How Big Can Ragdoll Cats Get [And How Fast Do They Grow]

You've probably heard that Ragdolls are a large breed of cats. But how big is big, exactly? And at what age can you expect them to be fully grown? That's what we will talk about today. We asked cat experts about how big these felines get and how fast they develop and here's what they told us.

Full-grown male Ragdoll cats can reach a height of 9.5 to 11 inches and a weight of 12 to 21 pounds. Female Ragdolls grow up to 9 to 10 inches and can weigh between 8 and 15 pounds. It takes them around four years to reach their full growth potential so that they can become the gentle giants that they are expected to be.

Continue reading so we can tell you more about the size of these cats. We'll also answer how long they live, if they are a high maintenance breed, and if it's better to get a male or female Ragdoll.

Ragdoll Cat Size

Knowing how big your pet will be allows you to make the necessary preparations to be able to give her a comfortable and healthy life.

Ragdolls have medium to large size bodies. In general, they are bigger than other domestic felines. But their difference in size isn't evident until Ragdolls are a little older.

At 12 weeks of age, Ragdoll kittens have an average weight of three to four pounds. But once they reach five months, they experience a growth spurt and will be needing more food to optimize their development.

They are expected to gain one pound per month until they reach the first year of their life. At this point, they are usually heavier and taller than the average cat.

When they reach one year, their growth will slow down. But they won't stop growing until they are about four years of age. Their development is much longer than other cats because they need more time to reach their full growth potential.

Male Vs. Female Sizes

Full-grown male and female Ragdolls differ in height and weight with males being on the taller and heavier end of the spectrum.

Male Ragdolls can grow up to 9.5 to 11 inches and weigh between 12 and 21 pounds. Their female counterparts can reach 9 to 10 inches and could weigh around 8 to 15 pounds.

When comparing them to other breeds, Ragdolls are usually bigger than Persians and Siamese cats but they are smaller than the Norwegian Forest Cats.

But of course, it will still be different from one Ragdoll to another especially with the kind of home environment and lifestyle that they have.

How old do Ragdoll cats live?

Ragdolls are a healthy breed of cats. The average lifespan of Ragdolls is 15 years but we've heard of Ragdolls living up to 25 years or longer.

In general, cat experts say that Ragdolls have a longer lifespan than the average domestic cat. Of course, their lifespan depends on the quality of their life.

Health

Ragdolls are genetically predisposed to heart diseases such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy wherein an overactive thyroid gland causes the muscles of the heart to thicken. Their breed is also prone to arterial thromboembolism, polycystic kidney disease, and feline lower urinary tract diseases.

Knowing the genetic predispositions of this breed will help you spot signs and symptoms early on so you can have a timely intervention. This will help improve and prolong your pet's life.

Diet

It is recommended that you feed your pet with an age-appropriate high-quality diet that's rich in protein. It can be wet, dry, or raw as long as it meets the Ragdoll's nutritional needs.

Because of their size and weight, Ragdolls consume bigger portions of food than the average feline. It's best to consult your vet or nutritionist to know the right food to give them at a particular stage of their life so that you can be sure that you're giving your pet a proper diet.

Exercise

Ragdolls have a laidback personality and enjoy sleeping or cuddling with you. They aren't known for being overly active nor do they enjoy jumping and climbing. This predisposes them to weight gain problems that could lead to obesity and other health issues if it isn't managed.

That's why Ragdolls will benefit a lot from regular exercise. Since they love spending time with you, turn some of those moments into activities that'll get your Ragdoll to move her body. You can also give her interactive toys to encourage her to walk or run and basically not just stay in her place all day.

Other factors that'll determine the length of years that you'll be spending with your Ragdoll are completing vaccinations, having females spayed and males neutered, and enriching their lifestyle in general. Making sure that your cat lives a healthy life should be your top priority.

Are Ragdolls high maintenance?

Ragdoll cats are easy to care for. This is why they are one of the breeds recommended for first-time cat parents.

Grooming & Hygiene

When it comes to maintenance, their long fur comes with a minimal undercoat. This makes them less prone to shedding and tangling. As such, they don't require frequent grooming. Twice or three times a week of brushing will suffice.

They are usually clean especially if they only stay indoors so you can give them a bath just once in two months. This way, they're able to retain their skin's natural oils that help them have healthy skin.

It is essential that you keep a regular grooming schedule for trimming their nails, cleaning their ears, and brushing their teeth to ensure that they are in the best shape.

Attention Seeking

On the other hand, Ragdolls can be quite demanding of your attention since they are very affectionate creatures by nature. Do make sure that you spend enough cuddle time with this pet so that she won't get lonely.

But the good thing is that she loves the company of other people and pets. She's not selective in her companions so you can ask other members of the family to play with her or even get another pet so that she'll have a constant playmate.

Is it better to get a male or female Ragdoll cat?

If you're planning to get yourself a Ragdoll cat as a pet, you also need to decide if you'll go for a male or a female one. Gender plays a crucial role in their size, attitude, and health.

Sizing

As mentioned earlier, male Ragdoll cats are bigger and heavier. They can weigh over 20 pounds and grow up to 11 inches tall and 21 inches long.

Meanwhile, their female counterparts can be anywhere between 10 and 15 pounds. Their average height is 9 inches and their length is 17 inches.

Some pet owners put a premium on the size that's why they want a large breed in the first place. If this is also the case for you, then you should get a male Ragdoll.

Just take note of the responsibilities and requirements that come with a bigger size. They need bigger space and larger accessories to accommodate their massive bodies.

Personalities

Aside from their difference in size, male and female Ragdolls also have a slight variation when it comes to their personalities. Males are said to be more affectionate and generally have a better disposition than female Ragdolls.

The female felines are more aloof, careful, and might even become a little aggressive, especially when caring for their young. But once they are spayed, they become as affectionate and easygoing as male Ragdolls.

Healthcare

When it comes to health concerns, males have been reported to experience more urinary tract blockages and infections than females. But with a proper diet, this can be prevented.

In other words, it'll boil down to your own preference if you would want to get a male or female Ragdoll. Or you can get both so they'll have each other as companions and they won't get lonely when you're not around.

Final Thoughts

Ragdoll cats are one of the largest cat breeds out there so make sure you have the space and capacity to give them the home environment that they need. This will help ensure that you and your pet will enjoy more years together.

If you want to know more about this breed, you may read the following posts:

Why Is My Ragdoll Cat So Small?

Are Ragdolls Born White: Yes, And Here’s Why