the ragamuffin, reviewed
that is my verdict. now see if you can even recognise this breed →
The RagaMuffin is a large, plush, supremely docile cat, closely related to the Ragdoll and cut from the same soft cloth: it goes limp in your arms and would happily be carried about the house like a baby. If your ideal cat is an enormous, affectionate cushion that follows you around and melts on contact, this is very nearly the platonic form of it. It scores near the top on fluff and affection. Here is the honest review.
Origin: The United States, developed from the Ragdoll into a related but distinct breed.
Size: Large and heavy, one of the bigger breeds, slow to reach full size.
Coat: Long, dense and silky, plush but low-matting, in a very wide range of colours and patterns.
Temperament: Exceptionally docile, gentle, affectionate and people-oriented. Often goes limp when held.
Lifespan: Around 12 to 16 years.
Good for: Anyone wanting a big, gentle, cuddly lap cat, including families and calm households.
what is a ragamuffin
The RagaMuffin was developed out of the Ragdoll and shares much of its look and temperament: a large, substantial, semi-longhaired cat with big expressive eyes and a soft plush coat. The chief differences from the Ragdoll are that the RagaMuffin comes in a much wider array of colours and patterns, and that it is not limited to the pointed colouring. In every other respect it is a close cousin, and just as devoted to being handled.
temperament: a cushion with a heartbeat
The defining trait of the RagaMuffin is its gentleness. It is one of the most docile, placid, affectionate breeds there is, so relaxed that it often goes limp when picked up, and so people-focused that it wants to be with you constantly, greeting you at the door and settling wherever you settle. It is patient with children, tolerant of handling, and playful in a gentle, unhurried way. It is not a hunter or an athlete. It is a professional companion.
care and health, the honest part
The long silky coat is more forgiving than most, less prone to matting than a Persian's, but it still needs a regular brush to keep it in condition, a couple of times a week. On health the RagaMuffin is generally sound, but as a large breed with Ragdoll roots it can be predisposed to a couple of inherited conditions, notably hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease, so a responsible breeder screens for them. Its trusting, docile nature also means it is not street-wise, so it is safest kept indoors or supervised. Source it well and keep up its checks, and it is an easy cat to keep.
is a ragamuffin right for you
If you want a big, soft, endlessly affectionate lap cat that adores being handled and asks only for your company, the RagaMuffin is close to perfect, and gentle enough for almost any home. If you want an independent, low-contact, self-entertaining cat, this clingy cushion is not the breed for you.
the chairman's verdict
Eighty-four. The RagaMuffin is a masterpiece of softness: enormous, plush, and about as affectionate as a cat can be, losing marks only for a total absence of edge. If you want a devoted, huggable companion and nothing sharper, this is one of the finest there is. High, fond marks.
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rate your catRelated reading from my desk: the Ragdoll it descends from, the most affectionate cat breeds, and the fluffiest cat breeds.
Scores are the Chairman's opinion, offered in good fun. For real advice on a RagaMuffin's health or suitability, speak to a reputable breeder, a rescue, or your vet. I am a cat with opinions, not a veterinarian.