Ragdoll vs. Snowshoe: What are the Differences?

Ragdoll and Snowshoe cats are two popular and unique breeds that are often compared due to their similar appearance and charming personalities. Both breeds are known for their affectionate nature, making them popular with families and cat lovers.

However, despite some similarities, they have distinctive characteristics that set them apart. In this comparison, we’ll look at the differences between these breeds in terms of appearance, personality, care, health, and cost to help you determine which one might be the best fit for you.

Appearance

Ragdoll

Ragdolls are a larger breed of cat with a thick, semi-long coat. They’re soft and come in many colors, from blue to chocolate to lilac. They’re characterized by their pointed coloring, meaning their body is usually white or cream, with a darker color appearing around their face, ears, legs, and tail.

Fun fact: this pointed coloration is due to a gene that makes pigment sensitive to heat. Therefore, the pigment isn’t created near the warmest part of the cat’s body. However, where it is cooler, the pigment is. All ragdoll kittens are born white, as the womb is very warm. Many cats also gain pigment as they age, as senior cats tend to be cooler than others.

Ragdolls are also known for their round faces. Their ears are rounded and set wide apart on the top of their head. These cats have large, muscular bodies with broad chests and sturdy legs. They also have a long, bushy tail that’s carried rather low.

Snowshoes

Snowshoes are medium-sized cats that have short, smooth coats. They’re distinguished by their white “boots” on their feet, hence their name. While these boots are typically white, they can also be in various colors, including blue, chocolate, and lilac.

These cats typically have blue eyes set at a slight angle, giving them an exotic appearance. Their head is wedge-shaped, and they have short, straight noses. They’re lean and athletic with very muscular legs and long, slender bodies.

Their paws are small and oval-shaped, and their hind legs are slightly longer than their front legs. They have a short, tapered tail that they typically carry upright.

Personality

Ragdolls

Ragdolls are known for their very gentle and relaxed temperament. They’re extremely people-oriented and are known for their love of humans. They’re very affectionate and attention-seeking. While this makes them great pets for those looking for a very companionable cat, it also means that you have to dedicate more time and attention to these felines.

They’re pretty intelligent and curious. They love to explore their surroundings and play with new toys. They can be trained somewhat. However, like most cats, they have very short attention spans.

These cats don’t tend to be very vocal but communicate with humans in a soft voice. They aren’t nearly as noisy as some other cats.

They’re extremely adaptable to many living situations. Therefore, they work well for just about any family with the time to dedicate to these adorable felines.

Snowshoe

Snowshoes are known for being more outgoing and sociable. They’re also very people-oriented and were bred primarily to be companion animals, so they have many traits commonly associated with pet cats. They’re extremely active, requiring plenty of toys to play with.

These felines are extremely intelligent and trainable. They can learn to do various tricks and even walk on a leash. They’re extremely vocal cats that communicate with their humans in many different ways, including meows, trills, and chirps.

They are usually pretty good with children and other pets. However, they do require socialization just like any other feline. They thrive in homes where there are plenty of things for them to do.

Care

Ragdolls

Ragdolls have a rather plushy coat that requires regular brushing. Otherwise, they can get rather tangly. You should plan on brushing them at least once a week. However, you may need to groom individual cats more.

They need their teeth brushed regularly and annual dental checkups to identify problems before they become serious.

As low-energy cats, Ragdolls are prone to obesity. They must be exercised regularly and encouraged to play, or they will spend much of their day lying around. You must also provide them with a healthy diet and restrict their food as necessary.

Snowshoes

Snowshoes have short coats that require very little grooming. Therefore, they don’t have the same grooming requirements as the ragdoll. They’re a bit easier to take care of for this reason.

They require the same dental care as all cats, including brushing and regular checkups. They’re generally healthy cats, so you typically don’t have to expect tons of vet bills.

They’re more active than a Ragdoll, which means that they require plenty of exercise and toys. You should plan on playing with them a lot. They aren’t necessarily great for those looking for solely lap cats, as they spend much of their time running around.

These cats are prone to overeating, so you have to monitor their food. They often get plenty of exercise but often cannot be free-fed.

Health

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Ragdolls are somewhat prone to HCM when the heart muscles thicken and become less effective at pumping blood. This condition is quite serious and isn’t curable. It can result in sudden heart failure and death, so it is difficult to figure out exactly how many cats are affected by this condition. Many may be affected without a diagnosis, as cats that suddenly die aren’t often given autopsies.

This condition can affect any breed of cat. However, it does seem to have a genetic component and is more common in certain breeds, like the Ragdoll.

Usually, this condition develops and then worsens over time. It isn’t completely understood, so it’s impossible to know which cats will develop it and which won’t. Currently, it is recommended that at-risk breeds are screened.

While symptoms for this disease don’t always appear until it has progressed rapidly, here are some common symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing
• Rapid or labored breathing
• Coughing
• Weakness or lethargy
• Reduced appetite
• Weight loss
• Fainting or collapse

Bladder Stones

Bladder stones are mineral deposits inside the bladder. This problem is relatively common in cats but most common in specific breeds – including Ragdolls. Typically, cats with bladder stones are more prone to urinary tract issues.

These bladder stones contain several minerals, including calcium oxalate, struvite, and urate. Several factors, such as the cat’s diet, increase the odds of these bladder stones. Therefore, cats prone to urinary tract issues often need a special diet.

Often, medications may also be prescribed to help manage pain and inflammation. They may also prevent the formation of new stones.

Feline Mucopolysaccharidosis

Feline mucopolysaccharidosis is a rare genetic disorder that affects very few cats. However, it seems more common in Snowshoe cats than other felines.

It causes deficiencies in several enzymes that break down and recycle substances in the body. Without these enzymes, these harmful substances build up in their body, causing various health issues.

Depending on the exact enzymes that are missing, there are several types of MPS in felines. The most common form involves missing the enzyme that breaks down complex sugars.

Breeding practices can help limit MPS development in cats, as it seems genetically related. Therefore, careful breeding and testing for carriers of this disease before breeding them can help prevent kittens from developing this disease later on.

Gangliosidosis

This rare, inherited condition affects various animals, including cats and humans. It can occur in any cat breed but is most common in the Snowshoe. It’s caused by a deficiency in the enzyme that helps the cat break down fatty substances essential for nerve cells.

This disease has several types, depending on the exact enzyme the cat cannot break down. However, the most common type is GM1, which affects the enzyme that breaks down a specific type of fatty acid.

These cats often start exhibiting symptoms between 3 to 6 months of age, and the symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the disease. Cats with only minor effects may not show any symptoms at first.

Sadly, there is no cure for this condition. However, it is completely genetic, so careful breeding can help prevent it. Cats with this mutation should not be bred, as they will pass it on to their kittens.

Dental Problems

All cats can develop dental problems. It’s one of the most common problems affecting cats, especially as they age. One of the most common dental problems is periodontal disease, which occurs when plaque and tartar build-up around the teeth, leading to inflammation and infection.

Eventually, this condition can lead to tooth decay and tooth loss. Sometimes, infections can start and then easily spread to other body parts.

However, there are plenty of other conditions, too. It’s important to care for your cat’s teeth and seek veterinary help if you notice any problems.

Cost

Owning a cat isn’t cheap. On top of purchasing the cat, you must also pay for all of your cat’s needs, including medical costs, food, and other equipment.

Ragdoll

Ragdolls are expensive cats. These felines are rarer, so you must usually purchase them directly from a breeder. Getting these cats any other way is challenging. Often, ragdolls can cost over $2,000 or more, especially if you want a rare coloration or a specific gender. You often have to wait a while for a kitten to become available.

Ragdolls are decently healthy cats but are still prone to a few health issues. These problems can increase their medical costs, making them more expensive.

These felines also require regular grooming. Luckily, purchasing cat grooming supplies isn’t expensive and must only be done once. However, if you choose to get your cat professionally groomed, you can expect to pay more.

Snowshoe

The snowshoe is also a pretty rare breed. However, the demand for them is much lower. Therefore, you can often find them cheaper and may not have to wait as long for a kitten to become available. However, few breeders specialize in this breed. Therefore, finding a breeder is often pretty difficult. You may have to travel a bit before a breeder can be found.

Luckily, once you find a breeder, these cats are only about $300 to $1000. Therefore, they’re much cheaper than a ragdoll.

Everything else about the breed is about on par with the Ragdoll. They have similar food and equipment costs. However, they will cost a bit less to groom, as their shorter coat doesn’t require much upkeep. They may also be healthier cats, though that is debatable. It depends largely on the breeder you purchase them from. High-quality breeders of both breeds should screen for common health issues.

Which Breed Is Better For Me?

Choosing the right breed for you depends on many different factors. You should consider exactly what you’re looking for and how much work you can commit to the cat each day.

Both Ragdolls and Snowshoe cats can make wonderful pets. However, they have very different temperaments and slightly different needs that will make them work better in some families than others.

For instance, Ragdolls are much mroe laid-back and tend to be a great deal lazier than Snowshoe cats. therefore, they’re a great option for owners that are simply looking for a cuddly cat and aren’t interested in a lot of playtime.

However, if you want a cat that will be fun to play with or able to keep up with many children, then the Snowshoe cat may be a better choice. Their increased activity level also makes them healtheir, as they’re less prone to obesity.

Both cats are rare and must be purchased from a breeder in most cases. You may have to stay on a waiting list for sometime before purchasing either breed. Therefore, be sure you have the time and money to purchase one of these kittens before you set your heart on them.

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