The Ragdoll has an interesting history, and it’s genuinely interesting that considering said history, the Ragdoll is as expensive as it is today. After all, the original Ragdoll was almost accidental, a mixture of a stray long-haired cat and another random long-haired cat.
Basic economics, popularity, and availability dictate the expense of the Ragdoll. While they are meticulously bred these days—with far more precision and dedication than the original—they are very popular and not readily available.
As with all things in economics—or almost all things—supply and demand dictate expense. There is a low supply of Ragdolls and a high demand.
When you factor in meticulous and careful breeding techniques, the result is an expensive cat.
There is also the inevitable price gouging because a Ragdoll may have a coat that isn’t common, or their eyes are a little different than the typical, bright blue of your more traditional Ragdolls.
How Much Do Ragdolls Cost?
This depends on where you buy it and what you are buying the Ragdoll for. If you’re looking for a show cat. Be prepared to spend north of $1,000 easily. On the other hand, if you just want a lovable, affectionate Ragdoll, the price will be closer to $400 to $600.
There are several things that go into the price for anything, much less a specific breed of cat. So, for instance, you can expect to pay far more for a Ragdoll in New York City than you will in Moss Point, Mississippi.
It also depends on the breeder. Some breeders will go through a certain number of things, such as first shots and other measures that may add to the cost. Some states require reputable, licensed breeders to do certain things as well. As with any business, those costs get passed on to the consumer.
DNA testing, pedigrees, vaccination rates, genetic testing, daily expenses, and microchipping are all potential drivers of cost.
If you’re purchasing your Ragdoll from a reputable breeder, you’ll want a family lineage, and potentially, a genetic and DNA test as well. This is especially true if you will make it into a show cat.
The fact is, not getting these things can sometimes be dangerous as the Ragdolls genetic pedigree may be rife with a certain type of cancer or another debilitating disease. That’s something that any serious buyer wants to know, but it will cost you.
Other Costs to Consider
It’s not just the upfront cost of the Ragdoll that encompasses the totality of the expense. Once you bring your Ragdoll kitty home for the first time, there is more to be done and quicker than you would think.
- Kitty and cat necessities
- Shots and rabies vaccination
- Toys, collars, etc
- Grooming products
Of course, one of the first things you’ll need is cat food and a litter box. A Ragdoll cat is not the kind of cat you purchase only to make it an outside cat, so a litter box is high on the list. The cheaper you go, the more ineffective and useless the litter is.
Like all cats, Ragdolls deserve premium food. Feeding a Ragdoll generic, cheap brands of kitty and cat food is no more sensible than it is to give to mix breed cats. Premium cat food, like premium dog food, can be rather expensive.
Most states have laws on rabies vaccinations, and you will have a certain timeframe—determined depending on the state—to get your kitty their first rabies vaccination, which can cost anywhere between $80 and $120.
There will be additional rabies boosters down the road as well, so be sure to take that into consideration as well.
As far as shots are concerned, there are several rounds of those as well, although you can save a lot of money by purchasing the ones you can legally administer from your local feed and seed.
Toys and collars are an obvious trip to the pet store and grooming supplies as well. Remember, these are long-haired cats so their grooming standards and your own sanity are at stake so you will want to keep your Ragdoll well-groomed.
Why Are Ragdoll Prices All Over the Place?
If you go looking for a Ragdoll, you might be surprised to see that their prices are all over the place. The prices we listed above are general prices, an average taken from the whole of the country, but that doesn’t mean they are set in stone in every state.
Breeders set their costs based on their own costs throughout the breeding process. Breeding cats and dogs is an expensive job, and they make their money by charging high fees to generate a profit and make it all worthwhile.
If you see a local breeder selling Ragdoll kittens for $150 per kitten, beware because something is wrong.
You should only purchase from a breeder with a positive reputation and is associated with either AKC or CKC. These two kennel clubs retain the information for breeds and breeders throughout the United States and the World.
AKC registrations are often considered to be the best because their requirements are slightly more strict than that of CKC. CKC is a dog kennel club like the AKC, but it stands for the Continental Kettle Club, and AKC stands for the American Kennel Club.
Either one is fine, but you should only locate breeders that fall into either database. These are going to breeders that follow the rules and regulations of the AKC and CKC. And the cats that they breed will have a pedigree, and their DNA/Genetic information will be listed as known or unknown.
The most reputable breeders will fill out and submit all of this information for you to find online. So that you will know exactly what kind of Ragdoll you are getting. Along with the entire database and health records of its ancestors, as far back as the records were submitted.
Veterinary Costs of Owning a Ragdoll
As aforementioned, you will have to deal with many upfront costs with your Ragdoll, especially when it comes to visits to the vet. You can expect initial vaccinations—if you choose not to do your own—will run between $115 and $215.
Spaying and neutering will also have to be done unless you are planning on becoming a breeder yourself, which comes with its own numerous and excessive expenses. The average for neutering and spaying can run between $450 to $750.
Expenses over the lifetime of your Ragdoll can easily exceed over $1,000. However, Ragdolls live for around 15 years, so it’s a pretty good spread over a long period. In addition, health and wellness checkups are typically inexpensive, and much of it can be done yourself, so long as you know what you’re doing.
For instance, the Focus Cat Vax 3 will cost you roughly $9, along with making your cat feel nice and safe as you inject it. The same shots will run you over $100 at the vet.
All Things Considered
Ragdoll cats can be pretty expensive. However, most of it is upfront costs rather than anything long-term.
Once the basics are taken care of, it’s generally downhill from there.
In return, your Ragdoll will provide you with several years of affection.
Related Articles
- Why Do Ragdolls Follow You Around?
- Why Are Some Ragdolls Fluffier Than Others?
- Do Ragdoll Cats Get Along With Dogs?
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