The Ragdoll is a fascinating and unique breed of cat that was originally popularised by Ann Baker in the USA in the 1960s. It is known for its gentle, people-orientated nature and its tendency to hang in the arms of its humans like a rag doll. This calm and easy-going nature makes her an ideal companion for families, seniors or even people looking to get a cat for the first time.
Appearance:
The Ragdoll is a large, sturdy cat with a soft, semi-long coat that comes in beautiful shades of colour such as seal, blue, chocolate and lilac. Their characteristic feature is the deep blue eyes, which enhance the unique, gentle expression of these cats. There are three classic patterns in the Ragdoll: Colourpoint, Bicolour and Mitted. These different colour variations give the breed a varied appearance.
Character:
Ragdolls are extremely affectionate and people-loving. They love to spend time with their owners, be it on the sofa, playing or sleeping. Ragdolls are considered to be very relaxed cats that are rarely aggressive and get on well with other pets and children. They are known to be patient and remain calm in many situations.
Grooming:
The semi-long coat of the Ragdoll is surprisingly easy to care for. It is not prone to severe matting, but regular grooming is still advisable to keep the coat in a healthy and shiny condition. Ragdolls shed less than some other long-haired cat breeds, making them a pleasant choice for cat lovers who want to mop less frequently.
Health:
Ragdolls are generally hardy cats, but as with any breed, there are some health issues that should be watched out for. Chief among these is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a genetic heart disease that occasionally occurs in this breed. Reputable breeders have their breeding cats tested regularly for this disease.
For me, as a breeder of Ragdolls, it is not only to breed beautiful and healthy kittens, but also to cherish the unmistakable bond I have with these gentle and lovable creatures. Ragdoll cats have enriched my life in ways I could never have imagined. They are more than just pets; they are friends, family members and silent companions. I am particularly proud of the loving socialisation of my kitties. I spend a lot of time with them – playing, cuddling and even sleeping together. This intensive care ensures that the kittens are trusting and well prepared for their new families. Letting go of the kittens is very difficult for me, as I have built up a close bond with each of them. But it is a comfort to know that they are going into loving hands.
With my breeding I want to help spread the beauty and loving nature of the Ragdoll and share this wonderful breed with the world. If you are looking for a loyal, affectionate and gentle cat, then a Ragdoll could be just right for you.
Here is a brief insight into the genetics of the Ragdoll breed and how you can predict the colour of Ragdoll kittens based on the genetics of their parents.
The coat colour of a Ragdoll is determined by its genes, which are either dominant or recessive. The main colours that come into play are seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon and fawn. Here are the most important genes:
B = Black, b = Chocolate, b’ = Cinnamon
D = Undiluted, d = Diluted
The black gene (B) is dominant over the chocolate gene (b), and the chocolate gene in turn is dominant over the cinnamon gene (b’). In the genes responsible for diluting the colours, the undiluted gene (D) is dominant over the diluted gene (d). The diluted versions of seal, chocolate and cinnamon are blue, lilac and fawn, with fawn being the rarest Ragdoll colour.
For a recessive trait to be visible, both genes must be recessive. In the case of a dominant trait, it is sufficient for only one gene to be dominant. For example, bb dd means that the Ragdoll is lilac in colour because it has two recessive chocolate genes and two recessive dilute genes. Bd DD means that the Ragdoll will be seal coloured because it carries at least one dominant black gene and two dominant undiluted genes.
If you want to know the exact genetics of your Ragdolls, you can submit a DNA sample to a testing institute. Once you have the genetic information of your cats, you can use a colour
If you want to know the exact genetics of your Ragdolls, you can submit a DNA sample to a testing institute. Once you have the genetic information of your cats, you can use a colour chart to predict which colours are possible in their kittens. For example, a lilac-coloured male (bb dd) and a seal-coloured female (Bd DD) would have either seal- or chocolate-coloured kittens.
At Nordlyshine’s Ragdolls I am dedicated to breeding traditional Ragdolls from the old English lines. These lines epitomise the original characteristics of the Ragdoll breed as they were established many years ago. Their unique character, impressive coat markings and deep blue eyes epitomise the standard that makes these wonderful cats so special.
Old English Ragdolls are known for their gentleness, affectionate nature and majestic appearance. They epitomise everything that the original breeders wanted for the breed. By focusing on these traditional lines, I am preserving the heritage and original beauty of the Ragdoll.
Why do I hold on to these lines? These Ragdolls represent consistency and quality. They carry the genes that have been passed down from generation to generation to maintain the classic Ragdoll standard. Only cats with point colouring and deep blue eyes meet the requirements of the CFA and represent the true nature of this breed.
In my cattery I therefore only release kittens for adoption in the traditional colours accepted by the CFA. I am currently concentrating on the classic colours seal and blue. These colours emphasise the grace and elegance of the Ragdolls as they are cultivated in the old English lines.
To acclimatise your new Ragdoll kitten to its new home, it’s best to give it a small, safe space first – a bathroom, for example. There are no hiding places there and you can provide everything they need: Food, water and a litter tray. When your kitten arrives, leave it in this room for a few hours so that it can slowly get used to its new surroundings. Then take it out again and again, hold it on your lap and stroke it to make it feel safe and secure.
As soon as you are sure that your kitten is eating, drinking and using the litter tray without any problems, you can gradually let it explore the rest of the house. You should keep taking him back to the litter tray so that he knows exactly where it is.
Be patient with your new kitten. It may take a few days for it to settle in and feel comfortable.
If you already have other pets, introduce them to your kitten slowly and gently. Ragdolls are generally very trusting and get on well with other animals, but every cat is different. Some may take a little longer to get used to their new friends – and that’s perfectly fine.
All my kittens are currently fed Royal Canin Kitten dry food and Mousse wet food. I have relied on this food during breeding as it provides all the essential nutrients for the little ones. I recommend switching to Royal Canin Ragdoll Adult dry food and Royal Canin Digest Sensitive wet food at the age of 12 months to meet their specific needs.
Sometimes I also feed my cats BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), which means they get fresh chicken, beef heart and a little oil. I also give them premium food from Fressnapf to provide variety and ensure they get a balanced diet. This mixture ensures that my kittens are healthy and happy.
If you want to switch to a different food, you should do so slowly. Mix a little of the new food into the old food on the first day and increase the amount of new food over seven days. Suddenly switching your kitten to a new brand can cause stomach upset, diarrhoea or even weight loss, which could lead to more serious health problems. Ragdolls in particular sometimes have sensitive stomachs, so be careful with treats or human food as they can easily get diarrhoea.
Your kitten is used to Catsbest clumping litter, and I also use the Premium XL litter from Fressnapf.
Before your Ragdoll kitten arrives, check all windows and doors to make sure they can’t escape the house. Ragdolls are indoor cats that should always stay indoors. If you decide to take a Ragdoll outside, it must be supervised.
Some houseplants are poisonous to cats. See the ASPCA list of poisonous plants to find out which plants should be removed or kept out of reach of your Ragdoll kitten.
Other toxic substances such as cleaning products, nail polish remover, medicines, paints etc. should be kept in a safe place where your Ragdoll kitten cannot get to them.
Make sure that fragile items are stored in safe places. Don’t leave items that you don’t want to drop on the floor too close to the edge of counters, tables or shelves.
All sharp objects such as knives, needles, scissors etc. should be kept in a safe place out of the reach of your Ragdoll kitten.
Ragdoll kittens like to play with cables and sometimes chew on them. Store wires and cables out of reach of the kittens to prevent damage to the cat and cable.
Get into the habit of always leaving the toilet seat down. You don’t want a Ragdoll kitten to accidentally fall in or drink water from the toilet.
Ragdoll kittens love to find hiding places. You should familiarise yourself with the possible hiding places for cats in your home, e.g. under beds, behind furniture, in laundry baskets, etc. Make sure that all these places are safe. You don’t want your new kitten to accidentally get stuck behind a washing machine.