19.05.2022

Pros and cons of Ragdoll cats—the good, the bad, and the ugly

Ragdoll cats are the friendliest, prettiest, and cuddliest felines ever, which makes them fantastic companions for any family. Even non-cat people can't deny how disarming they are with their piercing blue eyes, silky fur, and charming personality.

Even though they are one of the most sought-after breeds for several good reasons, before letting a kitty into your home, you should learn about the main features of the breed.

Untamed presents the pros and cons of Ragdoll cats and throws in some handy tips to keep them fit and happy.

What’s good about raising a Ragdoll

Ragdolls are excellent companions, and not only because of their good looks.

These kitties also boast:

Wonderful personality
High intelligence
Laid-back temperament
Easy grooming
Moderate shedding

Ragdolls have an amiable character

You can hardly find a more loyal and affectionate cat breed than Ragdolls. If you desire a devoted furry friend to greet you at the door when you return home, Ragdolls are perfect for you.

Where have you been all day? I’ve missed you terribly!

Source: Mikhail Vasilyev

Although highly attached to their cat parents, Ragdolls are not demanding. They are pretty easy-going and independent. If you have a busy schedule, this breed is perfect for you. These kitties will not make you pay for leaving them for work by trashing the house in protest, but be ecstatic that you have come back.

Still, it doesn't mean that you can neglect your feline companion completely. Dedicate a part of your day to cuddling and bonding to keep them happy.

Ragdolls are intelligent and easy to train

Ragdoll cats are intelligent and easy to train. With a clicker and some treats, you can teach them many tricks.

They will quickly learn to fetch and retrieve objects and play games like "hide and seek." You can also teach them to sit, lie down, or high-five on command.

Their temperament is everything

Did you know that Ragdolls got their name after the Rag Doll? They're so laid-back that they go limp as soon as you pick them up.

Ragdolls are the definition of a lap cat. They love lazying about, sitting on your lap, and sleeping next to you.

These felines have no problem with visitors and will gladly lounge close by while you entertain guests.

If you decide to get another cat or a dog, your Ragdoll will welcome them with open paws. They are also patient with kids and should get along with them perfectly.

Long-haired but easy to groom

Since Ragdolls have long fur, you would expect that their grooming needs are complicated and time-consuming, but it couldn't be further from the truth.

Obviously, you’ve forgotten to brush me. I’m busy sleeping now, but we’ll talk later.

Source: Megan Lee

All you need to do is brush them once or twice a week with a steel comb to prevent the fur from tangling and becoming matted. Brushing will also help remove dead hair, which reduces the hairball frequency.

Your Ragdoll will love your grooming sessions because they enjoy spending time with their cat parents. Since they are so easy-going, you won't have any trouble beautifying your feline, but you should start brushing them during kittenhood to get them used to the sensation.

Ragdolls shed in moderation

Ragdolls shed, but they don't lose as much hair as many other breeds. If you groom them regularly, there shouldn't be too much hair around the house.

Keep in mind that Ragdoll cats are not hypoallergenic, so if you have severe reactions to felines, consult your vet before adopting any kitty.

The downsides of living with a Ragdoll

Everything about Ragdolls seems perfect so far (even a bit too good to be true), but not everything is ideal.

These adorable felines are:

Not supposed to go outside
Hardball when playing
Vocal
Sometimes like melancholic teenagers
Prone to several diseases
Predisposed to become obese

Ragdolls prefer to be indoors

Ragdoll cats are intelligent, but they are not street smart. They can spend hours staring out the window and seem interested in catching the sparrow who dared to land on the sill for a second but don't let them fool you.

Your Ragdoll is not a natural-born hunter. Even though they are larger than an average cat, Ragdolls don’t have the hunting skills and agility of Bengals, Siberians, Savannahs, Maine Coons, or Norwegian Forest cats.

The show I’m watching is better than any of your TV series!

Source: David Brooke Martin

If anything, these felines are a bit too gentle for the great outdoors. They are not territorial and don’t like to fight with other cats. If attacked by a ferocious feline intruder, your Ragdoll can get hurt because their self-defence skills are limited.

Ragdolls can get carried away when playing

Although they are good-natured and relaxed, their harmless play with an electric mouse can escalate to an erratic chase after their shadow and accidental destruction of anything on their way.

Ragdolls sometimes attack your legs if you don't pay attention to them for too long.

Ragdolls can be loud

Your cat communicates with you all the time. They usually meow to inform you that they need something. Don’t feel discouraged if you cannot understand your furry friend because cat parents learn the common tongue pretty quickly.

When a cat goes around the house meowing dramatically for no apparent reason, it's not so cute. Ragdolls are infamous for being vocal. If you adopt a Ragdoll, be prepared to listen to endless feline monologues.

Would you like a preview of living with a teen? Let a Ragdoll into your home

Ragdolls may decide to spend a whole day alone in their room—pardon their corner, alone and hidden from sight.

There are days when I find myself contemplating the meaning of life.

Source: pkovzz

Sometimes a Ragdoll will spend the evening with the entire family, guests, and the dog. Other times, they will feel shy and require some personal space. You might occasionally feel like you have to put in a superhuman effort to keep them happy. The best course of action is to let them enjoy their solitude. The mood usually lasts for a short time, and your furry friend will be back to their sociable self quickly.

Ragdolls are prone to specific hereditary diseases

These felines are pretty healthy, but a few diseases seem to be relatively common in Ragdoll cats:

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)—The heart muscle becomes thick, often due to the overly active thyroid gland. Obesity seems to play a role in how this condition progresses, so a strictly controlled diet is advisable. Ragdolls tend not to show any symptoms until the condition becomes severe. In the advanced stages of the disease, blood clots can form, causing paralysis of the hind legs. Other symptoms you may notice are:

Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Rapid breathing

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)—Feline coronavirus is present in almost all cats. It is often dormant and poses no threat, but cats with a weakened immune system can suffer if a specific mutation happens. There is no cure for this condition, and the prognosis is never optimistic. The symptoms are non-specific and usually include:

Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Depression
Fever

Polycystic kidney disease—This condition is caused by a defective gene a Ragdoll cat may carry. Kittens born with it have cysts in their kidneys or liver. As the cysts grow, they may result in kidney failure. You should pay attention to the following symptoms:

Increased thirst
Weight loss
Overall poor health

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)—It is an umbrella term for several conditions affecting a feline's bladder or urethra. These include:

Obesity is a common issue in Ragdolls

Ragdolls tend to be incredibly picky with food, but they can eat a lot when they like something. An even bigger problem is that they don't know when to stop, so it's crucial to be careful with portion sizes.

If you don't pay attention to your feline's size and activity levels, you can easily overfeed them, which inevitably leads to obesity. Excessive weight can cause many other health issues, such as:

Diabetes
Joint problems
Arthritis
Metabolic disorders
Endocrine disorders
Cardiovascular disease

Carefully portioned high-quality cat food can help you avoid many health niggles in your cat and keep some existing conditions under control.

How can nutrition help keep your Ragdoll healthy?

Feeding your Ragdoll high-quality, well-balanced meals is the best you can do for their health. Your feline companion’s diet should resemble their natural feeding patterns.

Wild cats primarily feed on:

Small birds
Mice and other rodents
Insects (e.g., moths)
Lizards
Slugs and snails
Frogs

Commercial cat food ingredients differ from those listed above, but the idea is to incorporate key nutrients in the best possible ratio. The three most important elements of cat food should be:

Animal protein
Animal fat
Minerals and vitamins

Animal protein

Animal protein is what cats need the most.

Image (c) Untamed

Meat is the source of all the essential amino acids (e.g., taurine and arginine) your cat needs to:

Get energy
Build muscle tone
Maintain normal organ function
Keep the skin and coat healthy

Check out the best sources of protein for your feline:

Primary source of protein	Occasional snacks
Chicken (raw and cooked) Turkey Duck Liver Mackerel Salmon Shrimp Prawns Tuna	Beef Pork Bacon Ham

Carefully inspect the ingredients list on the product. Meat should be the first ingredient, and if a product contains vegetables, grains, or unnecessary additives, look for another option.

Some of the ingredients to avoid are:

These ingredients are not toxic or dangerous for felines, but they are inadequate because they can’t break down vegetable proteins and absorb nutrients from them efficiently.

Animal fat

Animal fat gives cat food an irresistible taste and acts as a viable secondary energy source. It also provides essential fatty acids (e.g., omega-3 and omega-6).

Given that Ragdolls can have a pretty particular taste and can refuse to eat both wet and dry meals, appropriate quantities of animal fat can arouse their interest in food.

Vitamins and minerals

Meat, especially liver, contains all the vitamins and minerals your Ragdoll needs.

You should avoid any cat food containing supplements because it implies the meat content is low. The efficiency with which felines can absorb artificial vitamins and minerals is also questionable.

Recommended nutrient ratio for Ragdolls

A well-balanced cat diet should have the following ratio of essential nutrients:

Nutrient	Recommended percentage
Protein	Over 50%
Fat	Less than 20%
Carbs	Up to 3%

High-protein cat food ensures your Ragdoll gets enough calories to maintain normal energy levels. Carbs are useless to cats, and that 3% should mostly be fibre to assist in digestion. You should avoid simple carbohydrates altogether because they have zero nutritional value for felines.

Is Untamed a good option for your Ragdoll?

If you want to feed your Ragdoll healthy and tasty meals, Untamed is the best choice!

All Untamed meals are:

Rich in protein—Every Untamed tin has twice as much animal protein as most other commercial cat food products. We only use the best-quality whole meat and fish and skip taste enhancers, sugar, artificial colourants, and other additives
Vet-formulated—Every Untamed recipe has been created to meet all felines' nutritional needs, whether they are kittens, adults, seniors, pregnant, or neutered. We refrain from using known allergens to ensure that even sensitive kitties can enjoy our dishes
Ethically produced—We only work with sustainable and cruelty-free suppliers. All our packaging is completely recyclable, and our production and shipping processes are carbon-neutral

Untamed is the best you can do for your Ragdoll.

Image (c) Untamed

Let your cat try Untamed. Our gravy and jelly products will keep them fit and happy!

How to get Untamed

Ordering Untamed for your Ragdoll is as easy as one-two-three. Here is what to do to buy our canned cat food online:

Tell us about your Ragdoll
Pick the meals
Complete the order

Your trial pack will arrive in a day, and if your Ragdoll approves, we'll replenish your stock at the same time every month. Should you decide to make some changes, you can do it effortlessly from your account.

Check out the feedback we received from our clients. They say you can expect the following effects after switching your Ragdoll to our healthy cat food subscription: