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Birman vs Ragamuffin
Close in nature and coat; the Ragamuffin is the larger, more affectionate cat, while the Birman is smaller and a touch livelier.
Verdict
Both are gentle, sweet longhairs that score 5 for children and other pets, and both need their coats combed once or twice a week. The one thing that decides it is size. The Ragamuffin is large, with males up to about 20 lb and females up to about 15 lb, and rates 5 for affection and 2 for energy. The Birman is a medium cat that rates 4 for affection and 3 for energy. Choose the Birman for a smaller companion and the Ragamuffin for a big, soft one.
Choose the Birman if
- You want a medium cat rather than a large one.
- You prefer a slightly livelier cat, with energy at 3 against 2.
- You like a silky coat with little undercoat.
- You accept the kidney and bladder items on its health watch-list and will discuss them with your vet.
Choose the Ragamuffin if
- You want a big, soft, gentle cat for a family.
- You want the most affectionate of the two, rated 5 against 4.
- You prefer a very quiet cat, with voice at 1.
- You will brush the coat once or twice a week.
Where they are alike
Both cats are long-coated and calm, with grooming at 3 and shedding at 3. Each does best in a home where someone is around, since both rate 2 for independence.
Side by side
| Birman | Ragamuffin | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Longhair and semi-longhair | Longhair and semi-longhair |
| Origin | France, with a legendary link to Burma | United States |
| Size | Medium | Large |
| Typical weight | — | Males up to about 20 lb (9 kg); females up to about 15 lb (6.8 kg) |
| Lifespan | 12-16 years | — |
| Coat length | Long | Long |
| Coat | Medium-long, silky coat with little undercoat, longer on the ruff | Soft, dense, silky coat of medium to medium-long length, with a ruff around the neck and face |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | — | Championship breed since 2011 |
| How common | Common | Uncommon |
| Affection | 4 | 5 |
| Energy | 3 | 2 |
| Playfulness | 3 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 2 | 1 |
| Grooming needed | 3 | 3 |
| Shedding | 3 | 3 |
| Good with children | 5 | 5 |
| Good with other pets | 5 | 5 |
| Happy alone | 2 | 2 |
| Trainability | 4 | 3 |
| Suits a small home | 4 | 4 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The silky coat has little undercoat and sheds in moderation, but people who react to cats may still react to a Birman. | No breed is hypoallergenic. The Ragamuffin sheds a moderate amount, and people who react to cats usually react to it as well. |
| Suits | A household that wants a sweet, calm, people-loving cat and will comb its coat a couple of times a week. | A family or a home with other pets that wants a large, gentle, affectionate cat and will comb the coat once or twice a week. |
| Less suited to | Anyone who is away most of the day, or who wants a very active and independent cat. | A household that wants an athletic, climbing cat, or one that is away from home all day. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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| Health conditions to watch |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026