The Ragamuffin Cat: A Friendly and Lovable Feline Breed

Last Updated on April 17, 2024 by Holly Anne Dustin

Like their cousins, the Ragdoll, the Ragamuffin cat is a breed of domestic cat known for its affectionate and laid-back personality. They are often referred to as a living teddy bear due to their cuddly, loving, and gentle nature. Ragamuffin cats are a relatively new breed. It is one of a only a few breeds that CFA recognizes that The International Cat Association (TICA) doesn’t.

Ragamuffin cats have long, soft fur and striking blue eyes. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, including solid, bi-color, and tabby. Despite their luxurious coat, Ragamuffin cats are relatively low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. They do require regular brushing to prevent matting, but their fur does not tend to tangle or shed excessively. Overall, Ragamuffin cats make wonderful pets for families and individuals alike, and are sure to steal the hearts of anyone who meets them. I know they have stolen mine. They have a round, almost Persian-y look without the bracycephalic head structure.

History of the Ragamuffin Cat

The Ragamuffin cat breed is relatively new, with its origins dating back to the 1990s. Their origin and background is somewhat murky. Ann Baker wanted to create a cat breed with a sweet and affectionate personality, similar to the Ragdoll breed. She started breeding cats with the Ragdoll breed, but later added other breeds such as the Persian, Himalayan, and other long-haired cats to the mix.

Baker named the new breed Ragamuffin, and she registered it with her own registry, the International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA), rather than with established cat breeding organizations such as The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) or The International Cat Association (TICA).

The Ragamuffin breed quickly gained popularity among cat lovers due to its friendly and affectionate personality, as well as its beautiful appearance. The American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) recognized the Ragamuffin breed in 2003 and CFA recognized them in 2011.

Ragamuffin Breed Standard

Body Structure

The Ragamuffin is a large, muscular cat with a rectangular body shape. They have a broad chest, broad shoulders, and a well-rounded rump. They are fully fleshed but not fat. Their legs are sturdy and medium in length, with large, round tufted paws. The tail is long and plumed, with a slight curve at the tip.

Head

The Ragamuffin has a broad, modified wedge-shaped head with a moderately rounded forehead. Their cheeks are full, whisker pads puffy and their chin is firm. A Ragamuffin nose has a scooped appearance in profile. Their large, expressive eyes are walnut-shaped and set at a slight angle. The ears are medium to large, set toward the side of the head, rounded at the tip, and well-furnished with hair.

Coat and Colors

The Ragamuffin’s coat is medium to long, soft, silky, dense, and plush. It is soft to the touch and has a slight wave to it. The fur is longer around the neck, chest, and ruff, and shorter on the face and legs. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, including solid, tabby, bi-color, and pointed with and without white. Mitted cats can have pink, bi-colored, or multi-colored paw pads.

The Ragamuffin’s Cat Fanciers’ Federation breed standard emphasizes their sweet look and affectionate nature. CFA allows outcrossing to the Selkirk Straight until 2030.

Personality and Temperament

Ragamuffin cats are known for their large size, plush fur, and gentle disposition. They make excellent family pets; “puppy-like” in their behavior, following their owners around and seeking attention and affection. They are lovebugs.

Ragamuffin cats have friendly and affectionate personalities. One of the ultimate “lap cats”, Ragamuffins love cuddling and being close to their owners. They are social, enjoying the company of both humans and other pets.

These cats are typically laid-back and easygoing, making them great companions for families with children or other pets. They are not particularly active cats; but they do enjoy playtime and interactive toys.

Ragamuffins are extremely calm and docile cats. It can be tempting to let them sleep and turn into couch potatoes but their personable natures mean they can become bored without enough attention and entertainment.

Ragamuffins are intelligent and trainable. They learn tricks quickly and respond well to positive reinforcement training methods.

Overall, Ragamuffin cats make wonderful pets for those looking for a friendly and affectionate companion.

Health and Lifespan of Ragamuffin Cats

Common Health Issues

Ragamuffin cats are generally healthy and have no breed-specific health issues. However, like all cats, they are prone to certain health problems. The common health issues that Ragamuffin cats may face:

• Obesity: Ragamuffin cats are prone to obesity, which can lead to other health problems such as diabetes and joint problems. It is important to provide them with a balanced diet and regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): This type of heart disease is common in cats, and is characterized by the thickening of the heart muscle. Cats with HCM are typically removed from breeding lines. Your breeder should be able to give you results of testing of your kitten’s parents if not the kitten itself.
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD): PKD is the development of multiple cysts on a cat’s kidneys. It’s not immediately life-threatening, but should be treated as early as possible in order to prevent the development of new cysts. These cats should not be bred. Your breeder should be able to show results of testing.

Life Expectancy

Ragamuffin cats have a relatively long lifespan compared to other cat breeds. On average, they can live up to 13-16 years with proper care and nutrition. However, some Ragamuffin cats have live up to 20 years or more.

To ensure a long and healthy life for your Ragamuffin cat, it is important to provide them with regular veterinary checkups, a balanced diet, and plenty of love and attention.

Care and Maintenance of the Ragamuffin Cat

Despite their luxurious, thick, plush coats Ragamuffins aren’t high maintenance cats. Their coat doesn’t have require intense grooming. A weekly brushing should keep them in good condition. Ragamuffins typically love grooming. As long as you’ll keep brushing and combing, they’ll keep purring.

Regular exercise and playtime are necessary to keep your Ragamuffin healthy and happy. They have a tendency to get fat without care to their diet and exercise.

Related: Learn More About Breed Cats. Click to Visit Our Glossary Page here.

Do Ragamuffins Make Good Pets?

Ragamuffins make exceptional pets. They are calm and patient cats that are easy to handle. When you think of a little girl rolling her pretty kitty around in a doll pram, it could well be a Ragamuffin. They are great with kids and form strong bonds to their family members. Ragamuffins also have a reputation for being good companions with other cats, dogs and even small pets and birds.

Ragamuffins are adaptable and do well in any type of home from apartments to large homes. They’re a great choice for a family with young children or a single adult who wants a devoted companion who loves to snuggle. Ragamuffins are highly intelligent and easily learn tricks. They are easily trained to walk on a harness and leash; but are much too gentle and trusting to be left outside unsupervised.

How Much Does a Ragamuffin Cat Cost?

Like most pedigreed cats, Ragamuffins aren’t inexpensive. A quality Ragamuffin typically costs $1500-3000 depending on the cat’s pedigree, quality, how much Kitty meets the show standards, and any breeding rights conferred.

Summary

The Ragamuffin Cat is the perfect companion for anyone looking for a friendly and loving pet. These cats are gentle, affectionate, and loyal, making them an ideal addition to any family. They have a reputation for being easy-going and great with children, so you can be sure that your little ones will enjoy their company as much as you do. The Ragamuffin cat is a truly special breed that is sure to bring lots of love and joy into any home. They are very friendly, sociable cats who love to be around people and other animals. They make wonderful pets for all types of families and their adaptable nature makes them easy to train. So, if you’re looking for an adorable companion with an affectionate and lovable personality, the Ragamuffin cat is the perfect choice!