Should I Get a Male or Female Ragdoll?

Should I get a male or female Ragdoll kitten? If you are thinking about adopting a Ragdoll kitten, you may find yourself asking this question.

There are some overall differences between male and female Ragdolls that we have outlined below, especially when it comes to general physical features. However, every cat is unique, so these generalizations won’t apply to every Ragdoll that you meet.

Is one gender a better fit for you? It’s important to note that there will be no right or wrong answer to this question. But let’s take a look at the general distinctions between a male Ragdoll and a female Ragdoll so that you can decide on your best match!

Male vs Female Physical Differences

Size: Male Ragdolls are typically larger than female Ragdolls. On average, males weigh 11-18 pounds full grown, while females typically weigh 9-15 pounds at maturity. Overall, males tend to be about 3-5 pounds heavier than females.

Boning: “Boning” refers to the skeletal structure and frame of a cat. Male Ragdolls generally have larger boning and a more muscular body frame when compared to females. While female Ragdolls do typically have large boning when compared to other cat breeds, they still tend to be slightly more delicate overall than a male Ragdoll.

Head Shape: On average, male Ragdolls have larger and wider heads than females. The head of a female Ragdoll is usually slightly smaller than the head of a male.

Male Ragdoll Cat

Female Ragdoll Cat

Vocal Differences

The vocalness of a Ragdoll will vary from cat to cat. Some Ragdolls meow frequently and enjoy “singing” and talking back to their owners, while other Ragdolls tend to be quieter. On average, male Ragdolls have deeper voices than female Ragdolls. The meow of a male Ragdoll will typically sound low, and the meow of a female Ragdoll sound high-pitched.

Temperament Differences

Some individuals may claim that one gender is more laid back and cuddlier than the other. Or that one gender is more active. However, I personally have found generalizations like these to be false. Once spayed & neutered, I have seen no overall differences between the temperament of male and female Ragdolls. Personalities of individual Ragdolls are diverse and unique, regardless of gender!

While the Ragdoll breed overall is more affectionate and mellow than your average feline, every Ragdoll will still have their own personality traits, preferences and quirks.

The temperament of a Ragdoll is most influenced by their genetics and upbringing. Ragdolls, like all cats, inherit personality traits from their parents, regardless of gender. So, when choosing where to adopt a Ragdoll kitten, it is important to find a Ragdoll breeder who focuses on producing the temperament that you are looking for.

Here at Pastel Ragdolls, we focus on producing kittens with the true Ragdoll temperament – gently playful, docile, social, loving and affectionate. This sweet Ragdoll temperament is not specific to only one gender.

Reproductive Differences

A major distinction between a male and female of any species is going to be differences in reproductive characteristics. While this is certainly true when it comes to Ragdoll cats, there are virtually no major reproductive differences that are going to affect the behavior of a Ragdoll once they have been spayed/neutered.

Which Ragdoll is Right For You?

The Ragdoll cat has a wonderful temperament no matter which gender you choose. I have had Ragdolls of both genders that love to cuddle and seek out human attention.

Ultimately, the decision to adopt a male or female Ragdoll will depend on your own preference. Mainly this decision will depend on which characteristics you feel would be the best fit for your home and lifestyle.

My personal opinion is that you need one of each – a male and a female! 😊