Let’s compare British shorthair vs Ragdoll in today’s article. British shorthair and ragdoll are two popular and friendly domestic cat breeds. They make wonderful companions wherever they are. Though they have a lot in common as to their affectionate nature and distinctive looks, some of the key differences make them unique. If you’re looking for your perfect cat the differences between the two breeds pointed out in the article will guide you to decide between these two breeds and to find out which one of them will be the perfect fit for your home. So, keep reading to get to know both breeds inside and out.
Differences in Appearance Between British Shorthair and Ragdolls
Both Ragdoll and British short hair are large cats that weigh around 20 pounds.
British short hair is a stockily built cat with 12-14 inches in height while male cats weigh around 9 -17Ibs and female cats come in at between 7-12Ibs.
They are often known as teddy bear cats as they have muscular bodies, short legs, and broad faces. These cats have coppered or gold-colored eyes and their soft coat has a crisp texture and is famous for being blue. It comes in variations of red, cream, white, black, lilac, and chocolate.
On the other hand, ragdolls are long-bodied cats with long furry tails. They are 9 – 11 inches in height while males weigh around 16-20Ibs and females weigh around 10-15Ibs. They have a single-layered luxurious coat with a rabbit fur-like texture which makes them known as cuddly cats.
They have a medium size heads but their fur makes their face appear big. These cats have blue eyes and they come in variations of flame, chocolate, seal, blue, cream, and lilac.
However, ragdolls are longer, more muscular, and more slender than British shorthairs.
Personality Traits of British Shorthair and Ragdolls
Ragdolls make everyone fall in love with them for being cuddly pals. They are willing to be petted and carried around most of the time as they crave a lot of human attention.
Unlike other short-tempered cats, ragdolls are too forgiving and super friendly with humans and other pets in the house. They can be affectionate without being demanding as they are very loyal to the owner.
British short hairs are calm and confident cats who are also affectionate and easygoing. They are an intelligent breed as initially they were kept to protect food stocks of invading Romans from Rodents.
Unlike ragdolls, they do not like to be lap cats all day. Rather, they like to coexist in the house while maintaining an independent character trait. They too get along with other pets in the house and are affectionate towards adults and kids in the house.
Which Breed is Better for Families: British Shorthair vs Ragdoll?
Both of the breeds are affectionate, low-maintenance, and non-destructive cats. However, you can decide which one is the best for you by looking at how independent you want your cat to be. If you’re looking for a lap cat who wants a lot of petting and cuddling, Ragdoll is ideal for you.
They need a lot of attention and they are more playful and slightly more affectionate in contrast to the British Shorthair, who favors a “supervisory” role. Ragdolls show a calm response even in provocations. So, they are likely to be more tolerant of attempts of cuddles from toddlers. Also, they are quiet in vocalizing.
Unfortunately, they are prone to health issues. However, if you have a busy household, British shorthair is for you as they are independent and low maintenance compared to ragdolls. However, they make a wonderful companion right next to you while having fewer health issues.
Although they peacefully coexist with families and are reasonably good with kids, they prefer not to be disturbed during their me time.
Grooming Needs and Maintenance of British Shorthair and Ragdoll Cats
British shorthairs have a short and soft coat and they can take care of their grooming to a larger extent with a need of a simple brush. During their periodic shedding, brushing will keep your house free from fluff bunnies. However, they shed less than the average.
A ragdoll’s long silky coat is not a problem, unlike many long-coat breeds. It is still low maintenance as they have a single-layered coat but their coats can still get tangled. So, they must be regularly brushed to keep them clean and smooth as they probably leave a trail of fur everywhere they go. A professional would be needed for adults and disabled ragdolls.
Ragdolls shed once a year, unlike British shorthairs who shed multiple times. However, both cats need regular grooming with brushing out mats and removing dead hair to maintain their gorgeous coats.
Exercise and Activity Requirements of British Shorthair and Ragdolls Cats
Ragdolls have an average energy level. They don’t require a lot of extra activities as they likely spend a lot of time lazing around while enjoying playing in between frequent naps. It is good to provide them with cat toys, scratching posts, and cardboard boxes.
British shorthairs are not excessively active but they like to keep playing around for few times a day. Make sure to provide them with cat toys such as feather wands, toy mice, and cat trees. Since these low-activity breeds can affect health issues, it is good to play chasing games with shorthairs as they have a genetic trait of hunting.
Health and Genetic Consideration of British Shorthair and Ragdoll Cats
Both breeds are healthy and lead a long lifespan as British shorthair lives up to 20 years and Ragdolls up to 25 years. They are mostly at risk of the same things as other domestic cats.
British shorthair inherent a few genetic disorders such as Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hemophilia, and polycystic kidney disease.
Shorthairs can face issues related to obesity, joints, and some types of cancer. On the other hand, ragdolls are prone to urinary tract diseases such as UTIs, crystals, and kidney stones and can be infected with Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) and cataracts, and glaucoma. As same as British shorthair they too can develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
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