Ragamuffin Cat Insurance, Care and Health Advice
Looking for an easygoing cat companion that isn't likely to be bringing many 'presents' into the house? Then look no further than the Ragamuffin. These chilled out mogs love nothing more than wrapping up on the sofa with you and, despite their luscious locks, don't require lots of grooming. Lets find out more about Ragamuffin cats in this comprehensive breed guide.
Ragamuffin Facts
Is a Ragamuffin Cat Right for Me?
Ragamuffin cats make gentle, easygoing companions. With their docile nature, they'll get along with everyone in the family. They'll also be friends with any other cats or cat-friendly dogs in the household.
They're suited to indoor life and make ideal pets for most households. These gentle giants don't like to be left alone for long periods, so if you want a constant companion, a Ragamuffin could be the perfect pet.
The Ragamuffin is a relatively new breed formed from the Ragdoll cat. The Ragdoll was strictly controlled by its founder, Ann Baker, in California, USA, but some Ragdoll breeders wanted to introduce new colours and patterns. This wasn't allowed, so the group began breeding Ragdolls with Persians and other domestic longhair breeds. In 1994, the Ragamuffin breed was born.
The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) recognised the breed in 2003 and awarded the breed's full championship status in 2011. The breed arrived in the UK in 2009 and has since become increasingly popular as longhair cats. If a Ragamuffin has caught your eye, and you want more information about this beautiful breed, this breed guide is for you.
What Are Ragamuffin Kittens Like?
Ragamuffin kittens are born white, and their coat colours and patterns develop as they get older. They mature slowly and don't reach their full size until about 4 years old.
Ragamuffins are friendly and laid-back, but early socialisation will help them grow into confident, happy adults.
Life with a Ragamuffin
Despite being a long-haired cat, Ragamuffins aren't as high-maintenance as you might expect, and a weekly brush is all they need.
They're affectionate, easy to handle and thrive on attention. These sociable cats form strong bonds with their owners and are often described as feline cuddly teddy bears. Ragamuffins don't have a high prey drive, so don't expect them to be good mousers.
Caring for Your Ragamuffin
Ragamuffins should be fed a well-balanced, nutritious diet that fits their age, size and energy requirements. If you buy your kitten from a breeder, they should provide you with a feeding schedule.
Try to feed your Ragamuffin at the same time every day. If you want to change their diet, do this gradually to avoid any tummy upsets.
Guidelines on the recommended amount to feed can be found on the side of the food packaging. You can also ask your vet which cat food they recommend, and how much to feed. Ragamuffins may be large, but they're not very active, so they can easily become overweight if overfed.
Ragamuffin cats have medium-long coats that are soft, silky and dense with long, fluffy tails. Their coats have been described as 'rabbit-like'. They're a low-maintenance breed and just need grooming once a week with a brush or comb to keep their coats knot-free and tangle-free.
Baths are not usually needed, but if you want to bathe your cat, always use a shampoo specially formulated for cats. A hairdryer on a low setting can then be used to dry them.
Their coats come in every colour and pattern, with and without white. Because they are rare, all-white cats tend to be in higher demand. Eye colour depends on the coat colour and can be different colours (known as heterochromia).
Ragamuffins are intelligent and can be trained to play fetch and walk on a lead. Toilet, or litter training, will be picked up quickly. Make sure there's at least one litterbox per cat in your house, and keep them scrupulously clean.
Ragamuffins are large cats with a hefty bone structure and need to be encouraged to exercise. Make time every day to play with them to keep them in shape - interactive toys like laser lights, fishing rod toys, etc., are ideal. They aren't very street-smart, so they're best suited to a life indoors.
Ragamuffin Cat Insurance
These adorable fluffy furballs may be low-maintenance and generally healthy, but they still need to be well-cared for. So it makes sense, as a cat owner, to think about protecting your Ragamuffin with insurance.
Everypaw's Cat Insurance is available from 8 weeks of age with a range of cover levels to choose from, so you can find cover that suits you both down to the ground. All our policies come with a range of additional benefits as standard, plus access to the Pet Portal for easy policy management.
Common Ragamuffin Health Problems by Vetstream
The Ragamuffin is generally a hardy, healthy breed of cat. However, until 2006, outcrosses with Persian and Ragdoll breeds were allowed in the breed, so breed-related health issues inherited from these ancestors are still sometimes seen.
We've got together with veterinary experts Vetstream to give you an idea of what to keep an eye out for in your Ragamuffin.
Dental problems affect many cats, especially as they get older. It's a good idea to check your cat's teeth regularly for any signs of periodontal disease (the area around the teeth). Bad breath and difficulty eating can indicate dental problems.
Toothbrushing will help prevent plaque from forming. If a lot of plaque develops, it can lead to periodontal disease, bad breath, tooth decay, pain, and tooth loss.
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) (also known as Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney disease or AD-PKD) is an inherited condition that can affect Ragamuffins. Kidney cysts can be identified by ultrasound. An abnormal gene causes the disease.
Unfortunately, there's no cure, but treatments may improve their quality of life. Check with your breeder to make sure that their breeding lines have been screened and are free of the condition.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats is a serious heart condition that can affect Ragamuffins. Cardiomyopathy means disease of the heart muscle, and in HCM, the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick. This prevents the heart from working properly and leads to heart failure.
Affected cats need long-term medication to slow the progression of the disease. Ask when you purchase whether their cat breeding lines have been DNA tested and are negative for HCM.
Ragamuffins are large and aren't particularly active. If overfed, they can put on too much weight. This can make them more likely to develop health problems such as diabetes, liver problems, and lower urinary tract disease. Your vet or weight management nurse can suggest a weight loss plan suitable for your cat if they need to slim down.
Quick Ragamuffin Cat Q&A
A Ragamuffin is a large cat with a medium to long coat that originated in California, USA. It became a separate breed from its cousin, the Ragdoll, in 1994. Ragamuffins come in a wide range of coat and eye colours. They're known for having a sweet expression and walnut-shaped eyes.
Ragamuffins are a large-sized cat. They're broad-chested and muscular, with a stocky build. Females can weigh between 3.6 and 6.8 kg, while males can weigh between 5.4 and 9 kg.
No cat is truly hypoallergenic. All cats produce the allergy-triggering protein Fel d 1, which is found in a cat's dander, saliva, and urine. Despite being low maintenance, Ragamuffins will shed regularly.
Ragamuffins are gentle and trusting, and are best suited to being kept indoors to keep them safe from disease, thieves, other animals, and accidents. If allowed outside, make sure your cat is microchipped, the area is secure, and your cat is wearing a collar with an ID tag. A secure enclosure, such as a catio, placed on a patio or balcony, can be the best of both worlds.
That’s All You Need to Know About Ragamuffins
Affectionate, intelligent and easygoing, the Ragamuffin will get along with everyone. They're easy to care for and form strong bonds with their owners. These gentle giants are best suited to life as indoor cats and may need a little encouragement to exercise, so make time for interactive play every day to keep them fit. It's not difficult to see why this breed is becoming increasingly popular.
Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis.
Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.
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