The Ragdoll

Ragdolls are known for their gentle, affectionate, and exceptionally people-oriented personalities. They were developed in California in the 1960s by breeder Ann Baker, who selectively bred cats for their beautiful appearance as well as their unusually docile, trusting temperaments. The breed earned the name Ragdoll from their tendency to relax or go “floppy” when held.

Gentle By Nature

One of the qualities we love most about Ragdolls is their incredibly sweet and tolerant temperament. They are generally very gentle cats and are not typically prone to biting, scratching, or aggressive behavior. Many enjoy being held, carried around, cuddled, and involved in whatever their family is doing.

Their patient and easygoing personalities can make them wonderful companions for families with children, as well as homes with other cats and cat-friendly dogs. As with any animal, children should always be taught to handle them gently and respect their boundaries.

Affectionate and People Oriented 

Ragdolls truly thrive on companionship. Don't be surprised if your Ragdoll follows you from room to room, greets you at the door, sleeps beside you, or simply wants to be wherever the family is.

They are affectionate without typically being overly demanding and often develop very close bonds with their people. Many Ragdoll owners describe their personalities as almost dog-like because of how social, interactive, and devoted they can be.

Floppy, Docile, Easygoing

The classic Ragdoll personality is calm, confident, tolerant, and easygoing. Many will happily melt into your arms when picked up and are content being handled in ways that other breeds may not tolerate as readily.

Every kitten is still an individual, of course. Some are more playful and outgoing, while others are quieter lap cats. Their individual personalities may differ, but the breed as a whole is prized for its loving and gentle nature.

Ragdolls Need Companionship

Because Ragdolls are so social, they generally do not thrive when regularly left alone for long periods of time. A Ragdoll who spends most of every day completely alone can become lonely, bored, or unhappy.

If your work or lifestyle requires you to be away from home for extended periods during the day, we strongly encourage having another friendly cat or compatible companion animal in the home. This gives your Ragdoll someone to play with, sleep beside, interact with, and simply keep them company while you're away.

Before bringing home a Ragdoll, we ask families to consider whether they can provide the daily interaction and companionship this breed needs. If you know your Ragdoll will routinely spend long days alone, please commit to providing them with a companion.

A True Family Companion

Ragdolls aren't simply beautiful cats. They are cats that want to be part of the family. They thrive in homes where they are loved, included, played with, talked to, and allowed to be part of everyday life.

Their combination of beauty, intelligence, gentleness, affection, and wonderfully relaxed personalities is exactly what makes the Ragdoll such an incredible family companion.