Ragamuffin
Plush, gentle cousin of the Ragdoll with broader color variety.
Ragamuffins share the Ragdoll's sweet temperament and tendency to relax in your arms, but come in a much wider range of colors and patterns. Calm, affectionate, and tolerant, they are excellent family cats and bond strongly with their humans.
Key facts
| Origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Size | Large |
| Weight | 10–20 lbs |
| Lifespan | 12–16 years |
| Energy | Low |
| Vocality | Low |
| Grooming | Brush 2–3 times a week |
| Shedding | Medium |
| With children | ●●●●● |
|---|---|
| With other pets | ●●●●● |
| For beginners | ●●●●● |
| Apartment life | ●●●●● |
Pros & cons
✓ What's great
- Excellent family companions
- Wide color variety
- Gentle and tolerant
- Adaptable
✗ Things to know
- Slow to mature (4 years)
- Strictly indoor
- Can be food-motivated and gain weight
Ideal owner
A Ragamuffin may suit you well if you:
- Are a first-time cat owner looking for a forgiving, adaptable breed
- Have children or a busy, sociable household
- Already have dogs or other cats at home
- Live in an apartment or smaller home
- Prefer a calmer, less demanding companion
A Ragamuffin may not suit you if you:
- Have significant cat allergies
Health considerations
Ragamuffins are generally considered a robust, healthy breed with no well-documented breed-specific conditions at this time. As with all cats, annual vet check-ups, a balanced diet, and keeping them up to date on vaccinations and parasite prevention are the best health investments you can make.
Is a Ragamuffin right for you?
The best way to find out if a Ragamuffin suits your lifestyle is to take the What Cat? breed quiz — it weighs your living space, schedule, household, and preferences against all 68 breeds in our encyclopedia.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Ragamuffin a good cat for first-time owners?
Yes — Ragamuffins are an excellent choice for first-time cat owners. They are adaptable and forgiving, with a temperament described as: sweet, affectionate, and tolerant.
Are Ragamuffins good for apartments?
Yes — Ragamuffins adapt well to apartment living. They don't require a large territory and are content indoors provided they have adequate enrichment and attention.
Are Ragamuffins good with children?
Ragamuffins are generally excellent with children. They are patient, tolerant of handling, and social enough to enjoy the energy of family life including young children.
Are Ragamuffins hypoallergenic?
Ragamuffins are not specifically hypoallergenic and produce standard levels of Fel d 1, the main cat allergen. If allergies are a concern, consider breeds like the Siberian, Balinese, or Devon Rex.
Does a Ragamuffin suit your lifestyle?
Take the free 18-question What Cat? quiz to find out — and get a full ranked list of breeds matched to your real life.
Take the free quiz →Further reading: Ragamuffin on Wikipedia