Ragamuffin – an aristocratic ragamuffin with a touching look

The breed known as the Ragamuffin blends grace and tenderness. This cat, despite its name, is renowned for having silky fur and a kind disposition.

A soft, plush coat and big expressive eyes make the Ragamuffin an instant heart-warmer. Because of their amiable and easygoing nature, these cats are frequently compared to teddy bears.

The Ragamuffin is a great option if you’re searching for a friend who exudes warmth and royalty at the same time. They are ideal for both individuals and families because of their loving and peaceful disposition.

Characteristic	Description
Origin	Ragamuffin cats are a crossbreed of Ragdolls, known for their sweet nature and fluffy coats.
Appearance	They have large expressive eyes, soft fur, and come in many colors and patterns.
Personality	Friendly, affectionate, and great with families, these cats love to cuddle and are often calm.
Care	Regular brushing is needed to maintain their long, silky coat.

History of origin

Ragamuffins are closely related to the popular American breed Ragdoll, translated as "rag doll", created in the 60s of the last century by cat breeder Ann Baker. The docile feline Josephine, who may have inherited some Angora or Persian ancestry, was the original Ragdoll breed founder. Ann established the International Ragdoll Cat Fanciers Association (IRCA) in the middle of the 1970s, and she imposed stringent guidelines on pets and their guardians who wished to breed or market cats under this brand.

In 1994, a few breeders quit the Association due to these onerous regulations, forming their own organization with the primary objective of producing healthy, resilient animals with novel coat colors. A hitherto unidentified breed emerged from the crossing of ragdolls with Persian, Himalayan, and mongrel long-haired street cats.

It became necessary to give the new breed a different name because Ann Baker owned the rights to the Ragdoll trademark. Liebling and Ragamuffin were the two choices they ultimately chose. Ragamuffin, which means "tramp" or "ragamuffin" in English, alludes to one of the parents’ lowly beginnings.

The American ACFA recognized the breed in 2003, and the international Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) did the same a year earlier. In 2011, the breed was allowed to compete for championship titles.

Characteristics of the Ragamuffin breed

A ragamuffin is a large cat with luxurious, thick fur that comes in a variety of colors and shades. It is medium-length.

Standard

• Body: proportionally rectangular with a wide chest, powerful shoulders and pelvis. A layer of fat often forms at the bottom of the abdomen, but it should not significantly affect body weight. Males weigh from 7 kg to 9 kg, females – from 4.5 kg up to 6.5 kg. Reproductive age occurs after 4 years.
• Wool: medium long, silky, thick and soft to the touch. Somewhat elongated on the hind limbs, around the neck and around the muzzle. There are no color restrictions, however, white is valued above others.
• Head: wedge-shaped with rounded outlines, without obvious angularities. The chin and forehead are smoothed, the face is small, slightly widened due to fluffy cheeks and plump whisker pads.
• Eyes: expressive, large, widely planted. Any color is acceptable, However, there is an exceptional requirement for animals with mink and sepia coat color – for the first, the color of the eyes of the sea wave is important, for the second – green or yellow.
• Ears: neat, triangular, slightly inclined forward, with a smoothed top ending with a brush, like a main-kun.
• Paws: medium length, with large pads, support a heavy skeleton. Hind limbs are somewhat longer than front.
• Tail: luxurious, fluffy, proportional to the body, slightly tapering towards the tip.
• Among the disqualification points, the standard calls squint and polydactyly.

Health

Ragamuffins are in good health and resistant to many feline diseases because of their street ancestors. It is believed that they are free of any genetic diseases. Rarely, members of the breed may experience gastrointestinal issues, allergies, polycystic kidney disease, or cardiomyopathy.

Your pet’s teeth need to receive the necessary care because periodontal disease is common in members of the breed. Because overfeeding leads to obesity, it’s important to avoid fatty and floury foods from the diet and to approach diet composition with consideration for the breed’s tendency toward abdominal fat deposits.

Prophylactic use of anthelmintics and prompt vaccination against a range of viral infections are also crucial. By adhering to the care guidelines and giving their pets the right food, animal owners can extend their pets’ lives significantly—on average, by 12 to 16 years.

Character

There isn’t a more cuddly cat than the Ragamuffin. The animal is totally non-aggressive and lets people touch, hold, squeeze, and engage in other pleasantries with it without protesting or pulling away from its claws. Though it cannot be considered as lazy as its ancestors, the Ragdolls, are sometimes described as, the cat is very attached to all of the residents of the house and always tries to be near a person—lying down on their lap or on the sofa next to them.

There is something unique about a Ragamuffin’s bond with kids. The cat will even go along with small jokers swaddling and placing him in a doll stroller, where he will remain until he is permitted to exit. Ragamuffins get along well with other animals, form bonds with them, and can voice worries when one of them goes missing.

It’s common knowledge that members of the breed are simple to train. The Ragamuffin doesn’t actually need to be trained; all that is needed is to explain to the animal what is expected of it or, on the other hand, what is not; the cat will always follow its owner’s instructions.

Possible problems

Ragamuffin cats have zero tolerance for loneliness. They need to have at least one living animal in the apartment, whether it’s a caged parrot, guinea pig, or ferret.

People who expect their cat to catch mice shouldn’t get this animal because it lacks a hunting instinct. Ragamuffin lacks a sense of security and does not know how to defend itself, if it has time, it will simply hide from the offender, otherwise it will seriously suffer from his teeth or claws. The animal’s owners ought to keep this quality in mind and refrain from letting their pet wander the streets by itself.

Care

Animals belonging to this breed are immaculate and take great pride in maintaining their appearance. The only hygienic tasks that pet owners need to complete are those that cats cannot.

Wool

Despite its length and thickness, the Ragamuffin’s opulent fur doesn’t cause its owners too much trouble because it never gets tangled. However, in order to prevent lint from gathering throughout the house, it is advised to comb the cat on a regular basis, particularly during the seasonal coat renewal.

Since ragamuffins are usually apartment dwellers, they don’t bathe too frequently—about once a month. For cats with long hair, use shampoo and conditioner during washing. Make sure to wash the paws after a walk.

In order to prevent periodontal disease, teeth should be cleaned every day and ears and eyes should be cleaned at least once a week. Claws are trimmed once a month, but it is preferable to start the kitten on a scratching post at a young age. Our article contains information on successful training techniques.

Walking a pet

Only supervised walks are given to the animal. You can allow the cat to roam freely if the country home is surrounded by a fence. For their own safety, however, as they are unable to defend themselves, animals residing in apartments are not permitted to walk alone.

Nutrition

Many breeds of dog owners frequently disagree with one another about what to feed their pets—homemade or specialty food. There are a lot of gourmets among the Ragamuffins, and they usually choose their products carefully.

Because members of the breed are prone to developing abdominal fat, breeders advise feeding their cats ready-made, balanced meals that are either wet or dry and contain the necessary amounts of vitamins and minerals. This makes it easier to keep an eye on the amount of calories in the food being fed, especially for cats who have been neutered or sterilized. You can examine the dry food rating for neutered pets in our article.

This is of great importance! A paste designed to remove hair from cats’ stomachs must be added to Ragamuffins’ diet. Pet shops provide a variety of products from which to select the best supplement.

People who independently plan their pet’s diet are advised against giving it sweets, pasta, and flour products, as well as fatty meat. Products that can trigger allergic reactions must be cautiously added to the menu. To preserve the animal’s massive skeleton, calcium should be added to the food.

The Ragamuffin cat, named for its fluffy coat and loving disposition, is a singular example of elegance combined with charm. This breed is a great family pet because of its laid-back, playful nature, which belies its noble appearance. The Ragamuffin is a well-liked option for cat lovers looking for a pet that is both beautiful and warm due to its expressive eyes and gentle disposition.

Breed card

Characteristics of the cat		Notes
General information	A very friendly, calm, large breed, similar to Ragdolls
Character	Calm cats that are easy to care for, despite their size. Loves to be picked up
Appearance	They come in different colors and colors; adult cats reach a large size
Behavior at home	The ideal pet, patient with children, gets along with dogs. Playful, but not demanding breed. Sometimes meows loudly	Due to its timid nature, it can become a victim of neighboring cats on the street
Care	Two or three times a week, the cat needs to be brushed	Sheds in the spring, so it needs more careful care
Health problems	Although the long hair does not mat too much, tangles may appear	The texture of the wool resembles rabbit fur

Breeding the breed

The United States is home to the majority of Ragamuffin catteries. Breeders with registrations can be found in South Korea, England, Canada, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, and Austria; however, there isn’t a single one in the former CIS nations.

It’s possible that Ragamuffin cats are bred by Ragdoll catteries, which are common in Gomel and Kiev, Russia. Babies’ availability and price must be ascertained separately. A Ragamuffin kitten will cost between $900 and $1000, depending on its gender, pedigree, and vaccination history.

How to choose a kitten

The eyes are a key factor in selecting a baby Ragamuffin; the more vibrant and rich the eye color, the more likely the baby is to come from a purebred lineage.

The hind legs are strong and muscular, matching the width of the shoulders, and even a small kitten has a broad, rectangular chest.

This is intriguing! Without fail, all baby Ragamuffins are white from birth. By three to four months, their true shade of fur—which they inherited from their parents—appear.

Because of this, breeders advise against purchasing Ragamuffin kittens before 16 weeks of age, so that prospective pet owners can familiarize themselves with the color of their fur.

Asking questions about a baby’s dietary preferences, ailments both the baby and its parents have had, and whether the baby has received all of its vaccinations is a good idea when purchasing a baby.

Interesting facts

According to some sources, the breed was known by a different name, Cherubim, long before it was accepted and registered in the International Association of Cat Lovers. Maybe it works better on creatures as angelic-spirited as ragamuffins.

A cat with a distinct blend of charm, beauty, and a kind, affectionate disposition is the Ragamuffin. It is the ideal companion for both individuals and families due to its playful and affectionate nature, which contrasts with its aristocratic appearance.

Ragamuffins are charming and endearing, and they can win over anyone they come into contact with. They are the best option for homes where they can play a major role in the family because they love being around people and thrive on attention.

A wonderful breed that provides both companionship and a touch of class, the Ragamuffin stands out whether you’re looking for a loving, devoted pet or just admire their elegant features.

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