American Ringtail Cat Information and Pictures - PetGuide (2024)

American Ringtail Cat Breed History

The American Ringtail Cat is also referred to as the Ringtail Sing-a-Ling. This is a fairly new experimental breed that started with a rescued cat named Solomon in 1998. When Susan Manley found him, he was a 2-day-old kitten who needed to be bottle-fed in order to survive. As he grew and reached the age of 4 weeks, she noticed that he had a unique tail that would curl over his back.

After having Solomon examined by a veterinarian, it was determined that there was no underlying medical issue or deformity that caused his tail to curl. The cat seemed perfectly comfortable and content, holding his tail curled over his back when relaxed.

In 1999, Susan started a breeding program whose goal was to reproduce this curled tail, which she had also noted in other feral cats throughout the northern California neighborhood where she lived.

A few breeders began working with Susan by 2005. The cats with curled tails were bred with purebreds and Domestic Shorthair cats. And in that same year, The International Cat Association, also known as TICA, gave this new breed “Registration Only” status.

The American Ringtail Cat (also known as the Ringtail Sing-a-Ling) is a fairly new experimental breed.

Breed Traits

This breed is still considered experimental because it is so new, and you may need to put more effort into locating an American Ringtail cat than you would for other feline breeds that have been around much longer. But this breed is already really popular because of its attractive appearance and wonderful personality. These cats do well with other animals, making them great family pets. And they even enjoy communicating with owners by meowing back when spoken to.

American Ringtail cats are very affectionate, outgoing, friendly, and loyal, though they may be a little shy around strangers. They are great with children, and often develop a really strong attachment to one particular member of the family. You might be surprised by how close your bond with your feline companion becomes as you spend time snuggling with your fur baby and encouraging exercise through play.

These cats are also curious and love to explore, so it is a good idea to keep that in mind if you are thinking about adding an American Ringtail to your family. You can take steps to ensure your pet won’t have access to any areas of your home that might be dangerous or any materials and products that might be toxic, just in case your inquisitive pet does something they shouldn’t.

As you get to know an American Ringtail, you’ll also discover that these cats have fun personalities, and you might uncover some cute habits as well. For example, these feisty felines might enjoy analyzing running water and may also hide their food throughout the house for consuming later on. These characteristics are considered “wild traits” that may be carried over from their feral roots.

Also, keep in mind that, because they enjoy climbing, playing, and exploring, owners should have plenty of toys and cat trees for American Ringtails to keep busy throughout the day. Setting up an area where your kitty can safely look out the window at the trees and wildlife can also help keep your pet occupied and mentally stimulated during the day, especially when you aren’t home.

Overall Description

American Ringtails are attractive cats, and they have a few distinguishing features. First off, they can be described as medium to large in size, and their bodies can be long as well. Also, these active kitties are muscular, with their back being strong and flexible. They typically feature medium-sized paws, along with webbed feet like other kitties. You might notice your cat spreading the toes nice and wide during a play session or when jumping and climbing during a case of the zoomies.

When it comes to their fur, American Ringtail cats have a short coat that is super soft. You might even describe it as feeling velvety, plush, or silky. And these kitties can feature a variety of eye colors too (more on that below).

Keep in mind that when American Ringtail kittens are born, the tail won’t be curly. Instead, it will start out straight. So, these kittens will look like other kittens from other breeds at first. Then, their most unique characteristic will become apparent as they grow. The tail will start to change its shape, so rather than being straight, it will start to curl. Before long, you will see that the tail can rest on the back of the cat, which is so adorable.

What’s also interesting about this breed is that the tail is broad, particularly at the base. And, like the rest of the body, it’s muscular. The bones are well-developed, and they aren’t fused together. This allows the cat’s tail to have good range of motion. But can an American Ringtail cat ever hold the tail straight without it being curled all the time? Yes, and that’s yet another fascinating feature about these kitties that can help differentiate them from other cats.

Owners of American Ringtails might also notice that these cats use their tails more than other cats do, and they keep it curly when they’re content and relaxed. For example, in addition to being utilized for balance, the tail can be used to slow them down when coming down from a cat tree, or to slow down after a high-speed chase.

Colors

The American Ringtail cat is bred to exhibit all patterns and colors. So, these kitties might have solid color coats, tabby patterns, calico or tortie coats, or a two-color combination like black and white or orange and white. Eye colors might be shades of green, gold, or blue.

Because of this variety within the breed—much like you would find with the Domestic Shorthair—you might have two American Ringtails that look completely different, thanks to the various eye and coat colors, as well as coat patterns, that are possible.

Grooming Requirements

This breed can feature a coat that is short or medium in length. Cats with medium length coats would require regular grooming, probably around two times a week, while those with a short coat might do well with a brief grooming session at least weekly.

Overall, this breed doesn’t shed too much, so grooming once a week can help keep the fur soft, shiny, and healthy. Plus, this is a smart step to take if you want to keep as much fur off your furniture and clothes as possible, and if you want to help your cat avoid hairballs.

American Ringtail Cat Information and Pictures - PetGuide (2024)

FAQs

How rare are American Ringtail cats? ›

Most cat associations still consider them a rare breed, and locating a breeder for these felines can be challenging.

How long do American Ringtail cats live? ›

They will den in tree hollows, rock crevices, other animals' abandoned burrows, mine shafts, abandoned buildings and some are even known to find their way into attics of occupied homes. In the wild a ringtail will live around 6-9 years.

What is the temperament of the American ringtail? ›

Temperament. American Ringtails are excellent family pets due to their sociable and friendly nature. They are known for their ability to communicate with their human companions, making them feel like part of the family. While they are affectionate and outgoing, they can be shy around strangers.

Are ringtail cats friendly? ›

Ringtails seem to be very friendly, social and intelligent with people. If you live in the areas in which they are common, chances are you might have a nightly visitor that is not a raccoon; but rather, a ringtail cat.

What is a fun fact about ringtail cats? ›

Fun Facts. Ringtails are the state mammal of Arizona, our neighbors to the southwest. They are able to reproduce at the young age of 10 months old. Their long tails help them keep balanced when climbing vertical walls and steep cliffs.

What is the lifespan of a ringtail in captivity? ›

Ringtails are one of the smallest species of the Procyonidae family. Ringtails have an average lifespan of 7 years in the wild and 14.3 years in captivity.

Do ringtail cats carry diseases? ›

While it's good that ringtail cats eat rodents, you still don't want them inside because they can cause significant damage to insulation, and ductwork. They also carry diseases, putting all occupants and pets at risk.

What do ringtail cats like to eat? ›

Ringtails eat a wide variety of foods. Birds, rodents, carrion, reptiles and amphibians, and insects such as grasshoppers and crickets form the bulk of their diet, although they also eat native fruits and berries as well.

What are the predators of the ringtail cat? ›

Predators of ringtails include great horned owls, bobcats and coyotes.

Do ringtail cats smell? ›

If captured, a ringtail will emit a high-pitched, penetrating scream and excrete a pungent, foul-smelling secretion from its anal glands.

Where do ringtail cats sleep? ›

Ringtails use the cavities of living trees or standing dead ones, called snags, to rest, sleep, avoid bad weather, hide from predators and make dens to raise their young.

Do ringtails eat squirrels? ›

In their native habitats, they eat rats, mice, squirrels, and cottontails, including carrion; snakes and lizards; insects, mostly grasshoppers and crickets; spiders and scorpions; and fruits of native plants.

Are ringtail cats destructive? ›

They become a dangerous nuisance once they get into your kitchen, garage, or attic. Ringtails can make a mess and leave infected feces when they dig through leftovers and trash. This can attract other insects and animals into your home, which continues the infestation.

How rare is a ringtail cat? ›

It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. The species is known by a variety of different names, such as ring-tailed cat, miner's cat, civet cat, and cacomistle (or cacomixtle), though the last of these can refer to B.

What is the meanest house cat? ›

The Siamese cat is known to be the most aggressive of all cat breeds, likely due to the breed's tendency to get very jealous of other pets. Siamese cats are needy and clingy, becoming very attached to their favorite human. And they don't want to share!

What is the rarest cat breed in the USA? ›

The American Wirehair cat has been one of the world's uncommon cat breeds ever since the first litter appeared as the result of a rare "spontaneous mutation in a litter of [domestic] farm cats in 1966," shares the American Cat Fanciers Association.

Are ringtail cats rare to see? ›

Ringtail cats are not cats but are related to raccoons. The nocturnal ringtail, although native to Colorado, is a rare sight to see – but don't touch; they are wild.

Are ringtails endangered? ›

Ringtails are part of a Species Survival Plan (SSP) and their population in human care is closely monitored to recommend the best genetic pairs for mating. While they are not endangered, it is important to sustain their species to learn more about them and protect them for future generations.

What is the rarest feline in the world? ›

The rarest cat in the world is the Iriomote Cat. A subspecies of the Leopard Cat, this cat lives only on the small and remote Japanese island of Irimote. There are thought to be as few as 100 left in the wild and the population is declining.

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