“RagaMuffin vs. Ragdoll,” you’re typing these words late at night, hoping your search engine would offer more clarity than your friends and family. Oh, everybody seems to think you’ve gone off the deep end, wasting time figuring out the differences between these two fluffers.
But, they don’t seem to understand that you’ve been on the market for the purrfect pet because you’re tired of petting other people’s cats.
And, they don’t seem to understand that these two breeds aren’t that similar, regardless of what your friend Mark might utter under his breath. “You mean to tell me they aren’t the same cat!?” Ha-ha-ha, haven’t laughed that much… ever.
How come nobody understands everything that could go wrong when you’re choosing a cat? Sure, you wouldn’t regret getting any of these two breeds because they’re absolutely adorable. But, there’s something heartbreaking about the thought of getting one and secretly longing for the other.
And, before anyone suggests the impossible, you can’t get both of them because they’re freakin’ expensive. These bad boys go as high as $3,500 each when you’re getting them from a reputable breeder. That being said, you don’t want to get one from the black market because that’s not who you are as a person.
So, you’re typing “RagaMuffin vs. Ragdoll” and hoping your search bar would take you to an article written by a cat connoisseur and release you of your misery. And, what do you know? You’re here and we’re happy to have you! Here’s everything you need to know about these beautiful breeds.
RagaMuffin vs. Ragdoll: What sets them apart from each other?
RagaMuffins vs. Ragdolls is the fight you thought you’d never see. Well, the good news is you won’t here –because animal fights are disgusting and should be banned. On a brighter note, these two breeds are commonly confused due to their similar names and even more similar appearances.
But, as per our friends over at the Cat Fanciers’ Association, RaggaMuffins and Ragdolls are entirely different breeds with distinctive characteristics and purrsonalities.
While at first glance they might appear freakishly alike (large, fluffy, affectionate cats alike – who would’ve thought!?), the first difference you notice is the color of the fluff.
RagaMuffins can come sporting a bunch of different colors, but they’re predominantly white. And, most importantly, they don’t have areas that have to be emphasized with color (they don’t have “points.”)
On the other hand, Ragdolls have those points. Little areas around the eyes, ears, tails, and legs are emphasized with a darker color.
Oh, we can’t forget about the eyes because “the eyes never lie,” right? And, that’s true for these two beautiful beasts because you can totally tell them apart only by looking at their eyes. Ragamuffins have round eyes, while Ragdolls have those pointed, almond-shaped eyes that are almost always blue.
And, you might have guessed this yourself, these two are related! Of course, that would explain why everyone seems to think these two are the same. And, we’re here to set the record straight and prove they’re not. Buckle up because you’re about to learn which of these belongs in your home.
The lowdown on the RagaMuffin cat
Your search about RagaMuffins vs Ragdolls might not have answered everything you wanted to know right off the bat. But, you’re getting there. What’s the point of wondering which fluffer would make your life happier (and healthier) when you’re not planning on spending every waking hour researching about them?
We’re kidding (kind of), but we’re here to help! Circling back to our lovable RagaMuffins, these affectionate kitties are bound to make you love them as much as you love munching on your morning baked goods dipped in coffee.
Trust me, they’re as sweet as you might think, knowing they’re the embodiment of your favorite bakery product (quite literally!) But, they might not be as cheap as your coffee shop treat, though.
A RagaMuffin costs anywhere from $1,500 to $3,500 if from a reputable breeder. But, that’s not to say that you wouldn’t be able to get your hands on one of these cuties through the process of adoption, in which case, you’re looking in the vicinity of $60 to $350.
Or, maybe you’re even able to get them for free from a relative or a friend who has a litter (highly unlikely, though).
But, why are they so pricey? Worry not, here’s all you need to know about these purrinces and purrincesses to truly understand the price tag on their collar.
1. Physical appearance
RagaMuffins are a delicious-looking breed! With blue or green, walnut-shaped peepers; perked-up ears; and voluminous, fluffy coats, these bad boys absolutely account for everything you’ve ever heard about them. Oh, that RagaMuffin vs. Ragdoll battle we talked about would be a tight one, for sure!
RagaMuffins are “large and in charge,” to say the least! But that’s not to say you wouldn’t enjoy the company of a little muffin because these kitties don’t beef up until they turn four or five.
But, when they do grow bigger, they reach a staggering 15 inches in height and 20 pounds in weight. Not that you should ever ask a lady about her measurement, though!
And, we can’t forget the most adorable part of a RagaMuffin’s appearance. These affectionate fluffers might be more on the wild side than you thought.
Not only are they hefty and husky, but they don’t shy away from flaunting their bushy tails and fuzzy manes – quite lion-esque of them, don’t you think?
2. Purrsonality
“Teddy bears of the feline world” seems to be a fitting description for these beautiful beasts. Trust me, RagaMuffins appreciate those late-night cuddle sessions, lounging on the sofa and munching on your favorite snacks, and availing themselves in your presence.
And these meowers are accustomed to a lavish lifestyle from the get-go! They continue spending every penny you have to your name because they can’t spend a moment alone.
Trust me, they need pedigree companions to keep them entertained, toys galore to save them from boredom, and Fancy Feasts by the dozen to keep their not-so-little tummies satisfied.
But every effort you make means you have a friend for life. These gentle, generous giants give as much love as they earn. Not only do they have endless patience for your antics, but they make sure you understand why they’re the best thing that’s ever been yours every single day.
3. Health
When you’re overthinking and overanalyzing whether to go for RagaMuffins or Ragdolls, you might think to yourself, “But, health should be the most important aspect! Which one’s healthier?”
We’re here to let you know that you’re largely the one responsible for the longevity of your cat’s life (as well as the quality!)
What do we mean by that? While RagaMuffins are a hearty breed, there’s no way of knowing whether they’re going to battle a disease or other health problems as they grow older.
Nutrition, physical activity, environment, and lifestyle are only some of the factors that affect the general health of your fluffy friend.
Some of the standard health niggles fluffers deal with, regardless of breed, are kidney problems, heart problems, and dental issues (cue scheduling that dentist appointment right meow!) And, as for genetic health problems that a RagaMuffin might be susceptible to, there are a couple worth mentioning.
Arthritis and patellar luxation are possible because RagMuffins are large felines. Obesity might be another niggle to keep an eye out for because they absolutely love treats (or anything else they can get their paws on) but don’t love burning the calories.
Other than that, make sure you keep the quality of life up to par and they should be fine!
4. History
Oh, the tea seems to be piping hot and spilling everywhere with this one! Turns out RagaMuffins were created by the same person who created Ragdolls – no wonder everyone keeps getting them confused!
Ann Baker sure left her mark on the feline world with an array of breeds that became planetarily popular, but…
There always seems to be a but when we’re talking about her. Here’s the thing: Ann Baker didn’t seem to be fond of traditional breeding associations that were responsible for approving breeds.
So, after creating her Ragdolls, she went on and established her consortium, the International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA), in 1971.
And, here’s where the tea appears! Ann had decided to make the IRCA some sort of “members only” club with highly specific and strict breed standards and a prohibition of registering with other breeding associations.
Some of her colleagues weren’t happy with the way she established her association and decided to leave in 1992. After they had left, they were banned from referring to the breed as Ragdoll, which made them settle on a new name – RagaMuffin. And RagaMuffins were recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association a couple of years later.
Fun fact: RagaMuffins with similar color combinations to that of Ragdolls aren’t allowed to compete. What a shame, don’t you think!?
The mystery behind the Ragdoll cat
Figuring out everything there is to know about these two breeds might not help you choose, to be completely honest. But researching the essence of each breed should (at least) help you make a decision based on something more meaningful than “this one’s cuter.”
And, that makes even more sense when you work out that Ragdolls cost as much as RagaMuffins! Turns out nobody’s winning that “RagaMuffin vs. Ragdoll” battle when we’re talking money!
So, if cost was something you were concerned with, you might want to start putting a couple of dollars aside every time you utter, “Ragdolls are adorable” or “RagaMuffins have my heart.”
That’s right, at a reputable breeder, you’re looking at anything from $1,500 to $3,500 for a Ragdoll kitten. Adoption, as we’ve mentioned beforehand, doesn’t cost as much and typically ranges between $100 and $200.
Now, Ragdolls are popular worldwide. But, you might have a tough time trying to get your hands on one through an adoption agency (something to keep an eye on).
But, everything you think you know about Ragdolls becomes negligible the moment those ocean eyes meet yours. Trust me, you won’t be able to resist making her the center of your universe and spending every possible minute with her.
And, that’s why you should take a look at what we’ve gathered – quick before she gets you!
1. Physical appearance
Beauty’s certainly Ragdoll’s forte! With soft, silky coats; piercing blue eyes; and bushy tails, they might steal your heart before you manage to utter “We don’t need another cat!” Who doesn’t need a Ragdoll kitty that weighs more than your average watermelon!?
Other than that, Ragdolls are very, very fluffy. And, they’re pretty varied, which means you can choose which color or pattern suits your aesthetic best: colorpoint, bicolor, mitted, lynx point, or tortie point. Trust me, you won’t easily find a fluffer with that many coats to choose from – she’s a true fashionista!
2. Purrsonality
RagaMuffin versus Ragdoll personality check! These two breeds are super similar (which doesn’t seem weird when you remember they’re pretty much siblings, or at the very least cousins). Both RagaMuffins and Ragdolls are affectionate, loyal, and loving, making them the purrfect pets.
In fact, Ragdolls carry that name because of the way they go completely limp when you pick them up – like a ragdoll! They absolutely love when you treat them like babies. They adore cuddle and snuggle time as much as you can offer it.
Not to mention that they treasure when you carry them around, as if they can’t walk on their own. And they can’t because they hate being on their own.
Ragdolls are super smart, too! They respond great to training and are able to learn how to walk on a leash, play fetch, and do other dog-like activities.
However, they don’t appreciate physical activity as much as Norweigan Forest Cats and Siberian Cats. They’re more of a “lounge around and look pretty” type of cat!
3. Health
We won’t go on another rant about how the health of your fluffer depends on multiple factors – we’ve gone through that. And we won’t bore you with a detailed description of every health problem your fluffy friend might deal with, as is the case with every cat breed out there.
But, we can’t overlook the health niggles Ragdolls are genetically predisposed to dealing with (because you might end up getting one and not knowing how to deal with her).
Like Ragamuffins, Ragdolls are healthy and hearty cats (can we get a hooah!?) But, they might experience hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and urinary tract issues down the line.
That said, as long as you make sure you’ve got a great relationship with your veterinarian, you should be good to go!
4. History
And now for the back story! As mentioned before, Ann Baker was the breeder responsible for making the precious Ragdoll. She developed the breed somewhere around the 1960s in Riverside, California. And, she was very, very adamant to create a breed that’s gentle, tame, and kind.
Turns out she managed to do that, but not before she burned a lot of bridges. She became pretty eccentric with her comments and objectives for the Ragdoll breed, resulting in a bunch of other breeders leaving her side and them going their separate ways.
Whatever happened between them didn’t hurt the breed that much, though, because Ragdolls became recognized as purebred sometime around 1965. Actually, Taylor Swift got herself one and named her Benjamin Button. How cute does that sound!?
RagaMuffin vs. Ragdoll: Which “Rag” wins the battle?
Oh, neither win because we have a completely different winner! As you may have guessed, you’ve been the winner the entire time! Whichever of these absolutely adorable kitties you decide to rescue, adopt, or purchase, you’re the one going home with a BFF at the end of the day!
Who wouldn’t want to have a four-legged friend that’s affectionate, sweet, and made out of muffins (kind of)? And, who wouldn’t want to hang out with a fluffer that’s incredibly irresistible, even-tempered, and tolerant? Trust me, you couldn’t make a mistake even if you wanted to!
What are you waiting for, then? Muster up the courage and contact that breeder that’s been popping up on your Instagram page. Maybe he’s got a two-for-one deal on RagaMuffins and Ragdolls? Good luck!
Read more: Ragdoll Vs. Maine Coon: Your Friendly Feline Giants
