The first time my Lynx Point Ragdoll came home, I was in awe. I’m not exaggerating, I was literally starstruck. Call it whatever you want, but I know that I just couldn’t keep my eyes off her.
She looked like an angel, although not a thoroughly white one. But that’s really what makes these felines so special, their markings. This might sound weird but I can kind of see them as little domesticated pandas.
They’re fluffy, which in turn makes them appear chubby (well, my cat doesn’t just appear to be…), and their beautiful colors are just in the right places. However, I didn’t know much about her breed even when I brought her home.
If you’ve ever heard of this breed before, then it was probably for a reason. And this might be their perfect temperament. These cats are known to have a dog-like nature as they’re extremely loving and affectionate.
One of the main reasons why Ragdolls are among the favorite pets in the cat world is because of their docile nature. I’m not really sure if I brought home a dog disguised as a feline!
She loves to follow me around the house, asking for attention. And of course, I can’t go to bed alone because she has to accompany me there. The more you spend time with Ragdolls, the more you understand where the nickname comes from.
It’s like having a stuffed doll around your house that occasionally meows and stretches from time to time. Really, there’s not much activity going on when it comes to these felines.
The origins of the Ragdoll cat
Although we’d love to know the full background story of this beautiful specimen, we’re not entirely sure when it comes to its origins. But the one thing we do know is that we’re extremely thankful to whoever came up with the idea of a Ragdoll.
There’s one story about a white cat named Josephine who was expecting a baby and got hurt in a car accident in the early 1960s. Josephine, presumably a Persian cat, had litters sired by several unidentified male Birman cats, one of which was colored with Siamese markings.
After she healed from her wounds, Josephine gave birth to kittens that were unlike any others anyone had ever seen. No evidence has been found to support any of the claims that this laid-back personality was related to the vehicle accident.
When the next litter produced more of the same, Ann Baker, a close neighbor who thought it was something special, bought a number of kittens from the owner and started working on developing what is now known as the Ragdoll.
While this sounds like a sad story from the start, it actually turned out to be a pretty happy one. The cats were alright and humankind was granted one of the best cats in the entire world.
What about their personality?
A Ragdoll cat is the fantasy of most cat owners, it’s that simple. They are the kind of cat that follows you around the house and begs for more affection and scratches. Who doesn’t want that?!
Just picture arriving home after a long day at work to find your pet waiting to shower you with affection and help you forget about the struggles you face every day. I wouldn’t be happier.
Ragdolls get their moniker because they frequently become limp when picked up. They’re like teddy bear animals that are just waiting for all of your love and care.
When I first went to pet my Lynx Point Ragdoll, she frightened me by just going numb. I thought that maybe this was a dangerous behavior or one that indicates a problem.
“Perhaps she’s scared because she only met me. I know cats don’t do well with change, and this new experience might stress her out. Maybe she doesn’t like me and this is her way of showing her dissatisfaction. Oh my God, is she sick?!”
Like every pet parent, especially one who only adopted a cat recently, I was out of my mind. I was going berserk because I thought she doesn’t even like me and that maybe there was something wrong with her.
Thankfully, I was just overthinking it. When I read about Ragdoll’s personality, I sighed a few breaths of relief. And then, I thanked the heavens that I got the most purrfect cat in the world!
So, if you just got yourself a Lynx Point Ragdoll cat, then this is what you can expect.
1. Laid-back
As you might’ve guessed from the experience of a panicked first-time cat parent, these felines are very chill and easygoing. It’s like they don’t have a care in the world (except having breakfast strictly at 7.00 am, and not a minute late).
The Lynx Point Ragdoll is a dream come true for every pet parent who wants to share their life with these laid-back creatures. Give her some food, high-value treats (because they’re royalty, of course), and all of your affection.
They don’t ask for much, the only thing they want is to be loved. If you’re someone who has lots of love to give to others, Ragdoll is definitely the right match for you. And don’t worry, she’ll have plenty to give back.
One of the advantages of their chill personality is that they can adapt to various households and environments. You’re single in a small apartment? No problem.
You lead a very busy life and you work eight-hour shifts? It’s fine, she’ll manage by herself. Do you have a family with small kids who can be loud and rambunctious? Don’t fret, she’ll fit right in.
This breed of cat is simply purrfect because she easily adapts to her surroundings. She doesn’t have a problem with being loved by small kids who always want to carry her around.
Maybe you’re worried because you have a dog and you know that these two are old enemies. Well, I’m glad to tell you that these cats get along with dogs without problems.
2. “Play? What’s that?”
If you have kids who are looking for a pet to play with, perhaps they’ll be disappointed by the Lynx Point Ragdoll. Yes, they have a dog-like personality, but not the same activity levels.
I know you’ve probably bought all the interactive toys and different stuff for her to entertain herself. Well, this was completely unnecessary because she won’t even bother to look at them.
Ragdolls can be active when they want but this isn’t really a common occurrence. You’ll find her on her back, bunny-kicking her toys, and that’s about it.
It’s rare to see this breed of cat frolicking around and jumping from place to place. She can cuddle and give you lots and lots of kisses but don’t expect her to play a trick or fool around for you.
If she has a cat or a dog sibling, she might engage in certain activities with them from time to time. It’s possible that they could animate her but her batteries run out quickly. For a stuffed doll, this is expected!
3. Clingy
When you were looking to get the Lynx Point Ragdoll, I’m sure you didn’t think of getting another toddler. Perhaps you have two small kids at home who wished for a pet for their birthday.
Adopting a dog would be too much of a responsibility for you so you decide on the easygoing feline. If you thought that a dog would be needy, oh boy, were you wrong.
We know that cats are usually independent and they like to do things in their own way and in their own pace. They don’t mind staying home alone and spending time by themselves.
Well, this might be the rule for other cats, but not the Ragdoll. They don’t like a solitary life and they don’t do well alone at home. Sure, Ragdolls can be left home alone but not for a long time.
She’ll probably be the one to wake you up in the mornings before your alarm clock. She’ll either ask for food or get under the covers to cuddle for a bit longer. She isn’t in a hurry to get anywhere after all.
Physical features of a Lynx Point Ragdoll
Ragdolls possess distinctive physical traits. Ragdolls have white fur all over, with hints of different colors on their heads, tails, and legs. This might remind you of Siamese or Birman cats. They do have piercing blue eyes as well. Talk about the beauty!
What’s interesting about this breed of cat is that the Lynx Point Ragdolls can be twice the size of an average domestic feline. Since Ragdolls can weigh up to 20 pounds, both a male and a female will outgrow a lot of other domestic cats.
They also have two layers of thick, fluffy fur on their bodies. Because it feels so soft to the touch and actually resembles a plush stuffed animal, people usually go crazy about it!
This fur requires more attention and combing than a Savannah’s thin, silky fur, for instance, making it more difficult to maintain.
They could appear larger than they are because of their thick coat. The tail, which is far longer than that of other cat breeds, also helps with that.
All in all, they look as soft as a cloud and they feel comfortable as a big, fluffy pillow. All you want to do is tangle your fingers in their double coat and snooze off.
Main patterns of a Ragdoll cat
Ragdolls can have three patterns: bicolor, colorpoint, and mitted. Pointed coats resemble a traditional Ragdoll.
A coloration described as “pointed” or “point coloration” has a light body and somewhat dark extremities, such as the face, ears, feet, and tail.
Traditionally, Ragdolls are always born white. They begin to gradually develop color at around one week of age, but they don’t fully develop color until they are between three and four years old.
When it comes to felines with a mitted pattern, these Ragdolls are identical, except for the striking feature that is the white on their paws. Isn’t that adorable?
On the front feet, these white markings are referred to as mittens, and on the back legs, as white boots. Ragdolls with mittens should also have a white chin and a darker facial center. Also, the tail and ears are the same as those of a colorpoint.
Last but not least, we have the bicolor cats where two colors make up a bicolor. These Ragdolls have pink noses and an inverted white V on their faces. Adorable enough to boop the snoot!
The second color is on the ears, tail, snout, and a paler color in a saddle-like pattern on their back. Also, they have adorable white legs and an adorably white underbelly.
A Lynx Point Ragdoll and their colors
Ragdolls of the Lynx kind, have a pattern that combines one of the three fundamental patterns: colorpoint, mitted, or bicolor, with an overlay pattern of stripes on various body parts.
The cat’s primary color and the color of the stripes match. Combinations of the fundamental patterns make up the variety of Lynx Ragdolls.
A Lynx Point Ragdoll has a reddish-to-pink nose and no color inside the ears. The color of the points is used to outline the nose.
Depending on whether there is or is not white on the face, the M-shaped mark created by the stripes on the forehead may be more or less obvious.
The hair inside the ears, the lip and ear contours, and the area of the patterns next to the nostrils are all broken white. Their legs and tails exhibit rings.
The rest of the body may also have stripes or marks, although due to their color, they are typically rarely noticeable.
1. Blue Lynx Point Ragdoll
Blue is a dark, bluish-gray color; the points of a blue Ragdoll are also grayish-blue in color. The body’s color is pale platinum, and the bluish-grey tone eventually becomes paler toward the chest and stomach.
The skin on the nose and paw pads is dark blue-gray in color. I know what I’d be naming a Blue Point Lynx!
2. Seal Lynx Point Ragdoll
Seal Lynx is a nearly-black shade of dark brown. The points of a Seal Ragdoll are also a rich, dark brown color. The body color can range from a medium brown that darkens with age to an even smoky light brown.
On the belly and the chest, there can be some slow fading toward a lighter color. My friend has a Seal Lynx Ragdoll and although the name isn’t really original (the name is Seal, of course), it really describes her personality.
3. Chocolate Lynx Point Ragdoll
The fluffy and soft coat of this Ragdoll’s body is ivory. Ghost striping or ticking may be noticed as the body shading.
It’s not enough that the Lynx point Ragdoll is adorable on its own. In addition, this chocolate-colored cat even resembles one of the sweetest treats out there.
Warm, milk-chocolate shade colors the ears, which have a lighter fingerprint in the middle. Either cinnamon or pink leather with cinnamon edges makes up the nose.
4. Lilac Lynx Point Ragdoll
The body of a Lilac Lynx Point Ragdoll is ice-cold white. Their bodies may be ghost-striped, their points are prominent and separated by lighter backdrop color, and they are frosty grey with pinkish tone bars.
Frosty grey ears have a pinkish undertone and a paler fingerprint in the middle. Either lavender-pink or pink with lavender-pink edges makes up the nose color.
5. Flame or Red Lynx Point Ragdoll
Red is the color that most reddish cats have, as you may have noticed (more of an apricot color). The tips of a red ragdoll are deep orange-red in color.
The red ragdoll’s body is a warm, even shade of creamy white with any shading leaning toward the same tone as the points. The tiny cute button that serves as her nose and paw pads are hot-pink in color.
6. Cream Lynx Point Ragdoll
White or Cream Lynx Point Ragdoll has a bright white body. You may notice ghost striping or ticking (small spots spread out) as the body shading. Pale buff cream to light pinkish cream bars may be seen in the points, and they are distinct and spaced out by a lighter backdrop color.
With a paler thumbprint in the middle, the ears range in color from light buff cream to light pinkish cream. The paw pads and nose skin have a flesh-to-coral pink hue.
The double coat of the Ragdoll cat
Perhaps your previous pet had a shorter coat so you’re not really used to having so much fluff around. However, you do enjoy your cuddles because of the soft fur. I can see another reason why these cats were named Ragdoll besides their docile nature.
Cuddling with your feline might feel as if you’re on the could nine! Jokes aside, this amount of hair might actually frighten you. What are you going to do with this bunch of fur? How on earth do you maintain a Lynx Point Ragdoll’s coat?!
Because they have a double coat and one that’s longer than other cats’ coats, you’ll have to be truly patient. This might be difficult if your feline doesn’t like to be groomed.
I know you can’t help but wonder why would you need to brush and clean your pet’s fur when she has it all covered. It’s safe to say that cats are meticulous creatures and they basically pay attention to the smallest of details.
You’ll see your pet licking or bathing herself more than once throughout the day. It’s one of the things they’re really adamant about. Hygiene is their main priority and that’s why we love them. However, your pet could use some help with all that fur.
The double coat of the Lynx Point Ragdoll cat can be a deal-breaker for some pet owners because they don’t feel like they can handle it. Thankfully, their relaxed temperament allows for an easy visit to a professional.
Ragdolls might be tame but their fur certainly isn’t. That’s why you need to devote your time to brushing it and keeping it overall healthy. Otherwise, your pet could get in some serious trouble if the fur gets matted or dirty.
Tangles and mats can be a pain in the neck and could cause certain skin conditions such as rashes, and, obviously, great discomfort. You don’t want this to happen, so here’s a tip on how to help your cat’s case.
A visit to the salon or a DIY?
You sit down in front of your pet and start preparing for the worst. Your cat rolled in the dirt a minute ago, and although you don’t know why, you know you need to do something about it, ASAP.
You just got that brand-new sofa you wanted for so long. Now, you don’t want it to get ruined and have pawprints all over it because your feline decided it was time to take a bath in the dirt.
You know this isn’t going to be an easy task because just look at all that fur! It’s definitely one of the Ragdoll’s distinct characteristics so you’re not looking to ruin it.
Some people might let the situation can out of hand which can result in matting and tangles. Unfortunately, many people then decide to take the easy route and just shave it all off.
This isn’t really recommendable even though your pet’s an indoor cat. The double coat of the Lynx Point Ragdoll serves multiple purposes. However, one of the most obvious and expected is that it keeps them warm.
Also, these cats don’t really know how to dependent themselves if they were ever to be attacked by another predator. Therefore, they just might be saved by their thick, double-coated fur. (No bells this time.)
If you’re struggling to maintain the thick and luscious fur, I strongly advise visiting the groomer. Ragdolls are good with strangers so there’s probably nothing to worry about. While doing this, you’re preventing the ruining of the coat and many other issues.
And let’s be honest, you wanna keep that fur healthy and glowy as there’s nothing better than coming home after a long day at work and cuddling with your Ragdoll beauty. We’re all jealous of you!
Find out more about this breed: Do Ragdoll Cats Shed, Or Do They Always Keep Their Coats On?
