If you’ve never heard of the Raas cat before, that’s okay. It’s probably because this breed isn’t as popular as some others. This breed is unique in a variety of ways, including its gorgeous looks and kind disposition. That’s why many cat owners consider them to be the ideal pets.
The fact remains, though, that not everyone is a good match for this feline. Although we would love to care for them, the Raas cat can require a lot of attention.
Sometimes, a pet will just have too strong of a personality for its owner. Although you might feel discouraged, it’s okay to admit to yourself that you’re not able to handle a breed well.
When seeking a specific pet, you must first read about the breed’s characteristics. Even the smallest details might make a huge difference. You should pay attention to the cat’s heritage, personality traits, and health issues.
Most of the time, all of these things tend to get ignored. Usually, people are in awe of the pet’s beauty and friendliness. However, this is a wrong approach because looks can be quite deceiving.
The Raas cat might look absolutely stunning and cuddly. However, they can be a bit moody at times and certainly aren’t the breed for every cat parent, especially those new to the cat world.
But if you’re really blown away by this magnificent specimen and want to know more about them, we can definitely help you with that! Let’s dig in!
The origins of the Raas cat
The Raas cat originated on the Raas island in Indonesia. Obviously, it’s where they get their name from. I know, not so original but hey, other popular felines have also inherited their name in the same way, such as the Maine Coon.
The Maine Coon cat soon reached popularity across the world and therefore, traveled some long distances and reached many countries. On the other hand, this wasn’t the case with the Raas cat breed.
The fun fact about the Raas cat is that almost every feline is still living on this island. There are only a few beauties living outside of it. This is also the reason why this breed has kept its original appearance and character.
Because it’s a relatively uncommon species and they can be a bit stubborn and naughty, this breed wasn’t distributed as widely as other popular ones, such as the Persian.
However, most people appreciate the Raas cat for still having its original looks – a round head, short legs, and lengthy body, similar to other Asian cat varieties. Also, people are blown away by their emerald eyes and dark colored-coat. Who could resist this beauty?
This breed comes with many surprises, as we can see, but I think this is the most shocking one. The Raas were bred to be hunting felines. I know, so exciting! How many times did you hear of a hunter cat? Well, I know what I’d be naming my Raas cat if I ever get one!
However, this might be an issue for some people. Just like hunting dogs, this cat’s instincts are strong and she desires to do what she was bred for. Therefore, it can be quite challenging to raise such a motivated feline.
That’s why you’ll need to put in much time and effort to socialize your pet in the best way possible. Otherwise, this could be the ground for some behavioral issues in the future.
Physical characteristics
The Raas has an alluring look. They have squarish features, trapezoidal ears, and brilliant dark green eyes. I like to call them the sirens of the cat world. They lure you in like a flame to the moth and you simply remain in awe of their looks.
Another trait of the Raas cats’ graceful appearance is their medium-sized tail tip which bends slightly. They have uniform coats of one hue. The normal coat color of these short-haired cats is gray, blue, chocolate, black, or brown.
However, finding a brown-coated Raas is uncommon. Either way, I believe here’re quite satisfied with what we got. Raas cats are slightly larger than the typical domestic cat in terms of physical size.
A male cat of this species weighs about 15 pounds on average and is typically two feet tall. Their large size might remind you of a Bengal or a Savannah cat.
Personality traits of the breed
Despite its large size, the Raas isn’t particularly nasty or aggressive. But, they might show their wild side from time to time. Some pet owners will have a hard time taming these felines because they can be quite unpredictable.
Remember that a Raas cat needs regular exercise and can’t be left alone for long periods of time. These felines undoubtedly appear more serious or enigmatic than other cats due to their dark appearance and historical background.
Although Raas cats are fun and active, they aren’t the most affectionate. As a result, you’ll need to train your cat and invest a lot of work into creating a pleasant environment for them.
These interesting creatures, on the other hand, have robust personalities and don’t submit to orders from humans with ease. They dislike following commands from others, so don’t expect the Raas to sit pretty when you ask her to.
Raas can be domesticated, but it will take some practice. In the meantime, protect your furnishings from their pointed claws. Until she learns not to scratch or bite, you should also keep your skin covered if you come across a really angry Raas cat.
Things to keep in mind about the Raas cat
Just like with every feline, you need to take things slow with this breed. They might require a bit more patience and work than other furry companions.
Just a heads up, if you’re a first-time cat parent looking specifically for this breed, I strongly suggest you rethink your choice. The Raas cat isn’t a perfect match for everyone, especially inexperienced pet owners.
You need to know a feline’s behavior because it can be unpredictable at times. However, if you’re really into getting one of your own Raas cats, you might as well be aware of the following.
1. They’re hard to train
There are some pets that are easy to train. They follow your commands and they pick up new things rather fast. All it takes is a little bit of patience and some really tasty treats.
However, we all know cats aren’t keen on learning new tricks like dogs are, for instance. So, it’s no wonder that the Raas cat doesn’t really enjoy listening to commands.
Usually, these felines won’t resort to violence when you bother them. But, if you continue to force new things upon your pet, you might really get yourself in trouble.
When she loses her cool, the Raas cat might exhibit hostile behavior toward other people and animals. Therefore, negging and pushing won’t bring you any luck with these felines.
2. The Raas cat can be moody
The Raas cats are famous for their stubbornness, which contrasts with their enigmatic origin. These cats don’t listen to directions from other people, as I previously mentioned.
The difficulty of taming and adjusting a Raas would be worth it for the reward of their beauty. Your cat will feel more at ease if you give her some space and keep her inside her crate for the first few days. That way, she can get used to her new surroundings.
If she’s feeling a bit under the weather lately, you might notice your feline hiding in the corners of the house or even cowering away from you. This could be a sign of distress or pain.
However, the Raas could get in this kind of mood without apparent reason. Therefore, we can safely say these pets aren’t suitable for a busy household. They need more space since they weren’t bred to be lap cats.
3. They’re not child-friendly
Raas cats can be kept as pets because they are domesticated felines. However, there’s a bit of bad news regarding this breed and its life indoors.
Cat lovers will fall head over heels for their striking appearance due to their stunning looks. Sadly, in the beginning, this love would not be reciprocated.
Raas cats don’t get along well with people and are frequently uneasy around strangers. They find it difficult to adapt to multiple humans around. The perfect owner for this cat would be a patient cat lover who has the temperament to deal with the Raas cat’s strong personality.
This leads us to the point that the Raas don’t get along with children, especially younger ones. We know toddlers and young kids aren’t able to read feline body language yet.
They can’t really tell whether they’re annoying the cat and if she’s going to strike and give them a warning. Therefore, it’s up to us to provide our pets with a stress-free environment that suits their needs.
Although Raas cats are active, they are not a good choice for households with young children.
Parents of young children should seek more friendly and tolerant cat breeds, such as Ragdolls. A Raas cat may get scared due to young children’s frequent rough treatment of cats.
4. They have high energy levels
Raas cats have a lot of energy, so you’ll need to give them lots to do to keep them satisfied. You should maybe even consider getting your pet a furry companion so she can burn off the energy with them. However, you must consider that these pets can sometimes be a bit hostile.
Clicker training, using pet toys, and engaging in games like fetch are additional ways to keep your cat active and entertained.
You should consider letting your Raas cat play outside every day under supervision if your home doesn’t have a suitable space for them to be physically active if you want to maintain their health.
If that’s where she spends most of her time, you must acquire a substantial indoor cat tree so she can climb, scratch, and stretch her muscles.
Bottom line
We tried to summarise some of the main points regarding this majestic breed. Although we don’t know much about their origin except they come from Indonesia, we know that we’re extremely thankful for their existence.
However, no matter how much you might be admiring the Raas cat’s looks, you must know that this breed isn’t suitable for everyone. They can be hostile to strangers and wary of other animals. Also, they have high levels of energy they need to burn on a daily basis.
So, it’s safe to say that the Raas cats are tough nuts to crack as it won’t be easy to change their manners. I guess their personality is too fierce to tame.
Here’s another interesting breed: Mandalay Cat: What Makes These Curious Creatures So Rare?
