Ragdoll vs. Snowshoe Cat: What’s the Difference? (With Pictures)

In case you’ve been attempting to resolve whether or not to undertake a Ragdoll or Snowshoe cat, you is likely to be questioning what the variations are. The Ragdoll is a bit heavier than the Snowshoe, however each are affectionate, pleasant, and loving. Each felines get alongside properly with kids and different pets, however Ragdolls shed greater than Snowshoes. We’ll provide you with the entire variations we may discover between these two beautiful cat breeds within the information under that will help you resolve which one you’re prepared to provide a perpetually dwelling.

Visible Variations

Ragdoll vs Snowshoe Cat side by side
Picture Credit score: (L) madeinitaly4k, Shutterstock | (R) EVasilieva, Shutterstock

At a Look

Ragdoll Cat Breed

  • Common top (grownup): 9 to 11 inches
  • Common weight (grownup): 10 to twenty kilos
  • Lifespan: 10 to fifteen years
  • Train: 1+ hours a day
  • Grooming wants: Excessive
  • Household-friendly: Sure
  • Different pet-friendly: Typically
  • Trainability: Straightforward

Snowshoe Cat Breed

  • Common top (grownup): 8 to 13 inches
  • Common weight (grownup): 9 to 12 kilos (males), 7 to 10 kilos (females)
  • Lifespan: 15 to twenty years
  • Train: 1+ hours a day
  • Grooming wants: Low
  • Household-friendly: Sure
  • Different pet-friendly: Typically
  • Trainability: Straightforward

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Ragdoll Cat Breed Overview

Ragdolls are a little bit on the massive aspect, reaching between 10 to twenty kilos, however don’t let that idiot you. They aren’t imposing in any respect. In truth, they’re a number of the most docile, sweetest cats you’ll have the fortune of assembly.

The Ragdoll cat will get its identify from its tendency to flop and go limp every time it’s picked up, similar to a Ragdoll. Subsequent, we’ll look at the Ragdoll cat breed, so you realize what you’re in for when you undertake one and provides it a perpetually dwelling.

blue ragdoll outdoors
Picture Credit score: Agata Światowska, Pixabay

Character / Character

The Ragdoll cat is affectionate, docile, and constant. Whereas most cats are standoffish and delinquent to different animals and folks, the Ragdoll is something however. You may discover your Ragdoll kitten following you from room to room, begging to be petted or forcing its approach onto your lap when you’re snuggled up below a blanket watching TV on a chilly winter’s night. In case you’re trying to find a lap cat, the Ragdoll is a perfect selection.

Coaching

Whereas cats are thought of untrainable, studying little greater than utilizing the litter field, Ragdolls are wonderful learners. All cats will be skilled, however some don’t care sufficient to hearken to what you say or be taught what you’re attempting to show. Since Ragdolls love the eye of their pet dad or mum, they’re typically desperate to be taught what you’re instructing. You’ll be able to practice your Ragboll to play easy video games like fetch, and also you shouldn’t have any issues preserving it off the counters or utilizing the litter field. Make certain to reward your little feline pal with a deal with when it’s realized a trick.

Well being & Care

The Ragdoll was bred within the Nineteen Sixties, so it’s a new cat breed in most respects. Nonetheless, there are just a few situations you’ll wish to be careful for along with your Ragdoll cat. These embody weight problems, urinary tract infections, cardiomyopathy, cryptococcosis, and polycystic kidney illness. These are just a few of the situations, each minor and main, which were reported in these cats since their creation.

This doesn’t imply that your Ragdoll will find yourself with these situations. Nonetheless, when you see any indication that your cat could have one in every of these situations, it’s finest to get the cat to your vet immediately for analysis and remedy.

ragdoll cat with blue eyes standing outdoors in nature
Picture Credit score: Aaron Zimmermann, Shutterstock

Grooming

Grooming the Ragdoll cat will be troublesome when you don’t have the time or inclination to brush your pet weekly or take the time to detangle its lengthy fur. It might be finest when you brushed your cat greater than as soon as per week, and they’re going to want extra brushing as they grow old. You’ll be able to rent an expert groomer in case your schedule doesn’t let you brush your pet fairly often.

Some groomers even make home calls, however they’re dearer than taking your pet to a store. Your Ragdoll will even want its nails trimmed and tooth brushed a minimum of as soon as a month. One beauty of Ragdolls is that they love water, so that you shouldn’t have an issue getting the cat to take a shower when wanted.

Appropriate for

The Ragdoll cat breed is a superb household pet. They’re affectionate, relaxed, and clever. They do properly with kids and lively households and even get alongside properly with different pets, so long as they aren’t picked on. It’s necessary to notice {that a} Ragdoll must be in a house the place somebody is round more often than not. The cat loves human companionship and may get lonely if left alone for too lengthy.

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Snowshoe Cat Breed Overview

In case you’ve ever wished a cat that acts like a human, the Snowshoe cat could also be an ideal match. Snowshoe cats are fairly vocal and have been created within the Nineteen Sixties when the American Shorthair and the Siamese cat have been bred collectively.

This cat weighs between 9 and 10 kilos, has beautiful, putting blue eyes, and is tremendous affectionate with folks. We’ll talk about every thing that you must know in regards to the Snowshoe cat’s persona, train and coaching wants, and well being points it is best to be careful for under. We’ll additionally talk about how arduous it’s to groom this cute cat.

snowshoe cat
Picture Credit score: EVasilieva, Shutterstock

Character / Character

The Snowshoe cat has an affectionate persona, could be very clever, and tends to bond with one member of the family and make that member of the family their “particular person.” They discuss so much however have a mild, quiet meow. They’ve nice personalities and will lead you round your house when you’re their chosen particular person as a substitute of following you from room to room.

The Snowshoe cat could bond with one particular person, however they’re affectionate and loving to everybody within the family.

Coaching

The Snowshoe cat is straightforward to coach to make use of the litter field. They may also be taught to do tips and would like to get treats for doing them as properly. You’ll be able to even practice them to stroll on a leash by your aspect, however it’s finest to make use of a harness fairly than a collar to guard the cat’s neck. Optimistic reinforcement works wonders when coaching this cat, so ensure you are affected person and loving and provides loads of treats for the very best outcomes.

Well being & Care

Just like the Ragdoll, the Snowshoe has just a few well being situations that pet mother and father must be looking out for. These situations embody dental illness, crossed eyes, cardiomyopathy, arterial thromboembolism, FLUTD, hyperthyroidism, and renal failure. Snowshoes are wholesome felines, and you’ll preserve them match by offering high quality meals, each day train, and common journeys to the veterinary clinic.

cat and vet
Picture Credit score: Inventory-Asso, Shutterstock

Grooming

In contrast to the Ragdoll cat breed, the Snowshoe breed is short-haired and low-maintenance in terms of grooming. You will get by with brushing this cat as soon as per week, and in contrast to the Ragdoll, the Snowshoe is not going to depart as a lot free hair round your house. Nonetheless, its coat upkeep remains to be necessary, and also you’ll have to brush its tooth and trim its claws a minimum of as soon as a month.

Appropriate for

This cat is nice for households and will get alongside properly with kids and different relations. It’s finest to have this cat in a house the place the relations are lively, as they have to be bodily lively to be glad. Additionally they get together with different pets so long as they’re cat pleasant.

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Which Breed Is Proper for You?

As you may see, the Ragdoll and Snowshoe cats have fairly just a few similarities and fairly just a few variations as properly. In case you don’t have time to groom your cat or are allergic to cat fur, you’ll want to keep away from adopting a Ragdoll cat. Although no cat is entirely hypoallergenic, the Snowshoe is short-haired and doesn’t shed as a lot or require as a lot grooming.

Irrespective of which breed you select, it’s necessary to notice that giving a pet a perpetually dwelling is a big duty, so make certain you’re ready for it. In case you assume you’re prepared, both of those cat breeds will make you a loving, loyal, and family-friendly pet for a few years.

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Featured Picture Credit score: (T) izmargad, Shutterstock | (B) Elena Kutepova, Shutterstock