Ragdolls are certainly affectionate cats. They’re probably one of the most loving cats out of all domestic cat breeds. But, is there a difference in levels of affection between the male and female Ragdolls? Is it enough to even notice?
Between the two, males are the more affectionate and loving Ragdoll. They are also the ones that get more deeply attached to their owners. But, unfortunately, it’s not all fun and games as the make also becomes more dependent than the female and therefore more high maintenance.
That doesn’t mean that a female Ragdoll is aloof, ignoring your very presence. On the contrary, they’re very nearly as affectionate as their male counterparts. However, they do prefer some alone time as well, which is hardly ever the case with the male Ragdoll.
Females also tend to be more docile and lazy than the males, perfectly content with laying across the room from you. The male will almost exist in your lap, preferably never leaving it unless it’s forced to when you get up.
The Male Ragdoll
The male is often the subject of many an article philosophizing over whether or not the male is really affectionate or is far too clingy, to the point of irritating its owner.
While they are not “clingy” in terms of the word’s actual definition, it’s still a description of the male Ragdoll that doesn’t miss the point by much. They are very affectionate and love to be by your side as much as they can possibly get away with.
The male also tends to bond with a single family member. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t friendly with the other members of its family, just that its focus is generally going to be on that one person.
Males are heavier than their female companions, often reaching 20lbs when they reach their full growth potential and adulthood, usually around three years of age but can take up to 5 years.
The male Ragdoll is also the most stubborn, especially when they are older, and it’s much harder to break old habits with the male than it is with the female. In addition, since it is the more active cat, the male Ragdoll requires more playtime and more physical interaction than the female Ragdoll.
Unfortunately, it also means that the male becomes far more dependent on your attention for everything. Suddenly taking that attention away from or permanently changing your routine can literally cause a bit of psychological damage in your male Ragdoll and a loss of trust.
A male will get depressed if there is a continued lack of attention. To be honest, so will the female, but not to the same degree.
The Female Ragdoll
Female Ragdolls are nearly on the same level as males when it comes to giving and receiving loving attention. It can often be challenging to differentiate between them, as they are both very affectionate with their owners.
However, the female will often take breaks from all of the attention and is known for leaving her owner’s side for short periods. For instance, male Ragdolls are constantly underfoot, following you wherever you go. So are females, but occasionally, you will look down and not see her there.
The female is more well-behaved than the male and doesn’t require nearly as much playtime. In addition, she’s far more laid-back and content to sit across the room from you, even though most of her time will be spent in your lap as well.
Female Ragdolls also have independent streaks and aren’t constantly and wholly dependent on you for their psychological well-being. However, they’re not as active as their male counterparts and are often perceived as the lazier of the two.
That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t reserve any playtime with your female Ragdoll because you certainly should. But you won’t find it necessary to play with her nearly as often as a male Ragdoll.
Females are more submissive than males as well, making them more companionable in a lot of ways. For example, cuddling with a female Ragdoll constitutes merely holding her, with the occasional pat or rub. The male will do the same, with more movement and constantly nudging you to give it attention.
Lastly, the female Ragdoll simply doesn’t demand the amount of attention that the male does. She is far more laid-back, even though her affections are legitimate and nearly equal to that of male Ragdolls.
Health and Size
The male Ragdoll is much larger than a female Ragdoll, nearly double the weight under most circumstances. It’s also bigger, often making the female look like she is still a kitty. In terms of both cats enjoying the luxury of your lap, that may make a difference for you.
Where their health is concerned, male Ragdolls experience urinary tract infections far more often than female Ragdolls do. However, neither cat has a major history of cancers or serious heart issues when it comes to terminal illness.
Both male and female Ragdolls may have heart issues later in life, and the female Ragdoll is far more prone to become obese because she is the lazier of the two Ragdolls.
None of their prominent and well-known health issues affect their personalities, and both will suffer from depression if they are ignored and lacking in affection.
However, it will definitely make a larger impact on the male.
Which One is More Affectionate with Children?
The male is far more affectionate with children. But that’s not necessarily a good thing, at least not all of the time. The male’s levels of affection drive it to aggravate children in an attempt to get them to pay it some attention.
While a Ragdoll would never attack—and has never been known to attack—a child or anyone else in its family, its incessant desire to get kids to play with it may come down to a misplaced claw or five.
The female Ragdoll is far less aggressive in her attempts to get children to pay attention to her. As the more laid-back of the two, failure to get the kid’s attention will just lead her to abandon the effort and move on to a more suitable person.
In the greater scheme of things, it’s probably better to have a female Ragdoll if you have a child under the age of 5 in the house. While the male is far more attentive to kids, there’s less risk of a child getting scratched with a female Ragdoll.
Kids over the age of five are far more self-sufficient and physically able to push a male Ragdoll away, despite their larger size difference over the female. As the kiddos get older, a male Ragdoll is perfect and will probably provide them with a lot more fun than a female will.
Final Word
Whether you choose a female or a male—based on levels of affection—boils down to your preference in terms of affection. You’re going to get all you can handle and more with a male. And if you love the idea of a cat that follows you everywhere you go. A constant companion, then a male is the Ragdoll for you.
However, a female Ragdoll may be more suitable for those who love the affection but need to take a breather now and then.
Related Articles
- Are Ragdolls Clingy?
- Why Do Ragdolls Follow You Around?
- Are Ragdolls A One Person Cat?
- How to Bond With Your Ragdoll Kitten?
- Why Are Some Ragdolls Fluffier Than Others?
- Do Ragdoll Cats Get Along With Dogs?
- Are Ragdolls Lap Cats?
- Do Ragdolls Need Baths?
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