Maine Coon and Ragdoll cats are two of the most recognizable and beloved breeds in the world. Maine Coons are known for their large size and inquisitive personality, while Ragdolls are known for their smushed faces and chill attitude, and the fact that they go “limp” in your arms when you hold them. So, what happens when you mix the two together? The combination is quite unique and results in a large cat with a calm demeanor. Here is everything you need to know about the Maine Coon Ragdoll Mix.
Breed Overview
Height: | 9–16 inches |
Weight: | 14–21 pounds |
Lifespan: | 13–17 years |
Colors: | Seal, Chocolate, Red, Blue, Cream, Lilac, Black |
Suitable for: | Cat lovers of any kind |
Temperament: | Playful, social, and gentle |
The Maine Coon Ragdoll Mix is a successful mixed breed because it effectively combines the best traits of each breed into one cat. Maine Coon Ragdolls have the size and fluffiness of a Maine Coon cat with the personality of a Ragdoll cat. The mixture chills out the Maine Coon’s wild side and adds some girth to the Ragdoll Cat. The result is a surprisingly docile cat that is one of the most social, friendly, and loving in the world. Unfortunately, they are quite rare, and obtaining one of these cats for yourself can be quite challenging.
Maine Coon Ragdoll Mix Characteristics
Maine Coon Ragdoll Mix Kittens
If you are leaping out of your chair already and have the strong urge to procure a Maine Coon Ragdoll cat for yourself, you are in for a challenge. There are multiple barriers to getting a Maine Coon Ragdoll kitten. First, mixed breed cats are not common, and they are not popular. Unlike dogs, there are very few cat breeders who are willingly (and responsibly) breeding mixed breed cats. The cat market is dominated by purebred kitties.
Second, well-bred Maine Coon and Ragdoll cats are a bit rare in themselves. These breeds are not as common as shorthairs, longhairs, or even Siamese cats. Finding two healthy cats of opposite genders and opposite breeds can be difficult on its own. The result is that Maine Coon Ragdoll kittens are highly difficult to source. Your best bet is to contact an established breeder of either Maine Coons or Ragdoll cats and ask them if they know anyone or are willing to breed a mixed breed litter special for you.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Maine Coon Ragdoll Mix
Maine Coon Ragdoll Cats have a great demeanor. They are very smart and observant. This makes them easy to train and adaptable, which are great traits for any pet. They are also very calm and chill. Ragdoll cats are known for being lazy lumps, and they pass some of this along to their Maine Coon side. The result is a cat that loves to cuddle, hang out, and is friendly to almost everyone. These cats do not suffer from fear and anxiety as much as other cats. Maine Coon Ragdoll Mixes will need plenty of attention and mental stimulation to keep them satisfied but they will become very relaxed and laid back as they age.
Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪
Yes. Maine Coon Ragdoll Mixes are the perfect family cat. They are friendly, great with children, low maintenance, intelligent, and large. They are not too wild like some breeds, they get along with other pets, and they are very social. All of this leads to a cat that can live in a house with one person or a house with ten people. These cats are very adaptable and love being in the middle of the action. They rarely get overwhelmed, and they rarely bite or scratch.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Yes. These cats are very laid back and will get along with other pets. They coexist perfectly fine with other cats. They even get along with dogs and can be trained to leave small animals like rodents alone. The result is a cat that will seamlessly blend into almost any family, no matter how many pets they have. Of course, each cat is different, but the intelligence and demeanor of the Maine Coon Ragdoll makes them very likely to get along with almost any other pet.
Things to Know When Owning a Maine Coon Ragdoll Mix
Food & Diet Requirements 🐡
These cats do not require any special dietary considerations. They are large cats, so they will eat slightly more than smaller cats. It is suggested that you use quality and well-formulated dry food for most of your cat’s nutritional needs. It is also suggested to feed food that matches their lifestyle. If they are kittens, feed kitten food. If they have allergies, feed hypoallergenic food. If they are old and arthritic or have mental decline, feed them senior food. And so on. If you have any questions about your cat’s diet, consult your veterinarian.
You need to make sure to carefully follow the proportions given on the bag. Maine Coon Ragdoll cats can be prone to obesity. They can also be vocal. So, overfeeding them is easy to do and a common pitfall. Do not overfeed your cat, or it will quickly gain weight, which can lead to health issues.
Mental Stimulation 🐈
Due to the intelligence of the Maine Coon Ragdoll cat, they are going to need mental stimulation to keep them focused and out of trouble. These cats need activities to keep them entertained when they are not sleeping, or they could cause mischief around the house. It is suggested that you play with your cat or buy it toys or activities that they can use on their own. Things like cat towers will give them a place to climb and observe things. Toys, especially hunting toys, will keep them busy when they have the urge to get moving. Having a window open or a sunroom where the cats can go and look outside will also help.
If you do not stimulate your Maine Coon Ragdoll cat, you could find them chewing your shoes, scratching your furniture, or knocking over your prized possessions. These cats are particularly active and curious when they are young and will mellow out a bit as they age. Older cats will need less mental stimulation than younger cats, but all cats need an outlet for their energy and curiosity.
Training 🧶
Most people think that cats cannot be trained, but that is not actually the case. Maine Coon Ragdoll cats are incredibly intelligent, which means they can learn simple instructions and tasks better than most cats. Maine Coon Ragdolls can learn to stay and come. They can also learn how to walk on a leash. They have very few issues with potty training, and they will learn your habits, schedule, and mannerisms in an uncanny way.
Persistent owners can use positive reinforcement and some tips to train their Maine Coon Ragdoll to follow commands or even do tricks. But most people will be happy with a cat that will always use the litter box and will come when called. The Maine Coon Ragdoll checks those boxes and then some.
Grooming ✂️
Maine Coon Ragdoll Mixes have thick coats that can grow quite long. This means that they are going to need moderate grooming to keep them looking and feeling their best. Most cats will take care of the brunt of the work of keeping themselves clean and prim, but they will need some help. In this case, that means brushing them once per week and keeping an eye out for mats or dirty patches of fur. You will want to make sure that there are no sticky spots on the cat and pay attention to the area around the butt. This will ensure that your cat does not have any regions where they cannot clean effectively.
The other thing you need to be aware of is shedding. These cats are heavy shedders. That means if you do not like cat hair inside or are allergic, you are going to struggle. Maine Coon Ragdolls shed the heaviest during the autumn and spring months as their fur changes from a summer coat to a winter coat and vice versa. Brushing will also help keep the shedding levels to a minimum. The more you brush, the less fur will make it onto the floor.
Health and Conditions 🏥
Maine Coon Ragdolls are considered to be a very healthy breed. The reason for that is that they reduce the possibility of gaining genetic conditions that are common in either Maine Coons or Ragdolls. Since most genetic problems are recessive, mixing two breeds reduces the likelihood of receiving a negative recessive gene that can cause health issues.
Maine Coon Ragdoll Mixes are still prone to a few rare conditions. Due to their size, these cats can develop hip dysplasia when the joints do not fuse properly during development, which can lead to decreased mobility and arthritis, especially in old age. Another uncommon disease is polycystic kidney disease, which can cause cysts to grow on the kidneys, causing pain or hampering kidney development. Lastly, these cats can develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which can affect blood flow and, therefore, activity levels. None of these conditions are common, but they can occur and are often caused by recessive genetics.
Another thing to watch out for is obesity. Maine Coons tend to maintain a healthy weight on their own, but Ragdolls are prone to obesity which raises the risk that your Maine Coon Ragdoll Mix can become obese, which comes with a slew of potential health issues and a reduced lifespan.
Serious Conditions
- Hip dysplasia
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Male vs Female
Male Maine Coon Ragdoll Mix cats are slightly larger than the females. If you really want a large cat, you should consider getting a male, as they will be on the higher end of the size range than females. Some people say that females are also more playful than males, but there is no hard evidence to support these claims. Other than the size and slight personality differences, male and female Maine Coon Ragdoll cats are very similar to one another.
Sex | Height | Weight |
Male | 11–16 inches | 15–21 pounds |
Female | 9–14 inches | 14–18 pounds |
3 Little-Known Facts About the Maine Coon Ragdoll Mix
1. A Cat With Many Names
The Maine Coon Ragdoll Mix goes by many names. You might see these cats referred to as Rag Coon Cat, Maine Doll, or Ragcoon. Typically, Ragcoon is the most common name you see for this particular mixed breed. In Britain, mixed breed cats are also referred to as moggies, so you might hear someone refer to their Maine Coon Ragdoll Mix as a Maine Coon Ragdoll moggy.
2. An All-American Cat
Maine Coon Ragdoll Mixes might look and sound exotic, but they are actually 100% American. Maine Coons, as their name suggests, hail from the state of Maine. Ragdoll cats were developed in California. That makes the Ragcoon a mix of two American breeds. One parent originated on the East Coast, and one parent originated on the West Coast. You could call your Ragcoon a bi-coastal elitist, and you would not be wrong.
3. A Rare Breed
Ragcoon cats are very rare. As discussed, finding a Maine Coon Ragdoll kitten can be a challenge. The reason for that is due to the fact that the majority of people would prefer to have either a purebred Maine Coon or a purebred Ragdoll cat. Mixed breed cats are not as popular or well liked as certain mixed breed dogs. That could change in the future, but as of now, Maine Coon Ragdoll Mixes are hard to find and quite rare.
Final Thoughts
If you are lucky enough to find or breed a Maine Coon Ragdoll Mix, you can have yourself a family cat for many years to come. These cats are friendly, get along with everyone and everything, and are relatively healthy and super cuddly. What’s not to like? The biggest issue is finding one since they are very rare, and most people don’t realize what a great mixture this breed truly is. This is a mixed breed cat that will appeal to almost anyone, except maybe if you don’t like particularly large cats.
Featured Image Credit: Carly Ahlers, Shutterstock
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