Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Are Ragdoll Cats High Maintenance? Vet-Verified Facts & Info

Ragdoll British Shorthair

When you’re looking at getting a cat, you want to ensure that you have enough time and energy to care for them and give them everything that they need. Basically, you need to know just how much work they are!

Ragdoll cats are beautiful and make great pets, but they also have a reputation for being high maintenance. However, while this is true in some areas, they’re easier to care for in others. You need to know exactly what they need, so we highlighted both aspects for you here.

divider cats oct 2024The 3 Areas Where Ragdoll Cats Are Challenging to Care For

While a Ragdoll isn’t high maintenance in every way, they certainly have their areas where it takes a bit more work to care for them. We highlighted four areas where Ragdolls need a little extra love to give them all the care and attention they need.

1. Brushing

Ragdolls have semi-long, beautiful coats with some undercoat. While these look great, they also require some regular maintenance. To keep your cat’s coat from matting, you need to brush them at least once or twice a week. It doesn’t take long to brush it out as long as you keep up with the regular brushings, but if you don’t, it might quickly get out of hand.

brushing a ragdoll cat
Image By: VeronArt16, Shutterstock

2. Companionship

Ragdolls love spending time with their owners. They might follow you around the house and demand your attention, so keep this in mind before getting one.


3. Diet

Ragdolls are larger cats, with adult males weighing approximately 15–20 pounds and females 10–15 pounds, so you need to keep in mind that they’re going to eat more than smaller cat breeds. When you pair this with any special diet they might need, feeding them can get expensive.

divider 1 paws

The 3 Areas Where Ragdoll Cats Are Easy to Care For

While Ragdolls can be high maintenance in some ways, they’re low maintenance in others. Here, we highlighted a few areas where a Ragdoll is easier to care for than other breeds.

1. Quiet personalities

Unlike some talkative cat breeds, such as the Siamese, Ragdolls are usually quiet cats. They may communicate with you in soft chirps or gentle meows, but they’re not known for being overly demanding with their voices. This makes them a peaceful presence in the home, especially if you prefer a quieter environment.


2. Temperament

Compared to many other cat breeds, the Ragdoll is one of the easiest cats to get along with. They love people, and they’re less likely to cause any problems for you or anyone else visiting your home.

Blue Tabby Point Ragdoll Cat
Image by: cath5, Shutterstock

3. Family

Since Ragdolls have a mild temperament, they tend to get along great with other family members and pets. Just keep in mind that while a Ragdoll gets along great with other cats and dogs, trying to pair them up with a ferret, mouse, or another similar small animal is likely asking a bit too much from them.

divider 2 cats

Final Thoughts

While Ragdoll cats might be a bit high maintenance in some areas, they are outstanding companions that you’ll quickly start to love. Do not let the little extra work keep you from getting one; just know what you’re signing up for beforehand so you can ensure that you have the time and energy to properly care for them.

Related Reads:


Featured Image Credit: Bianka Kovacs, Shutterstock

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything cat

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.




How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.


Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Cats in Fall: Pictures, Behaviors & FAQ About Autumn Kitties

Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year. Fall photography is gorgeous in its own right. The only thing that...

What Is Cat Litter Made Of? Vet-Approved Types Explained (With Pictures)

While cats make excellent pets who bring love and companionship into our lives, they have specific requirements, such as toys and cat litter....

Blue Point Siamese: Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits

We’re all likely familiar with Siamese cats, but have you ever wondered if there are personality differences dependent on their coat color? If...

Can Cats Make Babies Sick? 7 Vet-Reviewed Dangers & Safety Tips

If you are bringing a new bundle of joy home from the hospital soon, you might wonder how your feline family member will...

More related

Domestic Longhair Cat Breed: Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits

The Domestic Longhair cat isn’t any one specific breed. Rather, it’s just the common name for a house cat with long hair. They...

9 Cat Souvenirs to Buy When Traveling the World

Traveling the world is always fascinating, and shopping for souvenirs is often a major part of the fun, regardless of whether you’re looking...

Cat Food: Why It Pays to Get It Right

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and...

Can a Cat Remember Abuse? Everything You’ll Want to Know (Vet Answer)

Cats are fantastic creatures and great companions. They purr, provide us with hours of entertaining internet videos, add warmth to our homes, and...

Keep reading

Why Do Cats Groom Each Other? Vet-Reviewed Licking Behaviors & Reasons

We’ve all seen videos of cats grooming each other, and there are many reasons for this. Often, they may be similar to the reasons why they cuddle with their humans. However, cat-cat relationships are much different than cat-human relationships. After...

Two cats grooming each other.

Why Do My Cat’s Farts Smell Like Eggs? Our Vet Explains

Have you ever noticed that your cat’s farts smell like rotten eggs? Is there a way to prevent this unpleasant scent? That rotten egg odor is primarily due to sulfur compounds produced in the digestive process. When cats eat certain...

Cat Stinky

Can a Cat Overheat? Vet Approved Signs & How to Help Them

Due to their desert-dwelling ancestors, cats are often believed to not be affected by hot weather. While their normal body temperature is higher than our own—101.0°F to 102.5°F—cats are no better at handling overly hot weather than humans are. Cats...

cat stretching a rocky beach and a beautiful sunset over the ocean

Do Cats Attack Intruders? Feline Guarding Skills Exposed

There are videos on social media that show a cat defending a person, sometimes even chasing off an animal more than twice their size! So, does this mean cats are capable of guarding people and homes? While not all cats...

angry cat meowing outdoor

Store Bought vs Homemade Cat Food: Vet-Reviewed Pros, Cons & FAQ

Even though hundreds of store-bought cat food options are on the market, many owners want to make homemade cat food for their cats. Whether it’s because it feels more personal or they believe it’s healthier, it’s not uncommon to want...

Store Bought vs Homemade Cat Food

What to Feed an Old Cat to Gain Weight: 5 Vet-Approved Tips

While to a certain extent, it’s normal for a cat to lose weight during their senior years, it’s also essential for you, as a pet parent, to do everything that you can to tempt their appetite and keep them as...

tabby cat eating from metal bowl

Can Cats Eat Plums? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Cats are curious creatures that often conduct investigations with their mouths. While cats generally won’t eat foods that aren’t good for them, curiosity may get the better of them from time to time. You should do your best to keep...

Can Cats Eat Plums

10 Vet-Reviewed Facts About Cats’ Teeth: Feline Anatomy Explained

Your cat’s teeth are important tools that they need for eating and fighting, but they are also quite small and surprisingly delicate, and many felines suffer from dental disease later in life. If you are looking to learn all that...

close up of cat's teeth

Love Cats? So Do We! Join the Catster Community

Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.




Sign up for the Catster Email Newsletter

Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.