Ragamuffin
The big, soft, go-with-the-flow lap cat
The Ragamuffin was developed from Ragdoll lines in the United States in the 1990s, after some breeders wanted to allow a wider range of colours and patterns than the Ragdoll standard accepted. The new breed was named Ragamuffin and is now recognised by some cat registries.
It shares the Ragdoll’s gentle, floppy nature, in more colours.
Ragamuffin at a glance
- Origin
- USA, from Ragdoll lines
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- Females 4.5 to 6.5 kg, males 6 to 9 kg
- Lifespan
- Often 12 to 16 years
- Coat
- Dense, soft and semi-long, with a full ruff
- Colours
- Almost any colour and pattern, including tabby and white
Personality scorecard
- Energy
- 2 out of 5
- Affection
- 5 out of 5
- Chattiness
- 2 out of 5
- Grooming needed
- 3 out of 5
- Good with children
- 5 out of 5
- Good with other pets
- 5 out of 5
Our own rough guide. Every cat is different.
What they look like
A big, sturdy cat with a broad chest, a wide, rounded head with a short nose, and large, walnut-shaped eyes that can be many colours (unlike the Ragdoll’s blue). The coat is dense, soft and semi-long, with a full ruff, and it can be almost any colour and pattern, with or without white.
Personality
Calm, sociable and very affectionate. Ragamuffins love lap time, tend to greet visitors and are usually patient with children, dogs and other cats. They are not highly active, though they enjoy gentle play, and they are slow to mature, often not fully grown until around four years old.
Care and grooming
Brush two or three times a week with a comb, with extra attention to the “armpits”, belly and behind the ears. They are not very active, so use wand toys and puzzle feeders and measure meals to keep weight healthy. Keep them safe indoors or in a secure garden.
Health to know about
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and polycystic kidney disease (PKD) are seen in related lines, so ask breeders for heart scans and DNA tests. Bladder stones can also occur. Weight is the day-to-day worry.
Could suit
- Families with children and other pets
- Calm homes and flats
- People who want a big, cuddly lap cat
Think twice if
- If you want an active, athletic cat
- If you cannot keep up with brushing
- If you cannot keep your cat safely contained, since they are trusting
“If you are sitting down, that is my job now.”
Compare the Ragamuffin
Name ideas for a Ragamuffin
- Muffin
- Teddy
- Bear
- Waffles
- Pudding
- Honey
- Biscuit
- Cinnamon
- Mabel
- Fudge
Want more? Try the cat name generator, or find out their age in human years with the cat age calculator.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between a Ragamuffin and a Ragdoll?
The Ragamuffin came from Ragdoll lines but is recognised in more colours and patterns, and its eyes can be many colours, while a Ragdoll’s are always blue. Some registries treat them as separate breeds, others as one.
Are Ragamuffins good family cats?
Yes, they are known for being calm, patient and sociable.
How big do Ragamuffins get?
Males are usually 6 to 9 kg and females 4.5 to 6.5 kg, and they can take up to four years to fill out.
Do Ragamuffins shed?
Yes, moderately, more in spring and autumn. A comb two or three times a week helps.
Other breeds to meet
This is a friendly overview, not veterinary advice. Ask your vet about your own cat.
