10 Reasons Ragdoll Cats Are Like Dogs


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Ragdoll cats are amazing because they are not only lovable but also exhibit many qualities similar to dogs. I put this list of 10 reasons Ragdolls are like dogs together to show how much Ragdolls are like dogs. Check out the list and decide which reason is your favorite!

1.   How Do You Know If a Ragdoll Likes You?

Ragdoll cats are highly sociable and love nothing more than spending time with their favorite humans. So, ragdolls will be waiting for you at the front door upon your arrival home, as dogs do. They will rub against your legs, purr, and vocalize to show their delight at your return.

They miss you when you leave home during the day and spend the whole time you are away anticipating your homecoming. Much like dogs, ragdolls are very person-oriented.

During the 1960s, the breed was developed in California by Ann Baker. She specifically bred them for their endearing temperament to be companion animals.

Ragdolls completely contradict the stereotype that cats are standoffish. On the contrary, they are just as approachable and affectionate as dogs are.

Suppose you are looking for a kitty cohort that will make you feel deeply cherished every day, excitedly meeting you at your front door. In that case, a ragdoll is the breed for you.

However, if your lifestyle involves spending extended periods (8 to 12 hours daily) away from home, a ragdoll is perhaps not the cat for you. Because they are more social than other breeds, they require constant companionship.

If you have your heart set on a ragdoll, but work long hours, make sure you get your kitty a companion animal. Another pet, a cat or a dog, will ease their separation anxiety.

You should also make up for your absence by spending special time with your ragdoll after work to maintain your bond. For example, go for a walk with them, set aside dedicated playtime, give them healthy treats, and watch a movie with them while you cuddle.

Ragdoll Cat

2.   Are Ragdoll Cats Loyal?

Ragdolls are known for being very devoted and loyal to their family. These are personality traits usually ascribed to dogs; hence, ragdolls are often described as dog-like. Ragdoll cats are so loyal they will want to sleep with you in your bed.

They require much more interaction and affection from their humans than most other cat breeds. As a result, Ragdoll cats are more dependent on their owners than most cats, making them more like dogs in terms of caring for them.

Do not expect a Ragdoll cat to spend the night prowling around the neighborhood.

They are notorious for waking their owners up early in the morning for attention and cuddles because they miss us while we are asleep, and they have woken up.

These adorable qualities make Ragdolls the perfect cat breed for children. If kids are taught to be gentle and kind to a Ragdoll kitten from a very early age, they are guaranteed to grow up being best friends for life.

It also helps that Ragdolls have a longer lifespan than other cat breeds. They often reach 15 to 20 years old! So your children will have a fluffy, devoted companion until they are grown up.

If a ragdoll is happy and comfortable in their home with their family, there is very little chance of them running away from home. Unfortunately, this is often an issue with cats, and several people think a cat is theirs.

3.   Are Ragdoll Cats Easy To Train?

Ragdoll cats are highly intelligent, very adaptable, and person orientated. This makes them one of the easiest cat breeds to train. Ragdolls can be taught commands and tricks, just like dogs can.

They are playful and curious, and as long as you give them lots of positive affirmation, they will learn quickly.

The best time to train your ragdoll cat is after they have eaten. This is when they experience a burst of energy, making them extra playful and receptive to training.

Start training them simple tricks, like a high-five, and build up to more complex routines, like getting up on their hind legs or jumping into your arms.

You can also train your ragdoll cat for obedience. This is a brilliant way to protect your furniture from its destructive tendencies and teach them boundaries, like not jumping onto kitchen counters.

Instead of clawing against the couch, they can be taught to chew or otherwise take out their urges on a toy or cat tree.

To train this, introduce a toy to them every time they start digging in the trash, scratching on a chair, or whatever other naughty activity they come up with.

If you divert their attention to a more fun, non-destructive way of blowing off steam, soon they will stop engaging in destructive behaviors.

One should use the same training techniques on Ragdoll cats as on dogs. Keep training sessions short and fun, and use lots of treats and toys to keep them engaged. The earlier you begin training your kitten, the quicker they will learn.

Reward training is the only effective way to train Ragdolls. Reward good behavior or compliance and ignore misbehavior. Unfortunately, cats do not respond to punishment, just like dogs. So shouting at your cat or smacking them will only scare them and hurt your relationship.

Ragdoll Cat

4.   Do Ragdoll Cats Like To Be Held?

Yes, Ragdoll cats enjoy being held. Ragdolls are often called “floppy cats” due to their tendency to relax their bodies when they are picked up completely. This characteristic gives the Ragdoll cat breed its name because they are just like ragdolls.

Generally, most cats are resistant to being picked up and handled, whereas dogs are far more accommodating to being handled.

Ann Baker selectively bred extremely calm and tolerant cats that enjoy being held. For example, her original white female ragdoll, Josephine, was so laid-back that she would go limp when held.

It must, however, be noted that not every single ragdoll cat on the planet is like this. Their tolerance for being held and snuggled is dependent on their individual personality and their lived experiences.

Rescued ragdolls that have lived through abuse or neglect may not be 100% comfortable with being picked up and held.

5.   Do Ragdolls Love Attention?

Yes, Ragdolls love attention. Ragdoll cats can be clingy since they love being held. However, Ragdolls have a calm demeanor when humans give them attention.

Ragdolls are very relaxed and easy-going by nature. They are trusting of their owners and new people they meet. This trait is far more characteristic of dogs than of cats.

Ragdolls’ trusting and even naïve nature can put them in harm’s way. Therefore, Ragdoll cats should be kept as indoor pets and must only be allowed outdoors under supervision.

Do not leave your ragdoll at home alone with the windows open. It is treacherous for them to wander around outside on their own. Overall they are not very street savvy.

Because of their submissive, calm demeanor and willingness to trust strangers and other animals, there is a greater danger of them being hurt by other cats or dogs or getting into dangerous situations in traffic.

Strangers may see a gorgeous cat with adorable blue eyes, a friendly personality, and no collar on and eagerly take them home to rescue them. But unfortunately, the cat will not resist being picked up by another person. This is why many ragdoll cats are unintentionally stolen.

Here are some of my favorite cat products

In addition to checking out some other More Meows articles, I hope you’ll check out some of my favorite cat products as well.  These are affiliate links, so if you end up using them, I’ll get a commission at no extra cost to you.  These are the products I really do find most helpful.

Litter Box:  I started out with normal, traditional litter boxes for my cat.  Then, I tried this automatic litter box on Amazon (affiliate link), which helped reduce the litter upkeep.  Finally, I am now a believer in the Litter-Robot 3 Connect on Amazon (affiliate link).  This robotic litter box is not for everyone based on the price tag, but for me the benefits (very little upkeep, works efficiently, clean, mobile app) far outweighed the cost. 

My Cat’s Litter-Robot 3 Connect (with night light on) – See the link above the photo!

Cat Tree:  I have purchased a couple of this Amazon Basics Cat Tree on Amazon (affiliate link).  My cat spends a lot of time on and around this cat tree, which I position near my sofa.  She uses the scratching posts on this cat tree multiple times a day, which means she is not scratching the sofa instead.

Cat Water Fountain:  I love this cat water fountain on Amazon (affiliate link).  There are three main benefits to having a water fountain like this for your cat.  The first benefit is that it keeps water running so that your cat doesn’t need to drink still water.  The second benefit is that it filters the water.  The third benefit is that it will keep your cat hydrated!

6.   Will Ragdoll Cats Fetch To You?

Yes, a Ragdoll cat will play fetch. Ragdoll cats may have the innate desire to fetch on their own or need some training. A fantastic way to spend time with your ragdoll is to play an active game, like fetch.

Ragdoll cats are medium to high energy cats and require daily exercise, much like dogs do.

Most ragdoll cats will instinctively play a game of fetch with you without training them how to. They love batting around a crumpled ball of paper or a ping pong ball and will be delighted if you join their game.

Ragdoll cats are so playful that they may even bring their favorite toy to you, dropping it at your side as a hint that it is playtime.

Provide your ragdoll cat with lots of interactive toys and puzzles that will engage their bodies and minds. This is especially vital if you are away from home for much of the day.

If ragdolls do not get the mental and physical stimulation they need on a regular basis, it can lead to behavioral issues and destructive actions. They may bite or attack you as a way of telling you their needs are not being met.

Ragdolls that do not have their exercise needs met are also prone to weight gain. The breed naturally has a slightly droopy lower abdomen but should still be kept in good shape.

Other than fetch, ragdolls love to play with toys that engage their hunting instincts, like cat teasers.

7.   Can I Take My Ragdoll On Walks?

You can train your ragdoll cat to go for walks with you outdoors on a leash, just like a dog! This is a wonderful way to exercise your cat and bond with them. You can even take your ragdoll along on short hikes!

Their easy-going, trusting, and curious disposition makes them well suited to going on adventures with you. Moreover, they can adapt to almost any situation.

Choose a harness that is specifically designed for cats. The harness must fit properly so that your kitty cannot escape.

Vest-type designs are generally more comfortable and functional than H-type designs. Look for a bungee leash, as this minimizes any tugging or pressure on the leash.

To leash train your ragdoll, start by getting them used to the harness. Do not start by wrangling them into the harness the first time they see it. Instead, let them smell it and get used to seeing it. Then, give them treats when they calmly sniff at it or curiously investigate it.

Once they are used to the harness’s sight and smell, put it on them for 10 to 15 minutes while at home. Reward them with treats for being calm and tolerating it.

Let them wear the harness and leash in the house for short periods every day, gradually increasing the length of time. Then, they will get used to wearing it.

However, note that cats should not be left alone wearing a harness or leash. They can get caught on things and get hurt. So always supervise them during harness training.

Take hold of the leash once your cat is totally used to wearing the harness, and walk around the house, allowing your cat to lead the way. This will get them used to walking on a leash.

To transition to walking outdoors, start walking in quiet places without many other people, children, or animals. Take it slowly and let your cat guide you.

8.   Do Ragdoll Cats Like Dogs?

Yes, Ragdolls like dogs that are also nice to them. Ragdolls are known for being extremely adaptable. This means that you can easily introduce your ragdoll to tame dogs. Also, Ragdolls will befriend most cats and cat-friendly dogs because they are so trusting.

It is still important to carefully facilitate introductions between your ragdoll cat and new pets. Let them meet in a calm environment and ensure each animal does not feel trapped or threatened.

To help the animals get used to each other quickly, let them smell items that have the other pet’s scent. This way, they can meet each other’s smell before they actually meet.

It is better to introduce ragdolls to other pets at a young age. If you raise a ragdoll kitten and a puppy together, they are practically guaranteed to be best friends forever.

9.   Ragdoll Cat Size

It is a little-known fact that Ragdolls are the second-largest cat breed after the Maine Coon. Male ragdolls grow to between 12 and 20 pounds, and females reach 6 to 15 pounds.

Standing between 9 and 12 inches tall, these large cats are similar in size to small and medium-sized dogs!

Their large, stocky bodies and muscular physique are usually hidden under their long fur. However, Ragdolls are much more powerful and athletic than they appear.

10. Do Ragdoll Cats Follow You?

Yes, Ragdoll cats will follow you around. Often ragdoll cats are described as needy because of their constant desire to stay at their owner’s side. So when you get a ragdoll kitten, be aware that you have just gained a second shadow.

Similar to highly affectionate dog breeds, like golden retrievers, ragdoll cats will follow their owners everywhere they go around the house.

These incredibly social cats love spending time with their favorite human, even if you are packing the dishwasher or reading a book.

Conclusion

Ragdoll cats are well-loved by many people. It is not hard to see why Ragdoll cats are often compared to dogs since they exhibit many of the same qualities. Some of these qualities are being loyal, playful, and following their owner around. If you enjoyed this article, please check out a few more:

Christopher Carlson

I have an Domestic Shorthair Tabby named Charlotte. She is full of energy when she isn't sleeping most of the day. I share what I learn about cats on this site.

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