After much thought, you have decided that a Ragdoll is the ideal cat for you and your family.
This kitty has wonderfully long fur and an impressive size, but those aren’t the best things about her. The Ragdoll is a playful, sweet, and gentle cat that really makes a wonderful pet.
They are highly social and enjoy cuddling with their owners.
When you read these characteristics, it’s hard to even imagine that there are bad things about Ragdolls. What could possibly be wrong with this breed?
However, there are good and bad sides to everything. Therefore, it would be useful for all potential future owners to read the following Ragdoll characteristics that are part of these cats’ nature and should not be ignored.
After all, you should be sharing your home with this cat for many years to come. Here are some downsides of Ragdolls you should be aware of.
1. Shedding Amounts
Ragdolls have long coats, meaning that you can expect them to shed. This can isn’t considered hypoallergenic, so, there is a fair possibility it might cause allergic reactions in humans.
These cats will shed throughout the whole year, but will shed even larger amounts of hair during spring and fall.
So, being a Ragdoll owner means being prepared for a lot of grooming. Of course, all cats shed to some extent, but, if you are looking to minimize brushing as much as possible, you should consider other options instead of choosing the long-haired Ragdoll.
2. Laziness
The Ragdoll is a low-energy breed. This means that your cat’s favorite activity will most likely be lying around and doing nothing.
So, if you’re looking for an active kitten that loves to run and jump around, this trait can be seen as another bad thing about the Ragdoll breed.
A Ragdoll will usually prefer to be held in your arms rather than engage in any kind of exercise.
Most likely, you won’t even need to buy a cat tree for your Ragdoll, since you’ll rarely see it jumping or climbing anywhere.
Since this is one of the rare cats that actually like to be held, many owners even encourage the Ragdoll’s lazy nature by carrying them around.
3. Separation Anxiety
Ragdolls tend to bond very deeply with their owners, which is, of course, a great thing, and something all cat parents would like to experience.
However, this bond might be too much for some people. Ragdolls can get so close with their humans, that they might even suffer from separation anxiety when they’re away.
Cats might seem independent, but some of them might still develop separation-related problems.
Daiana de Souza Machado and her associates [1] explain how some of the most common symptoms of separation anxiety in felines are destructive behavior, excessive vocalization, aggressiveness, and urination in inappropriate places.
Ragdolls crave attention and affection, and this can be too much for people who have busy schedules.
Nobody wants to come home to destroyed furniture or a whining kitten. So, if you need to spend longer periods of time away from home, and you have no one to check on your cat while you’re absent, a Ragdoll might not be the best choice for you.
4. They Are Indoor Cats
If you would prefer to have a cat that can spend time both indoors and outdoors, this is another bad thing about Ragdolls – this cat shouldn’t be left outside.
The Ragdoll is so docile and kind that it probably won’t succeed in defending itself in the outside world.
They are meant to live inside the home where they will get all the love and attention from their humans.
There are some minor risks of letting a Ragdoll go outside, such as ending up with tangled fur, and some higher risks – even fatal outcomes – as a result of accidents or the cat getting lost.
Therefore, anyone looking for a cat that can go outside without having to worry should probably look for another, more confident, and agile breed.
5. They Are Expensive
You probably consider a cat’s temperament, behavior, appearance, and care when it comes to deciding which breed will suit you the best.
But, I believe all of you also care greatly about the cat’s price.
This could be seen as a negative side of the Ragdoll breed for some people. Ragdoll is an expensive cat, costing around $800 to $3,500 on average.
This cat’s price depends on factors such as the breeder’s reputation and its bloodline. Of course, this is only the initial price. There are also living expenses, such as cat food, toys, a bed, and so on.
Furthermore, there’s always a possibility that a Ragdoll might get sick, meaning that you should also count on potential veterinary expenses when thinking about welcoming this cat to your home.
Ragdolls are beautiful and eligible cats with friendly temperament, and this is why their price is so high.
See Also: 7 Reliable Breeders With Ragdoll Kittens For Sale In Florida
6. Obesity Problems
The Ragdoll is a large breed that usually isn’t overly active, meaning that it can easily get overweight.
Obesity is the most common health problem in cats, with almost 60% of domestic cats being overweight, according to the VCA Animal Hospitals.
Being overweight can significantly reduce a cat’s life expectancy and increase the likelihood of developing diabetes and urinary bladder stones.
In comparison to some other breeds, Ragdoll is at higher risk of getting obese, which might significantly decrease this cat’s quality of life.
7. Health Conditions
As already mentioned in the section about Ragdoll’s price, veterinary expenses are something every potential owner should consider when choosing a pet.
Ragdolls are prone to certain health issues, such as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Polycystic Kidney Disease, and Feline Aortic Thromboembolism.
These conditions might require expensive treatment, and could also reduce a Ragdoll’s lifespan, and cause clinical signs such as vomiting, lethargy, and breathing problems.
It’s essential to gather all the information about potential health conditions in the breed you plan to welcome into your home.
Conclusion
It looks like nobody is perfect indeed – not even the adorable Ragdoll cat.
There are some bad things about Ragdolls, and it will be up to you to decide whether they’re enough to make you reconsider sharing your life with this cat.
Or, perhaps, they’re nothing in comparison to all the love and fun moments you’ll get if you decide to become a Ragdoll owner.
What do you think? Do these traits of Ragdolls discourage you from owning one? Feel free to share your thoughts with us!
References:
[1] De Souza Machado D, Oliveira PMB, Machado JC, Ceballos MC, Sant’Anna AC. Identification of separation-related problems in domestic cats: A questionnaire survey. PLoS One. 2020 Apr 15;15(4): DOI, Retrieved July 26, 2023,
