A Guide to Ragdoll Cat Size – How Big Do Ragdoll Cats Get?

Ragdoll cats are generally thought of as large cats. Perhaps their silky coat, ruffled collar and knickerbocker breeches make them appear larger than they really are? Maybe our perception of Ragdoll cat size is somewhat flawed because of their fur? Are they really that big… and if so, how big do Ragdoll cats get?

In this post I’m going to explore Ragdoll cat size and compare it to other domestic cat breeds. I’ll discuss what you can expect from them in terms of height and weight, and I’ll also describe their body shape.

By the end of this article, you should have a clear understanding of the size of Ragdoll cats, and perhaps an appreciation of whether or not you have space for one in your home!

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Ragdoll Cats Size – How Big Do Ragdoll Cats Get?

A luxurious coat can make any animal appear larger than they truly are. Notwithstanding the Ragdoll’s furry finery, they are actually one of the larger domestic cat breeds.

Physically, Ragdolls don’t reach their full size until around 4 years of age, at which point they’ll have a height between 9” and 11” (22.5cm and 28cm) and a body length between 17” and 21” (43cm to 53.5cm).

As a general rule, male Ragdolls tend to be larger than females.

Females being smaller sized weigh between 3.6kg to 6.8kg (7.9lbs to 15lbs), whereas adult males are much larger and will weigh between 5.5kg to 9.1kg (12.13lbs to 20lbs) when they reach maturity.

Compare this to an average domestic cat, which might stand at between 8” and 10” (20cms and 25cms) with a weight of between 8.5lbs and 11lbs (4kg to 5kg), and you can see that a male Ragdoll is almost twice the size! 

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The Size of Ragdoll Kittens

As newborn kittens, Ragdolls tend to have a similar size to many cat breeds and they grow at a very similar rate.

At around 5 to 6 months, Ragdoll kittens start to grow in spurts until they reach maturity (3 to 4 years). At this point Ragdolls usually need more food to support growth.

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Ragdoll Cats – Size and Physical Characteristics

As a large cat breed, Ragdolls are nonetheless proportionately sized. They have a long body but they’re broad and solidly built having a rectangular shape. Their bodies are muscular and firm and they have a full chest.

• Head and Neck – Ragdolls have a medium-sized broad head with a flat top and fur that makes it appear much larger than it actually is. Their faces are triangular in shape and their necks are short, thick and strong.
• Body – The Ragdoll body is sturdy, bulky and heavily boned. The chest is full and there is equidistant width across the shoulders and hindquarters. It’s not uncommon for adult Ragdolls to have a primordial pouch under its belly.
• Legs – The legs are long, heavily boned and strong with the front legs shorter than the hind legs.
• Paws – The size of Ragdoll paws are relatively large and they have a rounded shape.

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Summary

In terms of size, Ragdoll cats are one of the larger breeds. In fact, they can be almost twice the size of the average domestic cat! They aren’t the largest cat breed though as they’re superseded by breeds like the Maine Coon, which can top out at a whopping 25lbs (11.3kg).

Although Ragdoll kittens initially tend to be a similar size to average domestic cats and have a similar growth rate, their size and growth rate changes around the 5 month mark. 

So… just because a Ragdoll kitten looks small, it doesn’t mean they’ll stay that way forever! If size is an important consideration for you, it’s worth remembering that adult Ragdoll females are smaller than males.

The Ragdoll size may be overwhelming to some, it’s worth remembering that they’re super friendly cats with a sweet disposition… although they’re big cats, they’re not BIG cats, if you know what I mean!

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Do you have any questions about the size of Ragdoll cats? Or perhaps you can add your experiences of how big Ragdoll cat get? Please share them in the comment section at the bottom of this page.

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Related Posts

• What Are Ragdoll Cats?
• Are Ragdoll Cats Hypoallergenic?
• The Personality of Ragdoll Cats

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