A new study from the Royal Veterinary College’s (RVC) VetCompass programme has revealed the most common health challenges facing Ragdolls – one of the UK’s most popular cat breeds. With identified common health risks including dental disease, digestive problems and being overweight/obesity, the findings of this research will help vets, breeders and Ragdoll owners predict what problems may develop, better monitor the health of Ragdoll cats and promote earlier diagnosis.
Ragdolls are a large, semi-longhaired cat breed known for an affectionate and docile nature and distinctive appearance. While only introduced to the UK in 1981, over recent years, the Ragdoll has become an increasingly popular breed across the UK, with this study showing the breed rose from 0.7 percent of all cats born in 2005 to 3.7 percent in 2019. This fivefold increase had already made the Ragdoll the second most common purebred cat in 2019 when the study was conducted, representing 1.7 percent of all cats overall in the UK.
Drawing on anonymised veterinary health records from more than 1.25 million cats across the UK, the RVC researchers, led by Professor Dan O’Neill, professor of companion animal epidemiology, examined the health and lifespan of more than 21,000 Ragdoll cats under primary veterinary care during 2019.
Creating a profile for the breed, the study determined that the median adult bodyweight was 4.46kg, with males significantly heavier (4.97kg) than females (3.83kg). Data from more than 125,000 bodyweight records also showed that Ragdolls gain weight rapidly during their first year and continue growing until they are around two years old – suggesting that owners should be prepared to care for the needs of a relatively large cat when they decide to own a Ragdoll.
The findings also show that 61.28 percent of Ragdolls from this cohort of cats under veterinary care had at least one health disorder recorded during 2019. From these cats, the records analysed revealed the most common disorders in the breed included periodontal disease (8.84 percent); diarrhoea (7.11 percent); obesity (6.91 percent); and overgrown nails (5.68 percent).
Additional findings include that:
- Among the 32 most common disorders, females had statistically significantly higher probability of postoperative wound complications and ear discharge, while males had statistically significantly higher probability of being overweight/obesity
- Ragdolls may be predisposed to digestive disorders, possibly linked to higher rates of feline coronavirus exposure noted in earlier studies
- The median age at death overall was 12.85 years, with life expectancy not differing statistically between females and males
- The most common causes of death were kidney disorders (21 percent) and poor quality of life (13 percent) which are common causes of death also in cats overall
- The risk of almost all disorders rose dramatically when the Ragdolls turned 12 years old, so owners of older Ragdolls need to pay extra attention to good health care
By highlighting the conditions that occur most frequently in Ragdolls, this study provides a clear evidence base to support more targeted health monitoring, earlier diagnosis and improved preventive care. This information can also guide responsible breeding decisions and help owners adopt a lifestyle for their cat that promotes a healthy bodyweight and regular dental care.
Professor Dan O’Neill, professor in companion animal epidemiology at the RVC, said: “The Ragdoll has a growing reputation as a good option for owners seeking to own a pure breed cat, but owning any type of cat brings big responsibilities. The results show that pure-breed Ragdoll cats live as long as their random-bred ‘moggie’ cousins and that owners similarly need to ensure good dental care, flea treatment, nail care and weight control, but the Ragdolls need more grooming care.”
Alison Richards, chief veterinary officer at Cats Protection, said: “The examination of data around the pedigree cat population and more specifically their expected health challenges, builds a deeper understanding of these breeds, allowing us to better support these cats and their owners. It helps organisations such as Cats Protection understand the impact of growing numbers of breeds such as the Ragdoll and how this links to the health and wellbeing of the wider cat population.”
