You wouldn’t think that cats would have many differences. After all, they are cats, right? Well, each breed, even what you would call your typical alley cat or domestic short or long hair, have differences.

Let’s look at the differences between Persian cats and Ragdolls.

What Are The Differences Between Persian Cats And Ragdolls?

The most significant difference between Persians and Ragdolls is their appearance. Persians come in many colors, solid, point, chinchilla, just to name a few. Ragdoll cats have color point coats. They have darker fur at their ears, tails, and feet. Some Ragdolls can have white paws, but the higher part of the foot and leg is what is called color point.

Ragdolls have blue eyes. Persians have a variety of eye color

Persians need their coats brushed out daily where a Ragdoll can go more extended periods between grooming sessions. Their fur doesn’t tend to mat like a Persian’s might.

Persians are one of the oldest cat breeds in existence where Ragdolls are one of the newest

Ragdolls are floor cats and prefer not to jump and climb. They will run to meet you at the door and can be taught to fetch.  

What Is a Ragdoll? 

History

The Ragdoll breed is one of the newest breeds, started in the 1960s by a woman named Ann Baker.

A white, domestic longhaired cat named Josephine, a Persian/Angora had litters sired by several unknown male Birman or Burmese-like cats. One of these kittens had the Siamese point coloration. Josephine later produced docile, placid tempered, affectionate, kittens with a tendency to go limp when picked up. Subsequent litters contained more of the same type of kitten.

There is a bit of a gap in how Ann finally got her cats for breeding. We know that Josephine is the mother of the breed, but it’s unclear if she was a neighborhood stray that people took care of or if she had a home. It’s written that Ann purchased several of the docile, even-tempered, relaxed kittens from a neighbor.

Ann thought she had something special in these ragdoll acting cats so, she set out to create what is now known as the Ragdoll breed. The founding sire for the Ragdoll was named Daddy Warbucks. He was a seal point with white feet. The founding female, Fugiana, a kitten sired from Daddy Warbucks, became the founding mother along with her sister Buckwheat, who were both daughters of Josephine. I’d actually say the founding mother was Josephine, but for breeding purposes, it would have to be Fugiana or Buckwheat.

All Ragdolls are descended from Baker’s cats through Daddy Warbucks, Fugianna, and Buckwheat.

I disagree a bit here. I have had two Ragdoll type cats, that had the traits for Ragdolls. They were not bought from a breeder or rescued. They were both born in my home years apart from my cats. So, the ragdoll gene is out there not only in Baker’s cats but elsewhere. We lived in Arizona at the time these cats were born.

Ragdoll Traits

Coat and Colors

Ragdolls cats have medium, soft, silky coats. There are four color patterns, bi-color, van, mitted, and color point. These patterns come in six colors seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, and cream. Points can be solid, lynx, tortie, or torbie (tortie and lynx).

Eyes

Ragdoll cats have blue eyes, no matter their coat color.

Size

One of the largest domestic cat breeds, Ragdolls rate up there with the Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest cat, even the Persian with the top average weight of an adult male being twenty pounds or right at nine kilograms.

Personality

Ragdolls are quiet and hardly meow, making them an excellent pet for people living in apartments. They love their people and will follow them everywhere, even sleeping on the bed with them. They will play fetch and love their toys. Ragdolls are very affectionate and are attention seekers. They love to be held, and when picked up will go limp like a rag, thus the name Ragdoll.

Ragdoll Health Issues

Ragdolls are, in general, healthy cats. Some health problems may be present in a Ragdoll. Bladder stones, a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and polycystic kidney disease.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy causes thickening (hypertrophy) of the heart muscle. An EKG can confirm whether a cat has HCM. Researchers identified the genetic mutation that causes HCM in the Ragdoll and has developed a genetic test that allows breeders to screen cats before breeding them.

Polycystic Kidney Disease is where fluid-filled cysts grow within the kidney. It is hereditary. Having a cat with this problem spayed or neutered will help keep the spread of this disease down.

Ragdoll kittens can go through rapid growth spurts. If you notice your Ragdoll kitten acting hungry, especially just after he’s eaten, you should give him more. Your kitten must get enough nutrition as he grows. At the age of maturity, four years, you can then ration your cat’s food.

Ragdolls are easy to groom. Brushing once or twice a week with a steel-toothed comb, nail trimming, and ear cleaning, and there you have it.

How Do These Two Breeds Compare?

Persians come in a myriad of colors, Ragdolls have color point coats with many patterns and colors, and their eyes are always blue.

The Persian personality is sweet and gentle, they adapt to any household, be it busy and noisy or slow and quiet. Persian voices are soft and singsong when they choose to use it. Ragdolls crave human companionship, they search out their people whether in the living room, bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen. They will greet their people or guests at the door like a puppy. Ragdolls are very quiet and seldom meow.

Persians aren’t into being held and carried but do want attention. Ragdolls will go limp and relaxed when you pick them up. They live for contact with their humans.

Ragdolls can be taught to fetch where a Persian would rather be the best décor in the house.

Which Is Best For You? 

I can’t tell you which cat breed to choose. You need to look at your circumstances. What kind of cat do you want? These two breeds are both affectionate and want attention. Are you willing to allow your cat to snuggle, cuddle, and sleep with you? Both types are quiet. Ragdolls don’t meow often. Persians can be vocal if they aren’t getting their required attention. Persians require a ton of grooming compared to the Ragdoll. You need to weigh the pros and cons of both breeds. Also, which do you like best?

Do you have a Ragdoll? If so, let us know about your cat? How did we do in describing the Ragdoll? How does your Ragdoll compare to your Persian if you might have both? Let us know in the comments below.