Ragdoll Colours and Patterns: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding Ragdoll Colours and Patterns

Ragdoll cats showcase a stunning variation of colours and patterns. This can be overwhelming for those looking to purchase a Ragdoll kitten or for new owners trying to understand their furry friends. To help you navigate this colourful world, we’ve created a simple yet comprehensive guide to the most popular Ragdoll colours and patterns.

Understanding Ragdoll Colours

Ragdolls are a colour-pointed breed. This means they have a point gene that reacts to the temperature they are exposed to. As a result, they have a lighter body with darker extremities, such as the face, ears, paws, and tail. Interestingly, Ragdoll kittens are born completely white. As they grow, their points darken due to exposure to cooler temperatures.

Here is a comparison between a newborn kitten and a 15-week-old kitten:

Pic1: Newborn Ragdoll kittens

Pic2: 15 weeks old blue bi-colour kitten Artimus Fandangdo of Bonnie Dolls

The 6 Most Popular Ragdoll Colours

The six most popular Ragdoll colours are:

1. Seal

2. Blue

3. Red

4. Cream

5. Lilac

6. Tortie/Tortoiseshell (mixed colour patches)

   
   

Some cat associations also recognize cinnamon and fawn. All these colours can appear as solid points or lynx points (tabby). Notably, all traditional purebred Ragdolls have blue eyes.

The 5 Most Popular Ragdoll Patterns

Ragdolls appear in five distinct patterns:

1. Colour Point

2. Bi-Colour

3. Mitted

4. Van

5. Lynx

   
   

Exploring Ragdoll Patterns in Detail

Colour Point

The Colour Point pattern is characterized by a lighter body with darker extremities. This is the classic look for Ragdolls and is often the first pattern that comes to mind.

Bi-Colour

The Bi-Colour pattern features a white inverted “V” on the face. The body is predominantly white with colour on the extremities. This pattern gives Ragdolls a unique and charming appearance.

Mitted

Mitted Ragdolls have white paws and a white chin. The body is usually a solid colour, providing a striking contrast to the white markings.

Van

Van Ragdolls are predominantly white with colour only on the head and tail. This pattern is less common but equally beautiful.

Lynx

Lynx Ragdolls have tabby markings on their points. This pattern includes stripes or spots, adding an extra layer of uniqueness to their appearance.

Additional Resources

For those interested in learning more about each colour and pattern, click here to read more about each colour and pattern, accompanied by photos.

Click here to read more about each colour and pattern, accompanied by photos

1. Blue Point Ragdoll

A Blue Point Ragdoll features a lighter body with greyish-blue points (paws, face, ears, and tail). Their noses are also grey.

Pic 3: Blue point ragdoll

2. Seal Point Ragdoll

Pic 4:  Seal Point Ragdoll

Seal Point Ragdolls have a creamy or beige tummy and chest, with dark brown (seal) ears, face, and paws. Their bright blue eyes provide a striking contrast!

The contrast between the pale body and dark points is stunning, often described as warm milk chocolate.

3. Cream Point Ragdoll

Pic 5: Cream point ragdoll. Credit Caster.com

Cream Point Ragdolls have a pale cream-colored body with slightly darker cream or light fawn points. The contrast is more subtle compared to colours like seal or blue.

4. Red Point Ragdoll (Flame)

Pic 6: Red point ragdoll. Credit: Shutterstock

With a warm, even creamy-white body, Red Point Ragdolls exhibit deep orange-red points (ears, face, and tail). Their paw pads are bright pink.

5. Lilac Point Ragdoll

Pic 7: Lilac Point Ragdoll, credit Shutterstock

Lilac Point Ragdolls has a pale, creamy-white body, often with a subtle silvery sheen. Their points are a delicate lavender-grey, a diluted version of the chocolate gene. Lilac Ragdoll Cats are rare due to their recessive colour gene.

6. Tortie (Tortoiseshell)  - mixed colour patches

Pic 8: Tortie Ragdoll

Tortie Ragdolls are a mix of colours, with only female Ragdolls exhibiting this pattern. The colours can range from Seal and Red to Blue and Cream

Ragdoll Patterns

1. Colour Point

The body is lighter while the points are darker, with temperature sensitivity affecting the point's colour.  Colour point ragdolls will have darker nose, face and chin, and dark paws.

2. Bi-Colour

Bi-colour Ragdolls exhibit a striking contrast with a lighter body and darker points. They often feature a white inverted V on the face and white legs.

Check the photo of our Queen Venus of bonniedolls – seal bi-colour girl

Pic 9: blue bi-colour cat Venus of bonniedolls  

3. Mitted

Pic 10: blue mitted kitten Aria of bonniedolls  

Mitted Ragdolls appear as if they're wearing white "socks" on their paws. They typically have a white chin, belly stripe, and darker facial centre. Look at the photo of our Aria – blue mitted kitten girl!

4. Van

The Van Ragdoll has a predominantly white body with colour only on the head and tail, creating a distinctive look.

 Pic 11: van ragdoll cats. Credit: Shutterstock  

7. Lynx Point Ragdoll

Think of ‘lynx’ as another layer of coat markings on top of colour and pattern!

Lynx Point Ragdolls is essentially a tabby /stripy cat combined with the other coat colour and pattern.  The tabby markings are evident on their points, and their noses are typically pink with no colour inside the ears.

Lynx Point Variations

Blue Lynx Point Ragdoll. Light cream or fawn body with blue-grey points and tabby markings

Seal Lynx Point Ragdoll

Light cream body with contrasting dark brown points and tabby stripes

Red Lynx Point Ragdoll

Light cream body with darker red points and distinct tabby markings

Cream Lynx Point Ragdoll

Light cream body with pale cream points and a signature M-marking on the forehead.

Lilac Lynx Point Ragdoll

Cream body with soft lilac points, enhanced by stripes on the tail and an M-marking on the forehead.

Torbie Lynx Point Ragdoll

The Torbie coat combines the Tortie pattern with the Tabby (Lynx) pattern.

At Bonnie Dolls Ragdolls, we have kittens showcasing a variety of colours and patterns, including:

• Blue Mitted kittens

• Blue Bi-Colour kittens

• Seal Mitted

• Seal Bi-Colour

Check our Kitten Page for more information, and feel free to reach out with any questions!We hope you find this guide helpful!

Best,

 Alexandra

 Bonnie Dolls Ragdolls