Breed guide
Ragdoll facts that will make you smile
From a famous magazine cover to kittens that are born completely white, here are some of our favourite true facts about Ragdolls.
2 min read
Ragdolls are full of small surprises. These are some of our favourite true facts about the breed, the ones we find ourselves sharing with every new family.
They are born completely white
Every Ragdoll kitten arrives snow white. The colour on their ears, face, legs and tail starts to appear within the first couple of weeks, but a Ragdoll’s full colour and coat can take three to four years to finish developing. Watching it happen is one of the quiet joys of living with one.
They really do go floppy
The breed is named for the way many Ragdolls relax completely when you pick them up, like a child’s rag doll. Not every Ragdoll does it, but most are wonderfully comfortable being carried and cuddled.
They take their time growing up
Ragdolls are one of the largest domestic cat breeds, and they mature slowly. Males often weigh between about five and nine kilograms when fully grown, and it can take up to four years for a Ragdoll to reach their adult size.
Many will play fetch
Ragdolls are often called “puppy cats”. They follow their people from room to room, come to the door when you arrive home, and many happily learn to bring back a favourite toy so you can throw it again.
They like to stay close to the ground
Unlike many cats who head straight for the top of the bookshelf, Ragdolls tend to prefer staying at floor or sofa level, which usually means staying right next to you.
A Ragdoll made the cover of TIME
When TIME named Taylor Swift its 2023 Person of the Year, one of the covers featured her Ragdoll, Benjamin Button, draped around her shoulders. She first met him as a kitten on the set of one of her music videos, in 2019, and took him home.
Their silky coat is easier than it looks
Ragdolls have a soft, semi-long coat without the dense undercoat of some longhaired breeds, so they tangle less than you might expect. A gentle brush once or twice a week keeps most Ragdolls looking beautiful.
Every Ragdoll shares one small family tree
All Ragdolls trace back to a handful of cats in 1960s California, starting with a gentle white cat named Josephine. You can read the whole story in the history of the Ragdoll.
Of all the facts, our favourite is the simplest one: a Ragdoll will happily spend the evening on your lap and make you feel like the most important person in the world.
Ready to meet one? See our available kittens.
