The 60-second version of the Ragdoll: what they're like, what they need, and whether one would suit your home. When you're ready for the deep dive, our full guide has costs, health, food and more.
Ragdoll at a glance
| Trait | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weight | 4–9 kg |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Exercise | 20–30 min indoor play daily |
| Grooming | Brush 2–3× weekly |
| Shedding | Moderate to heavy |
| With kids | Excellent |
Living with a Ragdoll in Australia
Ragdolls are the gentle giants of the cat world — famously floppy when held, patient with children, and content with indoor-only life, which makes them ideal for Australian apartments. They’ll follow you room to room and greet you at the door, more dog than cat in their devotion.
Health watch-outs
Two heritable conditions matter in this breed:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) — a heart condition; buy only from breeders who echo-screen their cats.
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) — DNA-testable; any reputable breeder tests.
- Hairballs — that semi-long coat sheds year-round; brush 2–3 times weekly.
Budget at a glance
- Kitten price: typically $1,500–$3,000 from a registered breeder — much lower offers are often scams.
- Insurance: around $35–$65/month — see our Ragdoll insurance guide.
- Indoor life suits them — and keeps them safe from cars, dogs and ticks.
Is a Ragdoll right for you?
Great fit if you… ✅
- Calm indoor companion seekers — the floppy, cuddly kind
- Families with gentle kids; Ragdolls are famously patient
- Apartment living (indoor-only recommended)
Think twice if… ⚠️
- Semi-long coat needs brushing 2–3 times a week
- Too trusting for outdoor life — keep them inside
Food, insurance & the full guide
🍖 Best food: Hairball-control formula for that long silky coat
🛡️ Insurance: Ragdoll insurance guide — heart & kidneys
Read the full Ragdoll guide → Take the 60-second breed quiz 🏡