Ragamuffin Cat Insurance | Cat Breed Guide

Ragamuffin cat breed

Friendly, docile and incredibly cuddly, the Ragamuffin makes a super strokable companion. Find out about the care needs and temperament of Ragamuffin cats.

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Ragamuffin cat breed information and advice

The Ragamuffin is a relatively new cat breed. It originated in California from Ragdoll cats. The Ragdoll breed was strictly controlled by the breed’s founder, Ann Baker. But, some breeders wanted to introduce new colours and patterns into the breed. This wasn’t allowed and so the two breeds diverged. After breeding with Persians and other long-haired breeds, the new Ragamuffin cat breed was created in 1994. The breed arrived in the UK in 2009 and has become increasingly popular.

If you’re looking for a cat and a Ragamuffin is on your list, here’s some handy facts and care tips to consider.

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Ragamuffin cat facts
Lifespan	12 – 16 years
How much	£250 – 800
Size	Large
Weight	4.5 – 9 kg
Colours	All colours including: Black, blue, chocolate, red, white, cream, fawn, lilac, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, bi-colour
Grooming	Once a week
Temperament	Affectionate, intelligent
Exercise	Low to moderate

Pet insurance for your Ragamuffin cat

While Ragamuffins are generally a robust breed, as with any pet, they can still get ill. And vet fees can soon mount up so it’s important to take out cat insurance.

The Ragamuffin is generally a hardy and healthy cat breed. But, it can be susceptible to a few breed-related health issues owing to its Persian ancestors. They include:

Protecting your Ragamuffin with cat insurance can help with the cost of medication, vet fees or surgery. It can also help cover any ongoing expenses.

Sainsbury’s Pet insurance

Sainsbury’s cat insurance can cover Ragamuffin kittens from as young as eight weeks old.

We offer three types of cover for your Ragamuffin cat:

Lifetime insurance covers up to £10,000 in vet fees every year.
Maximum benefit with our maximum benefit cover you can claim for the same condition multiple times up to your chosen policy limit. Choose maximum limit of £3,000 or £6,000.
Time limited covers up to £3,000 over 12 months.

Please note, we can't cover any pre-existing conditions. Terms, conditions, excesses, exclusions and limitations apply.

How to care for a Ragamuffin cat

Despite being a long-haired cat, Ragamuffins aren’t as high maintenance as you might expect. Like all cats, they should have a balanced diet and lots of exercise. It’s good to know that Ragamuffins are slow to mature and don’t reach full maturity until they’re about four years old. As a cat breed, they’re not exactly street-smart, so it’s best for them to be kept as an indoor cat.

Feeding and nutrition

It’s important to feed your Ragamuffin a nutritious diet that has everything they need to stay healthy. If you’re buying a Ragamuffin kitten from a breeder, it’s best to keep them on the same food when you first bring them home. If you want to change the cat food, do so gradually so they can adjust. They may be large cats, but make sure you don’t overfeed your Ragamuffin. As they're not very active and can easily become overweight.

Grooming

Ragamuffin cats have a medium-long coat that is soft, silky and dense. Their tail is long and fluffy. Grooming once a week with a brush or comb is all they need to keep knot and tangle-free. Baths are not usually needed. If you do want to bath your cat, make sure you use a shampoo specially formulated for cats. A hairdryer on a low setting can then be used to dry them.

Ragamuffin kittens are born white and their coat colour and patterns develop as they mature. Coats come in every colour and pattern, with and without white. All-white cats are rare and tend to be more in demand. Eye colour depends on the coat colour and can be different colours.

Exercise

Ragamuffins are large cats with a hefty bone structure. Female cats are smaller than males and often have a fatty pad on their lower stomach. This is a perfectly normal feature of the breed, not a sign of being overweight.

The Ragamuffin cat’s characteristics can be placid and lazy, so they need to be encouraged to exercise. Provide them with daily exercise and interactive toys such as laser lights and fishing rod toys to keep them in shape.

Training

Ragamuffins are intelligent and can be trained to play fetch and walk on a lead if you wish. Not being street-smart, it might be best to get them used to being on a lead so you can take them outside safely. Trips outside will give your Ragamuffin more variety and increase their exercise. They will also pick up litter training quickly.

Temperament and behaviour

Ragamuffin cats are easy to handle, affectionate and thrive on attention. They are often described as feline cuddly teddy bears. They’re a gentle, sociable breed who form strong bonds with their owner and will love nothing more than to be held in your arms or sit on your lap.

If they are allowed outside, Ragamuffins don’t have a high prey drive so you can be comforted knowing that they won’t be leaving any unexpected presents for you.

Common health problems

The Ragamuffin is considered a healthy breed. There are no documented breed-related problems. However, until 2006, outcrosses with Persian and Ragdoll breeds were allowed. This means that they could have health issues inherited from these breeds. Taking out pet insurance will mean that any health conditions will be covered.

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic kidney disease (AD-PKD)

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (AD-PKD or PKD) is an inherited condition that can affect Ragamuffins. An ultrasound scan is used to identify any cysts that form in the kidneys. Cats with the disease start to show signs of kidney disease when they’re around seven years old. Unfortunately, there’s no cure, but there are treatments that may improve their quality of life. Check with your breeder to make sure that their breeding lines are clear of this condition.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, commonly known as HCM, is a serious heart condition that can affect Ragamuffins. Cardiomyopathy means disease of the heart muscle, and in HCM, the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick. This prevents the heart from working properly, leading to heart failure. Long-term medication can slow the disease down. Make sure your breeder has had their breeding lines DNA tested and are negative for HCM.

Obesity

Ragamuffin characteristics make them large but not very active cats. If overfed, they can put on too much weight. This can make them more likely to develop health problems such as diabetes, liver problems, and lower urinary tract disease. If your cat has become overweight, ask your vet to help with a weight loss plan.

Is a Ragamuffin cat right for you?

Ragamuffin cats are ideal for most households if you’re looking for a gentle and affectionate indoor cat. They’ll be friends with other cats and dogs and are an easy-going companion for everyone in the family.

Frequently asked questions

How long do Ragamuffin cats live?

Ragamuffins can have a lifespan of 12 –16 years. Some have been known to live to the ripe old age of 18.

How to groom a Ragamuffin cat

Ragamuffins just need a weekly brush, comb or grooming glove to remove dead hairs and prevent knots and tangles. They’ll enjoy grooming time as they love sitting on your lap and having a cuddle.