Brief Introduction:
Ragdolls are large, docile cats. They are sweet-faced and muscular, with an overall impression of elegance and balance. They have a medium-long, non-matting coat with a soft texture like rabbit fur. Most are pointed in color (like the Himalayan or Siamese) and appear in seal point, blue point, chocolate point, and lilac point, flame point, cream point, with or without white markings.
Is This The Breed For Me?
If you want a large cat which is non-aggressive, loves to be with people, and is very placid, you may want to consider a Ragdoll. Also, if you love the look of a long-haired cat, but do not want the constant grooming associated with breeds such as the Persian, a Ragdoll would be a good choice. The gentle Ragdoll is also good with children and is easy to introduce into a multi-pet household.
If you want a very active or talkative cat, then you might not be happy with the less-active Ragdoll.
Physical Description:
Ragdolls are large, heavy cats, with broad chests and large hindquarters. They are slow-maturing, and do not reach full maturity until approximately three years of age. Females are smaller than males, weighing about 10-15 pounds on average. Males weigh an average of 12-20 pounds as adults, although some may grow to be larger.
Pointed Ragdolls have large, oval, blue eyes and sweet expressions. Their large, rounded ears are set with a slight forward tilt. They have a curved profile with the look of a “ski slope” as it merges to the top of the head.
Their medium-long coats and bushy tails have a soft texture that feels like rabbit fur. In general, Ragdolls have longer fur around the neck (a “ruff”) and on the back of the hindquarters (sometimes referred to as “britches”). The fur does not tend to mat, and is easily combed. It does, however, require occasional grooming.
Pointed Ragdolls are Like other pointed breeds such as the Himalayan and Siamese, pointed Ragdoll kittens are born all white and slowly develop color. The color continues to deepen as the cat ages.
In most associations, Ragdolls are accepted in 3 patterns and 4 colors. The three patterns are “color point,” “mitted,” and “bicolor”:
A “color point” has dark points (ears, tail, face, and feet) with a body of a lighter shade. The nose leather and paw pads match the point color. Color points do not have white markings (although the pale body color may appear white on some cats).
- A “mitted” has dark points and lighter body like a color point, but also has white “mitts” on the front paws, white “boots” on the back legs and feet, a white chin, a white strip on the stomach, and a white ruff.
- A “bi-color” has the dark points (ears and tail), but the mask is interrupted by an inverted “V” running between the eyes and expanding into the muzzle. The body color forms a “saddle” on the cat’s back and the remainder of the cat is white. Bi-colors have pink nose leather and paw pads.
The four colors are “seal,” “chocolate,” “blue,” and “lilac” (also known as “frost”):
- A “seal” has dark seal brown points with a light tan body color.
- A “chocolate” has milk chocolate points with an ivory body color.
- A “blue” has dark gray points with a pale gray body color.
- A “lilac” has pinkish gray points with a frosty white body color.
To describe a Ragdoll, combine the color and pattern names. For example, a seal Ragdoll, depending on the pattern, might be a “seal color point,” “seal mitted,” or “seal bi-color.”
Characteristics and Temperament:
Ragdolls (as their name implies) are extremely “laid-back,” docile, non-aggressive cats. They tend to relax when held. They are said to possess a non-fighting instinct, which means that if attacked, they do not defend themselves. They are very “people” oriented and love to be around others, which often finds them greeting guests and/or following their owners around in a fashion similar to a puppy. They are often quite an attraction in a show ring because of their docile dispositions and acceptance of the judge placing them on their backs, holding them like a baby, etc.
In general, Ragdolls are not extremely vocal, but they do voice their opinions concerning certain things (such as at mealtime)!. Ragdolls are generally placid cats, but they do love to play with all types of toys and like to be involved in whatever “action” is going on.
Care and Training:
Ragdolls are intelligent and like to please their owners. Training Ragdolls is much more successful when done with rewards. For example, they can be trained easily to use a scratching post instead of your furniture by lavishing attention on them whenever they use the post. As with most cats, however, Ragdolls can be their “own boss” if they so choose!
They do not shed excessively, and need little care to keep their coats in good condition. Their soft, rabbit-like fur does not tend to mat. The fur does require occasional combing or brushing, and the longer fur around the hindquarters should be combed regularly. In general, Ragdolls do not mind being groomed and, in fact, often enjoy the grooming sessions.
Because Ragdolls lack the instinct to defend themselves when attacked, they must be kept as indoor pets only. However, they can be easily leash trained so that they can go for walks with you outside.
Otherwise, good food, fresh water, regular vet-checkups, regular vaccinations and lots of love is what they need to thrive. Bits of fresh raw beef can also be fed, as it helps clean the teeth and gives good nutrients, but be *very* sure of your supplier before doing this!
Special Medical Concerns:
No specific medical conditions have been noted with this breed. However, as with all breeds, certain “lines” might have a tendency toward specific health problems. It’s probably a good idea to talk to the breeder about whether his/her cats come from lines with any health risks, and ask for parents DNA test for HCM.

Mink, Sepia, and Solid Ragdolls:
Mink Ragdolls, Sepia Ragdolls, and Solid Ragdolls are rare types of Ragdolls that are TICA registered Pedigreed Ragdolls just like Pointed Ragdolls. Mink Ragdolls, Sepia Ragdolls and Solid Ragdolls have the same body style, temperament, and personality of Pointed Ragdolls.
The only true difference is their color.
The differences between a Mink Ragdoll and a Pointed Ragdoll:
Mink Ragdolls are born with their color, and have a richer colored more eye catching coat than pointed Ragdolls. Mink Ragdolls have Aqua colored eyes (sea blue-green) by the time they are 12 weeks old, instead of the blue Pointed Ragdolls have.Â
Aqua eyes can vary from blue with just a small hint of green to almost fully green eyes, but the most common is a very even blue green.
Pointed Ragdolls are born completely white and start slowly acquiring their color starting around 4 to 14 days old, and have sky blue eyes.Â
Aqua Eyes

When a Mink Ragdoll is bred to aÂPointed Ragdoll:
Born kittens can be mink and pointed.
When a Mink Ragdoll is bred to another Mink Ragdoll:
Born kittens can be Pointed, Mink, and Sepia.
When a Sepia Ragdoll is bred to a Pointed Ragdoll:
All born kittens will be Mink.
When a Sepia Ragdoll is bred to a Mink Ragdoll:
Born kittens can be Mink, and Sepia.
The difference between a Mink Ragdoll and a Sepia Ragdoll:
Sepia Ragdolls are substantially darker coated than their Mink Ragdoll Siblings. Where Mink Ragdolls can only have Aqua colored Eyes, Sepia Ragdolls can have Blue eyes or a rainbow of other colors. Â
Solid Ragdolls:
Solid Ragdolls are the darkest and highest contrast of all the ragdolls. Sepia, Mink, and Pointed Ragdolls all have varying shades of color throughout their coat. A solid does not have this variation, so a Black and White solid will have the strong bright white contrast against the rich dark black coloring. Here is a picture (Black and White Solid Ragdoll Pictured):

The 1st Ragdolls:
Understanding types of Ragdolls:
Non pointed Ragdolls have been in the Ragdoll breed since the start, they aren’t a new breed or a mix of breeds.
Solid, Mink, Sepia, BEW, and Pointed Ragdolls all have the same temperament, body style, ….ect
The only true difference is their color!
Geniticaly what makes these types of Ragdolls different:
Pointed Ragdolls have 2 Copies of the siamese color coat gene, making them a pointed cat with blue eyes, born without color and developing their markings as they grow, sometimes it takes upto 4 years to get their full color.
BEW Ragdolls (blue eyed white) have 2 copies of the siames color coat gene as well, as they are pointed Ragdolls genetically, only the white masks their true color. This white gene is not detected by any DNA test as of today, it is passed down throu generations from the mother of Ragdolls (Josephine-white angora in the above picture).
Mink Ragdolls have 1 copy of the siames color coat gene and 1 copy of the Burmese color coat gene, they are born with color and get darker as they age as well, the siames color coat gene makes their points (ears, face, feet, and tail) look darker than their body color, the burmese gene gives them their coat’s rich color.
Sepia Ragdolls have 2 copies of the Burmese color coat gene. They are so much like the Mink Ragdolls, only darker because of the extra Burmese gene.
Solid Ragdolls colors are very traditional, can be almost any color!Â
Changes taking place May 2025:
All Mink, Sepia, Solid, and White Ragdolls registered May 2025 or later will be registered as Cherubim. While traditional ones born in same litter will be registered as Ragdolls.
