Ragamuffins are just about the ultimate lap cat. Bred to be big, fluffy, and healthy, they do have a tendency to get overweight if you let them, and so today we’re going to talk about their weight and some important things to know about this breed.
Having a baseline to know what to expect as your kitty grows can help in many ways – such as knowing treat portions, how many calories are a healthy amount, and health conditions that you should be aware of. With that in mind, let’s talk about Ragamuffin cat weights by age and what you need to know about these wonderful kitties!
Ragamuffin Cat Weight By Age
Before we get well and truly started here, we should mention that the weight information which we are providing today is based on averages. Ragamuffin cats have a diverse background, with the breed having traits bred into them from various longhaired cats, including Persians, Himalayans, and Turkish Angoras.
As such, there really no ‘one size fits all’ – these cats were bred to be big and fluffy, but even so you might end up with a smaller, fluffy kitty or one that’s a wee bit larger than what we’re projecting today. This is perfectly normal, so take these estimations for what they are – averages for this particular breed.
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If your pet falls well under or over these projections, check with your vet and if you purchased your cat from a breeder, it’s a good idea to find out what size the parents were. In many cases, when it seems your cat is too small or too big it’s not necessarily their diet, but just that your kitty is quite unique.
Now that we’ve covered a disclaimer, let’s take a look at what you can expect rom your kitty as the years go by so that you’ll have the average weights as a starting point and a better idea of what to expect down the line.
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Ragamuffin Cat Weight By Age Chart
Your Ragamuffin cat has a projected weight range of 10 to 20 pounds, depending on their gender, DNA from the parents, and a number of other factors that we’ll touch on a bit later. They typically stand between 10 – 15 inches/ 25.4 – 38.1cm tall and have a lifespan averaging within 12 – 16 years.
That said, here is an at-a-glance growth approximation for this breed:
Ragamuffin Cat Growth rate – 3 months to 3 years | Male Ragamuffin Cat | Female Ragamuffin Cat |
3 months | 3 – 3.5 pounds/1.36-1.58 kilograms | 2-3 pounds/.90-1.58 kilograms |
6 months | 4 -5 pounds/1.81-2.26 kilograms | 3-4 pounds/1.58-1.81 kilograms |
9 months | 6-7 pounds/2.72-3.17 kilograms | 5-6 pounds/2.26-2.72 kilograms |
1 year | 8- 13 pounds/3.62-5.89 kilograms | 6-10 pounds/2.27-4.53 kilograms |
3 years | 15 – 20 pounds/6.80-9.07 kilograms | 10- 15pounds/4.53-6.80 kilograms |
According to Cat Fanciers Association, Females do tend to be 4 to 5 pounds lighter, but keep in mind that there are always exceptions to this rule – one of the ways that you can help to know this will be counting their calories and we’ll tell you how to do that later on in this article.
Aside from that, there are certainly some other factors that can come into play in regards to your kitty’s growth rate, so let’s shift our focus there now that we’ve established some baselines for you to build upon.
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Ragamuffin cats and their weight – a few variables to keep in mind
If your cat was not spayed or neutered, they will have a slower growth rate, though this also occurs if they are simply spayed or neutered at a later date, rather than when they were kittens. While they are a pretty robust breed, there are some hereditary conditions that can affect their health and overall weight.
have a higher chance of developing conditions such as polycystic kidney disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, though if you are bringing your adult cat in to see the vet at least 4 times a year this is going to help you to catch these problems before they can take root and become more dangerous.
While they are very fluffy and this means hairballs for some cats, Ragamuffin cats have fur that doesn’t really tangle easily, and so you will only need to brush them once a week — or twice if your kitty really likes it!
Aside from the conditions which we listed in this section, your cat really doesn’t have a lot of health issues to worry about – aside from managing their diet. To this effect, it’s going to be important to have a good idea how many calories your big and fluffy Ragamuffin cat needs daily to maintain their current weight. Let’s take a look!
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Counting calories is always a good idea
Ragamuffin cats are large kitties to begin with, so it’s quite easy to overfeed them simply from the concern that you might not be giving them enough to eat. To this effect, it’s good to have an actual calorie count that you can use and we just happen to have that handy!
Your Ragamuffin cat needs 45 – 50 calories per every 2 pounds/.9 kilograms of body weight. This means that a 10 pound/4.53 kilo Ragamuffin cat needs 225– 300 daily calories, depending on their energy levels and their age.
Kittens and very active adults will do better on the 300-calorie range. The kittens need the extra calories as they are still developing and with highly active adults (who spend a lot of time outside, for instance) need those calories to fuel their adventures.
For less-active indoor adult cats, the 225 calories per day range is a better fit, though if you are worried that your kitty is not getting enough to eat then we recommend erring on the side of making sure your kitty is full and setting up an appointment with your vet to get the final word.
Whether with a calorie projection from your vet or our provided averages, meals are best fed 3-4 times a day for kittens, twice a day for adults. Beyond this, don’t forget to count the calories from their snacks, and remember – you don’t have to say ‘no’ if you know the portions that can change that answer to a ‘yes’!
Ragamuffin breed – Special care tips to keep in mind
Ragamuffin cats are incredibly affectionate and gravitate naturally to your lap. As such, sometimes their desire to stay close can cost them a little exercise, so it’s a good idea to invest in a few cat toys and to rotate them out every month so that your cat has a number of things to do when they feel like playing.
To further help cement a regular exercise regimen, though, you’re going to need to spend a little quality exercise time with your cat. This can be as easy as pointing a keychain laser pointer at the wall (not near anything that they can knock over, of course), and getting your cat to chase it.
Alternately, any toys that you can toss for them to chase are also fine and consider teaching your fluffy friend how to fetch. These cats love personal interaction and they are willing to learn the trick if you take the time to teach them.
After that, you’ve got yet another trick up your sleeve to help to keep your Ragamuffin cat at a healthy weight and a growing list of fun things that you can your cat can enjoy together!
Bonus diet tips for your Ragamuffin cat breed diet
When we mentioned that you want to watch those calories, we definitely meant that. These cats tend to stick to their owners like fluffy magnets and that kind of closeness means that they will occasionally (or quite often, if we are being honest) end up eating a lot of things that might not be so good for their weight.
Sit down and make a list of the favorites that you know for now and estimate the portions in tablespoon or teaspoon size to build a basic calorie-counting chart. Next, once you have these calories, comes the hard part. Your Ragamuffin’s snacks shouldn’t be more than 10% of their daily calories.
This will give you a rough estimate as to how many extra calories they are currently getting and more importantly, what serving sizes you will need to switch to in order to make sure that your kitty can still have their favorites without it becoming a problem later in their life.
Some of the calories will really surprise you, but once you’ve sat down and done the quick math for this, then checking calories will become second nature and you can treat your kitty without having to worry. This simple trick will go a long way towards happy and healthy Ragamuffin kittens for many years to come!
Cat breeds Similar To Ragamuffin Cats
Ragamuffin cats are a type of domestic cat that is known for its friendly and relaxed personality. These cats are similar in appearance to Ragdoll cats, but they are typically larger and have a more muscular build. Ragamuffin cats are also known for their deep blue eyes, thick fur coats, and large paws. While Ragamuffin cats make great pets, they are not for everyone.
If you are considering adding one of these cats to your family, be sure to research the breed thoroughly to ensure that they will be a good fit for your lifestyle. Below is a list of cat breeds that are similar to Ragamuffin cats in terms of personality and appearance:
Birman Cats: (Birman cat breed) Birman cats are similar in appearance to Ragamuffin cats, but they typically have a cream or gold fur coat. Birman cats are known for their gentle and loving nature, and they make excellent companions.
Persian Cats: (Persian cat breed) Persian cats share many similarities with Ragamuffins, including their thick fur coats and calm dispositions. However, Persians tend to be shorter and stockier than Ragamuffin cats.
Siamese Cats: Siamese cats are often compared to Ragamuffin cats due to their striking physical appearance. Siamese cats have long, slender bodies and pointed faces, and they come in a variety of colors. Like Ragamuffin cats, Siamese cats are known for being incredibly loving and sociable creatures.
Ragdoll cats: (Ragdoll breed) Ragdoll cats are very similar in appearance to Ragamuffin cats, but they tend to be slightly smaller. Ragdoll cat is known for their gentle and affectionate nature, and they make excellent companions.
Some final words on Ragamuffin cats
Today we’ve talked about what you should expect from your cat’s weight as they slowly grow older in your shared home. Ragamuffin cats are hardy cats, which means you won’t have to worry about too many health issues, but they can become overweight if you aren’t careful.
Just be sure to start implementing a calorie-aware attitude towards their diets and especially towards their snacking, as this is where it can be the most difficult. Beyond this, make sure that they have their regular vet visits 4 times a year and that they are getting a little exercise each day as well.
These cats aren’t high maintenance so don’t worry if this information seems like a lot to digest right away. Before you know it, with just a little practice, these tips will become second nature and a benefit both for you and your sweet Ragamuffin cat!
Resources:
- Cat Fanciers Association – https://cfa.org/ragamuffin/
- American Cat Fanciers Association – http://www.acfacat.com/ragamuffin_synopsis.htm
- Cat Fanciers Federation
- International Ragdoll Cat Association