Ragamuffin vs California Spangled Cat - Breed Comparison

The beautiful Ragamuffin cat is a domestic feline that was established as a separate breed in 1994. It is a variant of the Ragdoll cat.

It was during the 1960s that a regular long-haired cat that was also white and non-pedigreed produced different litters of kittens, one of which was an unusually docile litter of kittens.

The history of the RagaMuffin can in fact be traced back to the founder of the Ragdoll cat breed, Ann Baker. Breeders working with Ann decided to create their own breed, the Ragamuffin, in 1994. It is a fairly new breed and the Ragamuffin has inherited quite a lot of the Ragdoll cat’s qualities. It arrived in the UK in 2009.

People seem to want a cat that resembles some of the wild cats we have, and the California Spangled is a domestic cat that has been bred to resemble spotted wild cats.

In fact, it was during the 1970s, that Paul Casey, an American scientist, returned from Tanzania to create a cat breed that resembled a wild cat such as a leopard.

There are many breeds that make up the California Spangled cat and these are the Abyssinian, British Shorthair, Siamese as well as some stray cats. Today, the breed has all but disappeared and there are only a few of the cats left.

Ragamuffins are large, muscular cats and some of the larger ones can weigh up to 9kg.

The chest of the cat is broad, he has a broad head and a well-plumed tail. These medium- to semi-longhaired cats have a thick, plush, silky coat with a ruff around the neck.

The coat is available in a number of colors and patterns, but popular colors are tabby with white, brown, blue and tortoiseshell. The nose of the Ragamuffin is shorter than that of the Ragdoll and the eyes are walnut-shaped. The eyes can be green, blue, or gold.

Temperament:

The Ragamuffin cat is a little bit more energetic than the Ragdoll and is a loving, loyal member of his human family. He is a large but docile cat. These cats are amicable, playful and also intelligent.

Many people train them to walk easily on a leash. They make great companions for single people or families.

Calm and unruffled, he makes the perfect family pet. People are always ready to make a fuss of them because of their beauty and they are always ready to lap up the attention. In fact, these big cats are so fond of attention from their owners that they don’t like being left alone for long periods of time.

The California Spangled cat is lean with a long muscular body and long legs. Its long body makes it look like it is on the prowl like a leopard.

Its coat, similar to that of a leopard, can be a mix of colors such as black, tan, silver, red and white with a mix of different shaped spots. The coat is fairly short and doesn’t require too much grooming. However, a brush will be like a bonding session for you and your cat and it will keep his coat shiny and free of loose hairs and dust.

The cat has almond-shaped eyes that are amber to copper-colored.

Temperament:

This cat is independent but it still wants to get a lot of attention from his owners. They’re affectionate, social and devoted to their human family. They are known for their intelligence and high energy levels, enjoying games that involve lots of action and participation.

Being an active cat, it needs a lot of space to roam and to play. Because he is smart, buy him interesting toys, a scratching post, and climbing equipment.

Your RagaMuffin promises to make you a splendid pet. He is such an amicable cat, being social and friendly with his human family.

He also gets along with your visitors and any other pets you have in the house. Children love his playful, easy-going nature.

Having a Ragamuffin cat in your home is such a pleasure and this large cat is willing to go out of his way to be the perfect pet and companion for you.

These active but calm cats are very sociable, liking to talk to only when needed and then the meow of the cat is soft.

While this cat would prefer being the only cat in the family, they are quite adaptable in the right environment and will adapt to a home where there are other pets.

These are cats that enjoy being the only cat in the house, but they are prepared to adapt to a life shared wth other cats or dogs.

They love playing and will respond well to children who have been taught how to be kind to animals.

They’re pricey cats these but they can certainly provide you with 15 years of great companionship.

Ragamuffins are healthy cats with no known inherited diseases, but as with all cats you want to know something of the diseases that can plague cats.

You’ll want to check that your Ragamuffin has been tested for Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as well as Polycystic kidney disease.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy:

This is a commonly diagnosed cardiac disease in cats. Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy causes the muscular walls of a cat's heart to thicken. The heart can no longer work sufficiently. It seems as though genetics plays a role as there are some cats that seem to battle with this disease more than others.

If you catch the disease early enough, the vet can devise a treatment plan to improve the cat’s quality of life.

Polycystic kidney disease:

Although you find this disease more frequently in Persian cats, this inherited disorder can be found in other cat breeds too. Liquid-filled sacs develop in the kidneys, growing in size and taking over kidney tissue which ultimately leads to kidney failure. Your cat will have nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and lethargy, and your cat will have to get to the vet.

This cat is healthy without any hereditary health issues, and with good care he can reach 15 years of age.

It always helps to choose a reputable breeder to minimize health risks. When in any kind of doubt as to the wellbeing of your cat, rather speak to your vet to be sure.

The Ragamuffin's longish coat will require some brushing at least once a week to keep it soft and silky.

These are big cats so you will need to provide him with an adequate diet. He is a carnivore and will therefore require meat.

Kittens will eat 4 meals a day while the adult Ragamuffin can have 2 bowls of food. Cats can sometimes be fussy eaters so you want to be sure to give him what he likes from the wet and dry cat goods you get.

The better quality food he eats, the healthier he will be. Your Ragamuffin's dietary needs will also depend on his age.

He should never be without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

If you have any questions about how to look after your Ragamuffin in the best possible way, speak to your local vet.

When it comes to feeding these cats, you’ll find that the California Spangled Cat is highly energetic and therefore his food needs to be of the very best high protein that there is.

The cat requires high-quality food and food that is adapted to his growth and energy levels. If your California Spangled Cat had to hunt for his own food it would be mice and birds - protein.

In your home, he’ll need cat food high in protein. A diet deficient in protein can lead to all kinds of health issues. The reason for this is the protein has amino acids and this plays many essential roles in the body, strengthening the immune system.

Fortunately, in our busy world, commercially manufactured cat foods from top brands are nutritionally complete and balanced, and they’re high-protein cat foods. Proteins are imperative for the functioning of all body parts, and nursing queens for instance may well need more protein to get the kittens off to a good start.

Grooming:

Your California Spangled cat isn’t a huge shedder so a regular brushing once a week of the short coat will get rid of dust and loose hairs.

They’re playful cats these so provide them with games and toys that can help with using up some of this energy.