| Country of Origin: | United States |
| Colors: | White, Black, Blue, Cream, Red, Brown, Lilac, Platinum, Fawn, Chocolate, Chestnut, Cinnamon, Lavender, Cameo, Silver |
| Average Size: | Weight: 12 lbs (5.4 kg) Length: Large |
| Life Span: | 8-13 yrs |
| Coat: | Long |
| Personality: | Very affectionate and sweet |
| Characteristics: | Energy: Calm Talkative: Little Kid Friendly: Yes Allergic: No |
Ragamuffin cats are domestic cats, and are a type of Ragdoll cat. They appeared in 1994 and are very notable for their rabbit-like fur and their pleasant personalities. They are very sociable, cuddly and affectionate. These are very muscular cats and it takes up to five years for them to reach full maturity.
Ragamuffin cats have a rectangular broad-chested body. Their head is also broad and rounded. They come in a variety of patterns and colors and have a medium length coat. Their fur is very thick and plush, but at the same very easy to take care of. The length of the fur is longer around the neck which gives them a very ruff appearance. Their fur on the sides and stomach is medium to medium long, and all colors are acceptable, even white. However, pure whites are much rarer and more popular therefore.
The history of this breed is quite interesting. It happened in the 1960s that a regular non pedigree white domestic cat got injured and was taken into laboratory of the University in California. After she recovered, her next offspring resulted in extremely friendly kittens. Ann Baker bought a couple of these kittens and created a new breed that is now known as Ragdoll.
Ann set up her own registry called International Ragdoll Cat Association, and this cat breed wasn’t allowed to be registered in other associations. There were then two groups in the rank of IRCA, and after one of the groups decided to leave, and to form their own breeding instructions, different from the ones that IRCA set, they renamed the cat breed from Ragdoll to Ragamuffin.
Ragamuffins were allowed to outcross with Persian and Himalayan cats or domestic longhaired cats. These were the breeds that when crossed with Ragdolls increased the distinctiveness of the Ragamuffin. Also, CFA Ragamuffin cats can have only one Ragamuffin parent.
It is also interesting that after some time Ragamuffin cats were much more expensive than Ragdolls, where each kitten cost around $1000.
The first associations that accepted Ragamuffin cats were UFO, after that ACFA and finally the CFA. This cat breed advanced to Championship Class in 2011.
These cats are very friendly, love to be cuddled, and even though not very athletic, they enjoy in climbing and playing. They are mostly indoor pets, sometimes can be very vocal, but are very lovable and even greet family members at the door.
I acquired a little cat who badly needed food. She was nursing six kittens and seemed without support. She brought her kittens to me and they all came in and have been indoor cats for two years. I had at that time five rescue cats living with me. They were all medically-cared for, neutered and spayed, parasites dealt with and vaccinated. They are wonderful and the mother appears to be a Ragamuffin. I am trying to find out which breeds comprise the Ragamuffin. “Mama” is a Torby with dilute black, dilute orange and white. Kittens are “King Tut”, a dilute red tabby/white, pale green eyes; “Buddy”, a dilute black “tuxedo cat”, with dark gold eyes; “Pansy Fern”, a smoked torby, dilute red and dilute black; “Katy”, a calico, dilute red and dilute black; “Precious”, a torty, with dilute red but non-dilute black. All have snow shoes and/or mittens. “Marmalade” was taken by a neighbor who helped me until we got them in and she gave him away(!); he was a red tabby with no white that I remember. These are wonderful cats; each beautiful, loving, smart and sweet. I am guessing this was Mama’s first litter. Who could have left her? Was she pregnant then? She weighed less than five pounds(!) Looking into her eyes would convert any atheist. I am so thankful to have them with me. I live in San Bernardino, 15 minutes from Riverside.
Panthers twin!!!