Breed Bits: Mink Ragdoll Kitten

Anyone who has ever been lucky enough to own a ragdoll cat has probably come away singing the breed’s praises. Indeed, a mink ragdoll kitten is equal parts fluffiness and sweetness, making them almost a perfect pet. Even die-hard dog partisans cannot help but be charmed by the mink ragdoll kitten’s affectionate temperament and luminous blue eyes. Ragdolls are also larger than many other breeds of housecat, and their average weight ranges between 10-20 lbs. The mink ragdoll is a specific sub-breed of ragdoll cat. Contrary to some rumors, mink ragdolls are indeed purebreds and the breed is officially acknowledged by the SBT (StudBook Tradition) and The International Cat Association. This makes them eligible for all cat shows.

So what distinguishes mink ragdoll kittens from standard ragdolls? Nearly all ragdolls are descended from cats found in Ann Baker’s prestigious cattery. Ann played a huge part in developing the breed, starting back in the late 1970’s. Mink ragdolls differ from traditional ragdolls mostly in their coloration. They tend to have darker (some would say “richer”) body fur. While this fur does not match the darkest coloration of the cat’s points (ears, tail, nose) it is darker than the typical light Siamese coloration that standard ragdolls are known for. A mink ragdoll kitten’s eyes are also typically characterized as deeper “aqua”, as opposed to the traditional ragdoll’s pale blue eyes. Unlike standard ragdoll kittens, mink ragdolls are born with their trademark coloration. Standard ragdolls are born white, and their tip markings gradually appear while their coat darkens slightly as they age.

The best place to get a mink ragdoll kitten is Ontario’s famous RaggleRock cattery. Most cat breeders focus exclusively on breeding traditional pointed ragdolls, but RaggleRock has committed themselves to keeping the mink ragdoll breed alive. Of course, expect to pay top dollar for your mink ragdoll kitten. When done honestly, cat breeding is hard work and these cats are potential show champions. Even if you’re not planning on taking them to competition, you’ll still be paying champion prices, which can be anything for $600 to $1500. And the kittens go fast, so you’ll be lucky to get one! While ragdolls are typically healthier than other boutique breeds like the Himalayan, you will still need to put in some serious grooming effort. Due to the length of their fur, mink ragdolls are easily susceptible to both fur-matting and hairballs, and daily grooming is very strongly recommended. Of course, with personality like that it should come as no surprise that devoted ragdoll forums have sprung up all over the internet and the forums there will be more than happy to answer your questions based on experience. Some of the foremost of these ragdoll sites include ragdoll-cats.com and ragdollinternational.org .