Feeding a Ragamuffin is straightforward, but their gentle nature and impressive size mean you need to be mindful about portions. These cats are notorious for their "puppy dog eyes" technique - they'll convince you they're absolutely starving when they've just finished dinner. Don't fall for it! Their calm temperament means they're not burning calories like more active breeds.

Choose high-quality cat food that meets Australian standards, with real animal protein as the first ingredient. Adult Ragamuffins typically need about 200-400g of quality dry food daily, depending on their size, age, and activity level. Because they mature slowly (not fully grown until 4 years old), you might keep kittens on growth formula longer than other breeds - chat with your Australian vet about the right timing for switching to adult food.

Portion control is crucial with these gentle giants. Their relaxed nature means they're quite happy to lounge around between meals, so excess calories quickly become excess weight. Measure portions rather than free-feeding, and if your Ragamuffin inhales their food like they're late for work, consider puzzle feeders or slow-feed bowls to encourage more natural eating patterns.

For Australian cat parents, mixing in some quality wet food a few times weekly can help with hydration, especially during our hot summers. This is particularly important if you're in drier climates like Adelaide or Perth. Treats should stay under 10% of daily calories - yes, even when they give you that devastatingly sweet face that suggests they might actually perish without that extra treat.

If weight management becomes an issue, your vet might suggest a lower-calorie diet. Remember, a healthy adult male Ragamuffin can weigh up to 9kg, but that should be muscle and bone, not excess padding around the middle.

Despite their glorious coat, Ragamuffins are surprisingly low-maintenance in the grooming department. Their medium-length fur has a silky texture that doesn't mat easily - a blessing for busy Australian families juggling work, school runs, and weekend sport commitments.

A thorough weekly brushing session is usually sufficient to keep your Ragamuffin looking magnificent. Use a good quality slicker brush or metal comb, paying special attention to their longer belly fur and that gorgeous ruff around their neck. During spring and autumn shedding seasons (September-November and March-May in Australia), you might need to bump this up to twice weekly to stay ahead of the fur tumbleweeds.

Bathing isn't often necessary unless they've gotten into something messy or you're preparing for a cat show. When you do bathe them, use a quality cat shampoo designed for long-haired breeds. Their trusting nature means most Ragamuffins tolerate baths better than typical cats - though that doesn't mean they'll love it!

Regular nail trims every 2-3 weeks and weekly teeth cleaning will keep them healthy. Check their ears weekly for any signs of infection, though they're not particularly prone to ear issues.

Coat Specifications:

- Coat Length: Medium to long, with a plush, silky texture that's surprisingly manageable

- Coat Colours: Every colour imaginable - white, black, blue, red, cream, chocolate, lilac, and more

- Coat Patterns: All patterns accepted including solid, tabby, tortoiseshell, and colourpoint

- Hypoallergenic: No - they do shed and produce typical cat allergens, though their gentle nature might make symptoms seem less bothersome

For Australian households, invest in a good lint roller - you'll need it for your black work clothes and the couch. The good news is their fur doesn't seem to stick to everything quite as aggressively as some breeds, and their calm nature means less fur flying around from frantic zooming sessions.

Ragamuffins are surprisingly trainable for cats, thanks to their intelligence and desire to please their humans. They're the type of cat that actually wants to make you happy - revolutionary concept in the feline world! Many learn to fetch, come when called, and even walk on a leash, making them perfect for Australian families who want a more interactive pet experience.

Start with basic commands like "sit" and "come" using positive reinforcement. Ragamuffins respond beautifully to clicker training, and their food motivation (remember that gentle begging face?) makes treat-based training very effective. They're also excellent candidates for harness training - imagine taking your cat for walks along Melbourne's Yarra River or Sydney's harbour foreshores.

Mental enrichment is crucial for these intelligent cats. Puzzle feeders, treat-dispensing toys, and interactive games keep their minds engaged. They particularly enjoy gentle play with wand toys, though they're not the type to go crazy with laser pointers - they prefer more dignified entertainment. Cardboard boxes remain universally popular, and many Ragamuffins enjoy exploring cat trees or supervised balcony time in secure enclosures.

Social enrichment is equally important. These cats thrive on interaction and routine - they'll happily join family activities, whether that's watching Netflix marathons during Melbourne's lockdowns or supervising weekend barbecue preparations. If you work from home, expect a furry supervisor who'll attend all your video calls (usually by strategically positioning themselves between you and the camera).

For families with children, Ragamuffins are excellent teachers of gentle pet handling. Their patient nature makes them ideal for showing kids how to properly interact with cats, though always supervise young children to ensure both parties stay safe and comfortable.