Similarly to other cat breeds, no two Ragdoll cats are the same, which is why there's no set price to protect your pet's health. When we calculate your cover, we take various factors into consideration:

• The level of cover you want
• How much protection you choose
• Your agreed excess
• Your cat's age and size
• Whether they have been neutered or spayed
• Where both you and your cat live

Personality wise, this cat breed is pretty low maintenance, but their silky coat means regular grooming is a must.

No. Vaccinations are seen as preventative care, so don't come under pet insurance coverage. It's the same for flea and worming treatments, neutering, microchipping and any pre-existing condition your cat might have had before you took out your policy.

This cat breed needs the same vaccinations as all other cats, which includes feline infectious peritonitis, feline infectious enteritis and cat flu. This is usually enough for indoor cats, but if yours ventures outdoors, they'll also need to be covered against feline leukaemia virus.

On average, Ragdolls live 12-16 years, which is usually nearer the upper end when you take good care of your cat. In some cases, Ragdolls have lived up to an impressive 20 years!

Yes, their docile and sociable nature means this breed gets along well with other cats and dogs as well as children of all ages.

This fabulously fluffy breed was first bred by Ann Baker in the 1960s in California. She crossed an Angora-like female with various Toms from the neighbourhood. The result? Affectionate, calm and playful kittens, which Ragdolls are still renowned for being today.

Where did the name come from? When you pick up one of these adorable kittens, they go all limp and floppy, just like a rag doll!

The breed first appeared on UK shores in 1981 and has soared in popularity ever since. Ragdolls get along with everyone they meet, are very docile and love a good snuggle on your lap. That's not all – they boast thick, soft fur that makes them the perfect cuddle buddy and gorgeous round eyes that pet owners find hard to resist.

Unfortunately, Ragdolls are predisposed to a few health issues, like dental disease, polycystic kidney disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency.

Over time, vet bills can soon start to mount, costing you a small fortune throughout their lifetime. That's why protecting your Ragdoll with pet insurance from the moment they become a part of your family is an absolute must.

Lifespan: 12-16 years

Size: 8.5-11 inches (22-28 cm)

Weight: 4-8 kg

Colours: White, grey, black, blue, cream, red, chocolate and seal

Appearance: Soft, thick coat, thick arms and legs, long tail and round blue eyes

Personality: Intelligent, gentle and playful

You might think your playful pet has nine lives, but even the most agile of Ragdoll cats can get injured or suddenly fall ill. As its caring pet parent, it's your responsibility to get them the treatment they truly deserve in an emergency, which may mean protecting them with pet insurance.

Is pet insurance worth it? We think yes, and here are three reasons why.

No one likes unexpected vet bills

Ragdolls, just like other pedigree cat breeds, are at risk of various health problems, which could mean they need costly treatment and even surgery at some point in their lives. Vet fees can soon pile up, especially if they develop a chronic condition.

With a pet insurance policy in place, you no longer need to worry about the unexpected vet fees – we can help to take care of them for you. Get the emergency treatment your Ragdoll needs, when they need it most.

Your Ragdoll cat deserves only the best

If your pet is ever in an emergency, the last thing you want to be worrying about is when and where they will get the care they need to recover. When you get pet insurance from Purely Pets, we can help to take care of the financial side directly with your vet, so you can focus on helping your Ragdoll cat get back to their best.

You can guard against new health issues

It doesn't matter whether your Ragdoll is free to roam the neighbourhood or only kept indoors, you never know when they'll suddenly fall ill. If your feline companion does develop an illness and you're not covered, you will find it increasingly difficult to protect them. If you do find pet insurance coverage, it will likely cost you a lot more and may not include pre-existing conditions, so you'll still need to pay for the current treatment yourself.

What's the best way to avoid such a tough situation? By taking out pet insurance while your cat is still happy and healthy. If you're still searching for cover for your Ragdoll, get in touch with Purely Pets. We cover kittens from just 8 weeks old and have no age limit for senior cats.

Ragdolls are beautiful cats with gorgeous fluffy coats and stunning blue eyes. But, unfortunately, they're also susceptible to a number of health concerns that could affect them at any stage of their life.

As their doting pet parent, it’s your job to understand the potential risks and how to spot the problems if they arise. That way, you can get them to the vet before they become too serious.

Below are some of the most common medical problems in Ragdoll cats and the tell-tale symptoms.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a severe heart disease that causes the organ’s wall to thicken, making it harder to pump blood. Ragdolls can live for years with the condition before diagnosis, but spotting the symptoms early can improve your cat’s quality of life. Tell-tale signs include:

• More tired than usual

• Eating less than normal

• Laboured or open-mouthed breathing

• Painful back legs and inability to move them

• Fainting

Occasionally, sudden death is the first sign you see of the disease, so regular vet check-ups are essential throughout your cat's life to spot the illness before this happens.

Dental disease

Oral health issues are common in all cats, and a plaque and tartar build up over time can lead to gum disease, which could cause even more serious problems. You'll need to stay on top of your Ragdoll's oral hygiene and have regular check-ups to make sure their teeth are in tip-top condition. Signs of dental problems include:

• Bad breath

• Eating less than normal

• Mouth pain

• Weight loss

• Difficulty eating (preferring only soft food)

• Red and sore gums

• Tartar build-up

• Drooling

• Wobbly and missing teeth

• Facial swelling around cheeks and jaw

If your Ragdoll does develop issues, you'll need to see your vet for dental treatment. The care your pet receives will depend on the condition and how severe it is. In extreme cases, your cat might need emergency surgery to remove affected teeth.

Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency

Affected cats inherit this disease, so are predisposed to it from birth. Pyruvate kinase is an enzyme in your cat's red blood cells, which gives them the energy they need to survive. As the enzymes deplete, the red blood cell's lifetime dramatically reduces, causing anaemia. Watch for:

• Lethargy

• Lack of appetite

• Weight loss

Many cats with this deficiency will still go on to live a relatively long life and you might not notice symptoms until old age. There's no specific treatment, but anaemic episodes tend to be mild and manageable.

Autosomal dominant polycystic disease

This is another inherited health problem and is often known as polycystic kidney disease. It causes numerous fluid-filled cysts to develop in your cat's kidneys, which grow over time and can eventually lead to kidney failure. Unfortunately, there's no way of knowing how quickly the illness will progress in a cat – sometimes it takes years and other times it's fairly quick.

Frequent vet visits are the best way to spot the condition early on, but you may also notice affected cats with:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Weight loss

• Drinking and urinating more than normal

• Eating less than usual

• Lethargy

These signs are common in various health concerns, so if you do ever spot your Ragdoll suffering, get them to the vet for a check-up as soon as possible.

This adorable breed is one of the friendliest around. So, how can you repay such affection and devotion? By looking after your pet as well as you possibly can!

Exercise

Ragdolls come across as chilled with an easy-going nature, but that doesn't mean they don't love to play. In fact, this breed enjoys a good game of fetch. Give your Ragdoll plenty of exercise opportunities, cat toys and a scratching post to avoid damage to your furniture! They need at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, which could be broken into two 15-minute sessions.

Food and nutrition

Ragdolls love to eat, but you need to make sure you stick to the right amount of food, or your pet could soon be tipping the scales. Speak to your vet about a balanced diet that suits your cat's age, weight and activity level. This breed also loves a good routine, so make sure their meals are at a similar time each day.

Grooming

Your Ragdoll is a large cat with a long, thick coat which needs grooming to keep it from matting. Comb your pet (every day or two) to remove dirt and debris and prevent knots from forming. As Ragdolls love nothing more than chilling on your knee, it's easy to grab the comb and give them a quick brush.

Don't forget your pet's teeth. As oral health concerns are common in certain breeds like Ragdolls, it's important you get into a good brushing routine as early as possible.

Training

Thanks to their sociable side, Ragdolls love learning new skills from their family. Training is fairly straightforward, but make sure you use plenty of positive reinforcement by providing treats when they do things right, like using their litter box or cat flap.

We believe every animal deserves  protection throughout their life, no matter their age, breed or size. We'll look after your kitten from only 8 weeks old and make sure every old age pet gets the care they really need to enjoy their golden years to the fullest.

Take your pick from our 15 levels of lifetime cover and get unlimited vet video calls 24/7 with Joii. Our user-friendly online platform makes managing your policy easier than ever and we can pay your vet directly, too!

Don't wait until your Ragdoll falls ill to find cover. Get award-winning protection from Purely Pets today.