If you have chosen a Black Ragdoll cat to be your feline companion, I wouldn’t blame you, because it is hard to resist the affectionate, playful, and gentle creature. Widely known for their love of human companionship the Black Ragdoll cats are considered as perfect pets for cat lovers.
These cats are very intelligent and temperament and on top, they have a magical appearance. Knowing details about your pet is a good start to long-lasting joy, so here are some of the most important facts about them.
History of the Black Ragdoll Cats
The Ragdoll community is still discussing controversies regarding the question of can a Ragdoll cat be black or not. But yes, there is a Black ragdoll cat. Including black as well the other solid colors of Ragdoll cats are struggling to make their color legally accepted, especially in the official animal associations.
The Ragdoll breed appeared around the 1960s and is still being bred by many breeders in the states and wider.
American breeder Ann Baker was the first one to develop the Ragdoll breed in Riverside, USA. The breed originated in 1964 and was later in 1965 named Ragdoll Cat.
Physical Appearance and Temperament
Let us overcome the myth that cats with blue eyes have hearing problems. That is not true at all. So, these magical creatures with beautiful blue eyes hear very well.
The lifespan of a Black Ragdoll cat is approximately between 12-17 years of age. They are large and have semi-long hair. Its personality is what people like the best about this breed. A Black Ragdoll cat weighs around 15-20 pounds (6.8-9.07 kg).
They are relaxed, playful, affectionate, and loyal by nature. This cat is not among those breeds that can show aggression. It is taken as an easygoing pet. The Black Ragdoll cat will be devoted to all of the family members but will show special affection to only one of the members. This is the so-called “dog-like” characteristic of this breed.
These cats love to play with their toys, but they do like to be entertained as well. So, leaving your cat alone is a bit hard for it because it may become depressed. If you like to take care of a Black Ragdoll cat you will have to organize well and spend time with your pet.
This breed wants to show and be shown love, thus do not be surprised if besides all we have mentioned within compassion, to find out that the cat wants to cuddle and sleep on your bed.
Big in size this kind of a cat is inclined towards laziness if you do not motivate it to play and be active. Chasing and hunting games are what the Black Ragdoll will like and also do not miss to obtain “climbing cat trees” which are a great activity for this breed.
The Black Ragdoll will get along with other pets at home only if they are cat-friendly and if you do get them introduced step by step. If you already have a dog as a pet as soon as the cat of this breed arrives as a second animal you will be witnessing a beautiful friendship. As with all other animals, these cats have to be socialized from an early age.
The affection shown by your Black Ragdoll cat may be snuggling in your bed, leaping in the lap from time to time, or just walking around the house together with you, so you will not feel alone. By temperament this breed is considered to be the most docile, these cats can also be very active.
The Black Ragdoll cat is not rated in the top ten intelligent cats, which does not mean that they are not very smart. Their intelligence level is usually considered to be between the one of a domestic cat and a dog. The best characteristic of a Black Ragdoll cat is the ability to adapt and communicate which is of great importance. That guarantees nice and accurate communication with other animals and family members.
Care and Adjustment of a Black Ragdoll Cat
The Black Ragdoll cat has a thick soft coat. It is recommended to brush your cat twice a week to prevent mating, tangles, and shedding. Their claws should also be cleaned regularly and their ears cleaned. The ears are very gentle, so use a damp cloth to wipe them. With Black Ragdoll cats bathing is not needed very often if you are performing other care as described above.
Depending on the age you will have to make a consultation with your vet and later decide on your own about the good diet of a Black Ragdoll cat. While they are kittens, you can give them a portion of food and even put a bit more if you see that they can consume more. But when the cat reaches the size of a grown-up cat you will have to promote a new diet and cut back on the food.
Canned food is a great option and much better than dry food. There are more grains in dry food, while canned food is a great source of proteins and the Black ragdoll of yours needs a big amount of them. Supplementation is most of the time not necessary only in case your vet suggests it.
The Black Ragdoll is pretty well adjustable and an ideal pet for a family. What you must do is exercise with it, and train it. These “dogs” in the cat’s world can easily pick up new tricks, so do not hesitate to teach them new games, but always reward them with a treat which is the key to success.
Health issues
The Black Ragdoll Cat is generally healthy. It has a hereditary health issue called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy which is a very common heart disease in cats. You must be very careful where you buy your kitten from and make regular visits to the vet. This very common heart disease was diagnosed in the Ragdoll breed and the Black Ragdoll cat inherited it from the ancestors.
