The Ragdoll is a large domesticated cat known for its plush, light-colored fur with a colorpoint pattern and blue eyes. But, can a Ragdoll be black as well?
This is the question we will try to answer in this comprehensive guide and address the controversy it raises in the Ragdoll community. The Black Ragdoll is just like the Traditional Ragdoll in terms of temperament and physicality with only their color being different.
In this article, we will discuss in detail everything you need to know about the Black Ragdoll, from their physical appearance down to their quirks and behavior, as well as, tips on finding the right breeder if you fancy owning a new feline companion.
READ ALSO: Lilac Ragdoll (Complete Guide)
Contents
- Black Ragdoll Cat: Breed overview
- Can Ragdoll Cats be Black?
- So, are there Black Ragdoll Cats?
- Are Black Ragdoll Cats rare?
- Do cat registries recognize the Black Ragdoll Cat?
- Are Black Ragdoll Cats recognized as purebred Ragdolls?
- Black Ragdoll physical appearance
- Black Ragdoll Cat size, height, and weight
- Black Ragdoll Cat colors and types
- Black Ragdoll Cat personality and temperament
- Ragdoll Cat Black training
- Ragdoll Cats Black exercise requirement
- Black Ragdoll Cat grooming and cleaning
- Black Ragdoll Cats food and diet
- Black Ragdoll health issues
- Black Ragdoll Cat lifespan
- Can you get Black Ragdoll Cats?
- Black Ragdoll Cat breeder
- Black Ragdoll kitten
- Black Ragdoll Cat price
- Places to find Black Ragdoll kittens for sale
- Black Ragdoll Mixes
- Black Ragdoll Cat: Pros and Cons
- Is the Black Ragdoll Cat right for me?
- Related Questions
Black Ragdoll Cat: Breed overview
| Size | Large |
| Weight | 16 – 20 pounds |
| Height | 9 – 11 inches |
| Coat Colors | Black |
| Child Friendliness | High |
| Feline Friendliness | High |
| Training Difficulty | Moderate |
| Grooming Upkeep | Moderate to High |
| Exercise Needs | Low – Moderate |
| Health | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 12 – 15 years |
| Kitty Costs | $1,000 – $2,500 |
Can Ragdoll Cats be Black?
Ragdolls can be black, but they are not recognized by any major Ragdoll associations. This is because Black Ragdolls do not meet the criteria for the Ragdoll standard, which should have a light-colored base coat in the body with colorpoints in the face, ears, paws, and tail.
So, are there Black Ragdoll Cats?
Yes, Ragdoll Black Cat does exist with a body coat that is solid black. They share the same physical and temperamental characteristics as traditional Ragdolls except for their coat color.
Are Black Ragdoll Cats rare?
Black Rag Doll Cats are rare because the genes responsible for the solid black color are recessive.
For a Ragdoll to be black, both parents should carry the recessive gene. They are hard to come by since their number only represents about 5% of the Ragdoll population.
Do cat registries recognize the Black Ragdoll Cat?
Ragdoll Black cats which are solid in color are not recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) or The International Cat Association (TICA).
These registries do not accept Ragdolls that have solid, sepia, and mink colors. Only Ragdolls with a light-colored body with darker colorpoints are recognized.
Fun Questions: Seal Point Ragdolls have light-colored bodies with dark brown points in their extremities. So are they recognized by cat registries? Check out Seal Point Ragdoll (Complete Guide) to find out!
Are Black Ragdoll Cats recognized as purebred Ragdolls?
Black Rag Doll Cat is not recognized as purebred Ragdolls by the above registries because some of them have green or gold eyes. To be a purebred Ragdoll, the eye color must be blue.
READ ALSO: Blue Eyed White Ragdoll (Complete Guide)
Black Ragdoll physical appearance
Ragdolls, in general, have long bodies with wide chests, and long, bushy tails. They have a broad and medium-sized skull that sits on a short neck that is thick with fur.
While having blue eyes is one of the trademarks of traditional Ragdolls, Black Ragdoll Cat blue eyes are very rare because black cats have higher amounts of melanin, which determines eye color.
Black Ragdoll Cat with blue eyes is possible when they are just kittens but this eventually changes color as they mature. Black Ragdoll Cat with green eyes, gold, or amber is the usual eye color of Black Ragdolls.
The color of the nose is directly determined by the coat color also, so a Ragdoll Black nose color is expected to be black.
Black Ragdoll Cat size, height, and weight
Ragdolls are medium to large-sized domesticated cats. They will reach their full height and weight 3 or 4 years later than other cat breeds. Females are slightly smaller than the Black male Ragdoll Cat.
| Age | Height (in-M) | Height (in-F) | Weight (lbs-M) | Weight (lbs-F) | Length (in-M) | Length (in-F) |
| 3 months | 3 – 5 | 3 – 5 | 3 – 4 | 3 – 4 | 8 – 10 | 8 – 10 |
| 6 months | 6 – 7 | 5 – 6 | 5 – 8 | 5 – 8 | 10 – 12 | 10 – 12 |
| 12 months | 7 – 9 | 6 – 7 | 9 – 15 | 8 – 14 | 13 – 17 | 13 – 16 |
| 24 months | 9 – 11 | 7 – 9 | 15 – 20 | 14 – 20 | 17 – 21 | 17 – 19 |
Black Ragdoll Cat colors and types
Black Ragdolls have a plush and moderately long coat without an undercoat. Their black coat color can be solid without any markings whatsoever, or it can be black on most of their body with colorpoint markings on the face and legs.
Solid Black Ragdoll Cat
Solid Black Ragdolls are all Black Ragdoll Cat from head to toe without any white markings on the body.
Black smoke Ragdoll Cat has black-tipped hairs but with a root that is lighter in color, like white or cream, making them appear charcoal-colored.
On the exterior, they may appear black, but when you part their fur, the lighter-colored roots would be evident.
READ NEXT: Lilac Ragdoll (Complete Guide)
Black and white Ragdoll Cat
With the Ragdoll standard of a light-colored body with darker colorpoints, can Ragdoll Cats be black and white?
As with Black Ragdolls, they are not considered or recognized as purebreds by many major cat associations.
Ragdoll Cats Black and white have the same physical attributes as traditional Ragdolls except for their coat color making some suggest that they are not true Ragdolls.
Black and White Ragdoll is sometimes referred to as Ragdoll Tuxedo Cat. Ragdoll Cat Black and white has a solid black coat on their body with white markings on the chest, belly, and toes. This bi-color pattern makes the tuxedo Black and white Ragdoll Cat appear like they are wearing the formal suit for men.
Ragdoll Black and white can have variations on the white patterns. Some Ragdoll Black and white cat will have white markings around the chin and nose. Other Ragdoll Cat Black white will only have white tips on their nose.
Another variation of a white and Black Ragdoll Cat includes a white pattern on the face with a small dark pattern just below the nose.
The white markings on Black and white Ragdoll Cats can also appear on the back of their body but this usually appears in only a third of the space.
Eye color of a Black white Ragdoll Cat can be green, gold, and very rarely, blue.
Black and brown Ragdoll Cat
Black and brown Ragdoll Cat will have a brown-colored coat on their body with a black colorpoint on the head, ears, legs, and tail. The head could also be completely covered in black fur.
RELATED: Chocolate Pointed Ragdoll (Complete Guide)
Black and grey Ragdoll Cat
Black and Grey Ragdoll Cat will have a predominantly black coat that is interspersed with a grayish-colored coat.
Black long hair Ragdoll Cat
Black long hair Ragdoll Cat has long to medium-length hair which is a standard among Ragdolls.
Black short hair Ragdoll Cat
Black short hair Ragdoll Cat is more likely a cross with another breed that is short-haired. No short-haired cats are ever produced from two long-haired ones.
Black Ragdoll Cat personality and temperament
Black Cat Ragdoll personality is very affectionate, calm, and extremely docile. These traits are the reasons why they got their “Ragdoll” name in the first place.
They do not possess the usual instinctive outdoor skills that most cat breeds have nor any aggressive behavior whatsoever.
They are more characterized by their puppy-like and dependent behavior, preferring to follow people around or nap on the lap of their owners.
You may be interested in: Why Does My Cat Sleep On My Pillow? 13 Reasons Why!
Ragdoll Cat Black training
Black Ragdolls Cats can be trained easily since they are very social and likes the company of people. The best training tool to use is positive reinforcements, like using rewards for good behavior and new tricks.
Cats respond well to delicious treats and petting as just rewards and will keep them motivated to follow your orders.
Another method to train a Ragdoll is to use clickers. Clicks usually induce a cat to react and they would associate the sound with a certain command.
Ragdoll Cats Black exercise requirement
Ragdolls do not require much exercise with 20 minutes a day being sufficient enough. They enjoy playing a game of fetch with balls, or you can keep them entertained by focusing a laser light point on a wall that emulates the movement of insects.
Additionally, a cat tree can be an excellent addition for Ragdoll cats, providing them with a space to climb, scratch, and lounge.
This not only caters to their natural climbing instincts but also helps in keeping them physically active and mentally stimulated, especially when their human companions are not around to play.
Black Ragdoll Cat grooming and cleaning
Brushing a Ragdoll several times weekly is the best way to maintain a healthy coat and also prevent matting.
Regular brushing with a slicker brush would also minimize hairballs from forming that could irritate their digestive tract.
Bathing them once a month is sufficient to remove excess oil in their hair and reduce the shedding of their fur. Their eyes can be cleaned from any discharge by using a towel moistened with warm water.
For teeth cleaning, we recommend using an enzymatic toothpaste that can reduce the formation of plaque and tartar.
| Grooming Needs | Grooming Frequency |
| Hair Brushing | 3x – 4x a week. |
| Nail Trimming | As needed. |
| Teeth Brushing | 2x – 3x a week. |
| Bathing | Once a month. |
| Eye Care | Check weekly. |
| Ear Care | Check weekly. |
CHECK OUT: Do Ragdoll Cats Shed? 7 Ways To Shed Less!
Black Ragdoll Cats food and diet
A Black Ragdoll cat needs ½ to ¾ cup of good quality cat food that can be divided into 2 servings.
Ideally, Ragdolls should be fed with wet cat food for its high-moisture content. Mixing dry and wet cat food is also a good option.
Black Ragdoll health issues
Although a Black Ragdoll is generally healthy but no cat is perfect, thus, she can still inherit the common health issues that plague her parents such as these three (3):
1. Hairballs
Since Ragdolls often groom themselves, they tend to ingest some hair which leads to the formation of hairballs that needs to be expelled from her system. If not, it leads to apathy and malaise.
2. Obesity
Ragdolls are not an active cat breed, hence, they are prone to gain weight that might cause diabetes.
3. Polycystic Kidney Disease
A hereditary condition that is caused by the growth of a cyst in the kidneys.
Black Ragdoll Cat lifespan
A Black Ragdoll cat has an average life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
Can you get Black Ragdoll Cats?
Yes, but it’s not easy because Black Ragdoll cats are not recognized both by Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) and The International Cat Association (TICA), hence, not many breeders are too keen on breeding Black Ragdoll cats.
Black Ragdoll Cat breeder
To get healthy kittens, the best route is to go to responsible cat breeders. Here are some guides on what to look for:
- A responsible cat breeder should be up-to-date with the vaccinations and the deworming of the mother cat
- The kittens should be raised in clean surroundings and for socialization purposes, must be raised in a home environment
- A responsible breeder will have the kittens vaccinated and dewormed before passing them on to the new owners
Black Ragdoll kitten
When looking for Black Ragdoll kittens, choose the dark Ragdoll kittens that are friendly and are not afraid to approach strangers.
The Black Ragdoll Cat kitten that you want to bring home must have clear eyes, no nasal discharge, and be very playful.
And, before bringing home your Black and White Ragdoll kitten, be sure you’ve loaded up on the essentials like kitty food, treats, litter, and litter box.
Black Ragdoll Cat price
A Black and white Ragdoll Cat price is somewhere between $1,000 and $2,500.
Places to find Black Ragdoll kittens for sale
Black Ragdolls are not easy to find but we’ll try our best to find two (2) breeders who may have available Black Ragdoll Cat for sale.
You can visit the webpage of Ravera Ragdoll (raveraragdolls.com/Kittens.htm) for available Black and white Ragdoll Cat for sale. The breeder is located in Australia and they also have adult or retired Ragdolls for sale.
Oregon Ragdolls (oregonragdolls.com/the-mysterious-black-ragdoll) is a good place to inquire about Black Ragdoll Cats for sale. The kittens are sold for between $1,200 and $1,400.
Black Ragdoll Mixes
It’s interesting to know that Black Ragdolls can be crossbred with other equally beautiful cat breeds. But it may be quite difficult to find breeders that have Black Ragdoll mix kittens because a majority of cat lovers prefer to buy purebred kittens.
Ragamuffin Black Ragdoll Cat
Both the Black Ragdoll and the Ragamuffin cats are very affectionate. Thus, if the cats are bred together, you can expect a Ragamuffin Black and White Ragdoll Cat to be docile and people-oriented that does not mind being cuddled by her human family.
But again, there are very limited cat breeders who have a Black Ragdoll cat, thus, it is not easy to find a Ragamuffin Black and White Ragdoll Cat.
Black Ragdoll Cat: Pros and Cons
Perhaps you haven’t made up your mind yet if you will get a Black Ragdoll or not, then consult the table below to learn what are the pros and cons of caring for this beautiful cat breed.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affectionate. | Sheds moderately. |
| Playful. | Prone to gene-related diseases. |
| Good and patient with kids. | Clingy. |
| Smart. | Can be very vocal. |
| Very friendly to people and other pets. | Not hypoallergenic. |
| Attractive-looking cat. | Cannot be left alone outside of your home. |
Is the Black Ragdoll Cat right for me?
A Black Ragdoll is the sweetest domesticated cat breed, she can get along with everyone but she isn’t happy if she is left in the house by herself.
And since a Black Ragdoll is not considered a purebred Ragdoll because she does not have the distinct blue eye characteristic, she is the perfect feline companion if you’re not looking for a show-quality pet, but rather for her docile and gentle nature.
Related Questions
You would know if your black cat is a ragdoll because of her imposing size. Ragdolls, along with Maine Coons are two of the largest domesticated cats. Plus, the ears of Black Ragdolls are relatively short and pointed.
Yes, there can be black Ragdoll cats. Black Ragdoll cats do exist because of the genes that are responsible for the solid black color. However, they are rare and are not recognized by CFA or TICA.
A Black Ragdoll Cat can cost between $1,000 and $2,500.
Lilac Ragdoll is the rarest of them all and she is characterized by having a white to very light beige coat color and with light lavender to pinkish color points on her paws, tail, nose, face, and extremities. A Lilac Ragdoll is the diluted variety of the chocolate Ragdolls.
Yes, there are Black and white Ragdoll cats. Black and white Ragdoll cats are sometimes called tuxedo Ragdoll cats. They may have a solid black coat on their body with white markings on their belly, paws, and chest. Some Black and white Ragdoll cats may have white markings on their nose and chin.
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Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragdoll
With over five years of specialized experience as an animal writer, my expertise lies in cat nutrition, health, behavior, grooming, and training. I am dedicated to delivering helpful and informative content that caters to the well-being of our feline friends. My primary goal is to empower pet owners with knowledge and ensure our feline companions thrive in health and happiness. In my free time, I love volunteering at local cat rescue centers.
