Ragdoll cats are known for their unique color patterns, docile nature, and long lifespan. However, how long do Ragdoll cats live?
You might be surprised to find out that they live longer than some other popular cat breeds, on average!
Read on to learn more about this wonderful breed and how long you can expect your Ragdoll to live, as well as the factors that can affect their lifespan.
Let’s take a deeper look at it.
History of Ragdoll Cats
Ragdoll cats are an American breed of domestic cat with a unique physical appearance and personality traits that were developed in the 1960s.
The name ‘Ragdoll’ originates from the breed’s tendency to relax when they’re picked up. Ragdolls are bred to have a docile and affectionate temperament.
One story of the origin of the Ragdoll is that the cat was a mix of Angora, Birman, and Persian.
How Long Do Ragdoll Cats Live?
According to veterinarians, the average lifespan of the Ragdoll cat breed varies depending on several factors, including overall health and lifestyle choices. But on average, the life expectancy of Ragdoll cats is between 13 and 18 years. However, it is possible for a Ragdoll to live beyond 20 years old.
What Factors Affect the Life Expectancy of a Ragdoll Cat?
At this point, there is no known way to predict how long a cat will live based on any one of these factors alone. However, we can make an educated guess by considering some of the most common factors that affect a cat’s lifespan:
- Genetics
- Gender
- Diet
- Lifestyle and Activity
- Indoor or Outdoor
- Stress
- Neutered Cats
- Flea and Parasite Control
- Regular Healthcare Checkups
1. Genetics
Genetics plays a large part in the lifespan of your feline companion. For instance, if your cat has genes from long-lived ancestors, it may live longer than usual. It is possible to estimate your cat’s life expectancy based on its bloodline.
The information on your pet’s heritage can let you make the best possible decisions for its care. Knowing the lineage of your cat will tell you if it has any health problems.
2. Gender
Male Ragdoll cats tend to have a shorter lifespan than female cats because they are more likely to get into fights with other males as they go through puberty.
Additionally, they also have a higher likelihood of developing problems related to their reproductive system such as testicular cancer or prostate issues later in life.
Female Ragdolls typically live longer due to them having less risk of injury or disease in comparison to male Ragdolls.
The average lifespan for a female Ragdoll is 14-16 years while males typically only have an average lifespan of 12-14 years.
3. Diet
As a Ragdoll owner, it is important to know how diet can affect your pet’s lifespan and overall health. Cats are strict carnivores and require high levels of protein in their diets to thrive and maintain optimal health.
A diet that lacks the essential nutrients may lead to health problems that can result in a shortened life expectancy for your pet. In order to maintain the optimal health of your Ragdoll, it is crucial that they are fed a diet that is balanced and contains all the required nutrients.
4. Lifestyle and Activity
One of the best ways to make sure your Ragdoll lives a long life is to make sure it gets plenty of exercise!
Ragdoll cats that are active tend to be healthier and have a longer lifespan than those who don’t get any exercise at all.
Exercise is something that can be easily integrated into your cat’s lifestyle, whether that means taking it for walks or playing with it more often. Playtime is a great way to not only exercise your cat but bond with it as well!
5. Indoor or Outdoor
The lifespan of an indoor Ragdoll cat is generally longer than that of an outdoor cat due to a variety of factors such as exposure to disease, parasites, and predators.
Indoor cats are more likely to be fed on a regular schedule, have access to veterinary care, and enjoy clean water and shelter from inclement weather.
In addition, it’s less common for an indoor cat to be hit by a car or killed in some other way.
Outdoor cats tend to get into fights with other animals which can lead to injury or death. Finally, there’s no guarantee that food will be readily available for an outdoor kitty.
6. Stress
Stress is a major problem for Ragdoll cats because they are not able to handle bad situations.
When a cat gets stressed out for a long time, adrenaline and cortisol levels rise, and that causes them to release glucose and fatty acids into their bloodstream which can lead to high cholesterol and glucose levels.
The excess fatty acids and glucose levels can lead to obesity and diabetes in some cases. As a result, cats’ health can be adversely affected by stress.
7. Neutered Cats
One of the most significant benefits of neutering your Ragdoll is that it will have a longer lifespan than if it was not neutered.
Neutered Ragdoll cats have lower risks for developing certain illnesses and can be tougher in general due to decreased risk of injury from fighting or accidents.
In addition to this, neutered Ragdoll cats are less likely to go outside and wander around the neighborhood than their non-neutered counterparts which lower their risk of being involved in an accident or developing a disease.
8. Flea and Parasite Control
Fleas and parasites can cause big problems for your cat, so it is important to use monthly flea and parasite control products to help keep these pests away.
Parasites can be contracted not only from other animals but also from dirt and debris in your home as well as decaying carcasses in the environment.
Fleas are vectors for many diseases such as murine typhus, cat scratch fever, and tapeworms.
If you’re not already using a monthly flea/parasite control product on your pet, it’s time to talk with your veterinarian about what is right for your furry friend!
9. Regular Healthcare Checkups
It is necessary for a Ragdoll cat to go for regular healthcare checkups because there are many illnesses that can affect them which can lead to the premature death of your pet if not caught early enough.
Preventative check-ups are essential for catching potential illnesses early and treating them appropriately.
However, Ragdolls are not prone to illness and do not require any special treatments apart from those required by most breeds of cats.
Are There Any Health Concerns With Ragdolls?
Ragdolls are generally quite resilient creatures. They can handle the cold and are able to adapt to a variety of different environments. However, like any other animal, they do have their limits.
The most common health issues that a ragdoll will face are:
- Digestive Problems
- Respiratory Conditions
- Dental Issues
- Kidney Problems
- Heart Disease
1. Digestive Problems
Ragdoll cats can be prone to digestive issues. The main causes of digestive problems are food allergies, intestinal parasites, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
The most common symptoms of digestive problems include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Dehydration
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Compromised digestion
2. Respiratory Conditions
There is a high incidence of respiratory problems in these cats. Cat flu and even feline asthma may affect the Ragdoll. However, early detection can prevent or lessen the severity of complications.
Your pet may have respiratory conditions such as asthma or allergies if they show some of these signs:
- Difficulty in Breathing
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Runny nose
- Fever
- Nasal Discharge
3. Dental Issues
Other health problems found in Ragdolls are dental issues such as tooth resorption and plaque buildup on teeth which can lead to gingivitis, periodontal disease, and gum recession.
Cleaning your pet’s teeth frequently and consulting your vet about the oral health of your pet are vital in preventing major dental problems.
4. Kidney Problems
Kidney problems are a common health issue in older cats, and they can also affect younger pets if they have other health issues or genetics that put them at risk for kidney disease.
But regardless of when kidney problems first start to show, they can be treated before too much damage is done to your pet’s kidneys and overall health.
Kidney failure doesn’t just happen overnight and is typically caused by many factors including:
- Genetics
- Diabetes
- Diet
- Age
- Lifestyle
- Tumor
- High Blood Pressure
5. Heart Disease
Ragdolls can suffer from heart disorders such as Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, a genetic condition that causes the heart muscle to thicken and eventually fail to pump enough blood to the body.
Heart problems can be caused by environmental factors such as being overweight or sedentary for prolonged periods of time.
Owners should monitor their Ragdolls and get them checked out by a vet if they show any symptoms of heart diseases such as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy or Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC).
In order to reduce the risk of your ragdoll suffering from a heart condition, it is advised that he or she participates in regular exercise and eats a healthy diet.
Key Takeaways
- Ragdoll cats are a breed of cat that is known for their calm and docile personality.
- The average life expectancy for a Ragdoll cat is 13 to 18 years – and it’s not uncommon for them to reach 20 years old or even older.
- The life expectancy of female cats is longer than that of male cats.
- Their lifespan depends on many factors, such as genetics, diet, and living conditions.
- If you have any questions about Ragdoll cats’ diet or need help monitoring their health, talk to your veterinarian.
Pro Tip:
It can be very stressful and concerning when a beloved pet is not feeling well, so it’s worth it to get pet insurance to make sure you can cover the veterinary bills.
Importance of Pet Insurance
Pet insurance is a great way to protect your animal’s health. It can be hard to predict when an accident will happen, but with pet insurance, you’re covered.
There are a few different types of plans depending on your needs, and it only takes minutes to get coverage for your pet.
Some pet insurance companies will even cover 100% of veterinary expenses. So make sure to choose the best pet insurance plan for your furry friend.
Once you have a plan in place, vet bills will never be too high because they’ll already be covered by the policy.
It’s important that we all take care of our animals’ safety and well-being so they can enjoy their lives just as much as we do ours.
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