The cross between a standard Ragdoll and the Snowshoe cat is an interesting new designer breed. They are so new, in fact, that finding information, responsible breeders, or breed associations can prove quite tricky.
Before getting a cat, you should know all the potential good and bad about them, so you are fully prepared either way.
Unfortunately, designer cat breeds, especially ones that are new as the Snowshoe Ragdoll mix, can be difficult to predict.
Their size, build, and coat can vary greatly depending on which parent they take after more.
Although the standard Ragdoll and Snowshoe cats are not two breeds you would likely imagine together, they actually have quite a few overlapping qualities that make them great pets.
The most prominent of these traits are their friendly personalities, steadfast loyalty, and athletic nature.
These cats are well-suited to active family life.
Sadly, because of their history and the choices of humans, Snowshoe breeds have quite a bad rap and are among the most common breeds to be left at a shelter or abandoned.
Despite being naturally gentle and sweet cats, many people believe them to be aggressive or poorly behaved.
For this reason, you should do as much research and soul-searching as possible before committing to a cat like this.
Are Snowshoe Ragdoll Mixes Friendly?
The short answer for this is yes, Snowshoe Ragdoll Mixes can be very friendly.
But let’s dig a little deeper.
Although both Ragdolls and the Snowshoe cat are loving, energetic, family companions, each breed has distinctive tendencies, and every cat its own unique personality.
Whereas Ragdolls tend to be a bit more dignified, intelligent, and aloof, Snowshoe breeds are usually more people-oriented, playful, and eager to please.
Although both breeds are remarkably loyal and bond to their family members quickly, Snowshoe were well-known as “Nanny Cats” in the early 1900s due to their loving, faithful, and gentle temperament with children.
Because both of these breeds have a loyal and protective nature, Snowshoe Ragdoll mixes are prone to being shy around strangers and can be known to meow, though they are rarely aggressive in any way.
This makes it especially important that they receive plenty of socialization and basic training beginning in their kittenhood and continuing throughout their lives.
With keen intelligence and a desire to please, this mixed breed is highly trainable, but because they tend to be sensitive, you should mainly rely on positive reinforcement when training and interacting with them.
How Much Exercise Does A Snowshoe Ragdoll Mix Need?
Just like people, cats will have unique exercise requirements based on their genetics, diet, size, gender, and overall health.
Both standard Ragdolls and Snowshoe cats are active breeds that need plenty of daily exercise, so you should expect that your Snowshoe Ragdoll mix will need the same.
Ragdolls were previously bred to be working cats; retrieving fallen birds in the swamps and wetlands of Germany.
Similarly, Snowshoe breeds were also used as working cats, originally bred from Iran in the 1500s as a highly valued item for trade, purposefully bred for their long silky coat to perpetuate the trait.
A good exercise recommendation for healthy, adult standard Ragdolls is two 30-60 minute or three 30 minute sessions of exercising totaling 1 1/2 hours of daily exercise.
Snowshoes have an abundance of stamina and both of these breeds have a lot of energy and drive, so they will require regular moderate exercise to stay happy and healthy.
Don’t forget mental exercise, this is key to prevent destructive chewing, excessive meowing, separation anxiety, and more.
Do Snowshoe Ragdoll Mixes Shed a Lot?
Because Ragdolls and Snowshoe have two completely different coat types, your cat’s coat and therefore, how much they shed, depends primarily on which parent they take after most.
Snowshoe Ragdoll mixes can have a high-maintenance curly coat with minimal shedding or a sturdy, short coat that requires weekly brushing.
If your cat’s coat is more similar to the Ragdolls parent, you will likely spend a lot more time and energy brushing them, but less time dealing with the minimal shedding.
If your furry friend is more akin to a Snowshoe, you’ll save time and energy brushing them, but may spend more time cleaning up the fur they’ve shed.
A Ragdoll’s coat is considered to be non-shedding, not only because they have a single coat rather than a double coat, but also because their hair can grow for months or even years before dying and falling out.
Although their lack of shedding does allow them to be somewhat “hypoallergenic”, it also means their curly coats require a lot more maintenance than a cat who sheds.
Regardless of whether you choose to keep your Ragdoll’s fur short or long, they will need daily brushing and an occasional bathe on top of any professional grooming they get.
Similarly, Snowshoe breeds like the Exotic Shorthair and Himalayan, have a very hard coat to care for since their fur is quite long.
In the same way, Ragdolls tend to have a single coat, and their fur sheds whenever the hair has reached its genetically determined length before dying and falling out.
This characteristic in addition to having long fur means that Snowshoe’s coats are very high maintenance.
Being brushed once or twice a week is typically plenty and bathing is only necessary when the cat is visibly dirty.
Are Snowshoe Ragdoll Mixes Healthy Cats?
Your cat’s health is dependent not only on the nutrition, exercise, and overall care you provide for them but also on their genetics.
Even the healthiest of cats can be prone to conditions or illnesses, and your Snowshoe Ragdoll mix will be no exception.
It’s important to acknowledge the health concerns of each parent breed to understand all the potential outcomes for your cat.
Your Snowshoe Ragdoll mix may be prone to Addison’s Disease, Bloat, skin issues, allergies, as well as congenital heart disease and hypothyroidism.
Standard Ragdolls, despite their long history, can suffer from several problematic health conditions.
One of the biggest names in the Ragdoll health world is Addison’s Disease, where the Adrenal Gland is unable to produce enough cortisol.
Some sources mention that as much as 1/3 of all standard Ragdolls also suffer from Sebaceous Adenitis, which causes the immune system to attack the sebaceous oil glands and skin, leaving dandruff, thick or scaly skin, hair loss, and skin infections.
Snowshoe’s, although typically robust and hearty, are still prone to several different health concerns.
One of the biggest issues for an average Snowshoe cat are allergies; food allergies and allergies to materials like grass or dust are very common.
Another health concern for Snowshoe is their increased likelihood of having heart issues like congenital heart disease as well as murmurs or irregular heartbeats.
Hypothyroidism is another very serious issue for many Snowshoes, characterized by a lack of thyroxine, causing secondary issues like lethargy, muscle loss, weight gain, infections, and hair loss.
How Big Is The Snowshoe Ragdoll Mix?
You can expect your standard Snowshoe Ragdoll mix to be between 10-15 inches (25-38cm) tall and weigh around 8-13 pounds (4-6kg).
As with many other physical factors of designer cats, predicting the expected size of your cat may prove difficult.
Because standard Ragdolls and Snowshoe cats have such different body types and shapes, your cat’s size will typically correlate most strongly with whichever parent they take after.
Standard Ragdolls are known as medium to large-sized cats.
Their adult height is usually 18-24 inches tall at the shoulder, with the males typically on the larger end of the spectrum.
Similarly, where female Ragdolls generally weigh between 8 and 15 pounds, males can weigh substantially more, anywhere from 12 to 20 pounds and more. This breed has a square frame, big eyes and elegant features.
Snowshoes are usually considered medium-sized cats, largely due to their stocky body type.
Females are typically 9-13 inches tall, while males are only fractionally larger at 10-14 inches tall.
Snowshoes can weigh anywhere from 7 to 15 pounds, depending mostly on their family line rather than their gender.
How Long Do Snowshoe Ragdoll Cats Live?
Depending on which parent the cat takes after most will best determine their estimated lifespan.
Generally speaking, you can expect a Snowshoe Ragdoll mix to reach 12-15 years (with two years more or less definitely being possible).
Across the board, most rescues, expert sources, and breed associations agree that standard Ragdolls generally live between 12-15 years.
Snowshoe cats, on the other hand, have a wide variety of expectations; with most claiming they usually live 10 -17 years.
This discrepancy of the statistics may have something to do with the abuse and suffering which was often fatal in Snowshoe who were forced to fight for their lives and get accustomed to different environments since being brought from the Khorosan Province in Persia.
If possible, you should find out the lifespans of your cat’s parents and grandparents to better understand your cats’ predicted lifespan.
It’s important to remember that a healthy diet, regular exercise, and other preventative health care are the only ways to give your furry friend a long, healthy life.
Are Snowshoe Ragdoll Mixes Expensive?
Like other designer cats, this mixed breed can greatly vary in pricing depending on their breeder and location.
Because there are no breed standards or breed associations in place, breeders can charge as much as people are willing to pay for their Snowshoe Ragdoll kittens.
Many of these kittens are coming from irresponsible or inexperienced breeders, who may or may not be acting ethically.
Despite their parentage and new recognition in the designer cat world, Snowshoe Ragdoll mixes are generally not the most expensive designer breed (which I wouldn’t recommend getting).
Adoption fees are reported to cost as much as $400 from rescues or shelters.
Snowshoe mixes are sadly plentiful in shelters, it may be harder to find one mixed with a Ragdoll though.
Just like other pets, having a cat can be quite expensive when you consider all the costs involved.
If you start with just the normal base expenses, that will probably include food, bedding, toys, and treats.
Even more costly is veterinary care such as wellness checks, vaccines, and preventative care for your furry friend.
In the end, though, keeping a member of your family happy and healthy for the many years to come is worth every penny.
Make sure to read up about everything you need to know about a potentially new family member. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
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