What are the differences between the RagaMuffin and the Ragdoll breed of cats?
Although the RagaMuffin cat breed is one of the newer cat breeds, according to Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), the breed has very quickly gained popularity.
The reason for this popularity may be because they’re very similar to Ragdoll cats in both appearance and personality.
RagaMuffin and Ragdoll cats are large cats with strikingly beautiful looks, and they’re very similar to each other in lots of ways.
Both cat breeds have similar personalities; they are extremely friendly, calm, and lovely. They’re perfect for inexperienced owners, especially for families with small children and other pets.
The main difference between a RagaMuffin and a Ragdoll cat is probably in their appearance. RagaMuffin cats may have any color and pattern combination, and they may have green or blue eyes, while that’s not the case in Ragdoll cats.
To learn more about differences and similarities of these two cat breeds that look so similar, just keep reading!
If you’re a cat lover looking for a perfect family pet cat, read on and check out this RagaMuffin vs Ragdoll debate, and find out which cat breed suits your lifestyle the best. So, let’s start, and may the best breed win!
RagaMuffin Vs Ragdoll
Before we compare these two cat breeds in order to find out which one is better for you, take a look at the charts below and check out the info on each one of these cat breeds.
| The RagaMuffin Cat | The Ragdoll Cat |
|---|---|
| Height 10-15 inches | Height 9-12 inches |
| Weight 10-20 pounds | Weight 10-20 pounds |
| Activity calm | Activity calm |
| Lifespan 13-16 years | Lifespan 12-18 years |
| Grooming high | Grooming high |
| Family-friendly yes | Family-friendly yes |
| Pet-friendly yes | Pet-friendly yes |
RagaMuffin Vs Ragdoll: The Origin
The RagaMuffin Cat
One crucial thing that the RagaMuffin and Ragdoll share in common is their creator – Ann Baker. After creating the Ragdoll cat breed, she wanted to improve the breed so she began working on a domestic cat called Josephine.
She crossbred Ragdoll cats with larger cat breeds such as Persians, Himalayan, Angoras, and other domestic cats.
Problems occured when Baker abandoned the traditional breeding associations and established her own registry called the International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA).
Her requirements were that cats who are registered with IRCA could not be registered with any other association.
After that, in 1992, a group of breeders abandoned the IRCA, but the problem was that they couldn’t call their cats Ragdolls because of Baker’s trademarks, therefore they renamed their cats as RagaMuffins.
Finally, the breed was recognized in 2003 by the Cat Fancier’s Association (CFA).
The Ragdoll Cat
The Ragdoll cat breed was developed by Ann Baker for particular reasons. She was a breeder who decided to develop a new cat breed that would be extremely friendly and gentle without any aggressive traits. Therefore, she carefully chose which cat breeds would be part of the breeding program.
In the 1960s, Baker succeeded in developing a Ragdoll cat, in California. The breed became extremely popular for its appearance and personality.
The breed was recognized and accepted in 1965, and according to the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), the Ragdoll cat breed was declared the most popular breed of 2019 and 2020.
RagaMuffin Vs Ragdoll: Appearance
The RagaMuffin Cat
As previously mentioned, RagaMuffin cats are very similar to Ragdolls in their appearance, which is why people may have difficulties telling them apart. However, there are certain differences between them.
The RagaMuffin cat is characterized by a strong and muscular body, with soft, luxurious fur that adds to the cat’s appearance. The hair of RagaMuffin cats is medium-long to long and they have a plumed tail.
As well as a strong body, these cats have big pointed ears, and round eyes which may be in blue or green eye color.
An interesting thing about these kitties is that they reach their full size when they’re 4 or 5 years old, which means that they grow and mature very slowly compared to other cat breeds.
Size
When it comes to the size of the RagaMuffin cat, again, it’s very similar to the Ragdoll. RagaMuffin cats are a large breed that may weigh between 10 to 20 pounds, and can reach a height of around 10 inches. Male RagaMuffins usually weigh more than females.
Coat Colors
RagaMuffin cats also became popular for their soft and fluffy fur in a variety of colors and patterns. Possible colors for RagaMuffin coats include black, blue, chocolate, white, orange, lilac, cinnamon, fawn, sable, lavender, and so on.
These coat colors usually come combined with some of these patterns such as tortoiseshell, calico, bicolor, solid, and tabby.
The Ragdoll Cat
Ragdoll cats are gorgeous long-haired cats characterized by big, muscular bodies. The coat of a Ragdoll cat is very soft, fluffy, and silky, especially if taken good care of, and it can be a range of different coat colors and patterns.
Besides their beautiful bodies, almost every Ragdoll cat has big deep blue eyes. In fact, blue eyes are a must have for every purebred Ragdoll, according to the various Cat Associations.
Let’s find out more about the Ragdoll cat’s appearance!
Size
Ragdoll cats are very big cats. They may reach a height of 9 to 11 inches. Besides their height, they are also long, somewhere around 17-22 inches excluding the tail!
As far as their weight is concerned, it’s quite important to know how heavy your cat should be. Normal healthy weight is different for different cat breeds.
Ragdoll cats should weigh between 10-20 pounds. Some may weigh more or less, and of course, male Ragdolls normally weigh more than females.
Coat Colors
The Ragdoll cat has a gorgeous, fluffy coat, and it can be one of several different coat colors and patterns.
Purebred Ragdoll cats may appear in the following colors: white, blue, seal, cream, lilac, black, chocolate, and red.
As far as coat patterns are concerned, according to the Ragdoll Fanciers Club, Ragdoll cats have five different coat patterns:
• Bicolor – this pattern has darker colors around the cat’s ears, eyes, and tail. In addition, bicolor cats have an inverted-V pattern on the face, with light-colored limbs and stomach.
• Colorpoint – this pattern is similar to the bicolor, but the main difference is that colorpoint cats have dark markings around their ears, eyes, tails, and also limbs and stomach.
• Tortie – the tortie pattern is similar to the colorpoint with the addition of red or cream colors mixed in.
• Lynx – this pattern is similar to that of the colorpoint, but what makes it different is the tabby markings on the cat’s face.
• Mitted – mitted Ragdolls are also similar to colorpoints but they have light spots near their paws which are reminiscent of mittens.
RagaMuffin Vs Ragdoll: Personality
The RagaMuffin Cat
A RagaMuffin cat is considered to be a great family pet. The reason for this is their lovely, easy-going personalities, which is why they’re also referred to as the “teddy bears of the cat world”.
These cats can be very playful and active; they have a lot of energy to play, chase a toy, run around, etc. However, they still prefer cuddling in someone’s lap so there will be plenty of sweet moments to enjoy.
RagaMuffin cats are highly intelligent, therefore, it’s very easy to train them and socialize them too. In addition, they’re able to learn some tricks such as fetch games or similar.
The best thing about them is that they’re so affectionate and friendly, making them perfect for families. RagaMuffins tend to create a special bond with children, and they’re friendly with other cats, dogs, and similar pets.
They’re good for kids because they don’t mind being picked up or carried as many other cat breeds do.
As well as being great with kids, these affectionate cats can be the perfect pets for older people with mobility problems, because they really don’t require a lot of care. Instead, they just need some love and attention to be satisfied.
This breed is somewhat new and it’s understandable that they have all these good characteristics as they were bred on purpose to create a cat breed with specific desirable behavior.
The Ragdoll Cat
The Ragdoll cat breed is famous for its easy-going and loving personality. Ragdolls are usually smart, gentle, loyal, and extremely affectionate.
They’re extremely devoted to their owners and never want to leave their side, which also shows that they like a lot of attention. This is why people sometimes refer to them as dog-like cats.
Their devotion and loyalty are also reasons why Ragdolls enjoy being in someone’s company so much. These cats can be left alone for a short period of time, but if left for too long they can become lonely, so it’s important to be aware of this.
Ragdolls are extremely friendly, and this may be both a good and a bad thing. The bad thing about them being so friendly is that they won’t be afraid to approach anyone, even strangers, so you need to keep an eye on them if they are going outside.
Although Raggies can be playful, they’re fairly calm most of the time. In addition, they’re neat and tidy and aren’t demanding or aggressive. Ragdolls are so easy to live with that they’re considered to be some of the best pets for families with children or other pets.
These cats may have some behavior issues, which is why it’s crucial to train and socialize them from a young age so that they become a happy, well-adjusted family member.
RagaMuffin Vs Ragdoll: Health & Lifespan
The RagaMuffin Cat
Just like the Ragdoll cat breed, RagaMuffin cats have a very long lifespan, typically between 13-16 years, which means that they’re very healthy cats.
However, there are certain health issues that may need to be monitored. These cats are prone to certain heart problems and to kidney disease.
As these cats belong to the large cat breeds, it’s good to pay attention to their health. This is especially important as they age, in order to avoid arthritis or patellar luxation (dislocation of the kneecaps).
The key benefit of buying from reputable breeders is that your kitten has a lower risk of developing these health problems as they should test all their breeding cats and kittens for genetic diseases.
If you want your RagaMuffin to be healthy, then you should pay special attention to the cat’s diet and nutrition. Like Ragdolls, these cats are prone to obesity, therefore, you need to pay attention to their food intake.
Therefore, you should always provide your feline friend with the best, top-quality food, and create a regular feeding schedule so you can monitor your pet’s food intake.
The Ragdoll Cat
Ragdoll cats are generally a very healthy cat breed, which is obvious from their long lifespan, which is from 12-18 years.
Every cat breed has certain health issues that are characteristic for that particular breed and the Ragdoll cat breed is no exception.
The two most important common health problems for the Ragdoll cat breed are hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and urinary tract issues (UTI).
This is one of the reasons why it is so important to buy a kitten from reputable breeders.
Reputable breeders pay special care and attention to their breeding cats and kittens. Their main focus is to produce the healthiest kittens and to maintain a healthy bloodline.
This is why reputable breeders test their breeding cats and screen their kittens for these health problems, as well as for other common conditions such as FeLV, FIV, etc. They make sure that their kittens are healthy and you should receive a health guarantee to prove it.
If you get a Ragdoll cat, you should pay attention to their health and behavior and make sure you take your feline friend for regular check ups and you shouldn’t worry about anything.
RagaMuffin Vs Ragdoll: Grooming
The RagaMuffin Cat
RagaMuffin cats are characterized by thick, long, soft fur. Even though it’s very easy to maintain their coat, they still require regular brushing in order to keep their coat in good condition.
Therefore, most RagaMuffin cats will need brushing two or three times a week as well as a bath every once in a while.
When we talk about grooming, it is very important to remember to pay attention to ear cleaning, dental health, and nail trimming.
In general, these cats aren’t demanding at all and they are fairly low maintenance, just make sure that you give them all your love and attention!
The Ragdoll Cat
Due to their super fluffy coats, Ragdoll cats have high grooming needs. The good thing is that these cats shed less as they do not have an undercoat.
Despite that, these cats still require regular daily brushing if you want to keep their coat in good condition.
Ragdolls may also require occasional baths which will help in preventing matts and tangles in their fur. As far as grooming is concerned, don’t forget to clean the cat’s ears and trim its nails regularly in order to avoid cat claw infection and similar issues.
RagaMuffin Vs Ragdoll: Exercise
The RagaMuffin Cat
The RagaMuffin cat breed is usually calm and adores cuddles and being the center of attention. However, there are times when this cat is very playful.
RagaMuffins are highly intelligent so they’re easily trained and socialized; they can even learn some tricks.
However, one thing is for sure, and that is that these cats should be indoor only. The main reason for that is the fact that they’re too trusting and friendly so they will approach anyone without being wary of potential dangers.
In case you desperately want to take your feline friend outside with you, then try teaching her to walk on a harness. Even though these cats should be kept indoors only, it’s not good for them to be left alone for too long, because they may become stressed and anxious.
The RagaMuffin breed requires a lot of love and attention from their owner, therefore they are happiest when they are in someone’s company.
They can be left alone for a short period of time, but avoid leaving them for too long. If you cannot avoid leaving them, then think about getting another pet to keep your Muffin company.
The Ragdoll Cat
Ragdoll cats are usually calm, and almost always looking for a lap to snuggle in! However, there are times when Ragdolls are very playful. It’s very important to provide your Ragdoll cat friend with plenty of stimulation in the form of different toys that will keep them busy when you’re not there.
These cats are highly intelligent, so it’s best if you can provide them with some toys that require them to be both physically and mentally active. Moreover, because they’re so smart, these cats can be trained easily, and they can even learn some tricks.
The Ragdoll breed, unlike most other cat breeds, don’t like heights very much, which is worth remembering when buying a cat tree for your Raggie.
Don’t forget to provide your Ragdoll with scratching posts and a larger than average litter box so that they can be comfortable while “doing their business”.
RagaMuffin Vs Ragdoll: Nutrition
The RagaMuffin Cat
RagaMuffin cats need top-quality food if you want them to stay in top condition. A cat’s diet should always be based on animal protein and should include all of the necessary nutrients.
The best combination for your Muffin would be wet food and dry kibbles. Wet food will keep your cat hydrated because it’s high in moisture, while dry kibbles are good for the cat’s dental health.
Knowing that RagaMuffin cats are prone to obesity, you shouldn’t overdo it with their meals, but rather create a regular feeding schedule that you’re going to stick to.
The Ragdoll Cat
When it comes to nutrition, Ragdoll cats need to be fed top-quality food that will provide them with all the necessary nutrients.
However, the problem with Ragdoll cats is that they’re prone to obesity. For that reason, you should create a feeding schedule, or consult with your vet, and pay special attention to feeding times.
For your raggie, you can also use a combination of wet food and dry kibbles. This is the best combination, because both of these food types have certain benefits. For example, wet food is healthy for cats because it’s high in moisture, while dry food is good for the feline’s dental health.
RagaMuffin Vs Ragdoll: Price
The RagaMuffin Cat
A RagaMuffin cat is very similar to a Ragdoll but it never gained popularity in the same way as Ragdoll cats did. Still, that doesn’t make them much cheaper than Ragdolls.
The average price of a RagaMuffin cat is between $1500-$2500 and more. The price always depends on the type of cat quality, whether you are buying from a reputable breeder or not, and many other factors.
The price may also depend on the color, pattern, and age of the cat, as RagaMuffin kittens are usually cheaper than adult cats.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a purebred cat, you can try your luck in adoption or rescue centers and see if they have a RagaMuffin cat for you.
The Ragdoll Cat
Due to their popularity, Ragdoll cats can be quite expensive. However, the prices may vary depending on many things, such as who you’re buying the kitten from.
The average price of a Ragdoll kitten is between $1500-$3000 but it can be higher, and the price also depends on the type of quality you’re looking for, among other factors.
If you’re looking for a purebred Ragdoll kitten, my advice is to look for reputable Ragdoll breeders.
The prices of reputable breeders may be a bit higher, but at least you know that almost every reputable cat breeder produces and raises its kittens according to certain standards and that every kitten is properly checked and healthy.
With the purchase, you also receive a pedigree, all the necessary documentation and a health guarantee, for ultimate peace of mind.
On the contrary, if you don’t want to spend a lot of money, adoption is always a good choice. You can check different adoption or rescue centers to see if they have a Ragdoll cat or kittenYou might be surprised how many purebred cats there are available for adoption.
Adoption is always a good choice; you’ll provide a cat with a new home and a loving family, and that cat will be grateful to you for the rest of its life.
Ragdoll Vs RagaMuffin: Which Cat Breed Is Better?
Let’s go over the pros and cons of both breeds to make it easier for you to decide which cat breed would be better for you!
Both cat breeds make great pets, especially for families with children and other pets. However, it’s important to choose the cat breed that suits your lifestyle the most, as not every cat breed is a perfect match for every person or family.
Both of these breeds were created by Ann Baker, which is the main reason why they’re so similar. Baker wanted to create a special breed of cat that would be extremely friendly and lovely, but also intelligent.
During the breeding process, she carefully avoided every cat breed that showed any signs of aggression so that her plan could succeed and eventually it did. So, let’s see the categories and which breed comes out top!
Appearance
As far as the appearance of these two cat breeds is concerned, they are the same size and both of them have beautiful long hair that can be several different colors and patterns.
However, the main difference between a RagaMuffin and a Ragdoll cat is that Ragdolls are usually pointed while RagaMuffins may appear in different color and pattern combinations.
So, the winner of this category depends on what you like most in terms of color and pattern combinations!
Personality
When talking about personality, these two cat breeds are definitely the loveliest and friendliest cat breeds of them all.
So, if you’re looking for a feline friend with a high level of activity, then you’re on the wrong page because these two beauties are very laid-back breeds.
Both RagaMuffin and Ragdoll cats make excellent family pets as they’re good with children and other pets.
However, the main difference may be the fact that RagaMuffins are more tolerant of being carried around, while Ragdolls prefer to lay around or to cuddle with their owner.
Here, the winner again depends on what you are looking for. If you have small children who will definitely be amused by the cat most of their time, then the better choice is a RagaMuffin cat as the breed is even more tolerant than Ragdolls.
Healthcare
Both of these cat breeds are very healthy in general, and they have quite long lifespans. That means that with good care, you and your feline friend can enjoy life together for a long time.
However, when it comes to health issues, both cat breeds are prone to obesity which requires a special diet and feeding schedule.
Moreover, both of them are prone to kidney disease and certain heart issues, but RagaMuffins are also prone to arthritis and similar issues, which means that Ragdolls win this category.
However, no matter which cat breed you choose, take good care of your kitty by taking her regularly for vet-checks to keep her health in top condition.
Grooming, Exercise, And Nutrition
As far as these three categories are concerned, both cat breeds have the same requirements. They have beautiful long hair which requires frequent brushing and occasional bathing.
In addition to that, both cat breeds will require regular nail trimming, ear cleaning and proper dental hygiene.
When it comes to exercise, even though these cats are very calm, they can be playful as well. They’re highly intelligent which means that they’re very easy to train and can even learn some tricks.
It’s important to provide them with interesting toys, scratching posts, and cat trees. However, keep in mind that these cats aren’t fans of height, so you may need to look for smaller cat trees.
Finally, when talking about nutrition, it’s important to mention that both Ragdolls and RagaMuffins need top-quality food, including both wet and dry food. They also need a proper feeding schedule to lower the risk of obesity.
Price
The winner for the price category would be the RagaMuffin cat. When compared, it turns out that RagaMuffins are cheaper than Ragdoll cats. However, Ragdolls are more popular, which may be the reason for their higher price.
I hope that you’ll be able to decide which cat breed is better for you, your family and your lifestyle. The truth is that there’s no real winner because both cat breeds are excellent and they are very similar.
It will come down to the person who is looking for a cat to determine who’s the winner. For example, RagaMuffin cats may have something you love that Ragdolls simply don’t, and vice versa.
Final Results
For the final results of our RagaMuffin vs Ragdoll competition, it’s very hard to tell which one of these two cat breeds is better as they’re so similar to each other.
The reason for their similarity is because they were created by the same person; the RagaMuffin appeared due to the crossbreeding of Ragdolls with other large cat breeds.
Despite their similarities, there are a few differences between these two cat breeds.
The main difference between the RagaMuffin and the Ragdoll cat is that RagaMuffins may appear in any color and pattern combination, while Ragdolls are usually pointed.
In addition, real Ragdoll cats should have blue eyes, while RagaMuffins may have either green or blue eyes.
Both of them are perfect cat pets for families, however, RagaMuffins are more tolerant to small kids that like to carry them around, while Ragdolls prefer lying around.
The final difference is in their price. Ragdoll cats are extremely popular which can be seen in their price, while Ragdolls are a bit cheaper than them, which could be an advantage.
All in all, it’s important to mention once again, that there’s no true winner here because not every cat breed is for everyone.
Every person has their own lifestyle;for some people or families, the best choice would be a RagaMuffin cat, while a Ragdoll cat would be a perfect choice for others.
I hope that this article helped you with your decision on which cat breed you should choose, or that you’re at least able to differentiate them now.
No matter which cat you choose, the real winner at the end is you, because both cats will provide you with a lot of love, attention, and lots of cuddles.