Ragamuffin Cat: Breed Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits

Ragamuffin cats first made an appearance around the 1970s and were created by crossing Ragdolls, Himalayans, and Persian cats. Even though Ragamuffins do originally come from various breeds, they are now considered a purebred animal, and today, this breed is loved by many!

Breed Overview

Before you purchase any new pet, though, you should do extensive research to learn as much about these cats and how they will fit into your life as possible.

Ragamuffin Characteristics

Ragamuffin Kittens

It doesn’t take very long for most people to figure out that Ragamuffin cats are, in general, a well-rounded breed. They are a happy medium between lazy and highly-strung, they tend to be healthy in general, and they are highly trainable. Where they stand out most, though,  is in their social skills. Ragamuffins are very friendly cats compared to some other breeds. A lot of new pet owners also enjoy knowing that they have long lifespans, with some sticking around for as long as 20 years.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Ragamuffin

The Ragamuffin breed is affectionate, curious, and social. Most of them enjoy spending a lot of time with their human companions, although they are friendly towards strangers as well. However, it’s worth noting that they are very vocal at times!

Ragamuffins are very docile and they prefer to spend most of their free time indoors. Do not bring home a Ragamuffin if you want to put them to work and catch mice around the yard! These cats are less energetic than other breeds, with fewer hunting instincts as well. They do enjoy an occasional game or play session, but cuddling up with their owners is preferable

Are These Cats Good for Families?👪

Ragamuffins are ideal for families of all kinds. They are good with adults, children, and even young babies. Still, you might want to supervise them whenever around young children to be safe.

It is also nice to know that these cats tend to avoid jumping on counters and knocking stuff over. This doesn’t mean that it will never happen, but it is rare for this breed.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Ragamuffins are one of the few breeds that have relatively no issue spending time with other animals. This includes cats and dogs as well as smaller animals like guinea pigs and hamsters. Of course, you’d still want to supervise them around smaller pets.

While Ragamuffins can become close companions with dogs, they might prefer some space from more rambunctious pooches—they’d really prefer to hang around easygoing dogs.

Things to Know When Owning a Ragamuffin:

While we have covered lots of information regarding Ragamuffin’s personality traits, there is still a lot more to learn as far as daily responsibilities go. Listed below is everything you need to know about the work required for taking care of Ragamuffin cats.

Food & Diet Requirements

Ragamuffins are naturally large animals. Most of them weigh around 20 pounds when fully mature. However, they have relatively low activity levels while still loving to eat! This can lead to obesity and other related health problems, so try not to let them free feed.

When purchasing a commercial dry or wet food, keep in mind the importance of avoiding artificial ingredients, fillers, and preservatives. Always check to ensure that the very first ingredient listed is from real animal protein.

Exercise 🐈

A lot of people assume that because Ragamuffins don’t spend as much time running or playing as other breeds means they are lazy. They do love to lounge, but that doesn’t mean that they’ll never choose to participate in a play session either. Try to get them up and moving as much as you can. The more you keep them active, the better their health will be.

Training 🧶

Ragamuffins are intelligent cats. Training a cat is never as easy as training some dog breeds, but it also isn’t impossible. Many Ragamuffin owners have taught their cats to do tricks, but the process of training takes a lot of time, patience, and positive reinforcement. Whenever you’re training animals, refrain from yelling or using physical force—this is only going to make them afraid of you.

Grooming ✂️

Ragamuffins do have long, fluffy coats, but they aren’t as high-maintenance as you’d expect. Cats already do a fairly good job at keeping themselves clean and the most brushing that you need to do is roughly once per week. On top of that, you must keep their nails trimmed and their ears cleaned. They usually don’t need baths unless they get into something really messy.

Health and Conditions🏥

Ragamuffin cats tend to be in very good health with an appropriate lifestyle. When they are well-cared for, they tend to thrive. Still, there are always some conditions that you need to be mindful of.

Male vs Female

As far as temperament goes, male and female Ragamuffins are about the same. Both males and females are friendly, docile, and affectionate. The main difference between the sexes is behavioral. Males are more territorial than females and might try to mark their territory inside the house. On the other hand, females are more dependent on human companions but easier to train. Other than that, there aren’t a whole lot of differences between male and female Ragamuffin cats.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Ragamuffin

1. They’re easier to groom than you’d think.

Don’t let the long locks fool you! Ragamuffins are a lot easier to groom than most people believe. Their fur is long and silky while remaining relatively tangle-free. You only need to brush or comb them about once per week to keep their coat looking beautiful.

2. They are highly affectionate.

While it does depend on who you ask, we believe that Ragamuffins are one of the most lovable cat breeds available. This breed is very friendly and affectionate. Most of the time, they prefer to spend their days lying on their human’s lap and taking a nap rather than getting exploring or isolating themselves in a quiet room.

3. They tend to go limp.

No, this isn’t dangerous. Some cats just seem to go limp when humans pick them up— Ragdoll cats are famous for doing this. Each cat is different, but it’s not uncommon for a Ragamuffin cat to completely relax in your arms. This behavior stems from instinct because it’s what they did as babies when their moms would pick them up.

Final Thoughts

You probably already admire the Ragamuffin breed for its unique beauty, but even though a cat is beautiful it doesn’t necessarily mean they are a good fit for your home. Thankfully, Ragamuffins tend to fit into the lifestyles of most people. They aren’t very high-maintenance, and all they really want is to be loved by you. If you’re looking for a cat who loves to be indoors and cuddle, then this breed might just be a perfect choice.

Featured image credit: Tatiana Makotra, Shutterstock