Tag: california

Bengal cat sitting in the sunlight
Breed Profiles

Bengal Cats: Living Room Leopards

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Meredith Hemphill

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Encyclopaedia Felidae now has a Patreon! Go to www.patreon.com/EncyclopaediaFelidae if you want to help support this content!

Bengal cat sitting in the sunlight
Image by Christiane Heßler from Pixabay

Bengal cats are a popular but somewhat controversial designer breed. They are meant to look like little leopards without the dangers of having a wild cat in the house. Their coats are stunningly beautiful, and Bengal enthusiasts say they make delightful and unique pets. However, some people argue that Bengals are wilder than a pet should be because they are a hybrid breed. Today we’ll dive deep on this intriguing cat breed.

Neither Tigers, nor Leopards, nor Just Cats

The Bengal breed is credited to California breeder Jean Sudgen Mills, who crossed a female Asian Leopard Cat–a small, leopard-spotted wild cat–with a male black domestic shorthair in 1963 [2, 3, 5, 9, 11, 13, 15]. She was not the first to create this type of hybrid cat, however. The earliest mention was in 1889 by Harrison Weir in his book Our Cats and All at Them [13]. References to Asian Leopard Cat x Domestic Cat hybrids cropped up periodically over the next half-century [9, 13].

Contemporaneously with Jean Mills, Dr. Willard Centerwall bred these hybrid cats to study their genetics and immune systems [11, 13]. Mills used some of Centerwall’s cats to start a breeding program [11, 13]. Early Bengal breeders also incorporated Egyptian Maus and later added Siamese for more color variation [1, 5, 8, 11]. Mills and other early breeders experienced some challenges, including the unpleasant surprise that the hybrid toms were sterile [1, 15]. But the second generation was all fertile, and eventually there were enough Bengals that these days, most Bengals are bred from other Bengals [13, 15]. In fact, using Asian Leopard Cats in current breeding programs is typically discouraged [3].

Jean Mills petitioned persistently to have the Bengal recognized as a breed, and in 1983 The International Cat Society first accepted the Bengal as an experimental breed [11, 13, 15]. Today, six cat fancy registries accept Bengals, and they are a well-established global breed [11].

Many people think that the name Bengal comes from the Bengal tiger [1, 13]. There is even a myth that Bengal cats are descended from Bengal tigers, which would be impossible [6]. They are no more related to tigers than any other housecat [6]. The name comes from the scientific name for the Asian Leopard Cat, Prionailurus bengalensis [1, 5, 13, 15].

Bengal Cat Characteristics

Bengal cats are assigned a filial generation number (F1, F2, F3, F4….) depending upon how closely related they are to an Asian Leopard Cat [1, 9]. A F1 Bengal is the kitten of an Asian Leopard Cat and a domestic cat [1, 9]. A F2 Bengal has an Asian Leopard Cat as a grandparent, a F3 Bengal has an Asian Leopard Cat great-grandparent, etc. [1, 9]. Bengal cats are considered domesticated from F4 on; only these can be registered and shown [2, 5, 6, 11, 13-15].

Appearance

Bengal cat colors

Bengals are a medium-large breed, with the toms getting up to 15 pounds (6.8 kg) [4, 9, 11, 14]. They have long, lean, muscular bodies [2, 4, 9, 11, 15]. Their long and powerful legs make them incredible jumpers and climbers [4, 5, 9]. They can jump up to six feet–straight up or across [5, 6]!

Of course, their stunning spotted coats are what Bengals are most known for. Bengals come in six basic colors, but the cat fancy only recognizes brown, snow, silver, and sometimes charcoal [1, 8, 11, 15]. Blue and black/melanistic are non-standard colors [1, 8].

Brown is the most common color, with markings that may be black, brown, or reddish-brown [4, 8]. Snow Bengals inherited the temperature-sensitive albinism trait from the Siamese and come in lynx, mink, and sepia varieties [2, 5, 8]. Silver Bengals are white or gray with black markings [8]. The smoky black charcoal trait in inherited independently of coat color, so Bengals of any color may have it in addition to their base color [8].

Blue comes from the dilute trait, which is also inherited independently of coat color [8]. These cats are a steely gray with darker gray-blue markings [8]. Some breeders are attempting to gain championship recognition for blue Bengals [8]. The black/melanistic Bengal looks like a black panther, with black markings nearly invisible on a black background [8].

Bengals can either be spotted or marbled [1, 2, 5, 8, 9]. Their spots can be simple dots or a variety of rosette patterns like those seen on leopards, ocelots, and other wild felids [1, 5, 8, 9, 15]. The marbled coat pattern consists of dark swirls all over the cat’s coat [1, 8]. Some Bengals have both patterns [8]. Bengals can have green, gold, or–in the case of snow Bengals–blue eyes [8, 11].

Personality

Bengals are extremely intelligent and extremely active cats [1-6, 9, 11, 14]. They need ways to keep their minds and bodies active because boredom leads to mischief [1, 5, 6, 9, 11]. These are not cats that do well in home where they will be left alone for long periods of time [3, 15]. They need lots of playtime and attention [3, 5, 9, 11, 15]. However, they are very trainable and often do well with learning to walk on a leash, so they are well-suited to active people who want a cat that’s as adventurous as they are [1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 15].

Additionally, Bengals are very affectionate [1-3, 9, 14, 15]. They tend to have a favorite person who they become attached to and will love forever [9]. If well-socialized as kittens, Bengals are typically good with dogs, children, and people in general [4, 5, 9, 14, 15]. They don’t always like other cats, however [1]. They can be quite territorial, so if you want a multi-cat household, it may be best to get a pair of Bengals who already know each other or introduce the Bengal to a house where other cats are already established [1]. Bengals do not tolerate change well and are prone to stress and problem behaviors if you don’t ease them into big changes [1, 3, 9].

A fun and unusual thing about Bengals is that most of them love water [1-6, 9, 11]! This comes from the Asian Leopard Cat which lives near rivers [4]. Bengals are known for playing with their water dishes, following their people into the bath or shower, and going swimming if they get half a chance [1, 4, 5, 6]. Providing water games can be a good way to keep your Bengal entertained–just be prepared to clean up the splashes after [1, 4, 9, 11].

Welcome to the Jungle

It is important that anyone adopting or purchasing a Bengal or other hybrid cat realize that they have different needs than the typical housecat [3, 6, 7, 14]. Because they are so smart and so energetic, Bengals need a lot of toys, things to climb, and interactive playtime, or they will become destructive [3, 5, 6, 9, 11]. Many Bengals enjoy running on wheels [3]. Also some Bengals don’t digest dry or grain-based cat food very well which is unpleasant for everyone [3, 15]. Bengal Rescue recommends feeding Bengals a grain-free wet food or raw food diet.

Bengals should be indoor-only cats, both because they are likely to be stolen and because they are particularly hazardous to local wildlife [1, 9, 14]. Bengals love the outdoors, though, so taking them for walks and/or providing a catio for outside time is a good idea [9, 14]. It really helps get some of their energy out.

Snow Bengal cat
Snow Bengal – Image by 성혁 이 from Pixabay

Speaking of the Bengal’s high prey drive and excellent hunting skills, you have to be very careful about keeping small animals (birds, lizards, hamsters, etc.) in a home with a Bengal [1]. The cat doesn’t know those are pets, too; they just see prey. With their love for water, Bengals are especially interested in aquarium fish [1, 11]. So don’t let your Bengal near your smaller pets. Cat-proof extensively, more than you think you have to. These crafty kitties can get into places you wouldn’t expect.

F1-F3 Bengals, also known as Foundation Bengals, are more like wild animals than housecats [14]. The International Bengal Cat Society explains that “owning one of these cats is akin to owning a large parrot or an alligator as a pet” [14]. Only consider taking in one of these cats if you are prepared to make major adjustments [14].

Special Health Concerns

There is a myth that Bengals are immune to Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) [6, 11]. Asian Leopard Cats are immune, but Bengals did not inherit this trait and need immunizations for FeLV like all domestic cats [6, 11]. Bengal cats are also prone to a few illnesses. Bengals have an elevated risk of developing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common type of heart disease in cats [1, 2, 9, 15]. They can have some eye problems as well: progressive retinal atrophy, which causes premature blindness, and cataracts [1, 2, 9, 11, 15]. And there is a higher rate of Erythrocyte Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Deficiency among Bengals [2, 15]. This metabolic disorder disrupts their red blood cells [2].

Responsible breeders will test their cats for genetic diseases [1, 15]. If you get a Bengal from a breeder, make sure to ask about their genetic testing policy, and have your veterinarian thoroughly examine your new cat for any signs of disease as well.

Bengals are more likely to be sensitive or allergic to anesthetics, so discuss this with your veterinarian if you have a Bengal who needs to be aestheticized for any procedure, including spay/neuter surgery [1, 9]. Allergic reactions to anesthetics can be fatal.

Why are Bengal cats illegal in some places?

Bengals and other hybrid cats are banned in some locations, including New York City and Hawaii [9, 10]. Restrictions in some places only apply to earlier generations of Bengals, i.e. F1-F3 [9]. There are several reasons for these regulations.

Bengals are considered particularly dangerous to native wildlife because of their high prey drive and superior hunting skills [10]. This is part of the reason they are not allowed in Hawaii [10], where the native birds have been severely depleted by invasive species, including domestic cats. The other concern in Hawaii is that cats can carry the parasite toxoplasmosis, which is dangerous for Hawaiian monk seals [10]. That is true of all cats, though, not just Bengals.

Connecticut banned Bengal cats in 1996 citing concerns that the domestic cat rabies vaccine may not be effective for the hybrid breed [12]. Some places ban hybrid cats simply because regulators consider them wild animals [12]. There are also concerns that continuing to breed hybrid pet cats could put strain on populations of threatened wildcats, as some breeders continue to go back to the Asian Leopard Cat to make new lines of Bengals or to the Serval to make new lines of Savannahs [7].

If you are considering adding a Bengal cat to your family, check your local exotic pet regulations to make sure that they are permitted as pets in your area. And remember to always look at adopting first. Organizations like Bengal Rescue (Western US), Bengal Rescue Australia, Great Lakes Bengal Rescue (US), East Coast Bengal Rescue (US), and the Bengal Cat Association (UK) can help you find the living room leopard that’s meant for you.

Fun Facts

  • The New Zealand Cat Fancy Registry also recognizes long-haired Bengals, also known as Cashmeres. [2]
  • Bengals are low-shed and low-dander, so while not strictly hypoallergenic, some people with cat allergies find them easier to be around. [3]
  • Some Bengals have a special trait called “glitter” which makes them sparkle or shimmer in the light. Glitter is caused by scattered colorless hairs throughout the coat that reflect light, giving the cat’s fur a glittery appearance. [2, 4, 5, 15]
  • Bengals cost between $1,500 and $10,000 USD from a breeder, depending upon sex, generation, and color/pattern. F1 females and snow Bengals are the most expensive. Back in 1990, when Bengals were relatively new, a woman once paid $50,000 USD for one! [1, 5, 14]

Sources

  1. Avery, T. (2023, March 29). The joys and hazards of living with a pet Bengal cat. Pet Helpful. https://pethelpful.com/cats/The-Joys-and-Hazards-of-Living-with-a-Bengal-Cat
  2. Basepaws. (n.d.). Bengal cat. https://basepaws.com/a/cat-breeds/bengal-cat
  3. Bengal Rescue. (2023). Adopting your first Bengal? https://bengalrescue.org/resources/adopting-your-first/
  4. Bengals Ramazan. (n.d.). Features of the Bengal cat. https://www.gatobengali.com/bengal-cat-features.php
  5. Brody, K. (2017, April 2). 15 things you didn’t know about the Bengal cat. Yummy Pets. https://www.yummypets.com/mag/2017/04/02/97710/15-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-bengal-cat
  6. Great Lakes Bengal Rescue. (2015, November 7). What is a Bengal? https://www.greatlakesbengalrescue.com/whatis.html
  7. Horton, H. (2022, February 17). UK could ban part-wild hybrid cats after social media fuels boom in popularity. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/17/uk-could-ban-part-wild-hybrid-cats-after-social-media-fuels-boom-in-popularity
  8. Jaccard, L. (2018, January 6). Bengal cat coat: Colors and patterns. Bengal Cats. https://bengalcats.co/bengal-cat-colors-patterns/
  9. Jimerson, D. (2021, April 20). Bengal. Daily Paws. https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-breeds/bengal
  10. KHON 2. (2018, November 16). Exotic Bengal cats confiscated in Honolulu. https://www.khon2.com/local-news/exotic-bengal-cats-confiscated-in-honolulu/
  11. Kruzer, A. (2022, June 18). Bengal cats. The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/bengal-cats-1238154
  12. McCarthy, K. E. (2000, July 11). Bengal cat laws. Connecticut General Assembly. https://www.cga.ct.gov/2000/rpt/2000-R-0680.htm
  13. The Bengal Cats. (2019). What is the origin of the Bengal cat? https://www.thebengalcats.com/pages/what-is-the-origin-of-the-bengal-breed
  14. The International Bengal Cat Society. (n.d.). Bengals as pets. https://www.tibcs.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=902066&module_id=469648
  15. The International Cat Association. (2019, October 28). The Bengal breed. https://www.tica.org/breeds/browse-all-breeds?view=article&id=1521:the-bengal-breed&catid=48

Published August 28th, 2023

Breed Profiles

Toyger: Tiny Toy Tigers

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Meredith Hemphill

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Encyclopaedia Felidae now has a Patreon! Go to www.patreon.com/EncyclopaediaFelidae if you want to help support this content!

Toyger is a portmanteau of “toy” and “tiger” [6, 7, 10]. If there were such a thing as a toy tiger like there are toy poodles, this is probably what they would look like. Toygers are a new and very rare designer cat breed meant to have the exotic appearance of a tiger with the disposition of a domestic cat [2, 7-9].

History of the Toyger

Photo by Matteus Silva on Pexels

To be clear, Toygers are not at all related to actual tigers [1, 4, 7-10]. That would be impossible. They are related to Asian Leopard Cats, however, because they are a combination of Bengals, which are hybrid cats, and mackerel tabby Domestic Shorthairs [1, 2, 5-11].

The breed was created in the 1980s in California by Judy Sugden, whose mother, Jean Mill, created Bengals [2, 4, 6-8]. A local exotic animal sanctuary with wild cats among its rescues got her thinking how incredible it would be to have a housecat that looked like one of those [5]. Then, Sugden noticed that one of her Bengals, Milwood Sharp Shooter, had spotted tabby markings on the sides of his head [1, 2, 6-9]. Domestic tabby cats don’t usually have stripes there, but tigers do, and this got Sugden thinking–what if she could breed a housecat that looked like a tiger [1, 2, 7-9]?

Sugden began a breeding program with a hefty Bengal named Milwood Rumpled Spotskin and a tabby Domestic Shorthair named Scrapmetal [2, 6, 7, 9]. She also traveled to India and brought home a stray tabby cat from Kashmir with just the right spotted markings between his ears [2, 4, 6-9]. She named him Jammu Blu and added him to the nascent breeding program [2, 4, 6, 7, 9].

With very careful selective breeding, Sugden and a small number of other breeders have developed a breed with tiger-like traits. Sugden calls the slow process “squinch-by-squinch development” [4]. Over thirty years in, they still aren’t finished perfecting the Toyger [2, 5, 10]. Nonetheless, The International Cat Association (TICA) recognized Toygers as a breed in 1993 and accepted them for championship status in 2007 [1, 2, 6-10]. TICA remains the only registry that fully recognizes Toygers as championship-eligible [4], but the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), a U.K. registry, gave Toygers preliminary status in 2016 [2].

Breed Characteristics

Appearance

Toygers are medium-to-large cats with long, low, muscular bodies [1, 2, 6-9]. Combined with their long toes, their body shape gives them a rolling gait like a tiger [1, 5, 6, 8]. They carry their long tails low like a big cat, too [2]. Toygers have a broad head with small, rounded ears and small-to-medium eyes [2, 4, 7]. Their signature trait, of course, is their tiger-like pelt.

Toyger fur is dense and plush. All Toygers are tabbies, with bold, vertical stripes that have broken and braided patterns just like tiger stripes [1, 4-8]. TICA and GCCF only recognize the “brown mackerel tabby” Toyger, which is the black-on-orange type that looks like your typical tiger [2, 9]. They also have some white on their undersides and gold “glitter” [1, 4, 6-9]. Glitter is a genetic trait that gives a cat’s coat a, well, glittery appearance. A few breeders do have Toygers in other colors, including silver/white Toygers meant to resemble white tigers [10].

Personality

Photo by danilobiancalana

The Toyger is an active, outgoing, and intelligent cat [1, 2, 5-9]. They need a lot of playtime and cognitive stimulation to make sure they don’t get bored [1, 5-7]. Happily, they are quite sociable and trainable, so there are plenty of ways you can entertain each other [1, 6, 8, 9]. Toygers are even recommended for running agility courses [1]! Toygers often enjoy learning tricks like fetch and going on walks on a leash [1, 6-8]. They can usually make friends with anybody, including children and other pets, so a Toyger can make a good family pet [1, 2, 5-7].

Keeping Company with Tigers

A Toyger’s short coat can pretty much take care of itself, but these kitties do shed quite a bit, so occasional brushing might be good just to keep the free-floating fluff to a minimum [2, 5, 7-9]. These cats need something to do when you’re out of the house, so make sure they have plenty of toys and maybe another pet to play with [8]. These smart kitties particularly enjoy the challenge of puzzle toys [6]. And Toygers are affectionate cats that love to spend time with their families, so make sure that you have that time to spend with them every day [1, 8]!

Special Health Concerns?

Because Toygers are such a new breed, and there are still very few of them, no one knows for sure what sort of breed-specific health problems they might turn out to have [1, 2, 7, 8]. So far, they seem to be generally healthy cats. Some breeders have reported adverse reactions to the feline leukemia vaccine in their cats, but this hasn’t been substantiated [2]. Toygers may have an increased risk for heart murmurs [7-9]. A 2016 study in the Journal of Veterinary Medicine discovered a serious developmental brain disorder in a family of Toygers [3].

Affected Toygers had underdeveloped or absent brain structures as well as enlarged ventricles (the fluid-filled cavities in the brain) and cysts in their brains [3]. They behaved surprisingly normally for all that, only seeming to be “clumsy” [3]. The disorder is a recessive genetic disorder, which means kittens must inherit it from both parents, and it is was tied to the trait of short, round ears that breeders select for in Toygers [3]. The researchers didn’t figure out why the brain problems and the ear shape were connected [3], and other Toygers with similar ears have not been shown to have the same problem. It remains to be seen if this condition was unique to this family of Toygers or if it is a more widespread problem that has not become obvious yet.

Adopting a Toyger

There are very few Toygers in the world because this is such a new breed, and there still are not many breeders. Add to that the fact that the breed is still under development, and you have a recipe for some very expensive cats. $5,000 for one Toyger kitten is pretty typical [4, 10]. The even rarer silver/white Toyger kittens are more expensive than that, up to $10,000 [10].

Because Toygers are descended from Bengals (albeit somewhat distantly) which are hybrids of domestic cats and Asian Leopard Cats, some locations consider Toygers wild animals [4]. Toygers may be banned outright or require a permit in your location, so be sure to check the local laws at all levels before you bring one home [4].

Remember, it’s always better to adopt than shop. Check out breed-specific rescues like Great Lakes Bengal Rescue to see if they have any Toygers that need a home! Also, responsible breeders will adopt out adult cats that don’t quite fit the breed standard or have been retired from breeding.

Fun Facts

  1. Toygers love water! They might sneak into the shower with you. [6]
  2. Every Toyger’s stripes are totally unique. [6, 7]
  3. Some Toyger breeders donate a portion of profits from kitten sales to tiger conservation. [5]
Toyger kittens on Animal Planet’s Too Cute!

Works Cited

  1. El’Sprite Toygers. (n.d.). Toyger information. OzToyger. https://oztoyger.com.au/toyger-info
  2. Governing Council of the Cat Fancy. (n.d.). Toyger. https://www.gccfcats.org/getting-a-cat/choosing/cat-breeds/toyger/
  3. Keating, M. K., Sturges, B. K., Siso, S., Wisner, E. R., et al. (2016). Characterization of an inherited neurological syndrome in Toyger cats with forebrain commissural malformations, ventriculomegaly and interhemispheric cysts. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 30, 617-626. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jvim.13836
  4. Marvar, A. (2020, May 27). You thought your cat was fancy? She wanted a cat that looked like the tiger. Meet the Toyger. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/27/style/toyger-fever.html
  5. Scherr, A. (Producer). (2011, April 9). Tonkinese, Nebelung, Serengeti, Korat, Cats Gone Wild, RagaMuffin, Toyger (Season 3, Episode 3) [TV series episode]. In Cats 101, Powderhouse Productions.
  6. Sorocco, E. (2020, July 2). Toyger. Catster. https://www.catster.com/cat-breeds/toyger
  7. Syufy, F. (2022, June 30). Toyger cat: Cat breed profile, characteristics & care. The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/toyger-cat-profile-554213
  8. Taylor, C. and Guthrie, C. (2021, March 24). Toyger. Daily Paws. https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-breeds/toyger
  9. The International Cat Association. (2020, April 13). Toyger breed. https://tica.org/breeds/browse-all-breeds?view=article&id=1868
  10. Urban Exotic Cats. (n.d.). The Toyger cat. https://urbanexoticcats.com/the-toyger-cat/

Published May 14th, 2023

Breed Profiles

Ragdoll: The Most Laidback Cat You’ll Ever Meet

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Meredith Hemphill

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Encyclopaedia Felidae now has a Patreon! Go to www.patreon.com/EncyclopaediaFelidae if you want to help support this content!

Bicolor Ragdoll cat on blue velvet
Lilac Bicolor Ragdoll – Image by 孟想家 from Pixabay

One of the biggest, fluffiest cats is also the cuddliest and most relaxed. The Ragdoll is an easy-going snuggle bug known for going limp like a ragdoll when held. They are a consistently popular breed, despite being quite expensive and new to the cat fancy [4, 12]. Let’s meet these friendly giants.

The Cat from Space?

The Ragdoll’s origins are fairly mundane, although there are some creative conspiracy theories about them. A woman named Ann Baker developed the breed in Riverside, California in the early 1960s [4-9, 11, 12]. Baker began with a long-haired, white stray she-cat she found in her neighborhood and named Josephine [5-9, 11, 12]. Baker added other domestic longhairs that she owned or found to the breeding program, selecting for gentle temperaments, large size, and long colorpoint coats [4-8]. She recruited other breeders to help expand her new breed [1, 4, 11]. Persians, Birmans, and Burmese may have been added to the program [7, 8].

Ann Baker named her creation the Ragdoll for their tendency to relax limply when picked up [6, 7, 12]. However, she had increasingly eccentric ideas about why the cats behave this way. She claimed that Josephine only had “normal” kittens until she was hit by a car and had to be taken to a veterinary center where Baker said Josephine’s genes were altered [4, 11]. All the litters she bore afterwards, allegedly, had the Ragdoll temperament. The stories only got stranger, incorporating space alien involvement, CIA experiments, and human-to-cat gene splicing [2, 6].

We can’t say why Ann Baker said those things, or if she truly believed them. It is public knowledge that the other Ragdoll breeders she had recruited started to distance themselves from her and developed the breed to show quality without her [4, 6, 11].

Breed Characteristics

Appearance and Patterning

Ragdolls are big kitties, weighing 10-20 pounds (4.5-9 kg) with females typically smaller than males [4-9, 11]. Ragdolls have long, heavy-boned bodies [1, 6, 11]. Their paws are tufted, and their tails are plumed [6]. Ragdolls all have blue eyes [1, 4-9, 11]. Their fur is semi-long, soft, and silky [4-7, 9, 11]. The fur is longest on their necks, creating a ruff [1, 6, 9].

Ragdoll cats come in four coat patterns: colorpoint, mitted, bicolor, and van [1, 4-8, 11, 12]. They can be any color and can also be lynx (tabby), tortoiseshell, or both [4-6, 8, 11, 12]. Colorpoint cats are darkest on their face, feet, tail, and ears. Mitted Ragdolls have a colorpoint pattern except their paws are white, giving the appearance that they’re wearing white mittens [1, 4-8, 11, 12]. Bicolors are white on all four paws, underbelly, chest, and an inverted V on their face [1, 4-6, 7, 11, 12]. Vans are mostly white with full color only on the ears, tail, top of the face mask, and sometimes scattered on the body [5, 12]. Not all cat associations recognize the Van pattern.

Personality

Ragdolls are very people-oriented and affectionate [4-6, 8, 11, 12]. They love to cuddle and spend time with their humans [4, 6, 8, 9, 11]. They are famously gentle and docile [2, 5-7, 11]. Though they’re reputation for flopping about like a plush toy may make them seem lazy, they actually aren’t. While it’s true that Ragdolls are not an active breed per se, they are quite playful [6, 11]. Some even enjoy learning tricks and games like fetch [4-6, 11, 12].

Ragdolls tend to be “floor cats,” in the words of the Cat Fanciers’ Association [4, 5]. They usually prefer being on or near the ground and aren’t much for climbing, high jumps, and feats of aerial acrobatics [4, 5, 6, 12]. That doesn’t mean they don’t need any space to themselves, though! It just means a Ragdoll will usually prefer something shorter like a scratching post or hideaway box.

Ragdoll Myths

Seal point Ragdoll cat on tile floor
Seal Mitted Ragdoll – Image by atrix9 from Pixabay

1. Ragdolls are hypoallergenic.

Because their pelt lacks an undercoat, Ragdolls don’t shed as much as most cats [4-6, 9]. Because of this, there is a myth that they are hypoallergenic. However, it is cats’ saliva and dander that cause allergic reactions in people with cat allergies [9]. Less shedding may mean those allergens aren’t spread around the house quite so much, so some allergy sufferers might find Ragdolls easier to be around [9]. But there’s no guarantee. Therefore Ragdolls are not considered a hypoallergenic breed [4, 9].

2. All Ragdolls go limp every time you pick them up.

The breed’s name ensures that it’s reputation precedes it. Many people are under the impression that there is a special Ragdoll mutation affecting the nervous system that causes the Ragdoll flop [2]. However, the truth is that Ragdolls were simply bred to be so relaxed and friendly that they just melt when given affection [2]. Not all of these cats will ragdoll like that, though [2]. Every cat is an individual, and every interaction is unique.

3. Ragdolls do not feel pain.

This is an odd but persistent myth that reportedly goes all the way back to Josephine. The theory goes that because she gave birth to the first Ragdoll kittens after being hit by a car, the kittens and their descendants do not feel pain [1]. Medically, that is ridiculous. I suspect the docile and tolerant temperament of the cats made people think they were insensitive to pain, and people made up a reason why that would be the case. This is completely false, however. Ragdolls may be willing to put up with a lot, but they feel pain and discomfort just as much as any other cat [1, 12].

Living with Ragdolls

Ragdolls are considered a low-maintenance breed. Their fur isn’t prone to matting, thus requires only regular combing [4-7, 9, 11, 12]. The lack of undercoat can cause some Ragdolls to build up grease in their fur, so they need occasional baths [4, 6]. There are professionals who do that if you’re feeling intimidated.

This is a breed that gets along with everybody. They love people, are patient with children, and get along with other animals, including dogs [4, 6, 9, 11, 12]. In short, Ragdolls are great family pets. Because they are calm, cuddly, and not super active, they can be good pets for seniors who need some company [4]. They are soft-spoken cats and not very talkative [6, 8]. This can make them a good option for apartment living where a loud cat might bother the neighbors [8].

Ragdolls do need a lot of attention and are prone to loneliness [4]. If you want an independent cat that won’t mind being left home alone a lot, this is not the breed for you. A Ragdoll is likely to meet you at the door, follow you around, and try to participate in everything you are doing [4, 5, 6, 8, 12]. They just want to be your best friend.

Health Concerns

Ragdolls are pretty healthy cats, probably due to their origins among random-bred cats, but there are a few problems they have a genetic predisposition to. Like other large breeds, they are prone to obesity, so their food intake needs to be monitored carefully [9]. They also have an elevated risk of developing Feline Infectious Peritonitis [6].

Ragdoll cats have a predisposition to urinary tract problems, especially bladder stones [4, 6, 9]. Making sure your Ragdoll stays well-hydrated is important for prevention [9]. Finally, Ragdolls have a unique risk for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common form of heart disease in cats [3, 4, 6, 9, 10]. There is a mutation of the myosin binding protein C3 gene prevalent only in the Ragdoll breed that makes them more likely to develop HCM [3, 10]. Cats with two copies of the mutation are at much greater risk [3]. Fortunately, there is now a genetic test for this mutation, called MYBPC3 R820W, that enables breeders to choose not to breed cats that carry it [3, 6, 9, 10].

If you are considering bringing a Ragdoll into your home, remember that even purebred cats end up in shelters and rescues. Look first at breed-specific rescues such as Ragdoll Rescue USA or Merlin’s Hope Ragdoll Rescue in Texas, as well as your local shelter.

Fun Facts

  • One name considered for the breed early on was Cherubim. [7]
  • Ragdoll cats are slow to mature. They take 4 years to finish growing! [1, 5, 6, 11, 12]
  • A Ragdoll named Frank and Louie was the longest-living Janus cat, or two-faced cat. Despite his rare congenital deformity, Frank and Louie lived to be 15 years old. [8]
Frank and Louie

Works Cited

  1. Alderton, D. (1992). Cats: The visual guide to more than 250 types of cats from around the world. Dorling Kindersley: London.
  2. Becker, M. & Spadafori, G. (2006). Do cats always land on their feet? 101 of the most perplexing questions answered about feline unfathomables, medical mysteries, & befuddling behaviors. Health Communications, Inc.: Deerfield Beach, FL.
  3. Borgeat, K., Casamian-Sorrosal, D., Helps, C., Fuentes, V. L., et al. (2014). Association of the myosin binding protein C3 mutation (MYBPC3 R820W) with cardiac death in a survey of 236 Ragdoll cats. Journal of Veterinary Cardiology, 16(2), 73-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvc.2014.03.005
  4. Braaksma, H. & Guthrie, C. (2022, July 13). Ragdoll. DailyPaws. https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-breeds/ragdoll
  5. Cat Fanciers’ Association. (n.d.). About the Ragdoll. https://cfa.org/ragdoll/
  6. Cattime. (n.d.). Ragdoll cats. https://cattime.com/cat-breeds/ragdoll-cats#/slide/1
  7. Edwards, A. (2006). The ultimate encyclopedia of cat, cat breeds, and cat care. Hermes House: London.
  8. Fawcett, K. (2022, May 5). 7 facts about Ragdoll cats. Mental Floss. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/78233/8-friendly-facts-about-ragdoll-cats
  9. Fratt, K. (2022, June 27). Ragdoll cat: Breed profile, characteristics, and care. The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/ragdoll-cat-breed-profile-4583144
  10. Meurs, K. M., Norgard, M. M., Ederer, M. M., Hendrix, K. P., et al. (2007). A substitution mutation in the myosin binding protein C gene in ragdoll hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Genetics, 90(2), 61-264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygeno.2007.04.007
  11. The International Cat Association. (2018, August 13). Ragdoll breed. https://tica.org/breeds/browse-all-breeds?view=article&id=868:ragdoll-breed&catid=79
  12. Thornton, K. C. (2018, January 16). The Ragdoll cat: All about this fascinating cat breed. Catster. https://www.catster.com/cats-101/about-the-ragdoll-cat

Published September 11th, 2022

Updated June 14th, 2023