Meowing Royalty

Persian vs Ragdoll: Cat Breeds Comparison

Are you thinking about getting a new cat for your family but are torn between the Persian and the Ragdoll? Keep reading to learn more about their similarities and differences.

While Persian comes from Persia (known as Iran today), Ragdoll has United States origin.

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 share the same origin (Persia (known as Iran today)), it's important to consider their differences as well.

Here is some basic information about these breeds:

Persian vs Ragdoll

Persian
Length14 to 18 inches
Weight7 to 12 pounds
Overall Health
OriginPersia (known as Iran today)
Life Span10 to 15 years
Ragdoll
Length17 to 21 inches
Weight10 to 20 pounds
Overall Health
OriginUnited States
Life Span12 to 17 years

Persian 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 Persians, have a typical length of 14 to 18 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?

Well, we'd strongly advise to choose Ragdoll over Persian.

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

Persians, on the other hand, are more of an independent type, that will prefer to stay silent in the corner, or their spot and monitor closely what is happening around them.

This doesn’t mean that there is no love toward humans but instead means that they prefer moments of solitude. You can still expect Persians to come to you for cuddles - at their own pace.

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 2s are.

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

Friendly Toward Strangers

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

Generally you should avoid Persians 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 Persians 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 Persians.

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

If your future cat's playfulness is an important thing for you, be sure to read this carefully.

Let's get straight to the point:

Ragdolls are more playful, and they will require you to invest some time in keeping them entertained, otherwise they might get bored and eventully destructive.

Persians aren't described by feline lovers as a breed of high playfulness, so if you're looking for a more laid-back breed for your appartment, they might be a great choice.

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 Persians.

Their health is considered as average or below average, so if you decide to get a Persian, 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

Some felines shed more than others, and Persians and Ragdolls are known for being heavy shedders. They will shed throughout the year.

To keep their shedding at a minimum, it’s important to have the right grooming tools on hand.

Provide regular grooming sessions, and have weekly brushing sessions. This simple practice should keep the cat’s coat both healthy and glossy.

If you enjoy brushing cats and you don’t mind cat hair here and there, these breeds are for you.

Regular brushing sounds like too much work? You don’t want to see cats' hair in excessive amounts all over your place? Consider getting a breed that is known as low shedder.

Tendency to Vocalize

There are two types of cats: talkative, and silent.

But there are also two types of people: people who like talkative cats, and people who don't.

Therefore, you should consider this characteristic when you're choosing the perfect cat breed.

With Persian, you will probably deal with a breed with a medium tendency to be vocal, while Ragdolls are often described as a breed with a high tendency to vocalize.

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 Persians are dunderhead, they just don't tend to be smart as Ragdolls.

The Final Word

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

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

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