Mink Ragdoll Cats: Understanding the Distinct Bloodline

Mink Cats are just darker versions of their lighter counterparts–like Blue, Lilac, Red, Seal , Solid , and Tortie.

So, what is a Mink Ragdoll anyway?

Minks are a particular type of Ragdoll cat. The term “Mink” does not refer to a color or a pattern. It is not a different breed either. It refers to a bloodline, which goes back all the way to the very first Ragdoll cats created by the very first breeders of Ragdoll cats. They are purebred Ragdoll cats, as confirmed by SBT and TICA. While most breeders use traditional Ragdoll cats, there are a few others who breed traditional Ragdolls and minks.

KB, a Seal Mitted Mink Ragdoll “One does not simply look this good on accident😼”

Mink Ragdoll Genetics

Among the very first Ragdoll cats ever, from Ann Baker’s cattery, Raggedy Ann, there were cats like Josephine, which was a solid white Ragdoll, and Buckwheat, which was a black Burmese-type cat, both holding official pedigrees.

Burmese cats played a huge role in the development of the Ragdoll breed, even at a genetic level. Burmese cats have the cb gene, which gives them their brownish coat, even though their general background features a black coat. As for the points – mask, ears, legs, and tail, these are very dark and the rest of the body is much lighter in tone. When Burmese cats were bred to create Ragdoll cats, the Mink bloodline presented a combination of genes, called the Mink gene, which combines the pointed gene and the Burmese gene – cbcs.

When two Mink Ragdoll cats are bred, this is what the litter will look like: 50% will be Mink colored, 25% will be Sepia colored (this is actually the Burmese brown color, which is referred to as Sepia for Ragdolls), and 25% will be pointed traditional Ragdolls. Let’s see how this happens:

– some of the kittens will get the cb gene from both their parents, which translates into the sepia color. Statistically, they will represent 25% of the litter. – some of the kittens will get the cs gene from both their parents, which translates into the pointed traditional variation. They are also 25% of the litter, according to genetic statistics.

– some of the kittens will get the cb from one parent and the cs from the other parent, which translates into the Mink color. They represent 50% of the litter, according to genetic statistics. When two Minks are bred, only half of the litter will be Mink, which adds to the challenge of developing on this bloodline.

Another thing you should be aware of is that some breeders might tell you that their kittens are 1/2 Mink or 1/4 Mink, but genetically, that makes no sense. To be Mink Ragdolls, they must have the cbcs gene and there is no halfway measure for this.

Each of the kittens in the litter described above is 100% Mink, 100% traditional, and 100% Sepia, respectively. Just because they have Mink parents does not make Ragdoll cats Minks necessarily. This is a tactic used by some breeders to increase the value of the cats they are selling.

What Does a Mink Ragdoll Look Like?

Mink Ragdolls got their name because the fur of this type of Ragdoll cat is much smoother than that of a traditional Ragdoll cat.

This might be difficult to imagine, since Ragdolls are known all over the world precisely for exceptionally smooth coats, but the feeling you get when you pet a Mink Ragdoll is of mink fur. Another notable difference is the eye color. While traditional Ragdoll cats have bright blue eyes, Mink Ragdolls have mesmerizing aqua eyes, which are a combination of blue and green coloring. Their eyes are the color of oceans.

Mink Ragdolls Colors and Patterns

Mink Ragdolls are easy to spot from day one, literally. While traditional Ragdolls are born with white fur all over their bodies, Minks are born with colored fur.

As for the color itself, well, this varies between the full range of Ragdoll colors – seal, blue, lilac, chocolate, flame, cream, and tortie. They also display the full range of patterns as well – colorpoint, mitted, bi-color, and van.

However, there is a crucial difference from traditional Ragdoll cats. Even though Mink Ragdolls are the same colors, their colors are stronger, richer, and somewhat darker than those of traditional Ragdoll cats. You could say that Minks are traditional Ragdoll cats in high contrast.

Mink Ragdoll Cat Temperament

Many people wonder if Mink Ragdolls have the well-reputed dog-like personality of Ragdoll cats. Thankfully, yes they do. Their fur might be smoother to the touch and richer in contrast, their eyes might be a different color, but their personality is just as floppy, friendly, and docile as all Ragdoll cats. This is probably the most important characteristic of Ragdoll cats and it is certainly present in Minks.

Mink Ragdolls vs. Traditional Ragdolls

Aside from that, Minks have gorgeous aqua eyes, a luxurious combination of blue and green that reminds of the depth of the sea. Traditional Ragdolls have clear blue eyes. Another key difference is that the Mink kittens are born with colored fur. This sets them apart from all the other Ragdoll cats, which are born white.

What Mink Ragdolls and traditional Ragdolls have in common, though, is a very diverse color spectrum, as well a wide variety of patterns. They also share the most charming personality in the feline world – the unique combination of friendly and floppy, and their affinity for humans.

Mink Ragdoll FAQ

Are mink ragdolls rare? Depends on who you talk to.  Some say they are, some say they aren’t. Minks come from a specific bloodline of Ragdoll cats that goes down all the way to the very first Ragdolls cats. When two Minks are bred together, only half of the litter is comprised of Minks. This makes these cats not as common, but they have very high genetic value for the Ragdoll cat breed.

Do mink ragdolls shed? Yes, they do, just like any other Ragdoll cat. While their fur is thicker and smoother to the touch, Mink Ragdolls still shed. They still need to be groomed regularly to keep shedding down to a minimum. However, please note that for cats with long coats, Ragdolls do not shed a lot. With proper care and continuous effort from the owners, the shedding can be handled easily.

Are Mink Ragdolls more expensive? Yes, they are more expensive than traditional Ragdoll cats because they come from a superior bloodline of the breed. This bloodline goes down to the very first Ragdoll cats ever bred by Ann Baker, which puts them in an entirely different league. Mink Ragdolls present superior characteristics in terms of coat smoothness and thickness, coloring, as well as eye color. Moreover, they are bred from a limited pool, with a 50% rate of Mink reproduction. All of these elements make Mink Ragdolls more expensive than other Ragdoll cats.

Are Minks a different breed than Ragdolls? No, Minks are not a different breed. Not only are they legitimate Ragdoll cats, but they are direct descendants of the very first Ragdoll cats ever bred. This makes their bloodline extremely important for preserving the genetic pool of the Ragdoll breed. They display superior physical characteristics – they have a thicker and smoother coat, aqua eyes, and their kittens are born with colored fur.

How can you tell a Mink Ragdoll apart from a traditional Ragdoll cat? The primary factor that can help you tell the difference between a Mink Ragdoll and a traditional Ragdoll cat is the color of the eyes. Minks have aqua eyes, which is a combination of blue and green, while traditional Ragdolls have full-on blue eyes. Then, you should compare the softness and smoothness of the fur. Minks have a much smoother fur than traditional Ragdoll cats, which is similar to mink fur.

Can you have Ragdoll cats that are 1/2 Mink? No, you can’t. There are several variations within the Ragdoll breed, from a genetic standpoint. A cat can be considered a Mink Ragdoll only if the cat has the cbcs gene, in which case that cat is 100% Mink. A traditional Ragdoll cat coming from Mink Ragdoll parents does not have a higher genetic value than a traditional Ragdoll coming from traditional Ragdoll parents.

How can you get traditional Ragdoll by breeding two Mink Ragdoll cats? Yes, you can. When two Mink Ragdoll cats are bred, both the parents possess the cbcs gene, which is specific for this bloodline. However, genetic statistics relay that this gene will only be transmitted as it is to 50% of the litter. 25% of the litter will have the genetic markings of a traditional Ragdoll cat – the cscs gene.

What color is a Mink Ragdoll? Mink Ragdoll cats are not restricted to a single color or pattern. The specific characteristics they possess refer to the thickness and smoothness of their fur and the color of their eyes. Mink Ragdolls can be of any of the Ragdoll-specific colors – blue, seal, chocolate, lilac, flame, tortie, cream – and patterns – colorpoint, van, bi-color, and mitted. Do Mink Ragdolls have blue eyes? No, they usually do not. Mink Ragdolls usually have aqua eyes, which is a combination of blue and green. Some say that their eyes look like the Caribbean Sea.  There are minks that keep the blue eyes they are born with. Minks are the only variation to display this eye color, which sets them apart from the rest of the Ragdoll cats.

Can you tell the Mink Ragdoll cats in a litter? Yes, you can. While other variations of the breed might be more difficult to spot early on, Mink Ragdoll kittens have a unique characteristic – they are born with colored fur, while all the other Ragdoll cats are born with full white coats. This way, it is easier to spot out the Minks in the litter.

Are Mink Ragdolls recognized as Ragdoll cats? Yes, they are. According to TICA ragdoll standard,  The International Cat Association (TICA), Mink Ragdolls are recognized as legitimate Ragdoll cats. They are allowed to have pedigreed and they are eligible for competitions and can be presented in shows. Are Mink Ragdolls friendly? Yes, they are. Mink Ragdolls have the same adorable personality as all Ragdoll cats. They are extremely human-friendly, they are very docile, easy-going, and floppy. This is the common trait displayed by all the various types of Ragdoll cats and it is the main reason for the breed’s enormous popularity.

If you are really interested in showing your Ragdoll cat, there is a terrific website that shows what the cat must look like – Ideal Markings in Mitted and Bicolor . Please contact floppycats.com if you have a Ragdoll kitty who has this color type and you’d like for he or she to be featured on this page! Would you like to see more Ragdoll cat pics? Click on any of the color patterns below to see more:

• Blue
• Chocolate
• Cream
• Lilac
• Mink
• Red or Flame
• Seal
• Solid
• Tortie

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