Raising children alongside pets is always a bit of a gamble. Depending on the pet's personality, the children may be loved by the animal or despised, and it can lead to a very unfortunate problem if there isn't good chemistry between the two. If you're interested in adopting a cat and aren't sure what kind would be good for your family, there's a strong likelihood that you'd be very happy with a ragdoll cat. Here's what you should know about them.

What Ragdolls Look Like

Ragdolls are a type of long-haired cat, which makes them extremely fluffy all the way down to their tails. They're relatively large in adulthood, having a similar size to the Maine Coon. Ragdolls have largeish, round heads with rounded tips on their ears, and generally, ragdoll cats are very muscular in adulthood and therefore rather large all around. Ragdolls tend to be mostly white with dark ears and "masks," meaning the snout and some of the area around the eyes. Of course, this differs from cat to cat.

How They Behave

What makes ragdoll cats so famous isn't their beautiful coats or gorgeous eyes, but rather their personalities.

Ragdoll cats take their names from their personalities, actually. They're known for being extremely affectionate with their people and sort of floppy. In other words, when you scoop up a ragdoll, they tend to go limp in the person's arms, hence the name. This makes for an extremely cuddly, affectionate cat that's a good mix with adults and children alike. If you've been interested in cats but afraid that your future cat will be aloof, that won't be the case with a ragdoll.

Lifespan

Ragdolls tend to be rather healthy cats and typically live for around 15 years. This is fairly long-lived among cats, especially purebreds, which ensures that your family pet will be there for all the years your children are growing up. With good quality nutrition, regular play, and regular check-ups with the vet, your ragdoll may live even longer.

Ragdolls are an excellent choice of pet for families. If you've been interested in adopting a kitty but haven't taken any steps yet, start by finding a reputable breeder of ragdolls. You don't necessarily need champion pet show DNA in your cat, but by choosing a reputable breeder, you can ensure that the adult cats and kittens are being treated well and that your new kitten will have received all its necessary medical care prior to coming into your home.

Reach out to a ragdoll breeder in your area today to learn more.

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