How Old Do Ragdoll Cats Live? [Facts You Should Know]

Do you currently have a Ragdoll cat in your home, or are you considering bringing one into your family? If so, it’s natural to wonder how old do Ragdoll cats live. The answer to this question gives us peace of mind and allows us to take care of the cat easily.

To help you out, I will share detailed info about the lifespan of these beautiful Ragdolls, their life cycles, and some tips on how best to care for them throughout their life. So just scroll down the page, and read this guide till the end to find all answers.

How Old Do Ragdoll Cats Live & What are the Life Cycles of Ragdoll Cats? 

Generally, the average lifespan of a Ragdoll cat is around 15 years, but some can live even longer. With proper diet and care, Ragdolls can reach healthy ages of 17-20 years. In short, it’s safe to say your Ragdoll will be your companion for half of your life. 

To ensure that they stay in good health, it’s important to provide them with exercise and along with regular vet check-ups. In addition, take your Ragdoll to regular grooming sessions. It can help keep them healthy and happy. 

The average 15 years of lifespan of the Ragdoll cat consist of five life cycles. You can read about the life cycles below; then, we’ll share tips to take care of your Ragdoll for all life stages. 

Learn about: What are Ragdoll cats? Personality, looks & health.

Quick Overview – Life Cycle of Ragdoll Cat

Life Cycle	Minimum & Maximum Age	Specialty
Kittenhood	Up to 6 months.	In this period, the Ragdolls grow, get the vaccination and adapt to the environment.
Adolescent Period	From the 7th month to up to 2 years.	This is the period of early youth; Ragdolls become strong, and they learn physically and mentally.
Young Adult	From 3rd year to up to 6th year.	This stage is about developing personality and habits. In this stage, you’ll notice that your Ragdoll is energetic and plays a lot.
Mature	From 7th year to up to 10th year.	As the name suggests, it’s the mature part of the Ragdoll lifecycle. This is the stage when Ragdolls enter old age.
Senior or Geriatric	From the 10th year to up to +15 years.	At this age, the cats become old, so they spend a lot of time resting.

What Factors Can Affect the Life of a Ragdoll Cat? 

Ragdoll cats have long, luxurious fur and bright eyes, making them one of the most beloved breeds of cats. However, they may have a short life if their owners don’t take certain steps to ensure their well-being.

1. Nutrition & Diet – One of the main factors that can affect the lifespan of a Ragdoll cat is nutrition and diet. Without proper nutrition and diet, their cells won’t have the energy needed to keep them healthy and protect them from illnesses and stresses.
2. Indoor Life – Yes, Ragdoll is an indoor cat; living outside isn’t a good idea for the cat, but it doesn’t mean you should always keep your Ragdoll at home. It can be dangerous because at home they usually rest a lot and their weight can increase. Hence, it’s better to go outside with your Ragdoll for a walk frequently.
3. Health Issues – This is one of the most important factors. You may not know, but there are a lot of health conditions related to oral health, kidney, heart, and digestive issues that can affect the life of a Ragdoll cat. 
4. Vaccination – if your Ragdoll cat isn’t vaccinated, you should go for it as fast as you can. It’s imperative for the health of cats because it helps reduce the risk of contracting certain illnesses or diseases. Vaccines protect cats from maladies that can be deadly, such as rabies and feline distemper. 

By taking care of these four factors properly, you will help your Ragdoll live a happy and healthy life for many years to come!

5 Practical Tips to Maximize the Life of Ragdoll Cat

By following our five tips, you won’t only maximize the age of Ragdoll cats, but they’ll also help in improving the quality of Ragdoll life. Your Ragdoll will live healthily and, most importantly, healthy for the rest of their life.

1. Feed a balanced diet to your Ragdoll cat 

Feeding a balanced diet to your Ragdoll cat is essential for their health and well-being. A proper diet helps them maintain all their nutritional needs throughout their life cycle from kittenhood to adulthood. 

Ragdoll cats need high-quality dry or wet food that contains animal proteins, mainly from chicken and fish, as these are key sources of taurine for cats. But remember, you can’t just pick any dry or wet cat food in the market, make sure the check the description and age before picking any food.

Learn about – How I buy cat food for my Ragdoll cat.

2. Groom your Ragdoll cat regularly. 

Regular grooming is an important part of keeping a Ragdoll cat healthy. The breed is known for its long, soft coat, and daily brushing sessions can help you to prevent tangles, keep the fur glossy, and remove any shed hairs. 

In addition to the coat, it’s important to regularly check your Ragdoll’s eyes, ears, and paws too; dry shampoo can help clean these areas without getting them wet. 

Learn about: Can you shave a Ragdoll cat?

3. Keep your Ragdoll indoors 

To ensure the safety and health of your Ragdoll cat, it is important to keep them indoors. Indoor cats are more protected from potential dangers like disease, parasites, wild predators, humans, and weather extremes. 

Keeping them indoors also lengthens their life expectancy, but it doesn’t mean you should never take your Ragdoll out. What we want to suggest is to keep them in the home but make sure to go with your Ragdoll cat for a walk after some time. 

Another important thing is to make sure your Ragdoll is active at home. You can buy cat toys and exercising wheel so your Ragdoll weight won’t increase.

4. Take them for regular vet checkups. 

It’s important to take your Ragdoll for regular vet checkups to keep them healthy and happy. Not only can these visits prevent potential illnesses from occurring, but they also provide a great opportunity to discuss any questions you may have with the vet. 

Additionally, regular checkups mean that any illnesses, if present, will be diagnosed quicker and treated earlier. By scheduling regular vet appointments for your Ragdoll, you’re helping ensure a long and healthy life!

5. Spay or neuter your Ragdoll cat 

Having a Ragdoll cat can be a joy and a source of companionship, but it is important to remember that you have to take care of your four-legged friend properly. One important step in providing the best possible life for your Ragdoll is having them spayed or neutered. 

Not only does this practice reduce pet overpopulation, but it can also promote better behaviour since the hormones which contribute to the drive to roam or fight are decreased or eliminated. In addition, altered cats are at lower risk for diseases like cancer and Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). 

Final Words!

Based on the information above, we can conclude the answer of how old do Ragdoll cats live is around 12 – 15 years which can increase up to 20 years if you take care of them properly.

Surprisingly, taking care of them isn’t an impossible task; you only have to follow a few things religiously. Like, take your Ragdoll cat for regular check-ups, also make sure your cat eats healthy food. It doesn’t matter whether you use dry or wet cat food; just ensure to meet the calorie requirement of the Ragdoll.

Read my article – What do Ragdoll cats eat? It will help you understand the food requirements of Ragdoll, how many calories your cat needs daily, and how many times you should serve food for a healthy life.

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• What are Ragdoll cats? Personality, Pros & Cons
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