Ragdoll: color variations, character and content rules

Ragdolls belong to large and peaceful breeds. They are popular among breeders and are the favorites of all household members. From the material in this article, you will learn how these cats look and where they came from, what their character is and how to properly provide them with proper care.

Ragdoll means "ragdoll" in translation. She owes her appearance to a Persian breeder from Riverside (USA), who bred Persian cats. The origin of the breed, which is the only one with a patent, dates back to 1963. Ann Baker, noticing an Angora cat at her neighbor, decided to mate her with a Burmese cat belonging to the Pennels family.

Both parents were calm, agreeable and obedient. It is not known for certain whether the accident caused the cat's complaisance, as a result of which it could become relaxed and even inhibited. However, Josephine (that was the name of the female) was very devoted to those who fed her. The cat had a beautiful and spectacular appearance, and all the neighbors especially liked her bright blue eyes.

Born kitten Daddy Warbuks and his descendant Fugianna became the first individuals of the breed recognized by the National Cat Fanciers Association (NCFA). The kittens were extremely amorphous, they could be shaken and squeezed as much as necessary. They inherited the static nature of their mother, had a fluffy fur coat and large blue eyes.

In the future, the breeder decided to pay attention to breeding new cats, paying special attention to preserving the qualities of the breed.Her main idea was to obtain a cat breed with a peaceful and docile nature. At one time, the American Ragdoll Club introduced requirements for its members, prohibiting the use of individuals of other species for breeding this breed. It was important for them to preserve external signs and character traits.

Ragdoll has a truly unique appearance. Representatives of this breed have a proportionally developed body, they are considered one of the largest domestic cats. The weight of an adult cat can reach 12 kg, while the female weighs about 3-4 kg less. The size of the animals is also impressive.

Sometimes Ragdolls are confused with their closest relatives - Burmese cats, the reason for which is the characteristic color. However, the standard in cats clearly delineates its characteristics. The shape of the head resembles a wide modified wedge with slightly smoothed outlines. The skull is flat, small, the forehead is slightly rounded, the muzzle is rounded.

Ragdoll's eyes are large and oval. They are moderately wide apart and slightly sloping (the outer corners are slightly raised). The cat's profile is somewhat curved, it ends with a straight, neat nose, the chin of the breed is well developed, and the bite is correct. The ears of cats are small, they are wide at the base and rounded at the ends, slightly tilted forward.

The cat's neck is quite powerful, it is proportional to the head and body. The body itself is not long, to some it seems rather stocky. The breast is strong and wide, with a fold of fat on the abdomen. Paws of pets are large, rounded, they differ in length - the hind paws are longer than the front ones. There is pubescence between the toes.

The body of the feline body is massive, the rear part is heavier. The width of the shoulders is comparable to the width of the pelvic region. The tail of the breed is long and thick, although it tapers towards the end. It is covered with long hair. The cat's coat itself is quite thick and silky.

The standard allows for long and medium lengths. However, the priority among breeders is precisely the long-haired type. At the same time, the length of the coat on different parts of the body is different. For example, it is longer on the tail, belly and sides. Plants also like the thick cheeks of cats, but the standard does not include some slanting of the eyes in individual cats, a Roman nose and an unnecessarily thick undercoat.

Today there are three types of ragdoll colors. The selection includes the following: coloppoint, mitted and bicolor. Each of them has its own nuances.

• Colorpoint means a light shade of a fur coat on the body, shaded with dark points on the head, legs and tail. The mask covers the forehead area. The lightest shade is found on the chest and neck.

• Mitted (or glove color) has a similar distribution of points. The difference is the white color of the paws. A strip of white runs from the chin and down through the chest, belly, ending at the base of the tail. At the same time, there is less white on the front legs, the color of the hind legs forms the so-called boots.

• Bicolor there is nothing more than a two-tone color. There is a clear contrast between areas of different colors. These cats have a white mark on their faces in the shape of the letter V. The dark pigment captures most of the forehead, the area around the eyes, and it is also on the cheeks. The back is lighter in comparison with the dark point, it can be spotted.

This makes each color variety special in its own way. For example, lilac point (or lilac color) in the breed is considered the most unique and rare. The main color of the fur coat of such cats is snow-white, the contrast color is an ivory shade with a subtle gray-pink undertone.

The standard recognizes as a point those hairs that are colored evenly along the entire length.Point brown (or chocolate) is based on a hint of warm baked milk. It is shaded by marks of the shade of milk chocolate, for which it received such a name. It is noteworthy that kittens are born white, and the final color is obtained by the age of two.

A blue point (or the so-called point blue) is nothing more than a coat with a basic light gray tint and dark gray points (marks) with a bluish undertone. Seal point is the classic color of the Siamese. The main background color is a shade of light tan, the color of the markings is dark brown.

It is worth considering that the standard does not include cats of black or red color... If they are trying to sell you such a kitten, you can be completely sure that he is not a representative of this breed - the "rag doll" does not have such colors.

Ragdolls are extremely socialized pets. They are very sociable and need constant communication and attention. Their habits and visual characteristics are indicative of phlegm. However, despite a certain relaxation, the movements of cats are graceful.

This is not to say that they are incredibly jumpy, which is due to the decreased muscle tone. However, they love to play with the owners, as well as to demonstrate their agility. At the same time, a considerable part of the representatives of this breed loves to sit on the pens, chat with the owner. Cats are far from idle, but when they get into their arms, they literally relax and dissolve in an embrace.

In this case, the pet can sit for a long time even in a position that is not completely comfortable for him. This must be taken into account by the breeder, because if the animal, which is in an unthinkable position, urgently needs to jump to the floor, this can injure him. You need to put the pussies on your hands and knees so that they can land on all four paws.

A pliable kitten or an adult cat will not resist if children take care of them. Squeezing will appeal to him, but there is a great risk that the child's careless movement will harm the pet. In this case, the fluffy may not react immediately due to the reduced pain threshold.

He agrees to endure a long move and a change of scenery, but just not the loss of precious communication. He will not take revenge on the owner for separation or severe reprimands - this is not his character.

Since childhood, kittens have a good memory and quick wits. They are devoid of any aggression, show curiosity and love to be in the center of events. Neither babies nor adults go into conflicts, they are not the instigators of them. Pets do not like loud screams or aggressive music. From time to time, they love to enjoy the silence and need their place. Without it, they often sleep in the master's bed.

Remarkable is the fact that cats often grow up to be monogamous. The male often takes care of the female for a long time, and this period can stretch over two to three years. Individual males rarely allow themselves to cover more than two females in their lives. Other interesting character traits include the ability to give in. These pussies do not enter into battle and do their best to avoid situations that may lead to this.

Ragdolls are affectionate and gentle, sitting in the hands of their owners, they only occasionally allow themselves to "talk". Their voice differs from the sometimes heart-rending sound of ordinary domestic cats: it is calmer and quieter. Moreover, the ragdoll will not make unnecessary sounds without doing anything. You have to try really hard to piss him off.

They quickly get used to the tray, scratching post, and their place.They adore various toys and can play with them both with the owner and without him, if you teach them this from childhood.

The life resource of the breed in question depends on various factors. The key criteria are conditions, quality of content. Despite the fact that most of the breed live to 12-15 years, life expectancy can vary. It is important to provide cats in panties balanced nutrition, timely vaccination and preventive examinations.

Reduce the life resource can inability to roll over in the air, which is fraught with injury. In addition, the diseases that the cats of this breed are prone to also affect the average life expectancy. For example, among pets there are individuals with hip dysplasia. In view of this, they may experience lameness or even complete immobility.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is noted in some cats with age. In order for a pet to live longer, its health should be treated with increased attention, regularly examining the work of the cardiovascular system. It should be noted that development in individuals of this breed is slow. Their period of physical maturation lasts an average of four years.

Those who decide to get fluffy ragdolls will have to take into account a lot of rules for their maintenance. For example, you will have to take care of buying the necessary things and utensils, buy personal hygiene products, find time for daily examinations, games, walks and other communication.

Ragdolls have a long coat, and therefore, during licking and shedding, it will be on all things at home. Despite the fact that the pets are quite clean and try to rid themselves of excess hair on their own, they cannot do without brushes, combs and furminator. Whoever says anything but without constant grooming, the appearance of cats will not be so beautiful.

It is necessary to comb out the fur coat at least once a week. During molting, this can be done more often (two to three times a week). If you use a comb with a trimmer comb, it will not only remove new hairs that hinder growth, but also massage the skin. Hair that has died off can accumulate in the fur coat. When a cat licks itself, most of it ends up in its stomach.

The use of brushes will reduce the amount of dead hair, which in turn is good in hot weather, when the animals are especially difficult due to the length of the hair. To facilitate the processing of the coat, the furminator comb is selected taking into account the length of the coat and the age of the cat. A simple device, similar to a safety razor, can easily remove dead hair without spending a lot of time. The distance between the teeth of the accessory is selected based on the thickness of the fur coat.

The pussy should be taught to hygienic procedures from a young age. Over time, she will calmly treat them, despite her dislike for water. Bathing her too often is not worth it: it is stressful for the pet. The multiplicity of the procedure will depend on the place of residence of the animal. For example, apartment cats need washing less often than their counterparts, who often walk on the street.

For bathing, you need to purchase special zooshapoons. In addition to them, manufacturers of soap products offer rinses to make the animal's fur obedient and silky. You cannot comb the wool immediately after bathing - this is done after drying. The noise of a hairdryer can scare complaisant pets, and therefore it is not always possible to count on it.

It is necessary to clean the eyes with special napkins, removing dirt from the corners of the eyes. In the absence of napkins to get rid of litter, you can use natural fabric with a soft texture.As for the ears, they are cleaned regularly, getting rid of the earwax with a napkin moistened with warm boiled water.

Despite the fact that ragdolls scratch extremely rarely, they still need to cut their claws. To shorten the duration of the procedure and not exhaust the animal, you can buy a nail clipper. Cutting lengths with it is easier and faster. In this case, the grown claws can be cut off at a time by no more than 1 mm. In addition to the clipper, you can purchase a scratching post so that your pet can sharpen its claws without aiming at the upholstered furniture or wallpaper.

The toilet for the pet is selected based on the size and what the kitten is accustomed to. As a rule, when he is taken from the nursery, he already knows perfectly well what it is, and therefore the box should be similar to the one he went to from the breeder before buying. Over time, it will be possible to change the size of the tray, select options with the desired height of the sides.

Given the weight and dimensions of the ragdoll, he should take a tray with high sides and a removable frame. This will help keep the space around the litter box from scattering the granular litter when the cat rakes the excrement with its paw, and not falling into the litter box when defecating. To prevent the unpleasant smell from spreading throughout the house, it is better to take wood filler. Sand or sawdust is not suitable for this: over and over again they will appear as a path from the tray to the toilet door.

You need to take a tray with rubberized legs. As a rule, such products do not need rubber mats under the box, they do not slip or turn over. The plastic should be strong and thick, which is especially important for models with a lattice (the material should not bend under the cat's weight). The size of the product is selected in such a way that the cat inside the container can turn. If it is cramped for him, he can look for another place for the toilet.

The choice of a bed for a pet depends on the preferences of the owner and his financial capabilities. The size should be sufficient for the comfortable accommodation of the animal, while the model can be very diverse. For example, it can be distinguished by the shape, the height of the sides, other options have a so-called entrance. They can be open or closed.

From the first day of stay in the house, the baby should have his own sleeping place. At the same time, the bed can be soft and low... The danger lies in the fact that pets tend to hide their ailments.

If the budget for the purchase is unlimited, you can buy two beds for the cat. This will protect the upholstered furniture, and the cat itself will allow you to relax and unwind. You should not buy hanging beds for these cats to minimize the risk of accidental falls. As for the options for houses in the form of a play complex, ragdolls do not need complex structures of several floors. However, one-story closed-type options with two or even three entrances are quite suitable for both recreation and active games.

The cat needs to choose the dishes that are comfortable. If it is cramped, the pet will constantly rub against its edges with vibrissae, which is associated with extremely unpleasant tactile sensations for him. In addition, with a small size of dishes, the pet can simply throw the contents out of the bowls in order to eat it without touching the walls of the containers.

A bowl of clean water near the pussy should always stand, you should not create situations in which the animal will be forced to look for liquid in different places of the house (for example, in the bathroom sink or in the kitchen). Moreover, the water in the bowl must always be fresh, it must be constantly changed.

Ragdolls are very fond of walking in the fresh air, but in most cases they themselves cannot walk without incident. Such walks can be stressful for them, because pets are not used to the aggressive behavior of street animals (in particular, dogs). They are defenseless in front of them, as well as in front of fast passing cars. To minimize the likelihood of injury to the animal, for a walk, you need to purchase a harness or collar.

The accessory will not let the pet get lost, because he himself will not be able to find his way home (applies to both kids and adults). Staying in the fresh air is good for cats: it strengthens weak immunity. Often, during a walk, hunting instincts wake up in pets. However, cats literally go limp and forget about everything in the world as soon as they find themselves in the owner's arms again.

Every time after a walk, you should examine the cat for fleas or ticks. If a problem is identified, you should urgently visit a veterinarian who will select the type of drug for parasites and tell you how to use it correctly. You cannot pull with such troubles: parasites multiply very quickly, which causes great discomfort to cats with fluffy hair.

Buying a kitten in a cattery, a breeder gets a baby with a veterinary passport and pedigree. At the moment, the baby is vaccinated, but the further vaccination schedule will depend on various factors. Usually, the veterinarian himself will appoint the time of the visit and the introduction of a particular vaccine. As a rule, these are regular vaccinations against parasites.

The timing of vaccinations may vary depending on the health of the pet. For example, if a cat is sick, the procedure is postponed until he recovers.

Ragdolls have an excellent appetite, and they do not have such a sin as obesity. Cats of this breed should not be given milk, since their body does not digest it well. Furry owners note that in most cases, ragdolls rarely eat natural food, preferring industrial food. Cats enjoy eating not only their dry variety, but also canned food, which is considered a special delicacy.

Cats need vitamins and minerals. They do not need porridge, as well as food from the human table: its use can harm the health of the pet. In addition, he is not allowed anything fatty, fried and smoked. Food purchased from a specialty store must be appropriate for the age and type of cats.

When choosing a feed, it is worth considering that it is far from universal, its composition is different, as well as the level of quality. Cheap food is not rich in vitamins, and often does not have any benefits for feline health at all. The choice of the manufacturer must be treated responsibly. For example, according to the assessment of some breeders, the products of companies have proven themselves well. Almo Nature and Schesir.

You should not immediately take food in a huge package, as there is a possibility that it may not suit a particular pet. It is important to give the ragdolls meat from time to time, but there are some nuances here. For example, pork is contraindicated for these cats, the meat should be lean. Chicken or beef will do.

In our country, it is not easy to acquire a kitten of this breed, since there are only a few catteries in the Russian Federation. Despite the fact that babies can be purchased from breeders in narrow circles of cat lovers, the choice is complicated by the class of cats. In most cases, the buyer will be offered a pet kitten (a kitten that is completely healthy, but not suitable for breeding).

These three-month-old pussies cost buyers 20,000-40,000 rubles. Their breeding-class cousins, recommended for participation in breeding, are much more expensive.

Despite the fact that kittens are born white, color spots begin to show through already on the 10th day from the moment of birth. They are taken from the nursery when the babies are already three or four months old, when their teeth have changed, the shape of the head and body has formed.

Sometimes the period of caring for the female is quite long, and the female simply does not allow her partner. It is desirable to have animals in the place of residence of the male, so that he feels confident and is not distracted by the development of the territory.

They bring the cat to the cat on the second or third day of estrus, leaving the cat with the owners for several days. The very same heat in females is relatively calm: cats do not emit heart-rending screams, do not roll on the floor, behave quite adequately. You cannot cross with other ragdoll breeds. At a time, a cat can bring three or four kittens, the upbringing of which she will be engaged in.

Cats are considered excellent mothers, they carefully monitor each baby, protecting him from an accidental fall, teach him to eat from a bowl.

Cat mating is done after its body is fully formed. As a rule, a couple of leaks are passed at the same time. The male at this moment may already be untied. It is not recommended to wash the cat before mating, so that the smell that attracts the cat remains.

The nature of ragdolls can be different, as evidenced by the comments of breeders left on the forums and information portals on the Internet. The owners note that these cats have a quiet and meek disposition, they are helpful and incredibly gentle. Some representatives of the breed are very active, they can wake up their owners in the morning, bite their fingers, and run with a ball. Others take courage at all and steal food from other pets living in the house.

However, most of the commentators point out: Ragdolls often ask for their hands and literally hang on them, not ceasing to rumble and enjoy the attention of the owners. They lull not only themselves, but sometimes the breeders, they can silently look into the eyes for a long time. But as for education, you cannot do without it: cats need to be taught the rules recognized in the house, in addition, they need constant control.

Breeders have different opinions regarding nutrition. The reason for this is the individual preferences of the pets themselves. Some of them are accustomed to dry food, and therefore can refuse natural food. Moreover, the owners believe that dry food is quite enough. Other breeders are sure that without natural food, the cat will not receive enough vitamins and nutrients for good health. Therefore, they feed pets with lean meat and seafood.

For information on how to care for and maintain ragdoll cats, see the next video.