Category: cat-breed

Cats are amazing creatures that are just as snuggly and loving as they are independent and obtuse. While most cats share the same basic instincts and natural inhibitions, there are many different cat breeds in existence, and they all have unique temperaments and personalities. This is true even for crossbreeds like the Scottish Fold and Ragdoll mix. If you are interested in learning more about this gorgeous mixed cat breed, read on!

Breed Overview

Both the Scottish Fold and the Ragdoll are rare breeds, so it’s a special thing when they are bred together to create the Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix. These adorable cats tend to have folded ears, as their Scottish Fold parents do, and fluffy coats like their Ragdoll parents. The result is a sweet look and a playful personality that is hard to ignore.

These cats are good with kids, other pets, and people of all ages and backgrounds. The Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix is not as easily available as many other domestic cat breeds because their parents are so rare. However, they are not impossible to acquire. The key is to find a reliable, quality breeder to work with who prioritizes their cats’ health and happiness.

Scottish Fold Ragdoll Mix Kittens

These adorable kittens are docile and sweet, but they also happen to be curious, which can make them a (fun!) handful as they grow into adulthood. These cats have agile little bodies as kittens that turn into large, muscular bodies as adults. That said, most adults retain the lovable, sociable, and curious side that they usually have as kittens. Not all Scottish Fold Ragdoll kittens are born with folded ears and will develop them within the first few months of life.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Scottish Fold Ragdoll Mix

The Scottish Fold Ragdoll cat is intelligent, affectionate, and graceful. They have a subdued personality yet enjoy spending time with others in social situations. They like to “people watch” and take in all the action while observing from a short distance. When they feel extra adventurous and social, they are happy to join the party and accept hands-on interactions with the people around them.

These cats are generally gentle, affectionate, and patient with children of all ages. They tend to be loyal to their closest human companions and can be found by their side most of the time. Their curiosity keeps them busy exploring things around the house, especially when new items, grocery bags, and shipping boxes are introduced.

Although social and loyal to companions, these cats are often laidback and rarely overbearing. These are quiet cats, preferring to communicate through body language rather than vocally. While all Scottish Fold Ragdoll mixes are different and unique, many can learn tricks like “come,” “sit,” and even fetch. Some cats of this mixed breed might also go “limp” when picked up, as their Ragdoll parents do.

Are These Cats Good for Families?

These cats are excellent pet options for families of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. They are happy to live in both apartment and house settings, and they seem to do fine living strictly indoors, where they are safe from predators and stray cats. These cats tend to love kids and will spend their time playing games with them whenever possible. That said, these cats don’t mind hanging out in the background and watching what’s going on without getting pushy or intrusive.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

The Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix tends to get along with other cats and dogs that are living in their household. They can even learn to get along with (or at least leave alone) smaller pets, such as rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, and guinea pigs. Their sweet temperament can be deceiving, though, as one minute, they could be hanging out next to a small “prey” companion, and the next, they could be pounding on it.

Therefore, these cats should be socialized with small pets and taught what behavior is and isn’t acceptable while still kittens. Doing so will help you avoid any unwanted aggressive interactions as your Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix gets older and larger. By the time they are fully grown, they will know what is expected of them when spending time around pets that are smaller than them.

Things to Know When Owning a Scottish Fold Ragdoll Mix

Food & Diet Requirements

Like all cats, Scottish Fold Ragdoll mixes are carnivores, so they should consume a well-balanced diet that is high in protein. Real meat-based protein should be the first ingredient on the list for any commercial food that they are offered. Keep in mind that these cats are prone to obesity, so they should not be offered unlimited amounts of food. Follow the package directions, or consult a veterinarian for specific feeding guideline recommendations.

Exercise

This mixed cat breed needs a moderate amount of daily exercise to stay trim, healthy, and happy throughout their life. While these are usually calm cats, they do enjoy chasing laser pointers, playing with electronic mice, and bopping around catnip toys. Puzzle toys that dispense treats tend to be extremely popular among this mixed breed because it gives them a chance to use their wits to be rewarded with food, one of their favorite things in the world. Aim for interacting with your cat for physical exercise for at least 15 minutes a day, broken up into smaller time blocks if necessary.

Training

No cat needs to be trained like dogs do, but the Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix is smart enough to learn basic tricks and commands. They can learn to come when called, pick up certain toys when directed to, and play fetch inside the house. When training them, you’ll need to provide direction, praise, and patience.

Grooming

Long-haired cats like the Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix are good at keeping themselves groomed. However, the Ragdoll requires daily brushing, while the Scottish Fold requires just one or two brushing sessions a week to keep mats and shedding under control. Depending on whether your Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix takes more after one or the other parent, their grooming requirements will vary. In general, the shorter and less thick a Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix’s coat is, the easier the grooming requirements.

Health and Conditions

Overall, the Ragdoll is a healthy cat without any predisposed health conditions to worry about. But Scottish Folds are susceptible to certain health conditions, and those genes can be passed down to their Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix offspring.

Male vs. Female

Both male and female Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix cats are generally in tandem when it comes to temperament and personality. Of course, all cats are unique in their own right. If anything, males can be clingier than females and are usually easier to potty train. Otherwise, it depends on the specific cat and their quirks.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Scottish Fold Ragdoll Mix

1. They Have Many Nicknames

“Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix “is a mouthful, so some people have given this mixed breed a few nicknames, including Ragfold, Foldrag, and Scotfold. More nicknames will likely come into existence as time goes on!

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2. Both Breeds Are Popular Among Celebrities

Celebrities like Taylor Swift are obsessed with both the Scottish Fold and the Ragdoll. She owns at least one of each and considers them an integral part of her family dynamic. The Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix has not gained such notoriety yet, but it’s only a matter of time.

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3. They Don’t All Have Folded Ears

While most Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix kitties end up with folded ears, not all of them do. In fact, even some purebred Scottish Folds don’t have folded ears. This does not make a pointed-eared cat any less of a Scottish Fold. It just means they inherited genes that didn’t result in folded ears.

Final Thoughts

The Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix is a well-mannered, friendly cat that enjoys spending time in social settings. They are laid back and like to interact with kids, and they don’t mind living in a small apartment or a large luxury house. What matters to them is adventure, interaction, bonding, and comfort.

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Featured Image Credit: Left – Scottish Fold (t_watanabe, Pixabay) | Right – Ragdoll (Ivelin Donchev, Pexels)

The post Scottish Fold Ragdoll Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits appeared first on Pet Keen.

Among the most beautiful cat breeds are Ragdolls. This adorable cat is found countrywide in the USA and is slowly becoming one of the most popular due to its beautiful appearance and gentle personality.

Breed Overview

Before we continue, it’s important to note that if a Ragdoll cat is calico then it is most likely a mixed breed. This is because the breed does not have the gene for the calico coat pattern. Instead, the Ragdoll is a pointed breed, and cannot have calico coloring. However, a Ragdoll cat can have tortoiseshell markings, which is often confused with calico.

Ragdoll Breed Characteristics:

Earliest Records of Ragdolls in History

Ragdolls were first bred in Riverside, California, in the 1960s by Ann Baker.

Baker was an experienced cat breeder and before Ragdolls, she had successfully bred Persians. One day in 1963, Josephine, one of the forty-plus semi-feral cats taking refuge in Baker’s laundromat, was hit by a car. She was pregnant, and Baker nursed her back to good health. A few days later, she gave birth to a wonderful set of kittens. Baker noticed the kittens were extra-large and became limp when handled. She kept three kittens and named them Daddy Warbucks, Fugianna, and Buckwheat. Warbucks was a seal-mitted cat, while Fugianna and Buckwheat were bicolor and black, respectively.

How Ragdolls Gained Popularity

In 1969, Ann Baker sold her first set of Ragdolls named Rosie and Buddy to Denny and Laura Dayton, which became the foundation of modern Ragdolls.

From 1969 to 1973, the Daytons tried to partner with Baker to promote the cat, but she was allegedly difficult to work with. The Daytons eventually shelved their attempts and formed the Ragdoll Genetic Chart, Ragdoll Society, and Ragdoll Magazine. The latter played a pivotal role in getting international organizations to recognize and register the cat.

Formal Recognition of Ragdolls

Ann Baker single-handedly set up a registering body known as International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA) in 1971 and patented the name Ragdoll 4 years later. During the same period, she also franchised out breeding rights and contracts to interested parties. Her mission was to develop three subgroups of Ragdolls, namely mitted, colorpoint, and bicolor cats.

Despite the tumultuous journey, Ragdolls were making it on the international scene. They appeared in National Cat Fanciers Association (NCFA) in 1973 and Cat Fanciers Association in 1993.

Though Ann Baker dreamt big about Ragdolls, she did not witness CFA advance them to championships status. She died of lung cancer in 1999.

Top 6 Unique Facts About Calico Ragdolls

1. You cannot have purebred calico Ragdolls

As mentioned earlier, purebred Ragdolls with calico coloring do not exist, and if you have one, it is most likely a mixed breed. Ragdolls can have tortie patterning, and this is often confused with calico. The only real difference between a tortie and calico is the presence of white. Calico has an extra spotting gene, which produces white, unpigmented spots. Calico cats have the same black and orange color as tortoiseshell cats, but with white, too.

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2. Linen inspired the calico name

A calico is a plain-woven textile made from unbleached cotton with a colored pattern on one side.

Calico cats are over 25% white (the color of cotton) with large black and orange patterns. Muted Calicos have different color patterns other than black and orange.

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3. Calico Cats are a symbol of good fortune

From ancient Egypt to Japan, cats are known worldwide to be a symbol of good fortune and money. Calico cats are no exception.

In Japan, a maneki-neko (beckoning cat) is a calico cat figurine raised in shops, restaurants, and near entrances of many business facilities believed to bring good luck to customers. Japanese sailors also had calico cats on their ships to protect them from misfortunes. Lastly, in the USA, calicos are, in some cases, referred to as “money” cats.

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4. Ragdolls are slow-maturing cats

Ragdolls are slow-maturing cats and are usually not considered mature adults until around 4 years old. In fact, their growth rate is two times slower than that of other cats.

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5. Calico kittens are born white

Kittens are born white, and other colors start appearing at around 2 weeks.

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6. They have an above-average lifespan

While the average lifespan of a normal cat is between 11 and 15 years, a Calico can live up to 20 years. Keep in mind this is for indoor cats. Allowing your cats to roam outside exposes them to life-threatening risks.

Does a Calico Ragdoll Make a Good pet?

A simple answer is yes! Ragdolls are great pets. The cat is gentle in nature, loving, and quiet. Unless provoked, it does not fight with other pets; thus, you can raise it in the company of dogs and birds.

Conclusion

A calico Ragdoll is a tri-colored cat with white being the primary color, although a purebred calico Ragdoll is highly unlikely, if not impossible. That said, Ragdolls can be found in tortie patterning, which is often confused with calico. The breeding of Ragdolls started in the 1960s thanks to Ann Baker, who also patented the name Ragdoll. Today, Ragdolls are highly sought-after cats with an average lifespan, weight, and maturity period of 15 years, 12 pounds, and 4 years, respectively.

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Featured Image Credit: Imaza Images, Shutterstock

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