Catopidia

Cat breed · United States

RagaMuffin

Mèo RagaMuffin

3 min readUpdated 02/10/2026
Long-haired black-and-white RagaMuffin lying on a wooden shelf, gazing up
See 5 photos
Photo: Takashi Hososhima from Tokyo, Japan · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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 [1] and GCCF [3]; neither TICA [2] nor FIFe [4] lists the breed.

Contents (10 sections)
  1. History
  2. Appearance
  3. Photo gallery
  4. Temperament
  5. Care
  6. Health
  7. Fun facts
  8. Frequently asked questions
  9. Similar breeds
  10. References

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: mature males may reach about 20 lb (9 kg), females closer to 15 lb (6.8 kg) [1]; GCCF 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

Registry recognition

CFAYes
TICANo
FIFeNo
GCCFYes

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].
5 photos · tap to enlarge

Photos: Wikimedia Commons – author & licence shown when enlarged and on the Photo credits page.

RagaMuffin – photo gallery

Photo: Togle1 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

1 / 5

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

  • Coat: no daily grooming needed, as the coat resists mats; comb with a long-toothed comb once or twice a week [1].
  • Bathing: optional; ask your breeder about products [1].
  • New pets: introduce slowly so the RagaMuffin isn't pushed around [1].

Health

  • Generally healthy: CFA says the breed has no breed-specific genetic issues [1].
  • Conditions seen in any cat: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and polycystic kidney disease (PKD), 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…

  • Ragdoll: the same roots, but always colorpointed and blue-eyed [5].
  • Birman: a longhaired colorpoint with four white "gloves" [6].

Ask your vet. This information is for reference only and does not replace a veterinary diagnosis.

Fun facts

  • The name RagaMuffin nods to the breed's street-cat ancestors [1].
  • RagaMuffins can take up to four years to reach full size [1].
  • Many will happily walk on a harness [1].

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 [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

Brown tabby Maine Coon with a white chest and tufted ears sitting beside its owner
7 photos

Maine Coon

Sociable, loyal, intelligent and fairly independent

Mèo Maine Coon

United States

Good with kids
Thick-coated brown tabby Siberian lying on a pink cushion with half-closed eyes
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Siberian

Intelligent, curious, easygoing, devoted, quiet

Mèo Siberia

Tsardom of Russia

Good with kids

Breed photos: Wikimedia Commons (CC0 / CC BY / CC BY-SA) – authors & licences on the Photo credits page.

References

  1. CFA, RagaMuffin (breed profile & standard)
  2. TICA, Browse All Breeds (RagaMuffin not listed; no TICA breed page)
  3. GCCF, Cat Breeds (RagaMuffin breed card)
  4. FIFe, Breeds (RagaMuffin not listed)
  5. CFA, Ragdoll (breed profile & standard)
  6. CFA, Birman (breed profile & standard)

Accessed: 2026-10-02

Written by Catopidia from the sources above. Photos credit their author and licence under each image and on the Photo credits & licences.