Male vs. female Ragdoll cat—which one should you adopt? (2024)

05.05.2022

Ragdolls are friendly, affectionate, and loyal, which explains their growing popularity amongst cat parents. They are great indoor cats because they are fairly smart and easily trainable, but is there any difference between a male and female Ragdoll cat? Which one is a better friend and housemate—Mr or Ms Mcfluferson?

In our guide, you'll find out about the physical characteristics and psychological traits of male and female Ragdoll cats and learn about common health issues this breed can suffer from. We will also explain what the ideal feline diet should consist of to make your cat parenting experience as smooth as possible!

Male vs. female Raggies—psychological differences

Male Ragdolls are infamous for their clinginess and are attention seekers by nature. They’re outgoing and typically get along with humans and other pets. Mr Ragdoll likes to cuddle and is more sociable than the females.

Female Ragdoll cats are calmer but don’t mistake their mellow nature for apathy. They’re as affectionate as males but aren’t as clingy and fussy.

As opposed to male Ragdolls, who are super agile and loud, females aren't as active, and they are generally more adaptable.

If you’re looking for a snuggly feline that prefers a sedentary lifestyle, female Ragdoll kittens will be the perfect fit for your household, especially if you have small kids. Being timid and shy, females will get along with children without any issues. Although male Ragdoll cats enjoy all the attention they can get, they’re sometimes too exhilarated to be able to contain their lively energy, which could be overwhelming for your children.

Everyone knows Ragdolls are the best at winning over the hearts of new cat parents.

Source: David Yu

Size differences between male and female Ragdoll cats

Ragdolls are among the largest domestic cats, together with Bengals, Norwegian Forest cats, Maine Coons, and Savannas.

As in many other species, there is a size difference between male and female Ragdoll cats. Adult males are usually bigger, heavier, and more muscular than females.

Check out the table below for more details:

I’ve climbed this thing three times. Is it time for breakfast number two yet?

Source: Pexels

Do male and female Ragdolls have the same grooming needs?

Both male and female Ragdolls have beautiful and rich coats that don’t shed as dramatically as you’d think, given the volume. You’ll inevitably stumble upon a furball or two, but that shouldn’t be an issue (unless you’re allergic).

Regardless of the gender, you should tend to your Ragdoll’s fluffy fur frequently (at least two times a week). The good news is that Raggies don’t have an undercoat, which will make grooming significantly easier.

For the best results, you should:

1. Brush their coat gently and pay extra attention to the tail and neck
2. Bathe them when needed (preferably once a month if they spend most of their time indoors)
3. Trim their claws at least once a month

The only difference between the grooming process of male and female Ragdoll cats is in how patient they’ll be. Females usually enjoy the whole pampering routine more than males.

Effects of sterilisation on male and female Ragdoll cats

Caring for sterilised cats is challenging, regardless of their gender. Whether you’ve gone this route for health or behavioural reasons, you’ll need to make quite an effort to help your furry companion get through these tough times stress-free.

Both the reason behind sterilisation as well as the outcome are usually different depending on a Ragdoll’s gender, as follows:

If you already have one adult cat and want to adopt another of the opposite gender, they should both be neutered. This will prevent any unplanned Raggie babies and any tension between cats.

If you’d like to adopt a kitten, you should consult your vet to find out when's the right time to neuter them. Fixing them too soon could impact their personality and make them too lazy and lethargic, which would be a shame since Ragdolls are energetic and loveable balls of joy.

Health issues—male vs. female Ragdoll cats

While Ragdoll cats are quite healthy and have a fairly long life expectancy, some are prone to certain hereditary conditions, such as UTIs, kidney-related issues, and cardiovascular problems.

Besides hereditary disorders, Ragdoll cats can also suffer from lifestyle-related issues typically caused by:

1. Inadequate diet
2. Overfeeding
3. Lack of exercise
4. Insufficient hydration

All of this can lead to Ragdolls becoming obese and suffering from diabetes, hyperthyroidism, gastrointestinal problems, bladder stones, or cystitis.

Both male and female Raggies can suffer from the above-related issues, but the males experience UTIs and urinary blockages more frequently, while the females are more prone to obesity due to their inactive lifestyle.

The choice of cat food can impact a Ragdoll’s health significantly. High-quality, meat-based wet cat food can help prevent most health issues and ensure your feline has a long and happy life.

Do male and female Ragdolls require different nutrition?

Ragdolls’ dietary needs are the same regardless of whether they’re male or female. While both genders require the same nutrients, there’s usually a difference in how much they eat. Males need more energy due to their size and activity levels, which is why they typically eat more than females. The average calorie requirement for adult males is around 350 calories, while females need about 250 calories per day.

What does ideal feline nutrition look like?

Cats in the wild get their required nutrients by hunting small animals such as mice, birds, frogs, etc. Domesticated cats need to be fed products that mimic a natural feline diet. High-quality cat food contains the following nutrients:

1. Animal protein
2. Animal fat
3. Vitamins and minerals

Animal protein

No matter if you opt for wet or dry food (or a mixture of both), you should make sure that animal protein is the number one ingredient. Besides being their primary energy source, animal protein contains amino acids—such as taurine—essential for your cat’s health.

There isn’t such a thing as a vegan feline. Digesting vegetable proteins is a real challenge for your cat’s organism. Plant proteins from peas, carrots, rice, soya, and similar sources aren’t nearly as efficient as protein from lean meat and fish and can potentially cause stomach issues.

Something smells fishy… Come closer, hooman!

Source: Pixabay

The following protein sources have the best biological value (the efficiency with which a feline’s organism can absorb the nutrient):

• Chicken (raw and cooked)
• Turkey
• Prawns
• Salmon
• Tuna
• Beef
• Liver
• Pork, ham, or bacon

Animal fat

Animal fat is a vital element in your cat's diet because it promotes:

• Nutrient transport across cell membranes
• Fur and skin health
• Absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K

Another benefit is the irresistible taste—felines find animal fat to be super yummy. If you're dealing with a fussy eater who refuses wet food, look for products with a bit of animal fat (for example, high-quality jelly and gravy formulas). Avoid cat food that contains more than 20% of fat as overconsumption of the nutrient can lead to obesity.

Vitamins and minerals

Vitamins and minerals—such as vitamin A, B complex, thiamin, calcium, and magnesium—are essential for your Ragdoll’s well-being. All the vitamins and minerals cats need are already found in meat, so avoid food with supplements because that means that the meat percentage is low or the raw produce is of poor quality.

Why you should steer clear of carbs

Cats don’t have the enzymes needed to process carbohydrates, which is why carbs shouldn’t make up more than 3% of your feline’s daily food intake.

If you regularly feed cats sweets, fruits, vegetables, bread, and other high-carb products, they’ll most likely become overweight and suffer from obesity-related issues.

Can Untamed help keep your Ragdoll happy and healthy?

If you're looking for cat food with the ideal protein to fat ratio and high-quality whole meat, you should give Untamed a try!

Help your Ragdoll stay fine and fit with the tastiest recipes from Untamed!

Image (c) Untamed

Your cat will adore Untamed formulas because they are:

• Hypoallergenic—Your allergy-prone Ragdoll can enjoy our food since it’s made without grains, nuts, plant fillers, or other known allergens. For super-sensitive felines, Untamed has created two single-protein-source recipes—Chocka Chicken and Tuck-in Tuna in Jelly
• Of human-grade quality—We use lean meat and fish of the highest quality to provide your feline with the right amount of nutrients they need to thrive
• Ethically produced—Untamed cares about your cat's well-being as well as our planet. That's why we collaborate with cruelty-free and dolphin-friendly suppliers, use recyclable packaging, and ensure our operations remain carbon neutral
• Vet-formulated—Each Untamed recipe has been developed in collaboration with vets to ensure our meals are balanced and complete and that all your cat's nutritional needs are met
• High in animal protein—Untamed food contains twice the amount of protein compared to other products on the market!

Get Untamed for your Ragdoll in a matter of clicks

Keeping your cat happy, healthy, and satiated has never been easier! Here's how to order your cat food trial pack online:

1. Take our Try Now quiz and tell us more about your cat
2. Select the products you'd like to order
3. Complete your order

We offer one of the best cat food delivery services in the UK. Your trial pack will be with you in a day, and we will ensure you never run out of our delicious food by replenishing your stock every month. Need to cancel, postpone, or modify your order? Reach out, and we’ll assist you!

Here's why cat parents love Untamed!

Our clients report visible results within the first week of switching their cats to Untamed.

Cat parents who have chosen Untamed for their Ragdoll kitties reported the following changes:

Join the Untamed family and see the results!