Ragdoll — questions to ask before paying a deposit
A responsible breeder will have these readily available. Deflection is a red flag.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)can shorten life or cause chronic pain
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy thickens the heart's left ventricle wall, raising the risk of heart failure and sudden death. Ragdolls carry their own breed-specific mutation (MYBPC3 R820W, distinct from the Maine Coon's separate HCM mutation): a cat with a single copy usually shows no signs and can live a normal lifespan, but two copies bring a high risk of severe disease, typically appearing between one and two years old — so the exact genotype matters more than a simple 'tested' claim.
Ask to see: Ragdoll HCM (MYBPC3 R820W) DNA test result for both parents, stating the genotype (N/N, N/HCMrd or HCMrd/HCMrd), from UC Davis VGL or an equivalent laboratory
UC Davis VGL — Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Ragdolls (https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/ragdoll-hcm) · Meurs et al. 2007, "A substitution mutation in the myosin binding protein C gene in ragdoll hypertrophic cardiomyopathy", Genomics (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygeno.2007.04.007) · Borgeat et al. 2014, "Association of the myosin binding protein C3 mutation (MYBPC3 R820W) with cardiac death in a survey of 236 Ragdoll cats", Journal of Veterinary Cardiology (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvc.2014.03.005)
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD1)can shorten life or cause chronic pain
Polycystic kidney disease causes fluid-filled cysts to form in the kidneys from a young age, usually leading to kidney failure later in life. It is the same mutation documented in Persians, and UC Davis's genetics laboratory explicitly lists Ragdoll among the Persian-derived breeds it recommends testing, reflecting Persian-type ancestry in the Ragdoll's foundation stock.
Ask to see: PKD1 DNA test result for both parents (UC Davis VGL or an equivalent laboratory), or a normal renal ultrasound from a veterinary specialist
UC Davis VGL — Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD1) (https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/pkd1-cat) · Lyons et al. 2004, "Feline polycystic kidney disease mutation identified in PKD1", Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ASN.0000141776.38527.BB)
Mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI)can shorten life or cause chronic pain
Mucopolysaccharidosis VI is an inherited enzyme deficiency. Its severe form causes stunted growth, joint disease and hind-limb weakness or paralysis by around eight months old; a milder form can leave a cat looking outwardly healthy while still carrying and passing on the mutation. UC Davis's genetics laboratory specifically lists Ragdoll among the breeds it recommends testing for this condition.
Ask to see: Mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI) DNA test result for both parents (UC Davis VGL or an equivalent laboratory)
UC Davis VGL — Mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI) (https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/mps-vi-cat)