Exotic and Ragdoll share the same origin. They both come from United States.

But honestly, breeds' origin doesn't reveal a lot about it, so please keep reading to learn more about these interesting breeds.

Although both breeds make excellent family cats, it's important to consider their differences as well.

Here is some basic information about these breeds:

Exotic vs Ragdoll Appearance

Ragdolls are longer.

Ragdolls have an average length of 17 to 21 inches and a weight of 10 to 20 pounds.

On the other side Exotics, have a typical length of 13 to 15 inches and an average weight of 7 to 12 pounds.

Temperament

No doubt, each cat has its own temperament, but we'll try to make some generalizations and help you choose the breed that will fit

Affectionate with Family

Looking for a perfect family cat?

Good news!

You won't go wrong with Exotics and Ragdolls, who are known for being clingy. They need a lot of affection and love being around people.

These cats love their people, and being a part of a family is something that helps them thrive.

They will choose one person and claim as their person. In multi-human households, cats will choose a favorite, usually the person that does the most work around them.

Kid-Friendly

It's no secret that cats and kids tend to keep their distance apart, as kids often see them as moving toys and rush to grab them. This is something that cats aren't comfortable with, and will react in defense.

That being said, if you have kids, you shoud probably get a 5, as they are usually more patiente with children than 3s are.

Of course, each cat is different, and proper socialization and introduction is neccessery.

Friendly Toward Strangers

Ragdolls are more friendly than Exotics. What does it mean to you?

Generally you should avoid Exotics in some cases:

• Your home is always full of people
• You like to make parties at your home
• You consider getting a cat for office or working place
• You travel a lot and plan to leave your cat with your friends
• You plan traveling or commuting with your cat in the transporter

Otherwise no worries, both breeds should do fine, just Exotics might be a more reserved in the beginning when meeting new people.

Pet Friendly

Cats being generally friendly is one thing, but being friendly toward other pets is a completely different thing.

This trait must be taken into account if you've got another pet, so let's see do these breeds compare.

Ragdolls are generally more pet friendly than Exotics.

Cats usually tolerate dogs because they are not so territorial beings as dogs are, but make sure that their introduction is done safely.

If you notice your feline moving away from pets, do not force them to mingle, or spend time together. As a general rule, cats and birds shouldn't be under the same roof.

Potential for Playfulness

Some cats are naturally more playful than others.

In human terms, some cats are social, while others are very independent creatures that prefer to be left alone. If you want a feline that is playful and always ready to chase that ball, you cannot go wrong with choosing Exotic or Ragdoll.

If you get one of these breeds be ready to invest some time in playtime, or your feline will get bored and eventually become destructive.

Once you get a playful breed be ready to organize your living space to accommodate your cat’s playful side. Cats need space where they can explore, jump, and rest. Think in terms of cat furniture and durable cat toys.

General Health

A healthy diet, proper grooming, and exercise should keep your feline in top shape.

Ragdolls are usually considered as a healthy and resilient breed and should reach their senior years without major issues, as long as you deal with responsible breeders and provide regular veterinarian check-ups.

Unfortunately, the same doesn't stand for Exotics.

Their health is considered as average or below average, so if you decide to get a Exotic, be sure to choose a reputable breeder, known for breeding cats with good genetics.

Grooming

These breeds are super easy to groom. When it comes to low maintenance both breeds are great options to consider having.

In general, both breeds are easier to groom than their other counterparts, no matter how long or short their hair might be. Safe and fast grooming has more to do with the cat's personality than hair length.

These cats are intelligent, calm, and affectionate which makes them 'easy to groom', although you will have to implement proper grooming practice.

These breeds are 'dog-like' when it comes to grooming, so make sure that you provide them a nice treat afterward. Treats can do wonders even for cats.

Shedding

Nobody enjoys the facts cats shed, but if you hate that, you should probably stick to Exotics, as they shed less than Ragdolls.

However, don't forget that all cats need regular brushing, but how often depends on the breed.

Cats are not too fond of being handled, so invest in high-quality (and proper) grooming tools to make the brushing process easier and short.

Tendency to Vocalize

Both Exotics and Ragdolls are known for being highly vocal breeds. They can talk all day long!

Cats enjoy social contact with people and they use their voices to get human attention, over and over again.

If you prefer quietness, or you have toddlers who sleep a lot, you might think about getting a less vocal feline.

Intelligence

It's a well-known fact that cats are among the most intelligent creatures alive. They are smart to react instinctively, fast to hunt, and smart to hide in a matter of seconds.

If intelligence is an important factor for you, you might prefer a Ragdoll. They are fast to interact, communicate, and demand a lot of your time and playtime to thrive.

Obviously, this doesn't mean that Exotics are dunderhead, they just don't tend to be smart as Ragdolls.

The Final Word

We hope our Exotics vs Ragdolls comparison helped you to choose the right breed for you.

You can use the tool below to make a new comparison.