Cat breed · United States
RagaMuffin
Mèo RagaMuffin
Picture the most loving longhaired lap cat you've ever met and you'll understand the goal behind the RagaMuffin [1]. It's a sweet, easy-going, sturdy cat with a soft semi-long coat often compared to rabbit fur, in almost every colour [1]. The breed shares its history with the Ragdoll [1]. RagaMuffins are recognised by CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association): The world's largest registry of pedigree cats, based in the US. It keeps pedigree records, writes breed standards and runs cat shows. All terms [1] and GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy): The UK's oldest pedigree cat registry (since 1910). All terms [3]; neither TICA (The International Cat Association): An international cat registry based in the US and one of the largest. It often recognizes newer breeds before CFA does. All terms [2] nor FIFe (Fédération Internationale Féline): The International Feline Federation, an umbrella body of cat clubs, mostly in Europe. All terms [4] lists the breed.
Contents (10 sections)
Quick facts
- Origin
- USA, early 1990s; developed by breeders who broke away from Ann Baker, founder of the Ragdoll
- Weight
- ~4.5–9 kg
- Lifespan
- ~12–16 years
- Coat
- semi-long
- Energy
- low
Details & sources
- Size
- Medium to large with substantial bone; slow to mature, taking up to four years [1]
- Weight
- CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association): The world's largest registry of pedigree cats, based in the US. It keeps pedigree records, writes breed standards and runs cat shows. All terms : mature males may reach about 20 lb (9 kg), females closer to 15 lb (6.8 kg) [1]; GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy): The UK's oldest pedigree cat registry (since 1910). All terms estimates 10–20 lb (4.5–9 kg) [3]
- Lifespan
- GCCF estimates 12–16 years [3]. No breed-specific longevity study found
- Coat
- Semi-long, full and silky, often compared to rabbit fur; resists tangles [1]
Traits (scale 1–5)
- Energy
- 2/5
- Shedding
- 3/5
- Grooming needs
- 3/5
- Good with kids
- 5/5
- Vocal
- 2/5
- Independence
- 2/5
Basis: Editorial estimate based on CFA's description, not a measurement
Recognized by major cat registries
Cat registries keep pedigree records and set the standard for each breed. Tap an abbreviation to see what it means.
| CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association): The world's largest registry of pedigree cats, based in the US. It keeps pedigree records, writes breed standards and runs cat shows. All terms US | Yes |
|---|---|
| TICA (The International Cat Association): An international cat registry based in the US and one of the largest. It often recognizes newer breeds before CFA does. All terms international, US-based | No |
| FIFe (Fédération Internationale Féline): The International Feline Federation, an umbrella body of cat clubs, mostly in Europe. All terms Europe | No |
| GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy): The UK's oldest pedigree cat registry (since 1910). All terms UK | Yes |
History
The RagaMuffin's history is closely tied to the Ragdoll's [1]. In the early 1990s, a group of breeders formerly associated with Ragdoll founder Ann Baker broke away from her registry [1]. They worked with carefully chosen domestic longhairs to continue the breed's development and add fresh genes for health and vitality [1]. They kept some Ragdoll traits (a large, longhaired, extremely mellow cat) but with a somewhat different type and a dramatically different colour range [1]. CFA granted RagaMuffins registration in 2003 and championship status in 2011 [1].
Appearance
- Body: medium to large, with substantial bone [1].
- Head: a broad modified wedge with a pleasingly rounded look; medium, rounded ears [1].
- Eyes: large, expressive and walnut-shaped; puffy whisker pads add to the sweet look [1].
- Coat: semi-long, full and silky, often compared to rabbit fur [1].
- Colours: nearly every colour and pattern, with or without white; in CFA, pointed cats are for breeding only and can't currently be shown [1]. GCCF accepts all colours except colourpointed [3].
- Weight: mature males may reach about 20 lb, females closer to 15 lb [1].
Photo gallery
5 photos · tap to enlarge- (enlarge, photo 1/5)
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Photos: Wikimedia Commons - author & licence shown when enlarged and on the Photo credits page.
Temperament
RagaMuffins are known for sweetness rather than brilliance, but they're far from dim: being eager to please makes them responsive [1]. Many learn to walk on a harness and some play fetch, but most are happiest snuggling with their favourite person for hours [1]. They suit families with small children and people who live alone [1]. Trusting by nature, they enjoy dogs and other cats; because they're rarely aggressive, introduce them carefully so they aren't dominated [1]. They'll chat, but they're not unduly vocal [1].
Care
Health
- Generally healthy: CFA says the breed has no breed-specific genetic issues [1].
- Conditions seen in any cat: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM (Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy): A heart disease where the heart wall thickens; the most common heart disease in cats. All terms ) and polycystic kidney disease (PKD (Polycystic kidney disease): Inherited kidney disease where fluid-filled cysts grow in the kidneys; a gene test exists. All terms ), managed by genetic testing of breeding cats [1].
- Lifespan: GCCF estimates 12–16 years [3]. This is a registry estimate; we found no breed-specific study.
Ask breeders for the parents' HCM and PKD test results, and talk to your vet about any specific concern.
Don't confuse with…
Ask your vet. This information is for reference only and does not replace a veterinary diagnosis.
Cat facts
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a RagaMuffin and a Ragdoll?
They share a history: the RagaMuffin was developed from the early 1990s by breeders who broke away from Ragdoll founder Ann Baker, adding domestic longhairs [1]. Ragdolls are always colorpointed with blue eyes [5]. RagaMuffins come in almost every colour and pattern with walnut-shaped eyes; pointed RagaMuffins are for breeding only and can't be shown in CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association): The world's largest registry of pedigree cats, based in the US. It keeps pedigree records, writes breed standards and runs cat shows. All terms [1].
Are RagaMuffins good with children?
CFA describes them as very agreeable and wonderful with small children. Because they're rarely aggressive, introduce them carefully to other pets so they aren't dominated [1].
Do RagaMuffins need daily grooming?
No. Despite the long coat, it resists tangles and mats; CFA suggests a long-toothed comb once or twice a week [1].
Similar breeds
Breed photos: Wikimedia Commons (CC0 / CC BY / CC BY-SA) - authors & licences on the Photo credits page.
References
- CFA, RagaMuffin (breed profile & standard)
- TICA, Browse All Breeds (RagaMuffin not listed; no TICA breed page)
- GCCF, Cat Breeds (RagaMuffin breed card)
- FIFe, Breeds (RagaMuffin not listed)
- CFA, Ragdoll (breed profile & standard)
- CFA, Birman (breed profile & standard)
Accessed: 2026-10-02
CFA, TICA, FIFe and GCCF are the major cat registries in the US, Europe and the UK. See the glossary
Written by Catopedia from the sources above. Photos credit their author and licence under each image and on the Photo credits & licences.