Ragamuffin Cat: Gentle Giant, Temperament, Grooming and Health

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

A Ragamuffin looks like a fluffy cushion with eyes. Calm, affectionate and built to be carried, it is a breed that adores people and rarely asks for anything more than a lap and a good brushing. It is also one of the newer breeds, with a story that began with a disagreement among breeders.

Origins

In the 1990s, a group of Ragdoll breeders in California left the original breed organization and began developing their own line, with a wider palette of colors and patterns and outcrosses to other longhaired cats, such as Persians, domestic longhairs and Himalayans. They named the new breed Ragamuffin in 1994, and it gained recognition from several registries by the early 2000s. It is still a rare breed.

Appearance

Ragamuffins are large, with a broad chest, a rectangular body and a heavy bone structure. The head is a broad modified wedge with a rounded muzzle and full cheeks, and the walnut-shaped eyes are large and expressive, in any color including gold, green, blue and aqua. The coat is semi-long, plush and rabbit-like, with a full ruff and a bushy tail. All colors and patterns are accepted, including white, and colorpoint and tabby cats are common.

Temperament

The Ragamuffin is soft-natured, adaptable and attached. Many follow their people, greet them at the door and settle on laps for hours. They are usually calm with children, cats and cat-friendly dogs, and they tolerate gentle handling well. Their voices are quiet, with soft chirps.

They are not very active, but they enjoy gentle play, puzzle toys and short chase games. Because they are relaxed and trusting, indoor life is safest. They do poorly if left alone for long hours, and a companion pet can help.

Grooming

The coat has less undercoat than many longhaired coats and mats less, but it still needs attention. Comb two to three times a week with a steel comb, concentrating on the armpits, britches and behind the ears. During seasonal shedding, brush more often. Trim nails, check ears, brush teeth and clean eyes if discharge appears. Techniques are covered in how to brush a cat.

Weight and feeding

Ragamuffins mature slowly, reaching full size around four years, and their relaxed temperament makes weight gain easy. Feed measured portions of complete food, use puzzle feeders and weigh monthly. See how much should I feed my cat and use the cat food amount calculator for a baseline.

Health

Ragamuffins are generally healthy, but breed-linked topics include:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A genetic test for a mutation found in Ragdolls exists, and breeders may use heart scans. Ask what screening has been done.
• Polycystic kidney disease, reported in lines with Persian ancestry, with a DNA test available.
• Bladder stones and urinary problems.
• Dental disease.
• Obesity, the most common preventable issue.

Ask breeders for results of testing, and see our cat health guides and the emergency warning signs guide.

A day with a Ragamuffin

Mornings start with a soft greeting and breakfast, then a nap in a sunny spot. In the afternoon, the cat may follow you from room to room, settle on a lap or watch the birds from a window perch. Evenings are for a short play session and a long cuddle. Expect a cat that fits into the rhythm of your household without much fuss.

Questions to ask a Ragamuffin breeder

• Have the parents been DNA tested for HCM, and have they had echocardiograms?
• Is PKD testing done for breeding cats?
• How are the kittens socialized, and do you raise them in the home?
• What health guarantee and take-back policy do you offer?

Is a Ragamuffin right for you?

A Ragamuffin suits families, seniors and first-time owners who want a gentle, affectionate cat and are willing to groom regularly. It is not for someone who wants an athletic, independent or very low-grooming cat. Compare the Ragdoll and Maine Coon profiles, and use the cat breed finder.

Ragamuffin or Ragdoll?

The two breeds look alike and share a calm, trusting nature, so many people struggle to tell them apart. Ragamuffins tend to have a rounder face and a slightly shorter, plusher coat, and they come in more colors and patterns, including solid colors and patterns that the Ragdoll standard does not allow. Kittens from both breeds are born white or pale and the color develops over time. If your heart is set on one breed, ask for a pedigree and registry papers, because appearance alone is not reliable.

Handling a large, trusting cat

Pick up a Ragamuffin with one hand under the chest and the other supporting the hindquarters, and never carry it by the scruff or the front legs. Teach children to sit on the floor to hold the cat, rather than carry it. Because the breed is so tolerant, it may not signal discomfort early, so watch for tail flicks, tense muscles or sudden stillness.

Costs and finding one

The breed is rare, and prices and waiting lists vary. Rescues sometimes have Ragamuffins and Ragdoll mixes. Plan for veterinary care, dental cleanings and food for a large cat. See cat vet visit costs for typical ranges.