Another type of domestic cat is the ragamuffin cat (Felis catus). Although it was recognized as a unique breed in 1994, it was formerly thought to be a Ragdoll cat variation. Ragamuffins stand out for their warm dispositions and thick coats of fur.
Ragamuffins are a powerful, robust breed of cat that takes four to five years to reach sexual maturity. The breed’s physical characteristics include a short neck supported by large shoulders and a rectangular, broad-chested body. It is said of these cats have large bodies and heavy bones.
The Ragamuffin has a medium-sized head, but its fur gives the impression that its face is larger. The sides of the head are where the medium-sized ears are placed. They have long, powerful legs. The chins are large, and the oval eyes are blue.
The Ragamuffin comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Some of these color combinations are reminiscent of ragdoll color combinations. The Ragamuffin with a color point pattern has a light body color and a stunning, dark color for its limbs, mask, and ears.
The Ragamuffin is a big cat with a big body, big heart, and big eyes. Since they enjoy interacting with people, get along with other animals, and seem to have limitless patience for children’s activities, they make the perfect family cat.
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Brief History of the Ragamuffin Cat (Felis catus)
The creation of the Ragamuffin is largely a mystery. The Ragamuffin was most likely developed by Ragdoll breeders who crossed their cats with other longhaired breeds such as the Turkish Angoras, Persians, Birmans, and longhaired domestic cats in order to add more colors and patterns.
The American Cat Fanciers Association, American Association of Cat Enthusiasts, Cat Fanciers Association, and Cat Fanciers Federation all recognize the breed.
It is well known that California is where the ragdoll originated in the 1960s. Josephine, a white cat, is acknowledged as the first of the breed, while it’s believed that the Ragdoll originated from the blending of the Burmese, Birman, and Persian breeds.
As long as they are given respect, ragamuffin cats make friends with everyone they encounter. These cats appreciate being touched and will definitely relax when picked up and petted, in contrast to many cats that would prefer to be left alone.
Ragamuffin cats do have a playful side, despite their tendency to spend a lot of time sitting around. They are happy to play alone, chasing a favorite ball or a little mouse around the room. Their family adores their cute, delicate nature, and they enjoy playing interactive games.
These cats are best suited to an indoor lifestyle due to their easygoing attitudes and thick, glossy coats, which are subject to collecting dirt. Despite the fact that they might be able to endure cold temperatures, they are not designed to brave the weather or deal with dangerous conditions.
The Ragamuffin cat doesn’t have any special dietary needs, although these cats thrive on a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates, which helps prevent obesity. It is advisable to choose a premium brand whose main ingredients are actual meat or fish.
These cats are typically excellent with other cats, dogs, and well-behaved children. They adapt well to a variety of environments and household situations. Their average lifespan ranges from 8 to 13 years.
Similar to how all individuals have the ability to inherit a specific disease, all cats have the capacity to have hereditary health issues. Run away, don’t walk away from any breeder who does not provide a health guarantee for the kittens, who claims that the breed is completely healthy and has no known issues, or who claims that their kittens are kept apart from the rest of the family for health reasons.
Ragamuffins are generally healthy, however genetic conditions including polycystic kidney disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can be problematic.
Ragamuffin kittens are actually born white, and as they get older, they start to take on different colors. One of the biggest cat breeds is these gentle giants.
RagaMuffin kittens are extremely loving. They enjoy sitting on your lap, following you around the house, and being close to you. Whenever you sit down, expect to be followed, chatted to, kissed, and swarmed if you are fortunate enough to be owned by numerous RagaMuffins.
Ragamuffins are exceptional in loving others. You can play fetch with some RagaMuffin kittens by throwing them toys. These lovely cats have been observed begging or praying by sitting upright on their back feet and putting their front claws together.
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Ragamuffin Cat Grooming Guide
Ragamuffins, despite being a relatively new breed, are renowned for their cuddly natures and their affectionate personalities. Compared to other breeds, they are more adaptable and can handle nearly any change in their home.
Though most Ragamuffins are relatively large in size, they can come in a wide range of colors and coats. If you have adopted a Ragamuffin, be sure to feed your cat well, shower it with affection, and take it to the vet when required.
▪ Get rid of dangerous substances: Due to the Ragamuffin’s natural curiosity, you should make sure your home is free of any dangerous objects that could damage your cat. This implies that you should store all insecticides and cleaning products in a location that is completely out of the cat’s reach or locked away.
▪ Pick a nutritious meal: Because ragamuffin cats are frequently vulnerable to weight issues, choosing a balanced wet food that you can easily control for your cat is typically preferable to letting it self-feed. Pick a wet food with natural components that includes meat as the first key ingredient.
▪ Give your Ragamuffin cat access to water: Your cat needs to be hydrated, so make sure it has continual access to clean drinking water. To make the water easier for your cat to find, try to place it next to your Ragamuffin’s food.
▪ Cuddle your cat: Ragamuffin cats are particularly affectionate. Make sure to spend a lot of time cuddling with your Ragamuffin cat so that it knows how much you care about it.
▪ Get your cat vaccinated: To prevent them from contracting infections that could be harmful, ragamuffin cats, like all other cat breeds, need to be vaccinated while they are kittens.
Starting at around six weeks and continuing every three to four weeks until the kitten is between 16 and 20 weeks old, your veterinarian will vaccinate your Ragamuffin kitten for you.
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There are several advantages to grooming a Ragamuffin kitten when it is young. First of all, it lessens their fear of the process and helps them grow used to it.
Second, it gives you a better understanding of how their coat appears and which areas could require additional care. Finally, early grooming can aid in the prevention of several typical hairball issues.
▪ Every four to six weeks, you should trim your Ragamuffin’s claws. In this manner, they won’t hurt the couches or even you.
▪ Regular cat bathing has a lot of advantages. The cat’s fur can be cleaned and cleared of any dirt or debris by bathing. Additionally, it aids in eliminating unpleasant odors and can keep the cat’s hair healthy and glossy. Always wash your cat with a cat-specific shampoo, and keep water out of their ears.
▪ While most people are aware of how important it is to frequently brush their own teeth, they may not be aware that the same rule also applies to their cats. If their teeth are not frequently brushed, cats are susceptible to gum disease and cavities, much like people.
In conclusion, regular grooming keeps your Ragamuffins happy and healthy, which benefits your own health as well. Regular bathing, brushing their teeth once a week or more frequently if necessary, removing mats from the fur around their bottoms so they can properly groom themselves, and feeding them a diet high in protein with no carbohydrates are the best ways to keep them clean.
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