Expect the unexpected, we’d say! Ragamese cats are a mysterious melange of the simple, sleek Siamese cat and the stunning, silky soft Ragdoll cat. Rather than opting for one and wondering whether you’ve made the right choice, you can get your hands on the best of both worlds.
Whether you’re searching for an addition to your fluffy family or wondering about the appearance, purrsonality, and origins of Ragamese cats, we’ve got your back.
What are Ragamese cats? Where did they come from? What makes them the perfect pets? Read more down below!
What’s a Ragamese cat?
OK, Ragamese cats are a combination of the two popular breeds, Ragdoll and Siamese. On one hand, they’re supposed to be the perfect balance between the two breeds and assume the best characteristics of both of them. On the other, there’s no way of saying which characteristics they’re going to end up with.
But you don’t have to worry about that when you’re on the hunt for a Ragamese cat. You might not be able to predict what your Ragamese cat might look like or how she might behave, but both Ragdoll and Siamese cats have the reputation for being the biggest cuddle bundles and the cutest companions.
Right off the bat, Ragdolls are a gorgeous, gentle bunch that adores hanging out with humans, napping on the floor, and munching on paw-licking morsels. Not to mention that they were created with non-aggressive traits to ensure they’re the sweetest pets ever.
And, as for Siamese cats, there’s nothing negative about them, either. Siamese cats are affectionate, appreciative, and “dog-like” which means they’re perfect for everyone. Oh and, they are one of the oldest existing breeds out there, which attests to the fact how treasured they are.
When you combine the characteristics of each, then, you get the essence of a Ragamese cat – or at least what a Ragamese cat should be like.
What’s there to know about Ragamese cats before bringing one home?
1. Where do they come from?
Ragamese cats were created for people who wanted cute, cuddly, and fluffy Ragdolls with the purrsonality of a Siamese cat (more energetic, physically active, and entertaining). But, we don’t really have the exact timeframe of when the first Ragamese cat appeared.
Now, Ragdoll cats were developed around the 1960s by a breeder named Ann Baker. She wanted to create a gorgeous, gentle breed that made for the perfect family pet. She opted for the name “Ragdoll” because the breed tended to become flabby when picked up.
Siamese cats, on the other hand, appeared much, much sooner. Siamese cats, one of the oldest Asian cats, were treasured by royalty, adored, and cherished throughout history. Actually, that’s why they earned the title “Royal Cats of Siam.”
That is also why they’re one of the most popular breeds around the world, too. At the end of the day, we can say with certainty that Ragamese kitties didn’t exist before the 1960s which means they’re quite a novice breed.
We do, however, need to mention that Ragamese cats haven’t been recognized and accepted by the Cat Fanciers’ Association or the International Cat Association, yet.
2. What do they look like?
Oh, Ragamese cats are the best of both worlds!
When you combine two breeds, you never know what you’re going to get – their kittens might turn out to be the perfect balance between the two or resemble one of the breeds more. We suggest getting one of the two breeds on the off chance that you start favoring one over the other.
Ragamese cats are, for the most part, born white. They develop different markings as they grow older, and they’re known to take on numerous colors and patterns, including lilac, brown, blue, and tabby. They’re typically darker around their faces, ears, and tails.
They’re medium-sized, too, even though they’re known to grow bigger and better like Ragdolls. They’re generally more similar to Ragdolls because of their long, luscious coat, bright, blue eyes, and round puffy paws. However, the signature markings of a Siamese cat give away the fact that they’re not Ragdolls.
3. What’s their temperament like?
Kittens with parents of different breeds are a Russian roulette. You never know what you’re getting because they’re a combination of both parents. Ragamese cats are no different – they’re affectionate and even-tempered like Ragdolls, as well as energetic and easy-going as Siamese cats.
Where do we even start?
When you get your hands on a Ragemse kitten, you can expect to have a friend for life.
Ragamese cats are obsessed with humans and don’t shy away from showing affection at all times. They’re going to follow you around the apartment, sleep next to your feet at night, and stare at you. They’re going to need your attention no matter what you’re doing.
But, they’re also going to cause trouble, escape through the window, and run around the streets, too – if you forget to take them for a walk. Before you give them a go, make sure you have enough time on your hands to ensure you’re capable of providing them with everything they need.
4. What are their living needs?
Ragamese cats are super simple to care for, depending on your personal preferences.
We need to underline that because some pet parents prefer cats that don’t require any time, effort, or energy to be happy and healthy. We wouldn’t accuse Ragamese cats of being high-maintenance, but we wouldn’t say they’re fit to be on their own, either.
Ragamese cats crave company and thrive when they’re hanging out with humans, other cats, and even dogs.
They’re quite energetic (courtesy of Siamese cats) which means you need to provide them with enough space to run around, mental stimulation to keep them engaged and entertained, and affection to keep them happy.
They’re known to suffer from separation anxiety, too, which means you need to be able to spend as much time with them as you can. You can leave for work, but you can’t leave them alone for longer than a couple of hours. That’s pretty much everything you need to do, though.
5. What are their grooming needs?
Ragamese cats typically take the soft, silky coats from Ragdoll cats which means they’re not as stubbly as Siamese cats.
Not to worry, though, because Ragamese kitties know how to take care of themselves. They groom themselves whenever they get the chance and they even remind you when they need a bath – Ragmese cats aren’t afraid of water. They bathe themselves sometimes, too.
When you notice your Ragamese cat appears greasy, dirty, or muddy, please don’t shy away from brushing her coat to get rid of dirt and debris and bathing her with a gentle shampoo and warm water. We suggest throwing a pampering party now and then, too.
6. How healthy are they?
Ragamese kitties are generally healthy, but there are a few things that can affect whether or not they’re going to suffer from health problems.
With proper nutrition, physical activity, regular vet checkups, and good genetics you shouldn’t worry about your Ragamese getting sick – but these mysterious moggies are known to take on some of the parents’ health niggles, though.
Ragdoll cats, for example, are prone to conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and polycystic kidney diseases (PKD), as well as urinary tract infections and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Siamese cats, however, oftentimes suffer from progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), several types of cancer, asthma, and feline hyperesthesia syndrome. With that out of the way, we do need to mention that most Ragamese cats live long, happy, and healthy lives.
7. How much money do you need to pay for them?
Cats, Ragamese or otherwise, cost a lot of money!
When you’re planning on getting a fluffy friend, you need to account for the price you’re going to pay to the breeder, as well as cat food, a cat carrier, a cat bed, a litter box, cat toys, cat treats, and grooming. Not to mention the regular vet checkups and other health-related expenses.
But, when we’re referring to the average cost of a Ragamese cat, you’re probably going to pay somewhere between $800 and $1,200.
Now, that’s the price you’re looking at when you decide to get your Ragamese from a breeder. Rescue centers and shelters are cheaper than that, but you might have a hard time finding a Ragamese there.
8. What are they like with other cats?
Because both Ragdoll and Siamese cats are affectionate, gentle, and easy-going, there’s no surprise that Ragamese cats are the same.
Contrary to what you might have thought, Ragamese cats prefer company over solitude. You might even notice signs of separation anxiety when you leave them alone for more than a few hours a day.
So, you better get your Ragamese cat a companion, whether that’s another Ragmese, a Ragdoll, or even a Siamese. Some of the other breeds they’re likely to get along with are Maine Coon, Burmese, and Persian.
Read more: Unraveling The Charms Of A Siamese Russian Blue Mix
