Health Concerns in the Ragdoll Breed
There are many interesting facts and Myths Surrounding the Ragdoll Breed, especially when it comes to their health. Ragdoll cats are usually healthy, but there still are a few common Ragdoll health issues, as with all other cat breeds. Being aware of these issues and taking preventative measures can help your Ragdoll live a long and healthy life. In addition to awareness, Choosing a Veterinarian for Your Ragdoll is very important. If you ever notice anything abnormal or worrisome concerning your Ragdoll’s health, early diagnosis, intervention and treatment are vital to managing most health issues in Ragdolls successfully.
A beautiful (and healthy) seal lynx mitted Ragdoll female at Pastel Ragdolls
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Ragdolls
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common form of heart disease in felines. It causes the heart muscle to thicken, resulting in an inability to pump blood normally through the heart. HCM can lead to heart failure.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is diagnosed in cats through echocardiogram.
Ragdolls that carry one or both copies of the Ragdoll HCM gene mutation are more likely to develop Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Clear genetic testing does NOT guarantee that a Ragdoll will never develop HCM in their lifetime, but it does significantly decrease the risk. When Choosing a Ragdoll Breeder to work with, it is important to confirm that they are testing every cat in their breeding program for HCM and that each of their Ragdolls is clear of both Ragdoll HCM gene mutation copies.
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) in Ragdolls
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) causes fluid filled cysts to grow in the kidneys, often leading to severe kidney damage and even kidney failure in Ragdolls. In most cases, PKD is inherited and worsens as a feline grows.
Polycystic Kidney Disease is diagnosed in felines using an ultrasound.
As with HCM, Polycystic Kidney Disease is much more likely to develop in Ragdolls that carry one or both copies of the PKD gene mutation. If you’re considering a Ragdoll Breeder, always double check that they test every Ragdoll in their breeding program for PKD and that each of their cats is clear of the two PKD gene mutations.
Dwarfism in Ragdolls | Patriarca Gucci or “PG Lines”
In recent years, dwarfism has emerged as an issue seen among Ragdoll breeders. There was a Ragdoll cat born in 2001 named Patriarca Gucci, who can be found in the pedigrees of many cats in this breed. Ragdoll cats with Patriarca Gucci in their pedigrees are referred to as “PG carriers” or having “PG lines”. Research has shown that Ragdoll kittens born with this specific form of dwarfism commonly have PG (or Patriarca Gucci) on BOTH sides of their pedigree, meaning BOTH of their parents were PG line cats.
This form of dwarfism is believed to be fatal and it seems that Ragdoll kittens born with this mutation will usually die before they reach 6 months old. Responsible breeders will check their pedigrees carefully and will not breed two PG line cats together. If only one parent Ragdoll has PG in their pedigree, it doesn’t seem to cause any issues. The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences claims to be working on a genetic test for this form of dwarfism in the Ragdoll breed.
Renal Agenesis (Single Kidney) in Ragdolls
Renal Agenesis occurs when a Ragdoll cat is born with only one kidney. Sadly, this is not an uncommon issue in the Ragdoll breed. Ragdolls born with only a single kidney can live normal lives (just as people can), but it is certainly beneficial to know if a Ragdoll is missing a kidney so that lifestyle changes can be made to help them live a healthy and long life. Lifestyle changes for a cat with renal agenesis would include a moisture rich wet or raw food diet and annual blood-work to ensure that their single kidney is functioning optimally. Regular teeth cleanings and daily teeth brushing can also be beneficial since there is a correlation between kidney health and dental health in cats.
Unfortunately, Renal Agenesis can sometimes be difficult to diagnose without an x-ray or ultrasound since it’s internal and there aren’t typically any symptoms. So, Ragdoll breeders have to rely on their vets to accurately palpate their kittens for both kidneys. Because of this, renal agenesis can sometimes be missed. If you are a Ragdoll breeder/owner, be sure to ask your vet to carefully palpate for both kidneys at all of your wellness exams.
Obesity in Ragdolls
Because the Ragdoll is naturally a large cat breed and often lives a low energy lifestyle, obesity is not uncommon. In addition to the Big Ragdoll Size and calm demeanor associated with this breed, overfeeding is another factor that can contribute to Ragdolls gaining weight. Preventing obesity in Ragdolls can require a combination of feeding a well-balanced diet, providing consistent exercise, monitoring their weight gain and attending regular wellness exams with your veterinarian.
Joint Disease in Ragdolls
Ragdoll cats can also be more disposed to joint disease when compared to smaller cat breeds. Their hefty size and predisposition to weight gain can put excess strain on their joints, especially their hips and knees. Helping your Ragdoll maintain a healthy weight can in turn prevent joint disease. Regular checkups with your veterinarian can also be beneficial in catching any joint problems early and preventatively managing them.
Urinary Tract Issues in Ragdolls
Urinary tract issues are common in all cats, including Ragdolls. Some common feline urinary issues include urinary tract infections, urinary crystals/stones and urinary blockages. These urinary problems can directly correlate with your Ragdoll’s diet, stress level or even older age. In order to prevent urinary issues, it’s important to provide your Ragdoll with a moisture rich diet, plenty of fresh water and a low-stress, peaceful environment.
Health Testing for Ragdoll Cats
When you’re choosing to Adopt a Ragdoll Kitten, you are not just picking out a pet – you are choosing a family member. Adopting a Ragdoll kitten is an investment, especially since the Price of a Ragdoll Kitten from a reputable breeder can be quite high. To ensure that you’re bringing home a healthy and happy Ragdoll, it’s essential to Choose a Ragdoll Kitten Breeder that performs extensive genetic testing on their breeding cats. At a minimum, breeding Ragdolls should be tested negative for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
Extensive Ragdoll Genetic Testing
Here at Pastel Ragdolls Cattery, we take the health of our Ragdoll cats and kittens seriously. We only ever breed fully Health Tested Ragdoll Cats. Our breeding Ragdolls are tested for the following genetic conditions:
Ragdoll Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Ragdoll Polycystic Kidney Disease, Acute Intermittent Porphyria (Variant 1), Acute Intermittent Porphyria (Variant 2), Acute Intermittent Porphyria (Variant 3), Acute Intermittent Porphyria (Variant 4), Acute Intermittent Porphyria (Variant 5), Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome, Burmese Head Defect, Chediak-Higashi Syndrome, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital Erythropoietic Porphyria, Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome, Cystinuria Type 1A, Cystinuria Type B (Variant 1), Cystinuria Type B (Variant 2), Cystinuria Type B (Variant 3), Dihydropyrimidinase Deficiency, Earfold and Osteochondrodysplasia, Factor XII Deficiency (Variant 1), Factor XII Deficiency (Variant 2), Familial Episodic Hypokalaemic Polymyopathy, Glutaric Aciduria Type II, Glycogen Storage Disease, GM1 Gangliosidosis, GM2 Gangliosidosis, GM2 Gangliosidosis Type II, GM2 Gangliosidosis Type II, GM2 Gangliosidosis Type II, Hemophilia B (Variant 1), Hemophilia B (Variant 2), Hyperoxaluria Type II, Hypotrichosis, Lipoprotein Lipase Deficiency, Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I, Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VI (G1558A Variant), Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VI (T1427C Variant), Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII, Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII, Multidrug Resistance 1, Myotonia Congenita, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (rdAc-PRA), Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency, Sphingomyelinosis (Variant 1), Sphingomyelinosis (Variant 2), Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Vitamin D-Dependent Rickets
Our breeding Ragdolls at Pastel Ragdolls are also tested negative for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) through blood testing at our veterinarian. When new Ragdoll breeding cats first arrive in our home from other breeders, they additionally undergo a rigorous quarantine process while we do extensive fecal and respiratory testing on them.
Find a Ragdoll Kitten with a Health Guarantee
Most ethical Ragdoll breeders that engage in genetic testing will stand behind the health of their Ragdoll kittens. The majority of reputable Ragdoll breeders will include health guarantees when you adopt from them. Be sure to look for a Ragdoll breeder that offers an initial health guarantee, in addition to a genetic health guarantee.
Adopt a Ragdoll Kitten with Confidence
When looking for Ragdoll Kittens for Sale, be sure to research the health testing protocols that each breeder does on their Ragdoll breeding cats. When you pick a Ragdoll breeder that prioritizes the health of their cats and kittens above all else, you are dramatically increasing your chances of a positive adoption experience. Choosing a Ragdoll breeder that does extensive testing ensures that you’re adopting a Ragdoll kitten with lower risk of genetic health issues and supports ethical breeding practices.