If you already own a ragdoll cat, at some stage you’ve no doubt wondered: ‘would they be happier if they had a companion?’
The idea that ragdoll cats should be in pairs is a regular topic of conversation among cat lovers, with some breeders even refusing to sell ragdolls as singles due to the belief they are much happier when they have company.
So, what’s the answer?
Ragdoll cats should be kept in pairs so long as your living situation, budget and lifestyle allow it. Ragdolls will be happier during the day if they have another ragdoll to keep them company. However, if this is not possible for you, then don’t worry: your ragdoll will still be fine on their own.
It makes sense that giving your ragdoll a companion, in most cases, will benefit them greatly given they are an affectionate, loving cat breed that enjoys being around their own kind.
However, that doesn’t mean your ragdoll is going to be miserable on their own.
In this article, I’ll explain the pros and cons of keeping ragdolls in pairs to help you decide whether one or two cats is the right number for you.
Is it better to have one or two ragdoll cats?
It is better to have two ragdoll cats if you’re able to. They will enjoy each other’s company and get less bored when home alone during the day. However, if you don’t have the space, budget, time or desire to own two ragdoll cats, it is still perfectly acceptable to only have one.
Ragdolls are some of the friendliest cats you can find, so naturally if you can bring two of them together, they’ll usually get along very well and be quite happy.
You’ll likely see them playing regular games with each other and racing up and down the hallway together, trying to drink water out of the kitchen tap when it’s running, and generally just having a good time.
However, owning two cats isn’t always for everyone.
Below, I’ve outlined in more depth some of the pros and cons for keeping a pair of ragdolls to help you decide which is the best option for you.
The pros of owning two ragdoll cats
1. They each have a friend to keep them company
This is the biggest benefit of owning two ragdoll cats, without doubt. Ragdolls are typically happier when in pairs, as they have each other to keep them company during the day.
This avoids them getting lonely and, as a result, improves their mental wellbeing. Unless you manage to buy a ragdoll that is introverted, chances are keeping them in pairs will keep them happiest.
2. They’ll have more energy
When ragdolls are alone in the house all day, they’ll spend much of their time sleeping and resting (which makes sense, because there’s not a lot else for them to do).
When in pairs, ragdolls will spend more time playing games together during the day, both indoors and outdoors, which can prevent them from oversleeping and becoming lethargic.
3. They’re less likely to act out
If your ragdoll is suffering from a bad case of loneliness or boredom due to being home alone, they have a greater chance of acting out or doing naughty things to pass the time.
This could include scratching furniture, chewing on television cables or other electrical items, and other things they shouldn’t be doing.
When in pairs, ragdolls will usually devote much of their attention to one another, leaving them less time to be destructive (not that they are a destructive cat breed anyway).
4. You’ll have double the fun
If you think owning one ragdoll cat is fun, wait until you own two! Honestly, ragdolls are so great to be around and will always bring a smile to your face.
There’s nothing better than coming home after a bad day of work, only to be cheered up by the crazy antics of your ragdoll cat – and if you own two of them, then the fun is doubled.
5. They have similar personalities
A great thing about owning two ragdoll cats, rather than one ragdoll and one random breed, is that they understand each other and have similar personalities.
Ragdolls behave a little differently to some other cats. They are a bit more laid back and like their alone time, away from others.
By owning two ragdolls, you can guarantee they’ll be in sync when it comes to knowing when it’s time to play, and when it’s time to rest.
The cons of owning two ragdoll cats
1. It costs more to buy them
Ragdoll cats aren’t cheap and have become even more expensive to buy since the pandemic hit.
Some breeders are pet ragdolls for anywhere between $800-$2000 depending on whether they are a show-quality cat or not.
So, a big con about buying two ragdolls is simply: it will cost you double. This is a serious consideration for would-be owners.
2. It costs more to keep them
The second most important thing to consider is: while you may be able to afford to buy two ragdolls, can you afford the ongoing costs to keep two ragdolls?
It’s not cheap owning a cat: you’ll have weekly costs for food, dental biscuits and cat litter, while other items like accessories (brushes, toys, etc) will also be ongoing.
You also need to keep your ragdoll healthy by taking them to regular vet check-ups. All of these costs double with a pair of ragdolls, so you seriously need to consider whether you have the money to afford two cats.
3. They take up more of your time
All of the above things – feeding your ragdoll, taking your ragdoll to the vet, playing with your ragdoll – take up time.
With two ragdolls, it will take up even more of your time. If you’re someone who lives alone, shares a house with just you and your partner, and works a standard 9-5 job, then your lifestyle may suit owning two ragdoll cats.
If you’re someone who has kids and works irregular or long hours, then you may not have the spare time needed to properly care for a pair of ragdolls.
4. They take up more room
Double the cats means double to space required to accommodate them. If you live in a tiny apartment, you may find you simply don’t have enough room to keep a pair of cats.
While ragdolls enjoy being inside, they still need enough room to run around and play – keeping two of them crammed up in a tiny space won’t be good for their health.
When considering whether or not to buy one or two ragdolls, your amount of living space should be factored into your decision-making.
5. It’s harder to go on holidays
It’s hard enough organising a family member, or breeder, to look after one ragdoll cat whenever you want to get out of town for a few days – imagine, then, how difficult it would be to try and find someone to look after a pair of them.
Everyone loves going on holidays from time-to-time, but when doing this, you can’t simply leave your pair of ragdolls at home.
If you’re someone who doesn’t have close friends or family you can lean on to help out when you’re away – or don’t have a cat carer you can pay to look after them for you – then owning a pair of ragdolls, rather than just one, becomes a lot trickier.
Is it OK to have just one ragdoll cat?
Yes, it is perfectly OK to own just one ragdoll cat. While ragdolls enjoy the company of other ragdolls, they are also perfectly happy living on their own and like their independence. Having just one ragdoll cat in your household is absolutely fine.
My wife and I own just the one ragdoll cat – Poppie – who has been part of our family for five years, and is the happiest, most content little thing you’ve ever seen.
In fact, she loves being the only cat in the house and well and truly rules the roost.
When we’ve gone away on vacation in the past, we’ve left Poppie with my mother-in-law who has two cats herself – and interestingly, Poppie still preferred spending time away from them, on her own.
While we’re hoping to maybe welcome a second ragdoll cat into our family the future, for the time being, one is plenty and she’s perfectly happy being a solo act.
Other FAQs
Should you buy two ragdolls at once?
If you are set on owning two ragdolls then yes, it’s better to buy both at once. That way they can grow up together and bond from a young age, which will help them develop a close relationship. Introducing a ragdoll kitten to a home that is already occupied by an adult ragdoll may cause friction.
While ragdolls don’t tend to be jealous cats, there’s no knowing how an adult cat may act when you decide to bring a small kitten into the mix – so one way to avoid this is to buy both ragdolls at once and raise them at the same time.
Can I introduce a ragdoll kitten to an older ragdoll?
Yes, you can introduce a ragdoll kitten to an older ragdoll. While it’s better to buy two ragdolls at once, if circumstances mean you have to buy a kitten at a later date (either due to finances, or perhaps the loss of another cat), then it is perfectly fine to do so.
In an ideal world, you would buy both ragdoll cats at the same time – but, rarely, do we live in an ideal world.
There are many things that may prevent you buying two ragdolls as kittens – the cost involved, you may not have enough room in your house at the time, or perhaps you only wanted one cat to begin with.
If you do wish to introduce a ragdoll kitten to an older ragdoll, go ahead – but you may want to keep and eye on both cats in the early stages of them sharing your house together, just to make sure they get along well.
Does my second cat need to be a ragdoll?
No, your second cat doesn’t need to be a ragdoll, however it’s preferable. Ragdolls tend to get along better with their own kind than with other breeds, often due to their personality traits. Ragdolls keep to themselves more than some other cat breeds and may be unhappy if they are constantly being pestered.
If you already own a ragdoll and are considering buying a second cat, I would definitely recommend trying to get another ragdoll rather than a different breed.
They’ll likely enjoy each other’s company far more, but also be more aware of each other’s boundaries – including when it’s play time, and when it’s rest time.
Final message
If your living situation and finances allow, it’s always a great idea to buy ragdolls in pairs as they will love each other’s company.
However, it’s by no means a prerequisite – we’ve owned just one ragdoll for five years and she couldn’t be happier.
If you want a second ragdoll, by all means buy one; but don’t feel pressured to, as this independent breed of cat is more than content spending time by themselves.