MyCatBreeds
Both Snowshoe and Ragamuffin are originated from United States. Both Snowshoe and Ragamuffin are having almost same weight. Snowshoe may live 3 years less than Ragamuffin. Both Snowshoe and Ragamuffin has same litter size. Snowshoe requires Low maintenance. But Ragamuffin requires Moderate maintenance
The Snowshoe is a short-haired, natural breed of cat. It is a bit similar in looks to the Siamese cat.
It was in the late 1960's that Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty from the USA devoted her time to developing a breed which was a mix of Siamese cat and American Shorthair. There was much enthusiasm for the new breed – the mesmerizing blue eyes and the lean, lithe, athletic body, .
This rare cat has been approved for championship status. In 1982 the Snowshoe was approved for championship status by the CFF and later by the American Cat Fanciers Association in 1990.
This beautiful cat has strict standards laid down for breeding.
The beautiful Ragamuffin cat is a domestic feline that was established as a separate breed in 1994. It is a variant of the Ragdoll cat.
It was during the 1960s that a regular long-haired cat that was also white and non-pedigreed produced different litters of kittens, one of which was an unusually docile litter of kittens.
The history of the RagaMuffin can in fact be traced back to the founder of the Ragdoll cat breed, Ann Baker. Breeders working with Ann decided to create their own breed, the Ragamuffin, in 1994. It is a fairly new breed and the Ragamuffin has inherited quite a lot of the Ragdoll cat’s qualities. It arrived in the UK in 2009.
The Snowshoe is a medium-sized cat, with the body being longer than many other cat breeds.
A distinctive feature with him is the white paws.
The cat can weigh between 5 to 7 kg. The legs of the cat are long and strong and the medium-length tail gradually tapers to a tip. The ears are fairly large with rounded tips. The smooth, short coat is white, brown, tan, and black and without an undercoat. He reminds you of a sweet treat - hints of chocolate and coffee shades with vanilla or light cream. He is pure white at birth, but after a few weeks, the coat undergoes a significant color change.
The face, ears, tail, and legs are darker in color than the rest of the body. The eyes of all Snowshoe cats are a sky blue.
Snowshoes are friendly, docile, and affectionate. They lap up the company of their human family, getting on well with children and other pets. They tend to be shy of strangers.
The Snowshoe is a fairly vocal cat and will let you know when he is hungry or he just wants to talk to you.
These cats are intelligent too and he can be taught a few tricks. He is very sociable and doesn’t like to be left on his own for long periods of time. Ideally, these cats should have a constant companion. They are active cats and like to be busy. You’ll need to spend some time with your Snowshoe as these cats love fun and games.
Ragamuffins are large, muscular cats and some of the larger ones can weigh up to 9kg.
The chest of the cat is broad, he has a broad head and a well-plumed tail. These medium- to semi-longhaired cats have a thick, plush, silky coat with a ruff around the neck.
The coat is available in a number of colors and patterns, but popular colors are tabby with white, brown, blue and tortoiseshell. The nose of the Ragamuffin is shorter than that of the Ragdoll and the eyes are walnut-shaped. The eyes can be green, blue, or gold.
The Ragamuffin cat is a little bit more energetic than the Ragdoll and is a loving, loyal member of his human family. He is a large but docile cat. These cats are amicable, playful and also intelligent.
Many people train them to walk easily on a leash. They make great companions for single people or families.
Calm and unruffled, he makes the perfect family pet. People are always ready to make a fuss of them because of their beauty and they are always ready to lap up the attention. In fact, these big cats are so fond of attention from their owners that they don’t like being left alone for long periods of time.
People who have already owned Snowshoes will tell you that they make splendid pets. They’re loyal and devoted to their human family, usually choosing a favorite person.
The fact that the Snowshoe is social and becomes so attached to people, makes him an awesome pet but just because he is fairly docile and amicable doesn’t mean he should be left alone for hours at a time. You’ll hear him voicing his displeasure at this.
He is certainly not a solitary cat, but an affectionate and most extraordinary cat.
Your RagaMuffin promises to make you a splendid pet. He is such an amicable cat, being social and friendly with his human family.
He also gets along with your visitors and any other pets you have in the house. Children love his playful, easy-going nature.
Having a Ragamuffin cat in your home is such a pleasure and this large cat is willing to go out of his way to be the perfect pet and companion for you.
Your Snowshoe may well be a healthy breed, but every cat is prone to some illnesses. We look at some cat diseases you need to be aware of -
This is a feline disease found more often in Siamese cat breeds. The cat develops this protein disease between 1 TO 5 years of age. Amyloidosis is when there is an abnormal deposit of the protein complex amyloid into the liver, spleen and kidneys, resulting in bacterial infections, inflammation, and cancer.
Your Snowshoe’s teeth are particularly prone to gingivitis which is inflammation of the gums. It can lead to more serious conditions if left unattended. Other dental problems to watch for are bleeding gums, broken teeth, and swelling of the gums.
Have your Snowshoe spayed or neutered. Spaying or neutering decreases the likelihood of some cancers. Both males and females are less likely to roam too, making them more domesticated. The cat is less likely to spray urine as a territorial gesture too. Spaying or neutering is imperative if you want to avoid your cats being parents.
Ragamuffins are healthy cats with no known inherited diseases, but as with all cats you want to know something of the diseases that can plague cats.
You’ll want to check that your Ragamuffin has been tested for Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as well as Polycystic kidney disease.
This is a commonly diagnosed cardiac disease in cats. Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy causes the muscular walls of a cat's heart to thicken. The heart can no longer work sufficiently. It seems as though genetics plays a role as there are some cats that seem to battle with this disease more than others.
If you catch the disease early enough, the vet can devise a treatment plan to improve the cat’s quality of life.
Although you find this disease more frequently in Persian cats, this inherited disorder can be found in other cat breeds too. Liquid-filled sacs develop in the kidneys, growing in size and taking over kidney tissue which ultimately leads to kidney failure. Your cat will have nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and lethargy, and your cat will have to get to the vet.
Provide your Snowshoe with the best cat food that there is. Always be aware of excess weight with your cat and avoid it at all costs. Extra weight is an influential factor in the development of diseases such as diabetes and arthritis.
A proper diet for your Snowshoe will ensure that your vet expenses are less. The nutritional needs of your Snowshoe will be protein, minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, and enzymes. Your cat is a carnivore and his food needs to be high in meat and protein. He isn't going to require any carbohydrates. Speak to your vet about the best food for your feline friend.
Provide your Snowshoe with a constant supply of fresh, cool water.
Your Snowshoe will appreciate some cooked meat once in a while. Some tasty tuna now and then which is rich in omega-3s will also go down well.
Cats are fastidious about cleanliness so ensure his litter box is always clean. Scoop out the feces every day.
The Snowshoe has a low maintenance short coat, and a weekly brush will keep his coat shiny and glossy and he’ll love the attention this brushing session provides.
Cats like to scratch, so provide your Snowshoe with a scratching post as this will save your furniture from being used as a scratching post.
The Snowshoe cat is regarded as a low maintenance cat in terms of his short coat which needs to be brushed once a week. Brushing the hair will remove dead, loose hair and distribute skin oils to keep the coat in tip-top condition.
The Ragamuffin's longish coat will require some brushing at least once a week to keep it soft and silky.
These are big cats so you will need to provide him with an adequate diet. He is a carnivore and will therefore require meat.
Kittens will eat 4 meals a day while the adult Ragamuffin can have 2 bowls of food. Cats can sometimes be fussy eaters so you want to be sure to give him what he likes from the wet and dry cat goods you get.
The better quality food he eats, the healthier he will be. Your Ragamuffin's dietary needs will also depend on his age.
He should never be without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.
If you have any questions about how to look after your Ragamuffin in the best possible way, speak to your local vet.