Over half of Ragdolls in veterinary care had at least one health condition.

A study from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has uncovered new insights into the health conditions experienced by Ragdoll cats.

The Ragdoll, which is one of the UK’s most popular cat breeds, faces a number of health risks, including dental disease, digestive problems and weight issues.

It is hoped that the results of RVC’s VetCompass programme will support veterinary professionals, breeders and Ragdoll owners to better understand the cat breed. This could lead to better monitoring of breed health and earlier diagnosis of medical conditions.

Researchers from the RVC drew upon the veterinary health records of more than 1.25 million Ragdoll cats in the UK. They then examined the health and lifespan of over 21,000 Ragdoll cats under primary veterinary care during 2019.

Using this data, the research team sought to create a profile for the breed.

It was determined that the the median adult bodyweight was 4.46kg. Male Ragdolls were found to be significantly heavier than females, with an average weight of 4.97kg compared to 3.83kg.

Based on 125,000 bodyweight records, researchers discovered that Ragdolls gain weight rapidly during their first year and continue growing until they are two years old. This is a particularly notable factor for cat owners, who should be prepared to care for a relatively large cat when they decide to own a Ragdoll.

The records also found that 61.28 per cent of Ragdolls from the cohort had at least one health disorder during 2019.

From these cats, the most common disorder was identified as periodontal disease, affecting 8.84 per cent of cats. The other disorders were diarrhoea (7.11 per cent); obesity (6.91 per cent) and overgrown nails (5.68 per cent).

Among the 32 most common disorders, researchers discovered that female Ragdolls had a higher probability of postoperative wound complications and ear discharge. Meanwhile male Ragdolls faced a higher probability of of becoming overweight or obese.

It is also theorised that Ragdolls are predisposed to digestive disorders, which may be linked to higher rates of feline coronavirus exposure.

The median age of death was 12.85 years. Among the most common causes of death were kidney disorders (21 per cent) and poor quality of life (13 per cent).

This life expectancy, and its causes, are in line with those of most other cat breeds. However, the study may still support more targeted health monitoring, earlier diagnosis and improved preventative care.

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.”

The full study can be found in the journal Companion Animal Health and Genetics.

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