only extreme permitted in the ragamuffin is its docile nature. They are unerringly kind, affectionate, placid, and friendly, and absolutely adore people.
27. Emphasis on the muffin
Many ragamuffin experts will spell their favorite breed’s name as RagaMuffin, because that loveable muffin side, with its heavy build and chubby face, is particularly important.
28. Ruff and ready
Ragamuffins boast an impressive fluffy ruff of their silky-soft fur around their neck. This is emphasised thanks to the fur on the outer edges of the face also being slightly longer than on other parts of the body.
29. Round and sweet
Ragamuffins have a broad head with rounded contours. Their forehead is also fairly rounded, as well as the cheeks and muzzle, giving them a sweet, gentle expression. The puffy whisker pads add to the overall impression of a chubby cutie!
30. Dog-tolerant
A ragamuffin is a non-confrontational breed, and that includes dogs in the home. Their main aim is to follow you, the human, around and be sociable. Like a dog, they’ll greet visitors at the door – and perhaps this is why they are unfazed by the presence of dogs. They won’t bait them, but equally, they’re confident and chilled enough not to show any aggression either.
31. Healthy kitties
Of course, it depends on the individual cat, but ragamuffins are usually very healthy. A balanced diet, weight management, and good care should help them live to a ripe old age. Like any breed, they can come down with a virus, and they have a slight disposition to suffer from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease.
32. Shedders
The ragamuffin is not considered a hypoallergenic breed as they do shed. But despite their marvelously dense and plush coats which keep them cozily warm, they are not excessive shedders. Keep on top of their shedding with some weekly or twice-weekly grooming.
