The Ragamuffin Cat breed is one of the newest cat breeds in America.
They were introduced to the United States in 1998 by a woman who had found them in England and brought them back with her.
The story goes that she was told they were called "Ragamuffins" because they looked like little ragamuffins or street urchins, so she gave them this name when she came back to America.
Since their introduction, these cats have grown exponentially in popularity - but what do you need to know about this breed?
In this article we will discuss everything from their size and appearance, all the way down to their common health problems and diet tips!
Ragamuffin Cat
WEIGHT: 10 - 20 pounds
LENGTH: 12 to 18 inches
COAT: Long
COAT COLORS: White, Black, Blue, Cream, Red, Brown, Lilac, Platinum, Fawn, Chocolate, Chestnut, Cinnamon, Lavender, Cameo, Silver
EYE COLOR: Amber, Blue, Green, Gold, Hazel, Odd-eyed
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 18 years
The Ragamuffin breed is a medium sized cat, with an average weight of 12-14 pounds. They are slightly larger than other breeds in their class - such as the American Shorthair or Burmese.
Their coats can come in many different colors such as white, black, blue, shades of red, cream and brown.
They are known to have a double coat that is soft and plush - but if you live in warmer climates it might become thinner during the summer months.
Their tails are medium sized with few long hairs at its tip, while their ears also carry less hair than other breeds such as Persians or American Shorthairs would normally have.
Ragamuffins can come with short coats (similar to an American shorthair) or long coats (resembling those found on Himalayans).
Characteristics Of The Ragamuffin
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Personality Of The Ragamuffin Cat
Ragamuffin Cats are known to be very affectionate, gentle and intelligent, just like their cousin, the Ragdoll.
Due to their very sweet and gentle nature, they are not suitable as an outside cat, but don't let this put you off. Ragamuffin Cats enjoy being around their owners just as much - if not more than - other cats do!
They are quite active so if you live in an apartment with limited space then a Ragamuffin Cat might not the right pet for you as they need plenty of room to play about. However, if your home has lots of places where it can hide away or climb up high on furniture then this is ideal.
Ragamuffins love to communicate with humans through chirping. They will often chirp when they are excited about something or greeting you and other cats.
They can be trained easily due to their intelligence; they learn tricks such as fetching items by name or sitting up on command quite well.
Other Pets And Children
Ragamuffin cats make loyal companions because they love being around people and get on well with children and other pets - especially dogs!
Ragamuffin Cats can get on with other pets so if you already own another, they will surely become the best of friends in no time at all.
It's important to teach your children how to treat animals, as well as the correct way to hold and pet them.
History of the Ragamuffin Cat
The history of the Ragamuffin first originated back in the 1960's in California where Anne Baker, founder of the Ragdoll cat breed , worked with a cat called Josephine.
Baker bred kittens from the pairing of Josephine and a Burmese, Birman, and the Persian which were then crossed in order to create their signature colouring.
The name Ragamuffin was chosen in part as a tribute to the breed's origins. The Ragamuffin cat breed is recognised by the following cat associations:
- United Feline Organization
- American Cat Fanciers Association
- American Association of Cat Enthusiasts
- Cat Fanciers Federation
In February 2011, the Cat Fanciers Association gave full recognition to the Ragamuffin cat breed.
Ragamuffin Cat Grooming And Care
Ragamuffin cat care starts with regular grooming in order to keep their coats looking shiny and healthy. Ragamuffins are a fairly low maintenance breed but the coat does need some attention from time to time.
Weekly brushing is the best way to keep a Ragamuffin's coat in tip-top condition.
As well as regular brushing, you should also check their ears and clean them if necessary every week or so.
Oral hygiene is also extremely important, and you should brush your Ragamuffin's teeth on a daily basis to remove any build-up of plaque.
Their nails should be trimmed once every two weeks, as well as wiping their eyes with a damp cloth if necessary.
Ragamuffins are fairly clean cats and they tend not to mess their litter trays too often, but it is still very important that you keep the tray as clean as possible - scoop out waste at least once every day.
We advise not to let your Ragamuffin outside because they are so friendly and trusting, they may be easily taken advantage of by people where they run the risk of being stolen.
Common Health Problems
Ragamuffin Cat breed common health problems include issues with their eyes, mainly due to allergies and hereditary conditions.
They are also prone to diseases of the kidneys and heart disease in later life.
As a large cat they can suffer from joint problems such as hip dysplasia which needs special care throughout their lives - make sure you ask your breeder about any pre-existing medical conditions before buying a Ragamuffin kitten.
Breeders should always test for PKD (polycystic kidney disease) & CHD (congenital heart defect). There is no actual gene test but there are DNA tests available on the market today that will tell if an individual cat has it or not.
Diet and Nutrition
Although this particular breed isn't prone to obesity, they still need to have a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Ragamuffin Cats can eat both wet and dry food, they do need more protein though than most other breeds of cats.
They should be fed twice - once in the morning & then again at night just before bedtime.
Ragamuffin Cats are also known to be very sensitive with their stomachs and if the food is not good quality, they might get diarrhea.
They should have access at all times to fresh water in clean bowls. A cat water fountain is an even better idea as cats are more attracted to flowing water.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Ragamuffin
Ragamuffin Cats are not yet very popular and many people still do not know about them, so it might be hard to find one for sale.
If you want a Ragamuffin Cat as a pet or show cat, your best bet is to contact breeders directly or go through the Association of Ragamuffin Breeders . In any case - adopt first & then buy.
There are always cats in shelters that need homes and there are plenty of purebred Ragamuffins available at rescues too!
Ragamuffin Facts
Now you have learnt everything on the Ragamuffin cat breed, let's take a look a t some cool Ragamuffin cat facts:
- In 1994 The International Cat Association accepted them as an official new breed called "RagaMuff".
- Ragamuffins are known for being very affectionate, friendly and extremely loyal to their owners.
- They love children and other pets.
- Ragamuffins are born white and eventually develop a color pattern as they mature.
- Ragamuffins can live until they are 18.
- They do not reach full maturity until the age of four.
- The Ragdoll cats original name was "Liebling" which is German for "darling".
Common Questions
Are Ragamuffin cats expensive?
Depending on the colors, geographical location, quality, and breeder, the price of a Ragamuffin can range from $600 to $1,300.
Are Ragamuffin cats friendly?
Ragamuffins are an extremely friendly breed and are well known for their sweet and gentle behavior, as well as their ability to get along great with both children and other pets.
What is the difference between Ragdoll and Ragamuffin cats?
You may be wondering how to tell the difference between a Ragdoll and a Ragamuffin cat. The Ragdoll is a larger breed than the Ragamuffin who is smaller smaller.
The difference in appearance can be seen most prominently when it comes to their faces. A Ragdoll has more of an "alien" face shape than that of a ragamuffin cat's rounder features.
Do Ragamuffin cats shed a lot?
Ragamuffin cats are prolific shedders who molt on a regular basis , which you will find on your carpet and furniture. As well as some good quality cat grooming tools, an efficient vacuum cleaner is also needed.
Are Ragamuffin cats hypoallergenic?
Ragamuffins are not hypoallergenic. Although some breeds such as the Siberian, Sphynx, and Bengal produce less allergens, all cats produce the Fel d 1 protein, so no cat is truly hypoallergenic.
Can RagaMuffins be left alone?
As Ragamuffins are affectionate and loving creatures who love to be involved in all family activity, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time.
Ragamuffin Cat Breed Conclusion
The Ragamuffin cat is truly an amazing breed and a great choice for any household, even if you have children or other pets.
Do you own a Ragamuffin Cat? We would love to hear from you. Send us your photos, videos, stories, and even your cats name.
If we like your content then we may even feature your cat inside of this post.
