Ragdoll kittens are cute, fuzzy balls of fur that love to cuddle. Introduced in California, USA by Ann Baker in the 1960’s, the Ragdoll Cat breed is a beautiful cat, well-known for its relaxed, friendly temperament and its long silky coat. The name Ragdoll comes from their tendency to go limp when picked up. They’re docile and affectionate, love to play and are affectionately known as puppy cats!
Ragdolls are a pointed cat and can be found in many colors, including red, cream, blue, and chocolate.
If you’re thinking about getting a ragdoll kitten, here are some things you need to know!
How many kittens does a Ragdoll usually have in a litter?
On average Ragdoll cats usually have four to five kittens in each litter, although that number can be less. Our first two Ragdoll kittens at Ragdoll Cats World came from a litter of two. Ragdolls usually gestate for a period of 63 to 67 days.
What do Ragdoll Kittens look like?
All Traditional Ragdoll kittens are born with stunning blue eyes and are completely white with their color and pattern developing over the first few weeks of their life. This is because they have been kept in a constant warm environment in their mother’s womb. Â Â The moment the kittens start to be exposed to the lower ambient temperature they start to color. The exception to this is Mink, Sepia and Solid Ragdoll kittens who are born with their color and pattern visible. These variations of Ragdolls do not meet the breed standard as set out by the Cat Fanciers Association.
Where to buy Ragdoll kittens?
When it comes to purchasing a Ragdoll Kitten, always search for a reputable breeder. Make sure that they are registered with a Cat Breed Association in the country or area where you reside such as The International Cat Association (TICA), the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), The British Ragdoll Association (TBRCC) or the Australian Cat Federation (ACF).
When you purchase a Ragdoll from an approved breeder, they are guaranteed to be a purebred Ragdoll and disease-free. They should have undergone testing for inherited diseases like Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A registered Ragdoll breeder should always have their registration number and the name of the association they are associated with listed on their website or Facebook page.
If you see Ragdoll kittens for sale in a pet store or online, it is not always guaranteed that they are purebred, ethically reared and healthy. Many breeders have long waiting lists for their available kittens.
To find a registered Ragdoll Cat breeder near you then make sure you visit our Breeders Directory.
What do Ragdoll kittens cost?
The price of a Ragdoll kitten varies greatly from breeder to breeder. A purebred cat is expensive. Kittens that come from high-titled breeding lines or Show Champion Winners can attract a price at the top end of the scale. The price is also dependant on whether your chosen kitten is classed as ‘Pet Quality’ or ‘Show Quality’. The difference between a Pet Quality and Show Quality kitten is merely cosmetic, with the Show Quality kitten being perfectly marked. The temperaments of both types of cats will be the same. Breeding cats attract a much higher price.
A survey conducted by Ragdoll Cats World in Feb 2021 of Ragdoll Kitten Prices of registered breeders across the globe indicated the following price ranges for pet quality kittens:
USA – Median price range $1600- $2500 Australia – Median price range $1300 – $1500
Canada – Median price range $2000- $2200
United Kingdom – Median price range £950
Click here to find out more about how much Ragdoll kittens cost
What do I need to buy for my Ragdoll kitten?
Cats are like children and need everything from food and water dishes to litter boxes, beds, and toys. When you adopt a kitten from a breeder, they’ll always come with some basic supplies to get you started, but we’ve put together a handy checklist to make sure you have everything you need to welcome your new kitten into your home. Plus you can download our free printable new kitten checklist!
- Travel Carrier
- Kitten food
- Cat bed
- Food and water bowels
- Litter box and litter
- Grooming brush
- Scratching post
- Cat toys
- Cat tree
- Collar
- Cat Harness
- Treats
When can I collect my Ragdoll Kitten?
Most Ragdoll kittens are ready to leave the breeder for the forever home at around 12 to 16 weeks of age.
What do Ragdoll Kittens eat?
A kitten’s diet is essential for them to develop physically and mentally, so by feeding the right mix of nutrients in their food, you can help lay the foundations for a healthy life. As kittens are growing rapidly, and their digestive and immune systems are developing slowly, they require a diet with higher energy and protein content plus the right balance of vitamins and minerals.
Your Ragdoll breeder will inform about your kitten’s diet and will provide a small amount of their usual food to fed to your kitten for the following days. Some breeders will elect to raise their kittens on good quality commercial canned cat food while others may opt for a raw food diet. It is important not to change their diet suddenly, which can result in an upset stomach. Wet food or a raw diet, as opposed to an all dry diet, is advised for keeping your cat’s kidneys in good working order.
Are Ragdoll kittens playful?
Ragdoll kittens are playful, intelligent, and loving. Playtime is important for kittens. It helps them develop social skills and it provides crucial physical exercise. Kittens will play with anything that moves or that they can bat around, but usually, you’ll find them playing with toys. They also enjoy playing with other cats. They are very curious animals who often entertain themselves by exploring their environment.
When do Ragdoll kittens calm down?
I’m sure my Ragdoll owners have wondered this! I remember asking my breeder this question as my two Ragdoll kittens were attempting to climb my legs! At around six months, they will usually become more docile and calm in temperament.
Adopting more than one Ragdoll kitten means double trouble! A kitten on its own will be less frisky than a kitten with a playmate. Ragdolls are typically fairly mellow kittens (and adults) that will continue to be calm pets for years to come.
When is a Ragdoll kitten fully grown?
As a cat breed, Ragdolls reach maturity much later than any other adult cat, at around 3-4 years. For the first 12 weeks of its life, a Ragdoll kitten will grow at a similar rate to a domestic cat. At 8 weeks old, a Ragdoll kitten will typically weigh between 1 pound, 13 ounces and 2 pounds, 3 ounces. It can be expected they will have increased to 3 to 4 pounds by the 12-week mark. A Ragdoll kitten will tend to go through a growth spurt at 5 months, so be prepared to increase their food during this time. Ragdoll kittens generally gain 1 pound each month until they are 12 months old. Depending on the breed, most kittens tend to stop growing anywhere between 8 – 16 months. The Ragdoll breed is an exception to this rule as they won’t reach their full size until they reach 3-4 years old. An adult Ragdoll cat will typically weigh 15 to 20 pounds (6.8- 9 kg)
Find out more about Ragdoll Cats
Find Ragdoll Kittens for sale near you
View our Ragdoll Kitten photo gallery