While Ragdoll cats have their fair share of a long, interesting history, these kitties remain crowd favorites. But how much do Ragdoll cats actually cost?
If you are keen on owning a Ragdoll, you would be delighted to know that these cats are reasonably priced.
Unless you are planning on buying one from a champion bloodline, a few hundred dollars will get you a Ragdoll cat.
That said, there’s more to know about the Ragdoll price and expenses than just the cost of the cat itself. Make sure to read through the end before rushing out to buy this lovely feline!
The Average Cost of a Ragdoll Cat
The Ragdoll cat price range is anywhere around $1,500 to $2,500. However, if you want show-quality Ragdolls, expect to pay around $3,500 to $5,000. On the other hand, the adoption price for Ragdoll cats typically ranges from $100 to $200.
Keep in mind that these price ranges are only rough estimates. In reality, other factors affect how much Ragdoll cats cost, such as location, bloodline, and much more.
When buying a Ragdoll kitten, make sure that you are dealing with a reputable breeder. Most reputable breeders offer health guarantees and free toys and pet supplies.
You should also decide whether you want a pet-quality kitten or one that can join cat shows. Just remember that purebred Ragdolls are way more expensive than Ragdoll mixes.
Moreover, the Ragdoll cat price range is also affected by age. Younger kittens are usually priced higher than adults. We’ll dig deeper into these factors in the following section.
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Ragdoll Kitten
The average price for a breeder-quality Ragdoll is not cheap. After all, they are sought-after breeds not just in the United States but also worldwide. However, it helps to understand the reason for their expensive purchase price.
Here are some of the factors that affect the breeder price of Ragdoll cats:
Lineage: The Ragdoll cat price is dependent on the kitten’s parents and breeding costs. Those born from high-titled breeding lines cost more than a regular Ragdoll. These kittens are expected to have the best health, physical attributes, and temperaments. It takes many years and thousands of dollars to breed champion breeding lines. As a result, their litter is very costly.
Show or Breeding Rights: As much as breeding costs affect the Ragdoll cat price range, show and breeding rights are factors closely tied to lineage. If you’re new to cats, it is useful to know that not all are qualified to join cat shows or be bred. Show quality Ragdolls or those with official breeding rights are generally healthier and more appealing than other Ragdolls, thus more expensive.
Health: A quality Ragdoll backed by health clearances, genetic tests, and other forms of health guarantees is often more expensive. This is one reason why it is recommended to buy a Ragdoll from a reputable breeder. Backyard breeders do not pay much attention to the health of their cats.
Age: The age of a Ragdoll cat is another factor affecting its price. On average, kittens are always more expensive than adult cats. Ragdolls that are at least one-year-old cost a few hundred dollars less compared to kittens.
Coat Color: The Ragdoll cat has more than 20 color variations. Some coat patterns and color variants, such as gray and white Ragdolls with blue eyes, are harder to breed compared to others. As a result, the prices for these Ragdoll colors are typically higher. The lilac point Ragdoll is known to be the rarest and also the most expensive Ragdoll cat. Seal point Ragdolls, on the other hand, are more common and come in cheaper price tags.
Popularity: The breed’s popularity is also a factor that drives up the price of a Ragdoll. It is common to see a huge hike in price whenever a breed is gaining traction in popular media. That said, the popularity of Ragdolls has remained constant for a few years now. If these cats enter the spotlight, prices would likely go up.
The factors listed above are the ones that affect the price of a Ragdoll kitten the most. However, there are also minor factors that may drive up the price of a Ragdoll cat.
These include bundled freebies, temperamental guarantees, pet insurance, and the reputation of your chosen Ragdoll cat breeder.
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Ragdoll Cat From a Rescue?
If you want to own a Ragdoll cat but don’t want to shell out a fortune, you should consider adopting one instead. Adopting a Ragdoll cat will run you between $100 and $200.
In some instances, shelters or rescues will only charge around $75 for the adoption fee of a Ragdoll cat.
The best thing about adoption is that you are saving a cat’s life while saving hundreds of dollars in the process.
However, there are a few things to remember when adopting a Ragdoll. Firstly, keep in mind that cats from rescues or shelters are usually surrendered for a reason.
While it is not always the case, one of the most common reasons why Ragdolls are put up for adoption is due to health issues.
Secondly, rescued Ragdoll cats are typically adults or senior cats. It is hard to find Ragdoll kittens from rescues or shelters.
That said, it is still possible to find a perfectly healthy Ragdoll cat from an animal shelter or rescue.
You can do this by asking a rescue staff about the medical history of a Ragdoll cat. Similarly, you may also seek professional advice from a vet.
Initial Cost of Ragdoll Cat Ownership
Before heading out to get a Ragdoll cat, it is helpful to have a list of initial things to buy. Luckily, Ragdoll cats only need a few items to live a happy life.
Some of their essential needs include food, feeding bowls, a cozy bed, a cat tree, and some toys.
Unfortunately, all of these are added expenses for the cat owner! So how much exactly is the initial cost of owning a Ragdoll cat?
Here’s a list of supplies you need for a Ragdoll cat:
Food and Treats: Cat food and treats should be bought depending on your cat’s age. Try to read the labels and choose one that is nutritious and has good value for money. If you’re quite unsure of which one to get, consult someone who owns a Ragdoll or a veterinarian. The initial supply of dry or wet food and treats for a Ragdoll will cost you $20 to $50.
Food and Water Bowls: It is recommended to invest in a good quality feeding bowl for your Ragdoll. This is one of the things they will be using daily, so it must be durable, safe to use, and easy to clean. A pair of feeding bowls for water and food will run you around $10 to $25.
Litter Box: A litter box is essential for any cat breed. When buying a litter box for your pet Ragdoll, make sure to pick one that has an easy-to-clean design. Depending on the size, litter boxes cost anywhere between $20 and $160.
Litter Sand: Your Ragdoll’s litter box should be filled with high-quality litter sand. You should expect to pay around $15 to $25 for this recurring expense.
Collar and ID Tag: It is best to buy a collar and ID tag before picking up a new cat. This will also come in handy if you plan to take your Ragdoll cat on regular trips outside. A decent cat collar and ID tag will set you back $5 to $20.
Cat Bed: A proper cat bed for a Ragdoll will be helpful for its growth and development. It will also prevent their bones and muscles from being overused when sleeping on hard floors. You can expect to pay $15 to $30 for a high-quality cat bed.
Cat Carrier: While a Ragdoll is perfectly fine roaming around the house, you might also need to get a crate for it. A cat crate will come in handy when transporting your Ragdoll cat. Plus, it will also serve as a safe place for your Ragdoll. Cat crates are priced between $20 and $60.
Toys and Scratching Post: Ragdolls are very curious kitties. They are fond of fondling, wrestling, and sniffing random objects. For this reason, you should buy your Ragdoll a few assorted toys to keep their brains and muscles active. Cat toys will run you about $15 to $70.
Scratching Post: Ragdolls instinctively need to scratch, and this is a normal thing across all cat breeds. It is recommended to invest in a good quality scratching post for your Ragdoll. This will prevent them from scratching random items in your house. A sturdy scratching post is priced at around $25 to $100.
Grooming Essentials: A complete set of grooming tools for Ragdoll cats include a cat hairbrush, cat shampoo, and a nail trimmer. You can buy each one of these separately, or you can opt for a bundled set. In total, cat grooming tools will set you back $25 to $35.
Initial Vet Visits: Ragdoll kittens need to be closely monitored in their first few weeks. To ensure that your kitten is in great health condition, you will need to take them to a veterinarian after taking them home. Initial vet consultations cost between $100 to $250.
Initial Vaccine Shots: Ragdolls need to have a complete set of vaccines to be considered safe pets. Vaccines are also essential to prevent some common diseases in Ragdoll cats. Your initial expenses for vaccinations will range from $30 to $100 for a Ragdoll kitten.
Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Medications: Depending on where you get your Ragdoll cat from, it may already have these preventive treatments. However, in most cases, you will be the one to pay for these. Tick, flea, and worming treatments will set you back between $30 and $100.
Neutering or Spaying: If you buy a Ragdoll cat from a reputable breeder, there’s a good chance that you will sign a spaying/neutering contract. If this is the case, you will need to have your cat spayed or neutered after a few months of purchasing them. This procedure is beneficial for the long-term well-being of both male and female Ragdolls. Expect to pay $200 to $500 for this expense.
Microchip: Getting your Ragdoll microchipped is another important procedure that will make it easy to identify your cat. This is especially useful when your furry companion gets lost. Microchip implantation typically costs around $40 to $60.
Miscellaneous Supplies: Cat owners should also add miscellaneous expenses to their initial budget. These include pet accessories, urine cleaners, and other useful supplies. You need to allot $15 to $30 for these items, which are readily available at your nearest pet store.
Below is a recap of all the initial expenses mentioned above:
Keep in mind that the list above includes all the items a Ragdoll cat will need. However, this list is exclusive of all the medical expenses such as vitamins, vaccines, vet visits, and checkups.
Moreover, not all the items mentioned here should be bought brand-new. If you have previously owned a cat, you may choose to reuse its cat crate, toys, and cat bed to avoid this expensive initial cost.
Of course, you should only reuse items that are still in good condition. In the end, you should ensure the quality and safety of these products for your Ragdoll kitten.
Annual Cost of Owning a Ragdoll Cat
Owning a Ragdoll cat or any pet, in general, is a real financial responsibility. With that said, it is very important to know what you are getting yourself into, financially, before getting a Ragdoll cat.
In owning a Ragdoll cat, it is expected that the annual expenses cost the most.
This is mainly due to the cost of recurring expenses such as vaccines, spaying or neutering, and other medical treatments. It is helpful to learn all about these yearly expenses before moving forward.
Below is a summary of the annual cost of Ragdoll ownership:
The table above summarizes the yearly expenses of owning a Ragdoll cat. If you are surprised by these numbers, it might be helpful to know that this price range is only meant to serve as rough estimates.
As you can observe, routine veterinary checkups take most of your Ragdoll’s yearly budget. Yearly vet bills often sum up to around $100 to $200.
Annual health screenings and tests are necessary to ensure that your pet won’t develop age-related health issues.
To avoid the cost of emergency treatment and surgeries in the future, cat lovers should invest in pet insurance. This usually costs between $360 to $600, depending on the coverage.
As for other supplies, there are plenty of ways to cut down on these costs, such as buying in bulk or scouring the web for the best deals.
Other Potential Expenses
The estimates from the previous sections are only for the bare essentials of a Ragdoll cat. The costs involved are based on the assumption that your Ragdoll cat will be in perfect health all of its life.
However, this is not always the case. As expected, there are plenty of other potential expenses when owning a Ragdoll cat.
Here’s a list of other potential expenses for a Ragdoll cat:
Cat Daycare: If your lifestyle requires you to travel a lot, you may need to bring your Ragdoll cat to a daycare whenever you leave. On average, this will cost you $20 to $40 per night.
Cat Sitter: Alternatively, you may hire a trusted pet sitter instead. A pet sitter will charge you around $15 to $30. Although this option is cheaper, you must ensure that you are hiring someone with enough experience and experience in handling a Ragdoll breed.
Pet Deposit Fees: Landlords often charge a pet deposit fee of around $25 to $100 per month, depending on your location. This amount covers the possible damages that your Ragdoll may do to your apartment.
Grooming Services: Professional grooming is sometimes necessary for Ragdoll cats, especially if they have tangled hair or dirty earlobes. It is recommended to take your Ragdoll to a trusted groomer at least twice a year. Grooming packages typically cost $50 to $70.
Emergency Treatment: Cat emergency treatments usually run between $800 and $1,500. That said, it is highly recommended to include this budget in your emergency fund. Better yet, make a separate emergency fund for your Ragdoll cat.
Depending on your lifestyle, you may or may not need to spend on these expenses except for the cost of emergency treatment.
There is no assurance that your Ragdoll cat will always be healthy, so always be prepared for the cost of emergency medical care.
Places to Find Ragdoll Kittens for Sale or Adoption
Seeking the perfect Ragdoll cat that suits your preferences and budget is not as easy as it sounds.
You may need to check out a few Ragdoll cat breeders or animal shelters to find the right one.
Here are a few places where you can find Ragdoll kittens for sale:
Rock Creek Ranch Ragdolls – Rock Creek Ranch Ragdolls is a California-based cattery that offers the Ragdoll cat breed. Over the years, this breeder has garnered dozens of positive testimonials and feedback for their good service. You have the option to buy a pet quality or show quality Ragdoll from this breeder.
My Champion Heart Ragdolls – This is another place where you can purchase breeder-quality Ragdoll kittens. This breeder is also a good option if you are looking to have your Ragdoll cat delivered to you. For an added price, they will deliver your new Ragdoll cat straight to your doorstep!
Cosmic Ragdolls – Cosmic Ragdolls offer Ragdoll kittens raised by licensed veterinarians. Since this breeder is based at home, their kittens are socialized with children and other pets. Most of their Ragdolls are bred to become therapy pets.
These reputable breeders can even offer a discount if you reserve two Ragdoll kittens from their litter. For updates, you can regularly visit their websites.
Below are some organizations that offer Ragdoll cats for adoption:
Adopt-a-Pet – Adopt-a-Pet is a non-profit organization with a wide selection of adoptable pets. They have been around for more than two decades now, and they are arguably one of the best in the business. Make sure to check out their listings for a Ragdoll cat!
Petfinder – Founded in 1996, Petfinder is another trusted adoption website. They are home to a bunch of cute adoptable kittens. Plus, they usually have many available Ragdolls! You can utilize Petfinder’s location-based search for finding purebred Ragdolls or Ragdoll mixes near your area.
GoKitty – GoKitty is an adoption service dedicated to cats. Their website lists every cat breed you can think of. While GoKitty has many adoptable cats, they also have listings for Ragdoll cats for sale.
Regardless if you are looking to buy or adopt a Ragdoll cat, the sources listed above will be able to help you out.
However, if you still can’t find the perfect kitty after checking out the sources included here, consider getting in touch with other Ragdoll owners. You can do this through dozens of social media groups online.
You may also check our article on how to get free kittens in your area if you don’t have the budget for a new Ragdoll kitten.
Money-Saving Tips for Ragdoll Cat Owners
Owning a Ragdoll cat does not have to be expensive. Surely, there are plenty of ways to cut down on costs.
Some money-saving tips for Ragdoll cat owners are listed below:
Make DIY toys and treats. You can cut down on expenses from cat toys and cat treats using the power of DIY! There are many ways to improvise cat toys using random household items. Similarly, there are also plenty of ways to make homemade treats for your cat!
Buy high-quality accessories. When buying some essential accessories for your Ragdoll cat, it is recommended to invest in high-quality ones. Not only will they be the safest for your cat, but they will also last longer.
Keep your Ragdoll indoors. Keeping your Ragdoll cat indoors will greatly minimize the risk of accidents and other untoward events. They are also less likely to get into a catfight when they are within your vicinity.
Get pet insurance. It may seem like getting pet insurance is an added cost rather than a money-saving tip, but this is not true at all! In the event of a medical emergency, pet insurance will save you a ton of money.
When it comes to your Ragdoll cat, your main priority should be their well-being.
While these money-saving tips will definitely save you some cash, be reminded not to cheap out on your cat. Always look for ways to provide the best care for the most cost-effective price!
Final Thoughts
Ragdoll cats can surely cost a pretty penny, but they are definitely not the most expensive cats in the world.
In fact, Ragdoll cats are fairly inexpensive compared to other cat breeds. This is especially true if you are only eyeing a pet-quality Ragdoll and not one with a championship lineage.
The actual cost of owning a Ragdoll cat is a similar story. Ragdolls are low maintenance compared to other cats. They do not require special kinds of food or frequent professional grooming.
They are good pets for young children because of their affectionate nature. Getting two Ragdoll cats is also not a problem if your budget permits. Simply put, these cats offer priceless companionship at a reasonable price!
Let us know your thoughts about the Ragdoll price and expenses in the comments below.
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