This article was co-authored by Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD. Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.
There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Ragamuffin cats are loveable pets who make great additions to the family. They are quite calm and docile, which means they love to cuddle and they get along well with children and other animals. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, but are typically medium to large cats with beautiful long fur.
Steps
Noticing Physical and Health Characteristics
Look at the paws. Most Ragamuffin cats have completely white paws. Notice the paws of your cat and see if they are white. Keep in mind, however, that there is some variety in Ragamuffin colorings.[1]- For example, the Bicolor Ragamuffin typically has four completely white legs.
- The color point pattern Ragamuffin cat has darker colors on the extremities – including the paws and the ears.
Notice the coloring and pattern. While Ragamuffins can come in a variety of patterns and colors, they almost always include some white portions.[2]- Ragamuffin kittens are always born white and their patterns and coloring develop over time.
- The most common coat patterns for Ragamuffin cats include solid, tortoiseshell, tabby/white, and mink.
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Check out the coat. Ragamuffin cats have long, luscious coats that are quite soft to the touch. Surprisingly, they require little grooming since the undercoat is quite thin. This means their fur is less likely to tangle or become matted.[3]- Ragamuffins are never short-haired cats.
- These cats have such fluffy coats that it often makes their heads look bigger than they really are.
Look at the tail length. Ragamuffins have quite long tails that are covered in luxurious long fur. Their tails appear very fluffy and large due to the volume of the hair.[4]- If you see a cat with a short, stubby tail, it is definitely not a Ragamuffin.
Notice common health concerns. Ragamuffin cats are typically quite healthy; however, there are a few health issues that seem to be hereditary for this particular breed.[5]- Ragamuffin cats are often prone to polycystic kidney disease. Identifying this problem in a cat could be an indicator that the cat is a member of the Ragamuffin breed.
- These cats are also susceptible to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which causes a thickening of the heart muscle. This trait is common in many breeds of cats, but seems to be especially prevalent in Ragamuffins.
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Identifying Personality Traits
See if the cat loves to cuddle. Ragamuffins are notoriously cuddly and affectionate with their owners and family members. See if the cat prefers to lay on your lap and snuggle rather than running around and playing wildly.[6]- Ragamuffin cats have a reputation for going limp when their owners pick them up, but this is a bit of an exaggeration. They mostly just remain contentedly still in their owners’ arms.
Notice if the cat gets along with others. Ragamuffin cats have a very calm temperament that makes them excellent companions for children and even other animals. Because they respond so well to people, they’re easy to teach new tricks. Ragamuffin cats should be calm and easy-going.- If the cat doesn’t get along with other members of your household, human or animal, they are probably not a Ragamuffin cat.
Consider energy levels. Ragamuffin cats are relatively placid in nature, especially when compared to other, more active breeds. These cats are mellow and calm, usually preferring to laze about with their owners over running around and expending massive amounts of energy.[7]- If you see a cat who is very high energy, it is most likely not a Ragamuffin cat.
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Getting Professional Confirmation
Get the cat from a reputable breeder. If you get a Ragamuffin cat from a breeder, be sure to use a reputable one who is well-known in the community or who is connected to various Ragamuffin support groups or breeding societies.[8]- Members of such societies typically have to adhere to a certain code of ethics, which means you can trust that your cat is a true Ragamuffin.
Ask for documentation. Most certified breeders will be able to provide you with documentation proving that the cat is a purebred Ragamuffin. This document should be accepted by any Ragamuffin breeding society as authentic and allow you to show your cat, if you so wish.- This document should include the breeder’s information, as well as info about the ancestry of the cat – including its parents.
Consult your veterinarian. Take the cat to your local veterinarian’s office and ask them about whether or not they believe this to be a Ragamuffin cat. The vet can inspect the cat’s physical features and personality traits in order to help you determine the breed.[9]- A vet may even be able to do a DNA test with a cheek swab or blood sample to confirm the cat’s ancestry and breed.
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Expert Q&A
- QuestionI have a cat and I know he's a mix, but I cant tell if he's mixed with ragdoll or ragamuffin. How can I tell the difference?
Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhDDr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.
VeterinarianThe best way to know for sure what your cat is mixed with is to have your cat DNA tested by your vet.
References
- ↑ http://www.hillspet.com/en/us/cat-breeds/ragamuffin
- ↑ http://cattime.com/cat-breeds/ragamuffin-cats#/slide/1
- ↑ https://www.purina.com/cats/cat-breeds/ragamuffin
- ↑ http://cattime.com/cat-breeds/ragamuffin-cats
- ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/ragamuffin
- ↑ http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/cats-101/videos/ragamuffin/
- ↑ http://www.hillspet.com/en/us/cat-breeds/ragamuffin
- ↑ http://www.ragamuffinkittens.org/
- ↑ http://www.ragamuffingroup.com/code-of-ethics/
About this article
To identify a Ragamuffin cat, look for the breed's distinct white paws or for some section of white fur on the cat's coat, since all Ragamuffin kittens are born white and develop their other colors over time. Pay attention to if the cat has a long tail and luscious coat, which makes its head look bigger than it actually is. In addition to physical appearance, check for personality traits like a love of cuddling and calm temperament, even when around children and other animals. Keep in mind that Ragamuffin cats are relatively mellow in nature, and will most likely not run around or expend as much energy as another cat might. For more advice from our Veterinary co-author, including how to get professional confirmation that a cat is a Ragamuffin cat, keep reading!
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