The Difference Between Ragdoll And Siamese Cats

Most people often confuse Ragdoll and Siamese cats because of their very similar coats and color patterns. However, the two couldn’t be any more different. As you could probably infer from their name, Ragdoll cats are a more relaxed breed compared to Siamese cats. Siameses thrive off of affection and actually need it.

The main difference between Ragdoll and Siamese cats is that Ragdolls are more independent than Siameses, who require a significant amount of attention. Siameses are prone to depression if not shown enough affection. Although cuddly, Ragdolls can be more independent.

If you are stuck between getting a Ragdoll and a Siamese, here is a list of the differences and similarities of Ragdoll and Siamese cats to help you decide:

Key Differences Between Ragdoll And Siamese Cats

1. Appearances:

Although they share the same color patterns, Ragdolls and Siameses look quite different. Ragdolls have a fluffier coat and are longhaired cats, which require more grooming. They also are slightly bigger than Siameses. On average, Ragdoll cats weigh about 12 pounds at their healthiest. Siamese cats, on the other hand, typically weigh about 8 to 12 pounds.

Siameses are sleeker and have silkier, shorter hair. Because of the length of their fur, Siameses have lower grooming needs and may also be more favorable to people with allergies as opposed to Ragdolls, who consistently shed.

2. Personality:

It’s hard to imagine how anyone could mistake a Ragdoll cat for a Siamese cat because of their strikingly different characters. Ragdolls are gentle and calm cats. Siameses, on the other hand, are very extroverted and energetic.

Ragdolls got their unique name from the way that they flop like a ragdoll when you hold them. This behavior completely fits their docile nature. Calm at heart, ragdolls, like to lay around and enjoy your company. They want the quality time with you to be spent curled up on your lap and snuggling.

Siamese cats prefer to be front in the center of all of the attention and continuously be getting attention. They’ll let you know when they want your attention, too. They’re talkative cats and will meow at you until you give them what they want. This extroverted breed won’t let themselves go unnoticed.

Even though they’re calm cats, Ragdolls don’t get along with dogs as well as a Siamese does. Siameses have a lot of energy and are also known to be one of the most playful breeds. Their energy matches that of a dog, making them great companions. Ragdolls prefer to be the only pet in the house so that they can get all of the attention.

Siamese cats constantly want to play and be a part of the action. They’re known to be mischievous and to grab the attention of anyone in the room. They are also inquisitive creatures, so they’re prone to getting into cabinets and places that you probably don’t want them in.

Siameses are also very sensitive cats. If they don’t get enough affection, they can become very depressed or misbehave. A Siameses temperament only comes out when they want attention. In contrast, Ragdolls are a more relaxed breed. They’re independent, although they still need affection.

3. Origins:

Siamese cats are one of the oldest known breeds of cats, originating from Thailand back in the 1300s. They first came to the United States in the late 1800s as a gift to President Rutherford B. Hayes. Since then, Siameses have become one of the most popular breeds of cats in the U.S.

 Ragdoll cats, on the other hand, are American bred and came about in California in the 1960s. They’re a result of cross-breeding Persian, Angora, and Birman cats for generations. The mix of all of the different breeds’ traits have made Ragdolls the lovable, floppy cats that we know and love today.

4. Care:

Siamese cats require significantly more attention than Ragdoll cats. In fact, Siameses can become depressed if they don’t get enough of it. Siameses aren’t good pets for someone who isn’t home often and doesn’t have the time to play. They are great for families with kids or other pets for them to interact with.

Siameses require a lot of stimulation and play, so it’s a good idea to have lots of toys for them to play with. The best toys for them are food puzzle toys that require them to play around with it, and it will keep them occupied for hours. But that doesn’t match the quality time that’s spent with you; they still need that physical touch and love to fulfill their social needs.

Ragdoll cats are a little more independent compared to Siamese cats. Although any pet needs attention from their owners, Ragdolls like to sit and be a part of your company. They are more known to curl up on your lap and cuddle, unlike a Siamese who would instead follow you around throughout your day and play.

Siameses aren’t good pets to have if you’re going to be leaving them home alone often. Ragdolls, on the other hand, are better at being alone. Although you should never leave any of your pets alone for too long, Ragdolls are a better choice for people who work all day.

Expect to be getting out your lint rollers with a Ragdoll because they shed a lot. They need weekly or bi-weekly brushings to keep up with all of their long hair. Siameses, on the other hand, are shorthaired cats and don’t shed that much. To keep their coat looking beautiful, you can brush them every once in a while, which they love.

5. Training

Although both cats are exceptional breeds, Siameses are the easier of the two to train. Their energy makes up for their stubbornness in training. Siameses can be defiant somethings, making training difficult. But they sometimes see the training as playing, and that makes them eager to learn.

Training a Ragdoll cat is a little harder than a Siameses. They’re a sensitive breed and don’t take discipline very well. They become anxious and sad quickly, so they need more positive reinforcement when training them.

Because they have so much energy, Siameses can also be taught how to do tricks. Spending time with your cat teaching them skills is a high bonding activity. Ragdolls, on the other hand, prefer to chill out by your side rather than performing tricks.

Similarities Between Siamese And Ragdoll Cats

1. Appearances

The main reason why they always get confused for one another is that both Siamese cats and Ragdoll cats share the same color patterns on their coats. They are both famous for their white bodies with dark faces, legs, paws (often called “mittens”), and tail. Both cats can also have coats in blue point, chocolate point, and cream point, and even lilac point.

2.  Personality

Although they show it in very different ways, both breeds are also very affectionate. A ragdoll cat’s favorite thing to do is to cuddle up on your lap and be with you. Siamese cats, however, like to show their love more actively. They want to follow you around while you go about your day.

Both breeds of cats are also very social. You can expect either of the breeds to run up to someone when they walk through the door. They also both make great family pets. Ragdolls go limp when you pick them up, so they’re perfect for kids. Siameses also love to play, so children can keep up with them and play for as long as they want.

Both Siameses and Ragdolls are extremely intelligent breeds of cats. You can teach both of them various tricks, such as to sit, high-five, jump through hoops, and to play dead. It does take time a lot of patience to train these cats, but there is a ton of quality time when you’re training them.

Because they both like having all of the attention, they can sometimes get jealous of the other pets in the home. When they start to become suspicious, make sure that you give them some one-on-one time to show them that you still love them all the same.

Siamese and Ragdolls are also very loyal cats. Because they’re both so loving, they’re known to stick with their family to the end. They’re also known to pick one person out of the family as their favorite and show the most affection towards them- this is usually the person who is home the most to show them the most attention and play with them.

3. Communication:

Both Ragdolls and Siameses very outspoken breeds. They will talk to you for hours if you let them. They will also be very vocal about not getting paid attention to. They both love attention and won’t let you get away without giving it to them.

Both breeds are very vocal and communicate when they’re feeling a number of things: When they’re upset, hungry, seeking attention, and when they’re happy. They are very expressive cats, so when they’re feeling anything, they won’t let it go unnoticed.

Which Breed is Right for You?

Despite the fact that each breed can get along with pretty much anyone, there are specific types of homes that would be best for each breed. Here are a few traits that would work best which each breed to help you decide which one is the best for you:

Ragdoll

• Independent: Even though they love to cuddle, Ragdolls would thrive best in a household where they can be independent. They don’t need to play or snuggle all of the time; they want some company every once in a while.
• Relaxed: Ragdolls don’t always want to play. Most of the time, they like just to lay around and cuddle. Ragdolls need a companion who is just as relaxed and down to hang out as they are.
• Only Pet: Although they’re very loveable and social, a Ragdoll would prefer to be the only pet in the house so they can get all of the attention. Ragdolls can sometimes get jealous of other pets in the home, so it’s vital that they feel enough affection, as well.
• Furry Friends: Because of their long hair, Ragdolls shed a lot. They are not ideal for people who are allergic to longhaired cats. People who aren’t sensitive and can keep up with the grooming are great matches for Ragdolls.
• Quality Time: A Ragdoll’s favorite activity is to flop next to their owner and hang out. Even though they are independent compared to a Siamese cat, they still love getting attention and spending quality time with their families.

Siamese

• Families with Children: Siameses can get depressed if they don’t have enough attention, so they need a family who can give them all the attention that they need. Children can keep up with a Siamese’s energy and playfulness, so they’ll always have a buddy to keep them company.
• Other Pets: It’s hard to always be home for your pet. Having other pets in the house to keep them company while the owners are gone is an ideal environment for a Siamese cat. Siamese cats are even compatible with dogs.
• Energy: It takes a lot to keep up with a Siamese cat. Siameses need a companion that can play just as much as they want. This breed is constantly running around, keeping you on your toes.
• Lots of Space: Siameses have too much energy to be living in a small place; these cats can’t contain their energy. They run around constantly and need the room to do so.
• Hypoallergenic: Because of their short hair, Siameses are great cats for those with allergies to longhaired cats. They also shed very lightly, making grooming and cleaning up after them easier.
• Patience: Because they can be so stubborn, it takes patience to train a Siamese cat. Even though they are brilliant and can pick up on things quickly, they may not want to do it. Keep working with your cat, and they will soon work with you.

Other Breeds They Get Mistaken For:

Even though they mostly get confused with each other, Siamese and Ragdoll cats also get confused with Birmans. Birmans share similar color patterns, with a white coat and darker faces. Birmans are also longhaired, looking very similar to a Ragdoll. Birmans are also around the same size, so no wonder they get misken so easily.

Himalayan and Balinese cats also have the same color patterns as a Siameses and Ragdolls, so they are also easily mistaken for them. In fact, the Balinese are so similar to Siameses in their personality that they’re considered the “longhaired Siamese.” Even though they may be different, all of these breeds are just as lovable and great companions as a Siamese or Ragdoll.

Cat Facts

Both Siameses and Ragdolls are fascinating cats. Both of them have their own little quirks that make them loveable. Here are a few more little known facts about each of the breeds:

Siamese:

• Many generations of breeding ago, Siameses had crossed eyes and a bent tail.
• Aside from being cross-eyed, Siamese cats also genetically have lousy night vision. Most people think that cats can see clearly in the dark. Some Siameses haven’t inherited that trait and struggle to see in the dark.
• Siameses are born all white, and their coats are actually temperature-controlled. Siameses’ coats contain an enzyme that is sensitive to temperature. The cooler parts of the bodies, like their bellies, are darker than the warmer sides, like their backs.
• Siameses were once considered Royalty hundred of years ago in Thailand. The people and monks of Thailand would spoil this breed because they believed that they would retrieve the souls of those who had passed away.
• Most Siamese cats are lactose intolerant. Like some people, they lack the enzyme that allows them to digest milk properly. Most people give kittens milk, but be careful if you have a Siamese because it may make them sick.

Ragdoll:

• Male Ragdoll cats can weigh up to 20 pounds, and the females can weigh up to 15 pounds, making them one of the largest domesticated cat breeds.
• Even though they’re very vocal as adults, they are quite as kittens. Baby Ragdolls don’t communicate when something is wrong, so it’s essential to observe them.
• Like Siameses, Ragdoll kittens are all born white and develop their coat patterns as they get older. Ragdolls start to develop their colors and their points when they’re around ten months old.
• Ragdolls finish growing at four years old, that’s one of the reasons why they’re so big. Most cats stop growing after a year, but Ragdolls continue developing for another three years.
• All purebred Ragdoll cats have blue eyes. Although they can be found to have multiple different shades, they all still have blue eyes.

Conclusion

Both Ragdoll and Siamese cats are excellent choices for a pet. Although they look very similar, they have entirely different personalities. Ragdolls are more laid back than Siameses, who really want to play. Despite their differences, they are both intelligent and affectionate breeds, making them great pets for anyone.