08/10/2026
❤️ HCM Testing & Our Ragdolls ❤️
We’re very happy to share that both of our Ragdoll parents, Princess and Prince Purr, have been DNA tested through the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory and are HCM clear (N/N).
Their results mean that neither parent carries the known Ragdoll HCM mutation (HCMrd). Because both parents are N/N, their kittens cannot inherit this particular HCM mutation from either parent and are considered clear by parentage for the known Ragdoll mutation. 🧬🐾
So, what is HCM and why is this important in Ragdolls?
HCM stands for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. It is the most common heart disease in cats and causes the muscular walls of the heart—particularly the left ventricle—to become abnormally thick. As the disease progresses, the heart may have difficulty relaxing and filling properly, and in severe cases it can lead to congestive heart failure, blood clots, or sudden death.
HCM is particularly important when breeding Ragdolls because researchers have identified an inherited mutation in the MYBPC3 gene associated with HCM in this breed. A cat can carry this mutation even while appearing completely healthy, which is why genetic testing of breeding cats is so valuable.
There are three possible results from the Ragdoll HCM DNA test:
🧬 N/N — Clear: No copies of the Ragdoll HCM mutation detected.
🧬 N/HCMrd — One copy: The cat carries one copy of the mutation and has an increased risk of developing HCM.
🧬 HCMrd/HCMrd — Two copies: The cat carries two copies and is at significantly increased risk of developing HCM.
Princess: N/N CLEAR ✅
Prince Purr: N/N CLEAR ✅
It is important to understand that DNA testing cannot guarantee that a cat will never develop any form of HCM. The test identifies the known Ragdoll-specific HCM mutation, and other causes of HCM can occur. However, testing breeding cats allows us to ensure that we are not passing this known inherited Ragdoll HCM mutation on to our kittens.
For us, genetic testing is an important part of making responsible breeding decisions and giving our kittens the healthiest start we can. ❤️🐱
