Emma Jones
The Ragamuffin is one of the largest domestic cats in the world. But not only their body size but also their big, soft heart makes them a very special animal. She loves her people and doesn’t like to leave their side. If you are looking for the perfect family cat to cuddle and play with, the Ragamuffin is the best choice.
The character of the Ragamuffin
The Ragamuffin impresses with its simplicity: It gets along with both humans and other animals. Close contact with her family and lots of cuddles are important to her. She likes to report extensively on her experiences of the day and loves to be the center of attention. Fear and aggressiveness are foreign to her. Instead, she is patient, in need of harmony, and affectionate. One thing it is definitely not: boring.
Ragamuffins are very playful – throughout their lives. Thanks to her intelligence and curiosity, you will find it easy to teach this cat little tricks.
Ragamuffin: Attitude
Ragamuffins are considered ideal family cats. You like people, whether old or young. Because they are so sociable and don’t like being alone, you shouldn’t keep them as a single cat. The Ragamuffin also gets along well with other pets. It is important to give her enough time and attention, otherwise, she can show her dominant side. She is satisfied with a cat-friendly apartment with lots of climbing opportunities. With such a large cat, you should make sure you have the right (initial) equipment: the heavier Ragamuffin tomcats in particular are happy about a larger litter box and a more stable scratching post.
A balcony or garden is the icing on the cake for your everyday life. But she is also doing well as a freelancer. However, since she is not afraid and is very trusting, there is a risk that strangers will take her with them. Therefore, a well-secured freewheel is recommended. Walks on the leash are also possible if you get the cat used to it early on.
Ragamuffin: appearance and care
At first glance, the Ragamuffin looks very impressive. This has to do with their lush fur and impressive body size. Her body is strong and muscular, her legs are of medium length. The front paws are shorter than the hind legs. The Ragamuffin’s tail is bushy, and its fur is dense, soft, and silky. On her neck, she wears a plush ruff with a clearly protruding bib, similar to a mane. Her shoulders are broad, her chest strong.
The eyes of the Ragamuffin look expressively into the world: they are large and oval and shine in intense colors. Their head shape is rounded, the ears are medium-sized and covered with hair.
You can find the half-length fur in all color variations. It doesn’t tend to tangle, which makes it easier for you to care for the Ragamuffin. With a soft brush and a wide-toothed comb, you can beautify her coat and at the same time give her a lot of attention. If she is purely an indoor cat, weekly brushing is sufficient. If she goes outside, you should check the fur more often, as it can become matted or sticky and parasites could settle in it.
History of the Ragamuffin
The Ragamuffin has the same origins as the Ragdoll, which is why there is a clear resemblance between the two breeds. Breeder Ann Baker began breeding ragdolls in the 1960s via Angora cats and later Siamese cats. Since Baker only very sparingly distributed the breeding license to other breeders and their business practices were considered controversial, there was a split within Ragdoll breeding in 1994. Because the name Ragdoll had been patented by Ann Baker, the group that broke away from her named their new cats Ragamuffin. There are two big differences between ragdolls: ragamuffins come in different color variations and, unlike ragdolls, do not necessarily have blue eyes. All colors are allowed here.
Ragamuffins have only been bred in Europe since 2002. They have been recognized as an independent breed in the USA since 2011, but not by the European umbrella organization FiFe (Fédération Internationale Féline).
Incidentally, it owes its name to the contempt of breeders of other breeds, who pejoratively dubbed the new cats “street kid” (ragamuffin). The breeders of the Ragamuffins took it with humor and made the insult their own. So the mischievous “Ragamuffin” became the name for a wonderful new breed of cat.
Ragamuffin: peculiarities and health
Since the Ragamuffin is still a relatively young and rather rare breed, it can be a challenge to find a reputable breeder. A look at the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) website can help.
Ragamuffins are generally considered a hardy breed, but there are diseases they are inherited to be susceptible to. These include cardiomyopathy, a thickening of the heart muscle, and polycystic kidney disease, which can lead to kidney failure. A responsible breeding company, therefore, ensures that the breeding cats are carefully selected in order not to continue to have these diseases in their stock and carries out tests for this purpose.