Ragdoll and Siamese cats are very different from each other. They have contrasting qualities, needs, and priorities when it comes to instincts. Each also has its pros and cons when it comes to fully take them into your home. Their fur coating is probably one of the very few things they share similarities in.
Despite this, it’s evident that both of the said breeds are equally loved by people. If you’re someone who can only have one cat at the moment and is thinking about how to choose between Ragdoll and Siamese cats, then these furry felines will surely make it hard for you.
To help you in making the best decision, we’ll walk you through the differences between Ragdoll and Siamese cats, along with a complete side-by-side comparison.
Read on to the following sections if you’re interested to know more about the topic.
Origin and Facts
First, let’s talk about the origin and facts surrounding Ragdolls and Siamese cats. This is important to know so you can have an overview of the breed that you will be getting. This section will also make it easier for you to understand the two breeds.
Ragdoll
Ragdoll cats started in the 1960s. Ann Baker, a local breeder in California, basically combined the genes of various stray cats with her felines, and ultimately ended up with the very first Ragdoll that we know of today. Baker named her Josephine. The same breeder also came up with the name “Ragdoll” because of the ragdoll-like body structure of Josephine. Holding the cat feels “placid” in her own words.
Here are some other interesting things that you should know about Ragdoll cats:
- Ragdolls have naturally blue eyes.
- As kittens, Ragdolls have a purely white coat. The brown patterns only show up as time passes.
- The breed is a part of the rather large breeds for felines.
- Ragdolls are more independent and quieter.
- These kinds of cats are not very sociable with other animals.
Many speculate that Josephine and Ragdolls in general shared some qualities with other naturally long-haired cats like Persian and Burmese.
Siamese Cats
In contrast to Ragdolls that originated in the west, Siamese cats originated in Thailand in Southeast Asia. The breed was first formed in the 14th century and was originally called Siam. This is equivalent to “brown” in Sanskrit, which is the color of the Siamese cats.
That said, below are some more popularly known facts about Siamese cats:
- Siamese cats are one of the most popular cat breeds in the world, but most especially in western countries like the US and Europe.
- The breed’s characteristics have gone through a lot of changes over time.
- Old-school Siamese cats are naturally cross-eyed.
- Cats with this breed are very sociable, which makes them a good companion for people and animals alike.
- Siamese cats have a reputation for being aggressive.
No one actually knows how or when exactly Siamese cats are born since it’s a rather ancient group of felines. Breeders only assumed that they have been around since the 14th century since they are featured in “Tamra Maew,” a collection of Thai cat poems.
Appearance
Ragdolls and Siamese cats are usually mistaken for each other because of their similar appearance. However, they have a lot of key differences that you can refer to when distinguishing them apart. This is what we’re going to focus on below:
Ragdoll
Ragdolls are long-haired felines. Their fur is a combination of white and brown, but this won’t always be the case. They can also have either blue, lilac, or seal markings. Sometimes, it can be a combination of the three. All of them have blue eyes, which can be very rare for other cat breeds.
The breed can get pretty large. They can weigh up to 20lbs once they’re fully grown, that is, around 4 years. It can be more if we’re talking about male Ragdolls.
Read also: How Big Do Ragdoll Cats Get
Siamese Cats
Siamese cats have a shorter fur coat. They’re usually brown and white, but like Ragdolls, the felines can also come in variations of lilac, blue, orange, and cream. You’ll see a noticeable bend on their tails, which gives it a curled look. As for the eyes, they are popular for their silver and light blue eyes, but because of the breed’s changes over the years, this won’t always be the case.
This feline breed is medium-sized. It can only weigh up to 13lbs max. They’re on the slimmer and more muscular side of the spectrum.
Read also: Why Do Siamese Cats Have Crossed Eyes?
Personality
Knowing a cat’s personality is a vital part of being a cat owner. This will tell you how they will behave around you, and how you should treat them in return. Here are the bespoke personality traits of both Ragdolls and Siamese cats:
Ragdoll
Ragdoll cats are very much like dogs in terms of being loyal and affectionate towards their owners. They’re usually calm and gentle, but they can also be playful at times. It just won’t be as often compared to other energetic breeds. They can either be sociable or aloof, but it will still depend on their mood and the person or animal they’re with.
This breed likes cuddles and other kinds of emotional and physical affection. Despite this, do expect that they won’t constantly demand them from you. There will be times when they want to be alone and keep their own space.
Read also: How Much Attention Do Cats Need?
Siamese Cats
Siamese cats are very extroverted. They like to socialize with both people and animals, so you can expect them to be friends with your whole household in no time. They’re also always high in energy. The breed needs to be constantly moving or playing to feel satisfaction.
Cats with this breed tend to need a lot of time and attention. They are clingy, and will always communicate with you if they feel like they aren’t being acknowledged.
Read also: Why Are Siamese Cats So Vocal?
Training
Moving on, let’s now talk about what it will take to train Ragdolls and Siamese cats.
Ragdoll
Training a ragdoll cat will be on a case-to-case basis. If they don’t trust you yet or they’re not familiar with the person training them, you should expect that the process can take longer and harder. However, if you already share a deep connection with them, going through all the training lessons will come in a breeze. They’re highly intelligent, so learning won’t be a problem. You just have to pay attention to their bond with the trainer.
Siamese Cats
Because Siamese cats are also very intelligent species, and they’re also outgoing at the same time, training them will be very easy. There is a possibility that they can teach themselves tricks that are related to what you walked them through. Overall, it will be a straightforward process.
Care
To wrap up our comparative observations, this section will focus on how you should care for each cat breed.
Ragdoll
Ragdolls require professional grooming every two weeks and simple maintenance tasks, like brushing, at least twice a week. You should be able to provide them with activities that will aid in regular exercise. Since their bodies are a little limp, their physical health must be well-taken care of.
Ragdoll cats also need selected supplements and nutrients to stay healthy. They are very prone to bacteria-related issues, so it’s also a given that you will need to visit the vet more often. Outdoor walks won’t be necessary since it can be risky for their immune system.
Read also: Best Food For Ragdoll Kittens
Siamese Cats
Siamese cats are low maintenance. They don’t need to be professionally groomed as often as long as you can keep their ears clean and fur brushed. Since they are naturally energetic, you won’t have to constantly push them to physical activities to get exercise.
Health-wise, the breed is more prone to eye-related problems, so this is what you should focus on when taking care of them.
Similarities Between Ragdoll and Siamese Cats
Now that we have discussed the difference between Ragdoll and Siamese cats, let’s now talk about their similarities.
The most evident similarity for Ragdoll vs. Siamese cats lies in their appearance. More often than not, they have the same two-toned fur coat. In some cases, you will also find cats from the two breeds having identical patterns and color palettes.
Despite the clashing quality, expect that it will still be easy to distinguish one breed from another. Ragdolls lie more on having long coats, while Siamese cats have short to medium-length fur.
Apart from how the two breeds look, they also tend to have the same loving nature. They’re both cuddly, although they will have different ways of how they’ll show affection and how often they’ll do it.
Are Siamese and Ragdoll Cats Related?
Siamese and Ragdoll cats are not related. Each is its own breed possessing distinct qualities, appearance, caring requirements, and all other aspects.
To add, the former originated in Thailand and some other parts of Southeast Asia, while the latter is a purely American breed that originated in California. Their overall qualities, although they may seem similar at first, are also contrasting with each other.
The answer is also no if you’re wondering about whether Siamese cats are a by-product of breeding Ragdolls and vice versa. Their origin is very far apart considering that the former has been around since the 14th century, while the latter appeared in mid 19th century.
Which Cat Breed Will Be Suitable For You?
To know which of the two cat breeds will be more suitable for you, you should first fully understand the difference between Ragdoll and Siamese cats. Not only that, but you should also take certain factors into account. These include your budget, pet experience, available time, and overall capabilities in taking care of cats.
For an overview, Ragdolls are known to be independent. They are still loving felines but they won’t feel the need to continuously seek attention and time from their owners. This breed is the best choice if you have other commitments like school or work, and you can’t be at home 24/7.
Read also: 10 Best Cat Breeds for Busy Family Owners – Breed Info Here!
On the downside, you should make sure that you can shoulder the costs of grooming expenses required in taking care of a Ragdoll. They need to be groomed every 2 weeks on average because they have long fur coats that tend to grow out easily. This also makes them prone to skin-related issues like ticks and fleas. To add, they are also on the heavy side of shedding. Regular trims will be handy in preventing these.
Moving on, Siamese cats are generally more demanding. They want to be constantly given attention, cuddles, love, and all the other types of affection. They may also be needier, so if you prefer cats that are all over their owners, this is the right choice for you. Care-wise, the breed is low-maintenance. They don’t require bi-weekly grooming and their shedding is very little compared to Ragdolls.
For people who already own a dog, and want a cat that they can get along well with, your choice should lean more on Siamese cats since they are more sociable and communicative than Ragdolls.
Price-wise, both breeds are known to be more affordable compared to others. They usually have a close price range, and it will all come down to the quality and the pureness of the breed. Just make sure to buy from legitimate breeders. Of course, it will be much better if you can opt for adoption.
Read also: The Most Expensive Cat Breeds To Love
Final Thoughts
There is no “better” breed when we talk about Ragdoll vs. Siamese cats. The right feline breed for you will simply depend on your needs and preferences.
For instance, if you want a more naturally independent feline, go for a Ragdoll cat. Keep in mind that they are more high maintenance, especially in terms of grooming and other necessities.
A Siamese cat, on the other hand, will be ideal for those who like taking care of clingier and needier cats. They require a lot of time and attention but are less costly when it comes to grooming needs.
