“They are essentially princesses,” says Roger, CatSmart’s co-founder and key strategist. “Ragdolls are luxurious, high-class felines that like to be pampered. They are also the only cats that will follow you everywhere.” Born pure white, a Ragdoll’s pointed coat can come in three distinctive patterns (mitted, bi-color, colorpoint), and will gradually darken into a permanent hue over time. With their mesmerising blue eyes, luscious coats and docile mannerism, these kitties might just as well be of royal bloodline. 

Photo taken from Pixabay

I had the good fortune of coming across three Ragdoll kittens at CatSmart’s flagship store (located at 14 Jalan Leban), and was instantly captivated by their friendly nature and playful antics. It was also incredibly therapeutic watching them catch up on beauty sleep. For those who hold true the proverb that “seeing is believing”, drop by for a visit! While there are no guarantees on the rare breeds you’ll come across, rest assured that you’ll always be warmly welcomed by the store’s free-roaming resident cats.

Ragdolls are Lap Cats

Despite being one of the largest cat breeds in the world, many Ragdolls are cuddlers that enjoy being carried around by their humans. Unlike some breeds that typically enjoy alone time, these people-loving kitties seem to be constantly saying, “You are my owner. Hug me.” And you find yourself with a cat on your lap for the rest of the day. Like the Scottish Folds, Ragdolls thrive on human interaction. Their floppy, relaxed nature makes them wonderful companions for work-at-home individuals, as well as families with children and other cat-friendly dogs. 

As a slow-maturing cat, Ragdolls can continue to grow in size until age 4. 
 

Grooming Your Ragdoll

Due to the lack of an undercoat, Ragdolls are less prone than other semi-longhaired breeds when it comes to shedding and matting. Their bunny-soft coat only needs to be brushed once or twice a week with a soft-bristled slicker brush to maintain its pristine condition. Unlike most cats, most Ragdolls also enjoy being groomed. 

Potential Health Issues Affecting the Breed

As a relatively healthy breed, common health problems include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (heart disease), feline infectious peritonitis, and urinary tract issues such as bladder stones. Ragdolls also have a greater propensity towards obesity.

All in all, we consider the affectionate and good-natured Ragdoll a lovely choice for first-time pet owners. Ragdolls are known for being really quiet, which makes them great pets for apartment dwellers. They can also be taught how to play fetch! 

If you’ve read this far and think a Ragdoll is just the cat for you, feel free to private message us on Facebook for more information on kitten enquiries and availability. At CatSmart, we also carry British Shorthairs, Persians, Scottish Folds, Exotic Shorthairs, Norwegian Forest and Munchkin kittens. At times, there may be other rare breeds around, so keep watching this space for upcoming news and bite-sized titbits.