Ragdolls are one of the most popular cat breeds in the UK, so, unsurprisingly, this breed continues to be highly sought-after. These cats draw people in with their beauty, as they have fluffy coats and blue eyes, and are known to be affectionate and gentle towards people, which makes them good family pets. As this breed is favoured in this country, the Ragdoll cat price can be affected.
The price of a Ragdoll cat or kitten averages between £200 and £2,500, depending on several factors. These factors, as well as the other financial responsibilities of owning a cat, are discussed in this article.
The average price of a Ragdoll cat or kitten is higher than that of a mixed-breed cat, especially when neither breed is known. This is due to the selective breeding to produce kittens with desirable traits.
Household Pets has provided a full analysis of the costs associated with owning a Ragdoll, helping new owners prepare for the financial side of caring for a cat.
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The Cost of Buying a Ragdoll in 2023
Unlike other cat breeds, Ragdolls tend to fetch a high price tag because of selective breeding and the high demand for this breed. Like other pets, the price of buying a Ragdoll cat has also increased due to the increasing cost of living, which has caused breeders to increase how much they charge for their kittens.
If you want to own a Ragdoll, then you will need to understand the costs associated with this long-term commitment.
How Much Does a Ragdoll Kitten Cost in the UK?
While crossbreed kittens can be sold for as little as £50 or even “free to a good home,” Ragdoll kittens can be found for sale between £450 and £2,500. Some adoption and rehoming centres might have purebred Ragdoll kittens available for less expensive prices, though, so these places are worth checking if this is the cat breed for you.
Crossbreed Ragdoll kittens will be available at reduced prices as they are not purebred. Ragdolls can be bred with various other cat breeds, although this can affect the health and behavioural traits the kittens may have.
How Much Does a Ragdoll Cat Cost in the UK?
An adult Ragdoll cat will often cost less than a kitten, varying between £200 and £2,000 depending on age and pedigree.
Some breeders will sell adult Ragdolls for a reduced price if they retire the cats from breeding. These cats might be neutered before heading to their “retirement homes” to ensure no other litters can be produced.
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Ragdoll
The Ragdoll cat price is affected by a number of factors, including age, whether the cat is purebred or a crossbreed, the colour and pattern, and the location of the breeder. These factors are all discussed below:
Age
Kittens and young cats are often seen as more desirable than adult cats. They are just beginning their lives, so they have much longer with their owners than older cats. This is why Ragdoll kittens can be more expensive than adults.
Purebred or Crossbreed
There is a difference in the price of purebred and crossbred Ragdolls; the former is more expensive due to the pedigree the cats have. Breeders of purebreds will only choose the best cats they want to have litters to ensure their kittens are healthy and have ideal characteristics. This helps to prevent cats from developing health conditions.
When it comes to crossbred cats, there can be a lot of unknowns about their genetics and whether they will develop health conditions during their lives. This can cause the cost to be lowered.
A reputable breeder will sell quality Ragdolls bred from parents that have previously been health-tested. This limits the risk of genetic conditions affecting the kittens, and it also means that people who buy their cats from the breeder will receive health check records. If bought from a good breeder, the purebred Ragdoll kitten or cat will also come with microchip information, registration papers, and a vaccination history.
If you are buying a Ragdoll kitten or cat – or any breed – online, it is important to be cautious. There are many people breeding cats who do it solely for the money. To find a good Ragdoll breeder, you might want to contact a club specifically for the breed, like this one.
Colours and Patterns
How a cat looks can increase its price. For Ragdolls, some colours and patterns are highly sought-after, and the prices indicate that. Again, selective breeding can affect this.
The colours Ragdoll cats come in include:
- Blue
- Chocolate
- Cinnamon
- Cream
- Fawn
- Flame
- Lilac
- Seal
These colours can be produced in patterns, too, such as:
- Bi-Colour
- High-Mitted
- Mid-High White
- True Bi-Colour
- Van
- Colourpoint
- Mitted
Location
Where you buy a Ragdoll will affect the price, too. Most of the time, cats sold in urban areas cost more than those sold in rural areas.
The Additional Costs of Owning a Ragdoll Cat
The lifetime cost of owning a cat includes the initial Ragdoll cat price as well as the care provided throughout its life.
Equipment
The same accessories and equipment are required for a Ragdoll cat as any other cat breed. Some of the following products might only need to be bought once, while others will have to be bought as the cat grows or as the items go through wear and tear:
- Bed – £6 to £138.50
- Brush and other grooming accessories – £3 to £22
- Carrier – £12 to £149
- Cat flap – £10 to £116
- Collar/lead/harness – £1.50 to £21
- Food and water bowls – £2 to £169.99
- Litter tray – £3.50 to £142
- Scratch post – £8 to £288.50
- Toys – £0.50 to £28
These products are available at various prices, as shown by the list above. Depending on the size of your Ragdoll kitten or cat, larger items might have to be bought, such as beds and litter trays.
Food
As Ragdoll cats can weigh between 4.5kg and 9kg, they might need to eat more than the average cat. This will increase the amount cat owners spend on their cats’ food.
If a Ragdoll has a weight of 5kg or more, then the minimum the owner would spend is £16.59 per month in dry food and £216.51 in wet food. This could cost the cat owner over £40,000 if the cat lives to 15 years old.
Grooming
Ragdolls commonly have medium to long coats, which means they will require regular grooming. Although their coats do not become matted easily, they should be combed or brushed at least once or twice per week. Some cats will have a heavier undercoat and require more frequent brushing.
Most cats will groom themselves, but this can lead to ingesting fur and coughing up hairballs.
Insurance
Pet insurance is a valuable resource, although it is not a must-have. Buying pet insurance can save pet owners money if their pets develop an illness or are injured at some point during their lives. It can go towards treatment, such as medication, surgery, etc.
The price of pet insurance can depend on various factors, such as the chosen insurance provider, the coverage level selected, and the health of the pet. If a cat is at risk of developing a genetic disorder, this can cause the price to increase. However, the average price for annual pet insurance for a kitten is £139.20, but this will increase each year of the cat’s life; if a cat lives to 15 years old, insurance coverage might cost £500 that year.
Veterinary
Pet owners are responsible for keeping their animals healthy. Ragdoll cats are usually happy and well as long as they receive the correct care from their owners and regular checkups at the vet. They will also need microchipping, spayed or neutered, and vaccinations.
Microchipping
From June 2024, microchipping pet cats will be a legal requirement. This means if a cat is found not to be microchipped, the owner could face a fine of £500; this is more expensive than the cost of microchipping, which is usually between £15 and £30.
Microchipping is often an easy process, and it will sometimes be included in a kitten package at vet practices around the UK. The vet will microchip the cat when it receives its first vaccination; this is sometimes carried out before the kitten leaves the breeder.
Vaccinations
Cats require annual vaccinations to protect them against disease and keep them healthy. As kittens, they will receive multiple vaccinations within the first few months of their lives. Annual vaccinations will follow as yearly top-ups.
On average, annual vaccinations can cost roughly £50 each year, but this will vary depending on the individual vet practice.
Potential Health Issues
Although Ragdolls are relatively healthy cats, there are some health issues that these cats can be predisposed to. This is why health testing cats prior to breeding is important.
Ragdolls can develop several health issues, including:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a condition where the heart walls thicken, and the volume of blood pumped is reduced.
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) – cysts, which are present in the kidneys from birth, grow in size until the kidney ceases to function, resulting in kidney failure.
Treatment costs will vary depending on the illness your cat develops and which treatment is selected. In some cases, insurance can be used to help with the costs, but not all insurance providers and/or coverage will cover every health condition.
Spaying and Neutering
Getting a cat spayed or neutered is often a personal decision for owners, although it is encouraged to prevent unwanted litters. If bought from a reputable breeder, Ragdolls may be neutered or spayed before leaving for their forever homes. In other cases, breeders might ensure owners will agree to neuter or spay their new kittens before the sale is complete.
Similar to other veterinary care, the cost of neutering or spaying can vary depending on the chosen vet practice. It can usually cost between £80 and £170, with spaying females costing more than neutering males.
Ragdoll Cat Price: FAQs
Knowing the cost of owning a Ragdoll kitten or cat is essential; when owners are more prepared, this reduces the chance of the cat being surrendered to a rehoming centre.
However, there might be other questions you have about Ragdolls, and these questions will hopefully be answered below:
How do you find a good Ragdoll breeder?
For a purebred Ragdoll cat or kitten, it is suggested to research breeders before deciding who you would like to buy from. If you are unsure which breeders are reputable, contacting a Ragdoll club or group is encouraged; these clubs will be able to direct you toward an ethical breeder.
Why are Ragdolls so expensive?
A Ragdoll cat is so expensive for a few different reasons. The first reason is due to the demand for this cat breed. Ragdolls are highly sought-after, and there are limited numbers of breeders, which means kittens and cats of this breed are priced higher than the average moggie.
Due to the limited number of breeders in the UK, a lot of care is put into breeding Ragdolls; they are selectively chosen for breeding to achieve desirable traits. This ensures that the cats are as healthy as possible, with parents being health tested before they are used for breeding.
How big do Ragdoll cats get?
Although Ragdolls are not as big as Maine Coon cats, they are still one of the largest domestic cats in the UK. A Ragdoll cat can range from 43cm to 53cm in length, 23cm to 28cm in height, and weigh between 3kg and 10kg. Females are usually smaller than males.
Are Ragdoll kittens all born white?
A Ragdoll kitten will be born when it is first born; this is the case for most litters of this breed. Over the first few weeks of their life, they will begin to develop some hues in their fur that can highlight the colour and pattern they will have.
This is not certain, however.
To Sum Up
Ragdoll cats and kittens are generally more expensive than the average cat or kitten, and this is usually why their lifetime cost will be higher. That being said, potential cat owners will always have to think about the initial cost as well as any ongoing costs when buying any breed of cat. This includes accessories, food, grooming, insurance, and vet care.
If you have your heart set on a Ragdoll, there are financial responsibilities to be aware of before buying the cat or kitten. This information will help ensure both you and your new furry friend will have a happy life together.