Ragdoll : A Good Natured Pet

A cat is a wonderful pet. Not only do cats give their owner companionship but they are also valued for their ability to eliminate house pests such as rats, mice, snakes and scorpions to name a few. Cats are very skilled predators and they are smart compared to other animals. They can be taught tricks and sometimes they are also known to manipulate simple locks and other mechanisms. Domesticated cats are believed to come from Egypt but this belief was changed in a study conducted in 2007 which showed that domesticated cats came from wild African cats. One cat breed which has eliminated its wild nature is the ragdoll.

The ragdoll cat is a mild, affectionate and good natured animal. They have large bodies and they can weigh more than 15 pounds without being obese. Basically, they large cats with gentle behaviour, but perhaps one of its most intriguing attribute is to go limp when someone picks up a ragdoll cat.

Ragdolls were first bred by Ann Baker. In the 60’s Ann’s cat Josephine was hit by a car and she believed that her cat was genetically modified by a local university as the cat can no longer feel pain. This was proven wrong some years later and they in fact feel pain and this behaviour was discovered to appear in other cats depending on how the cat was raised. Nevertheless, Ann Baker trademarked the cat breed known as ragdoll and created her own registry known as the International Ragdoll Cat Association and did not allow any other association to register this name. Ann also employed strict standards for those who would want to breed and sell ragdolls. However in 1944, a group separated from IRCA due to its strict regulations. They later bred what is now known as the ragmuffin which was similar to the ragdoll. Today, people breed them together in order to maintain the unique temperament of the ragdoll which made it so popular.

A ragdoll comes in six different colours namely dilute blue, lilac, chocolate, seal, flame and cream. They can also be bicolour, pointed or mitted. They can weigh from 100 pounds to 20 pounds and the heaviest ragdoll weighs in at 35 pounds. They need only some light grooming and a great deal of healthy feeding in order to keep its healthy and fluffy look.

The ragdoll is an easy going and placid cat with silky coat and a large body. They are perfect pets for those who are also easy going individuals and who are easy going by nature.