Ragdoll Vs Himalayan
There are many breeds of cat out there, some more popular than others— and some more similar to each other than others, too!
If you are not very familiar with the plethora of cat breeds out there, you may confuse the Ragdoll and Himalayan cats, as some people do. These, however, are still two different breeds, with their own sets of traits and characteristics.
Take a look below to learn more about the Ragdoll and Himalayan breeds, as well as some of the differences between the two that can help you to tell them apart!
What Is a Ragdoll Cat?
A Ragdoll cat is a breed of cat that is well known for its blue eyes and unique colorpoint coat. The Ragdoll is also a breed that is very affectionate and social and is playful into adulthood, too.
This breed is known to be intelligent and is one of the few breeds of cat that can be taught different tricks with high levels of success.
It is not uncommon for a Ragdoll to play fetch or to know how to roll over, for instance. Ragdolls are named for a certain phenomenon— when they are picked up, they will go limp or flop in your arms like a ragdoll toy!
Also Read – Ragdoll vs Maine Coon
Also Read – Ragdoll vs Ragamuffin
What Is a Himalayan Cat?
The Himalayan cat is a long-haired cat, which is recognized as a sub species of long-haired cats. They look very similar to Ragdolls or Persian cats, having long, thick, fluffy coats and similar body types to the Persian.
Himalayan cats have the blue eyes of the Ragdoll, and a striking colorpoint coat, also similar to the Ragdoll breed.
However, the Himalayan cat was bred as a result of crossing the Persian cat with the Siamese cat. Their excess of fur makes them appear larger than they are!
Ragdoll vs Himalayan
The Ragdoll and Himalayan cat certainly share some similarities, but they are two different breeds of feline. Read on for some of the traits that set these breeds apart from one another, and can help you to discern the identity of a cat— Ragdoll or Himalayan.
Size
Interestingly, the Ragdoll cat is the bigger breed out of the two. It may not seem that this is the case, as the Himalayan often looks larger due to their very large and fluffy coats. Ragdoll cats can average around 12 to 20 pounds, while the Himalayan cat, on average, only weighs 7 to 12 pounds.
Temperament
Both Ragdolls and Himalayans are thought to be sweet and cuddly cats. This is true, but they are not the same in temperament. One of the ways that you can tell these breeds apart is by how social they are.
The Ragdoll is typically the more social of the two breeds. In comparison, the Himalayan is a bit more reserved. Himalayan cats are more mellow and are also described as being gentle and quiet.
The Ragdoll cat is known to be a vocal breed, which can be an advantage or a disadvantage, depending upon personal preference as a pet owner!
Maintenance
The Ragdoll and Himalayan breeds of cats have long, silky coats. They both, therefore, require more grooming and maintenance than some other breeds, especially short-haired breeds, might. Out of the two, though, it is actually the Himalayan that requires more grooming and may shed more around the house.
This is because the Himalayan has a bushy texture and a double coat. Ragdolls do not have an undercoat, and this makes them shed less than the Himalayan. Some people may consider them to be hypoallergenic due to this reduced shedding as well.
Also Read – Ragdoll vs Birman
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Ragdoll and a Himalayan?
If you are not well versed in different cat breeds, you may confuse the Ragdoll and the Himalayan for each other.
However, there are some differences between these two breeds. The primary difference between a Ragdoll and a Himalayan cat is that Ragdolls have a triangular face and oval eyes, but a Himalayan cat will have a round face with round eyes, too.
Is Ragdoll a Himalayan cat?
While the Ragdoll cat and the Himalayan cat may share some characteristics or similarities, they are still two separate breeds of cat.
The Ragdoll is not the same as a Himalayan cat, and the breed names cannot be used interchangeably for this reason. Himalayans are heavier-boned than Ragdolls and have a short body and thick legs. They also have round faces and eyes.
Ragdolls, however, are not as heavy-boned, and they have triangular faces and oval eyes. Overall, the Ragdoll is not as rounded out as the Himalayan breed is.
How do you tell if your cat is a Himalayan?
Of course, if you got your cat from a breeder, then you should have documentation of your cat’s breed and whether or not they are a Himalayan cat.
However, this is not necessarily how we all come to be cat owners. If you suspect your cat is a Himalayan, then you can take a close look at some of its physical characteristics.
A Himalayan is easily spotted by a short, thick body with thick legs and a short, thick neck, too. They will also have a short tail and small ears. Their heads and eyes are round/
What two breeds make a Ragdoll cat?
The ancestor of the Ragdoll cat was a white long-haired cat named Josephine. She was believed to have been an Angora breed and was used by the breeder Ann Baker in the 1960s to develop the Ragdoll cat breed.
It is thought that the two breeds that were used to create the Ragdoll cat breed were the Birman and Angora. Other breeds were also credited with developing the Ragdoll, such as the Persian and Burmese.
These days, the Ragdoll is purebred, and is bred by mating two Ragdoll cats together. The original parent breeds that developed the Ragdoll are no longer needed for this!