Seal Point Ragdoll Cat: Facts, Origin & History (With Pictures)

There are numerous intriguing cats worldwide, and one unique furball is the Ragdoll Cat. These fascinating cats stand out due to their blue eyes and the possible color variations that they can have.

This breed is large, lovable, and friendly, which makes them great pets, and they’re most known for their ability to “flop” when someone picks them up. Although there are many color variations of Ragdoll Cats, one that stands out is seal point.

Breed Overview

These felines are the same as other Ragdoll Cats personality-wise, but they have a stunning pattern. Read on to learn more about the Seal Point Ragdoll Cat, their characteristics, history, and formal recognition, and if this breed makes a good pet.

Seal Point Ragdoll Cat Characteristics

The Earliest Records of Seal Point Ragdoll Cat in History

Some people believe that Seal Point Ragdoll Cats are a separate breed from regular Ragdoll Cats, but they have the same personality and temperament as other Ragdolls. The only difference is their pattern.

This is a pointed cat breed; they are overall pale in color and have particular points on their body that are darker, typically around their ears, faces, legs, and tails. All Ragdoll Cats have points, but the Seal Point Ragdoll Cats stand out because their markings make them resemble small seals.

The first record of all Ragdoll Cats, including seal point ones, goes back to the 1960s. During that period, a woman named Ann Baker developed the Ragdoll in California¹. She bred a domestic, long-haired, white cat named Josephine with other males that she owned. The resulting kittens had lovely personalities and temperaments and pleasing looks. By selecting the offspring that fit her criteria for this breed, Ann created Ragdoll Cats, along with all their color variations, including seal point.

How Seal Point Ragdoll Cats Gained Popularity

Ragdoll Cats gained immediate popularity after they were developed. Ann started breeding these cats further, and the word about them started to spread. In 1971, she founded the International Ragdoll Cat Association, an organization that set precise rules on the ways to breed Ragdolls.

These cats were brought to the U.K. around the 1980s, when a couple of breeders purchased cat pairs and brought them to the country. After that, more people started breeding them and their popularity kept spreading.

Nowadays, Ragdoll Cats (including Seal Point Ragdolls) are so popular that the International Cat Association has identified them as one of the fastest-growing cat species in the world².

Formal Recognition of Ragdoll Cats

Although Ragdoll Cats have been around since the 1960s, it took a while for them to gain recognition throughout various cat societies.

TICA first accepted Ragdoll cats for championships in 1979¹, and the breed was officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) in 1993. All cat associations except CFA currently allow Ragdolls to have championship status. CFA categorizes the bi-colored Ragdoll Cat into the miscellaneous class.

Top 6 Unique Facts About Seal Point Ragdoll Cats

1. Seal Point Ragdoll Cats Have Blue Eyes

All purebred Ragdoll Cats, including Seal Point Ragdolls, are born with blue eyes. Any other eye color, such as gold or green, in this breed suggests that they are not purebred.

2. Seal Point Ragdoll Cats Love Water

Although most cats aren’t too excited about water, Seal Point Ragdoll Cats love it. These cats like to play in water, which makes bath time super easy if they get dirty.

You can slowly introduce your Seal Point Ragdoll Cat to water and later include games and turn bath time into an exciting activity for you and your kitty.

3. Seal Point Ragdoll Cats Like to Act Like Dogs

Seal Point Ragdoll Cats are social, fun, and friendly, and they tend to exhibit dog-like behaviors. If you provide them with plenty of love, this feline will follow you around, learn tricks, play fetch, and become a loyal member of your family.

Seal Point Ragdoll Cats are so friendly that they will “flop” in your arms during cuddle time.

4. Seal Point Ragdoll Cats Are Late Bloomers

All Ragdoll Cats are late bloomers, regardless of their color variation. While most cat breeds reach maturity around 12 months of age, Ragdoll Cats, including Seal Point Ragdolls, don’t stop growing until they are 4 years old.

This means these cats retain their playful kitten personalities for a long time, typically until they are 3 years old.

5. Seal Point Ragdoll Are Not as High Maintenance as They Seem

Although Ragdoll Cats, including Seal Point Ragdolls, may seem high maintenance, it’s a bit of a misconception. These cats have long coats and require daily brushing, but due to the minimal undercoat, their coat doesn’t tangle or shed much.

That makes their maintenance much easier than that of other long-haired cats. They also love baths.

6. Seal Point Ragdoll Kittens Are Born White

All Ragdoll Cats, including Seal Point Ragdolls, are born white. They start to get their markings as they age, typically around 1–2 months old. Therefore, there’s no way to be 100% sure about which color pattern your Ragdoll Cat will get until they reach a certain age.

Does a Seal Point Ragdoll Cat Make a Good Pet?

Seal Point Ragdoll Cats generally make good pets because they’re social and love being around people. Due to their loving nature, these felines are great for any family, couple, or individual who likes cats.

These cats are friendly but not overly active, making them great for families with kids. They are intelligent and like following you around, and they also tend to showcase silly dog-like behavior.

Seal Point Ragdoll Cats are typically healthy and have long lifespans of between 10 and 15 years. They don’t need much exercise and prefer cuddling instead of being outside. These felines are laidback and have moderate grooming needs due to their long fur that needs daily brushing but doesn’t tangle much.

Conclusion

Seal Point Ragdoll Cats have been around for more than 50 years, and they have become extremely popular. These felines are cute, smart, and loving, so they make excellent pets, and they can fit into any family who likes cats!

• See also: Blue Point Ragdoll: Pictures, Facts & History

Featured Image Credit: Linn Currie, Shutterstock