The Ragamuffin: a beautiful cat with a big heart

ragamuffin knuffelt

The Ragamuffin is a cat that stands out enormously because of its beautiful, luxurious appearance. The Ragamuffin has a big heart and is a true human friend. He is also sometimes called the friendly giant. He loves to get attention and is also very good with children and other animals. If you are looking for a cat that fits well in a family then the Ragamuffin is a good option. Do you want to know more about this breed? Then read on.

 

The origin: a relatively new breed from California

The Ragamuffin is still a fairly new breed. Only in 1994 it was decided in California to breed this breed actively. The breed originated as a new development from the better-known Ragdoll. The Ragamuffin shows comparisons with the Ragdoll but is not identical to it. The difference is mainly in the body type and the diversity in colours. The exact development of this breed is unfortunately not completely known. So, it is quite a mystery how the breeders came to this beautiful end result. Breeding the Ragamuffin is also quite difficult and there are strict rules around breeding, which makes this cat quite rare.

In 2003 the variety was officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA). Nowadays the Ragamuffin is also recognized by other associations, but not yet by the CCA and the TICA.

 

The character: gentle and loyal

The Ragamuffin is known as a very gentle cat. He has a sweet and calm character and is very loyal to his owner. He is also very affectionate and loves to lay on his lap and be petted for hours. Partly due to its gentle nature, this breed is the ideal domestic cat.

The Ragamuffin also has a calm and patient temperament. These characteristics make it a suitable cat for young, playing children. They like to be taken on all childish adventures; it is a very docile cat. Whether it is children or older people, this cat loves attention and loves to connect with people.

Although the cat has a calm and calm character, they are not lazy. They also like to play. If you want this cat to play outside, it is important that you teach it to walk on a leash. They are intelligent enough to learn this quickly. This cat is a cat to keep inside on its own. They are cats who don’t see much danger in anything, that’s why it is too dangerous for them to walk around outside on their own.

Because this cat needs so much attention it is wise to think before buying if you can offer him this amount of attention as well. Can’t you give this cat enough attention? Then he may get bored and scratch the furniture. Even if you have a scratching post in the house, this may not be enough, and they can continue to do so. It is therefore really important to give enough attention to this breed. This cat is often bought by families because there is always someone in the house who can play with the cat. It is also regularly bought by older people to keep them company.

Infographic Ragamuffin about weight, size and breed qualities

Appearance: a luxurious coat and bright eyes

The sweet facial expression, the beautiful coat and the robust body are three important characteristics of the Ragamuffin. It is a medium to large cat, weighing between 5 and 10 kilos on average. The males are often a bit heavier and bigger than the females. It is normal that this cat is a bit thicker and heavier than the average cat. This is mainly because of its heavy bone structure and the cushion of fat they develop on their lower abdomen.

The body of this cat is quite rectangular, this is due to its broad chest and broad shoulders. The Ragamuffin also has a good set of muscles. It is characteristic of this cat that it is well covered with meat everywhere, but there is a good balance between body size and body weight. Also, the legs of this cat have a heavy bone structure. The feet are big and round to be able to carry the weight of the cat. At the back of the body the Ragamuffin has a beautiful long and luxurious tail. The tail looks like a plume and is slightly tapered.

The head of the Ragamuffin is broad and round. The muzzle is rather short and also fairly broad. He has full cheeks with big eyes. The eyes are walnut shaped and have an intense, bright colour. The special eyes give the cat a sweet and sweet appearance. Also, the swollen whisker cushions contribute to the sweet appearance of this cat. Its ears are medium sized with a round finish.

The coat of the Ragamuffin is semi-long, but sometimes also long. The texture of the coat is fine, dense and shiny. The coat of the Ragamuffin feels silky soft. This makes it very cuddly. The length of the coat is slightly longer around the neck and the outer edges of the face. The coat on the forelegs is often shorter and thicker, while the hind legs have longer hairs that peep backwards. The colour of the coat of this breed comes in many different colours and patterns. The most common colours are:

  • Blue
  • Chocolate
  • White
  • Creme
  • Black
  • Lila
  • Cinnamon
  • Red
  • Fawn

These colours are all possible in combination. So, you can have a cat with two colours, but also three colours, for example black, white and grey. In addition to these different colour combinations, different patterns are also possible, for example:

  • Spotted
  • Striped
  • Cypher
  • Smoke
  • Tabby

Because there are so many possibilities in coat colour and coat patterns it can be difficult to recognize this cat. That’s why it’s smart to look at his physique and tail. You can often tell from these two things if it is a real Ragamuffin. Are you curious about all colour and pattern combinations that are possible? Then take a look at the breed standard.

 

Education: socialising is important

Raising the Ragamuffin is quite easy because it is an obedient cat. But socialisation is essential, just like with any other breed. Socialising a cat means that they get used to the presence and touch of people and animals. This is one of the most important parts of the upbringing of any cat breed. If this is not done properly, it can have unpleasant consequences for the mental health of a cat. During the socialisation period they will also be introduced to the care they will receive from their owner. This can be nail clipping, for example, but also the care of the teeth. It is smart to start as early as possible.

It is also important during the education of this breed to make sure that they start scratching in an early stage in a controlled way. They may start to scratch if they are lonely and do not get enough attention. By teaching them at an early age what they can and cannot scratch they know how to deal with this loneliness, without damaging the environment.

It is therefore important to always buy a Ragamuffin from a licensed breeder. Recognised breeders know how important the socialisation period of a kitten is. They also know the specific needs of each breed and can respond well to them. You can read more about buying a kitten from a recognised breeder later on.
ragamuffin liggend op een man zijn schouder

The care: combing several times a week

Although the Ragamuffin has a thick and soft coat, surprisingly they don’t stick together very quickly. Very intensive care is therefore not necessary, but it is very important to keep the coat beautiful and healthy. That’s why it is important to comb the coat during the day. This prevents inflammation of the skin and the formation of hairballs. It is especially important to brush around the collar and armpits. This is where most of the coat is located and this is where the chance of tangles is greatest. With a special cat comb, you can remove these tangles quite easily.

Furthermore, the Ragamuffin needs special care of its eyes and ears. It is wise to clean them regularly as they can get dirty quickly. You can do this with a cotton swab.

 

Nutrition: take care for a balanced diet

A well-balanced diet is very important for this breed, especially because they are not very active. They are big cats and therefore need enough food, but they shouldn’t get fat. First of all, it is important that you tune your cat’s diet to his age, gender and activity. To ensure that your cat gets enough nutrients it is important to buy a fully balanced diet. This can be done via ready-made meals. The labels of these types of meals state exactly what is in them.

You can also opt for dry or wet food. Dry food is more concentrated than wet food, which means your cat doesn’t have to eat as much to get enough nutrients. Wet food also ensures that your cat gets moisture immediately and stays well hydrated. Cats sometimes want to forget to drink. All in all, it’s important that your cat always has something to eat and drink. Furthermore, simply pay attention to your cat’s needs. However, it is important to know that this breed does not consume fatty meat, fat, raw fish, flour and pasta. This is bad for the health of this breed and can cause a lot of problems.

 

Diseases that are common in this breed

The Ragamuffin is known for its strong genes. It is a healthy cat with few problems. This breed has no genetically determined health problems. Despite the fact that they have no hereditary diseases, they are very susceptible to kidney and heart diseases. In general, these conditions are not very serious. Nevertheless, they need to be treated in good time. If you notice that your Ragamuffin behaves differently, it is wise to visit your vet. It is always better to have an extra check-up instead of being there too late.

Furthermore, you don’t have to take much account of illnesses. The breed is very strong and has a good immune system. When his nutrition is in order and he gets enough attention, he generally stays healthy and happy all his life.

ragamuffin liggend op zijn zij

How old can the Ragamuffin get?

On average, a Ragamuffin becomes between 12 and 18 years old. This is quite an old age for a cat. How old your cat gets, of course, has to do with the way you groom and treat him.

If you don’t give the Ragamuffin the right nutrition and too little attention, its life expectancy will quickly deteriorate. That is why it is essential to have these two things in order. The mental condition of this breed also has an influence on its life expectancy. If he doesn’t feel well in his skin, he generally becomes a few years less old. Petting and cuddling is therefore really very important. Even if it seems as if this has no effect on his health, it does.

 

What you need to know before you bring this cat into the house

If you are planning to buy this breed, then there are a few things you need to know. First of all, this breed is quite rare. So, it can be very difficult to buy a healthy Ragamuffin. It is best to ask registered breed clubs if there are any known breeders who breed this breed. Sometimes it is possible to get this breed through acquaintances, but this is not recommended. Only buy this breed from a registered breeder.

If you go to a breeder to pick out a kitten, there are a few things to look out for. First of all, it is important that the kitten stays with its mother for the first 8 weeks. If the breeder is willing to give you the kitten home earlier, this is a bad sign. You can also pay attention to a kitten’s surroundings when you visit him. Check if the food is clean, but also the water bowls and the litter box. If it is not clean this can be a sign that the kittens are not well taken care of either. Finally, you can look at how healthy the kittens look and how playful and curious they are. In terms of health, it is important that the eyes are clear, the ears and nose clean and the coat shiny. Always ask if the kittens are dewormed and if they have received vaccinations.

You can also choose to buy this breed in America. Here they are bred a lot and are much more common than for example in the Netherlands. To do this in the right way it is also wise to contact a breed association. They often have the right contacts and can help you with this.

Sufficient toys are very important for this breed. He enjoys attention so if nobody is at home for a while, this breed should have something to do to enjoy itself. That is why it is wise to buy a number of toys before you bring this cat into the house. A good scratching post is also essential.

In addition, it is important to keep this cat mainly indoors. They are not very good at defending themselves. If they are attacked, it can have nasty consequences. So just keep him inside. This is much nicer anyway!

ragamuffin in grasveld

How much does a Ragamuffin cost?

On average, a Ragamuffin costs around $1200. Prices always differ per breeder but count on the fact that you won’t find a healthy Ragamuffin for a price much lower than this. If you do come across one that is a lot cheaper, you have to ask yourself if you are not dealing with a bread breeder. Pay attention to the environment, the health of the mother and kittens and always ask a lot of questions!

In addition to the purchase costs, you also have the costs for the maintenance of the cat. These costs can amount to an average of $500 per year. Think of a litter tray, a scratching post, food, veterinary costs, care products and food. Because this breed doesn’t need special food it doesn’t cost that much on a yearly basis. However, the toys can be expensive. This depends a bit on how much attention you can pay to this cat. Can you pay a lot of attention to the cat yourself? Then you will probably need fewer toys and you can save some on this.

 

Are you interested in this cat?

Are you interested in this breed and would you like to know more about it? Or maybe you already have a Ragamuffin in your house and things stand out about his behaviour? Let us know in the reactions under this article. We and other readers are very curious about your experiences with this breed!

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Onlinecatworld.com Team

Onlinecatworld.com Team

We are a team of cat lovers, doing our best to create and spread information about cats. On Onlinecatworld.com you will read all about different cat breeds, and what makes them so special. You will also find information about grooming and training your cat. Be sure to leave us a reply if you like our article.

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