Category: My Blog

The ragdoll cat breed is a recent breed of cat, created in the 1960s by a Persian cat breeder. The ragdoll cat breed is a very large cat, one of the largest of all breeds, with males growing up to and sometimes even beyond 20 pounds! Their size is the only thing big and strong about them though, ragdolls have an infinite charm, and a personality that is gentle, loving, and laid back.

Ragdoll cats come in a selection of colors and patterns, from pointed to mitted or bicolor. Pointed have darker ‘points’ faces, feet, ears, and tails. mitted is just like pointed except with a white or cream-colored chest and chin and white feet. A bi-color kitten has an upside-down v on the nose.

The recognized colors to see in a ragdoll cat are seal, cream, blue, flame, tortie, lilac, and chocolate with some colors more popular than others. When choosing a ragdoll cat, remember the colors can take up to 2 years to fully develop, so what you see is not necessarily what you will get.

Sometimes the breeders will register the kitten under a certain color, only to discover later that the color has changed or they are not a true genetic color, sometimes the less rare colors are mistaken for rarer colors, such as chocolate. Unless the kitten has been genetically checked, there is often no way to be truly sure.

A ragdoll cat will cost you between $450 – $700 or £300 – £600, more if you want a show-quality cat. It is best to look for a ragdoll kitten from a registered breeder, one who will have taken good care of the mother and will take excellent care of the growing kittens, do not buy from a kitten ‘farm’ because the cats are not likely to as well looked after as a breeder’s cat.

They mustn’t let you have the kittens before 12 weeks of age, it is common for breeders to let them go at 6-8 weeks, but this is far too young, they will likely suffer from eating problems from not being fully weaned, including diarrhea and even behavioral problems.

A ragdoll cat does not need special care or extra training, but they must be kept as indoor cats, as the ragdoll, as lovely as they are, are far too trusting and usually end up getting into scrapes and problems.

The ragdoll is so laid back that if attacked, they might not even fight back; they are docile creatures and creatures of habit, they love to spend time with you, they love to follow you around, and they love company. You mustn’t leave them alone for too long; if you are out working every day then maybe the ragdoll cat is not for you.

They really shouldn’t be regularly left alone for more than 3 hours at a time. Of course, because of their somewhat huge size, they will need to eat more and more often, what will feed a normal size cat, will not feed a ragdoll; they will consider every opportunity a chance to eat.

If you want a loyal cat, then the ragdoll is for you, they will stick by your side always and every day, but they expect attention and protection in return. And always remember to make use of Orlando Pest Control for a pest-free environment for your cat. Call the top rated Orlando pest control in the area.

A ragdoll cat kitten is maybe the cutest thing possible. So small and fluffy, with their adorable and startling blue eyes. It is so tempting to try and get them as young as possible; we simply don’t want to wait until they are 12 weeks before we bring them home to a clean home.

But it is very important that you don’t bring them home before this date, I know they look really cute at 6 weeks, but if you want your kitten to have a good start in life, then let them stay for a few more weeks. You may wonder what difference this will make, but it can make the difference between life and death, a kitten that is removed from its mother too young may not thrive.

Before you even choose your ragdoll cat kitten, make sure that the breeder is reputable. No matter how cute the kitten is, the breeder has to be good to ensure the health and well-being of your kitten. Go in ready to decide with your head not your heart, if the house is dirty and a mess then walks back out again, it is unlikely that the cats will be well cared for.
Have a good look at all the kittens, they should all look healthy, their fur should be silky and not matted, and their eyes are clear and not cloudy. They should walk in a straight line, and be agile, they should not be afraid of you, or back away from you. They should be happy for you to pick them up and should be playful.

When you get the ragdoll kitten home, keep them in one small room with you, some food, and a litter tray. Keep them in the room for a while for them to get used to being in the house with you, remember they are used to being with their mothers, brothers, and sisters not with you, and may be nervous and skittish at first. So they should be allowed to adapt to their new house and their new lifestyle, luckily a ragdoll cat is a very adaptable breed and it doesn’t take long for them to get used to you.

Remember after the kitten has gotten used to you, it still must never be kept outside, the ragdoll should only be an indoor cat. They are really very trusting and do not fair well outdoors, they are likely to get themselves into trouble and get hurt outside, so first and foremost focus on leash training the kitten. As they are intelligent animals, they learn new tricks easily and should be able to adapt to leash training just as easily.

The ragdoll is a lovely cat, very laid back and very relaxed. They will need to spend time around you as much as possible, you cannot leave them alone for any length of time, if you are intending to be out for more than 3 hours a day then you shouldn’t get a ragdoll breed, and you definitely shouldn’t get a kitten.

The ragdoll will grow to a giant size, so consider this when you decide to buy one, and remember that the kitten’s colors will not come through fully until they are at least 1 or 2 years old, so don’t buy a kitten just based on the color.

Ragdoll cats are a pretty popular breed and the reason for that is that they are very friendly, fluffy, and cute. Their social nature lets them get along pretty well with humans. Their name derives from their tendency to relax (like most cats enjoy doing) and let loose when their owner pets them.

History

The credits for this breed go to Ann Baker for it is said that she developed this breed. This happened back in 1960. This breed has similar characteristics and traits (especially in appearance) with Siamese and Birman cats. This woman founded the International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA) in 1971 and she imposed strict guidelines and regulations for breeding this kind of cat under the “Ragdoll” name.

Appearance

Females of this breed have considerably less weight than the males (in contrast with other breeds). Their average weight is 10 to 15 pounds, whereas a male is approximately 15 to 20 pounds. The males are also bigger than the females since they can reach 3 feet in length, whereas the females are almost always a little bit shorter.

Their fur is considered to be medium to long and they are generally fluffy, especially their tails. They lack a considerable undercoat. They are usually born with blue eyes, which match perfectly with their coat, especially when their dominant color is white. Their fur might change colors and develop a bigger variety as they reach maturity. This happens when they are fully 3 years old. Their most usual colors are white, orange, cream, brown/chocolate, and seal. Also, they have different classifications according to their color patterns, such as mitted and lynx to name a few.

Behavior and Personality

Ragdoll cats have very low levels of aggression. You could say they are non-existent. They don’t enjoy fighting, especially with other cats and dogs. They are pretty docile, rarely anxious, and enjoy hanging out with their master and being pet and taken care of. They enjoy humans and their company more than other cats and pets’. They also like to play around and reinforce the bonding they have with their owner and even other people. Affection is something they enjoy most of anything else.

They are among the cat breeds that carry personality traits more like a dog than those of a cat (generally speaking). They tend to follow their owners around the house and like to keep nearby. Thus, they hate loneliness and you should be careful not to let them alone for an extended period, or else they might get seriously depressed.

They love people, even those whom they don’t know yet, so people visiting you will probably be a delight. They also get along pretty well with dogs (provided they have been properly introduced), so it will be OK if you have another pet as long as you know or learn how to introduce them.

Grooming

Thorough grooming must be performed once a week, either by you or a professional. You will have to clip their claws or buy a toy/stand that they can scratch.

In sharing their lives and homes with cats, children can learn priceless lessons about love, respect, friendship, loyalty, empathy, and responsibility. In helping to care for the cherished cat, a child gains a sense of accomplishment and personal competence. Responsible, aware pet ownership teaches children to value the lives, natures, and needs of the other creatures with whom we share the world. Even as a toddler, a youngster can learn that the family cat – if handled gently and given proper respect – is a nice playmate. As he grows, guided by responsible adults, a child can gradually learn to respect the cat’s fragility and power, appreciate his uniqueness, and come to regard the cat as a friend and a warm buddy. A responsible adult should always continue to oversee the pet’s well-being, but the adult should also seek to delegate those aspects of cat care they know their child can handle.

Cats and Toddlers

Toddlers adore cats, but they are too young to realize that a cat is a living animal, not just a fluffy toy. Some cats are extraordinarily patient and understanding with the grabbing, poking, pounding, chasing, and hauling. But most cats will object. And even declawed cats are well equipped to defend themselves and escape when held against their will. That’s when scratches, bites, and other injuries can occur. If you’re considering adopting a cat, it might be wise to wait until your child is a bit older. Or prepare your toddler ahead of time for his first encounter with the cat. However, no matter how thorough your preparation is, always closely supervise all interactions between young children and cats. Teach your child to recognize the sign of a cat’s impatience – hissing, a low growl, or a lashing tail. Teach him to retreat gently and leave a cat alone.

Besides an obvious danger of the cat scratching or biting a child, an overly enthusiastic or poorly trained toddler can seriously injure a cat. Kittens are especially at risk.

If you have young children and are adopting a cat or a kitten, choose a cat who’s been fostered or socialized in a house with young children. A cat who’s been exposed during his critical period of socialization (about 3-14 weeks to the sights, sounds, and activity level of young children will be a happier, calmer, and safer companion for your toddlers. Some cats will never feel comfortable or safe around children, or in noisy, active environments.

Ragdoll Cats and Children

Ragdolls, named for their willingness to go limp in your arms, have an easy-going, docile temperament that makes them particularly good with children and other pets (though young children must be instructed not to take advantage of the Ragdoll’s accepting nature by being too rough). Some breeders claim that they are so nonaggressive they won’t even defend themselves when attacked. These gentle giants are sociable, playful, soft-voiced, and affectionate.

Agility, which made its debut in 1978 in England, is said to be the fastest-growing dog sport in the world. If the thought of cat agility makes you laugh or shake your head in disbelief, you’re not alone. Many might think a contest for cats should be for the longest nap taken, the best bathing skills, or the loudest purr. But people saw a sport for cats in agility, with world records, ribbons, and cash prizes.

Put a cat on an agility course and mostly what you get is frantic owners pleading with their pets, shaking sparkly, feathery toys in a futile attempt to coax the cat around the course. The cat may or may not design to cooperate, depending on its mood.

Scoff, you naysayers and dog-lovers! The International Cat Agility Tournaments launched its first national tour this summer anyway, and a handful of never-say-die local cat-lovers are determined to bring the sport of cat agility to the masses.

Cat agility consists of running a cat through a basic-, intermediate- or advanced-level obstacle course. Cats are given three minutes to negotiate all the obstacles. Their handlers may use toys to entice the cats around the course but must not touch the animals or yell at them in a harsh voice.

“It’s a lot of fun because at this point it’s just getting off the ground,” says Arnold Farley, of the High on Cats Cat Club and the guru of cat agility in the Denver area. The cat club recently bought a set of cat agility equipment – 11 obstacles in all – and members have been practicing.

When Linda Knudsen plopped her friend’s Ragdoll, Sherman, into the agility ring at the cat show for the first time, Sherman immediately began running – in the wrong direction. Knudsen finally coaxed Sherman onto the first ramp. He jumped off. She chased him around the ring, finally caught him, and placed him by the first tunnel. He took off in the other direction to stroll around the ring to the applause of admirers.

Finally, she got him through the first tunnel and he came to the second tunnel. Nothing doing. He’d have no part of going in there. But he did jump over a hurdle. He went through the first weave pole beautifully, then skipped all the rest of the poles, heading directly to Tunnel Four, which he went through the wrong way.

Twenty minutes later, a sweating Knudsen exited the ring with 10-month-old Sherman in her arms. “At least he moved,” she said, putting Sherman’s less-than-stellar effort into the best possible light. “The cat before us just sat there.”

But if Knudsen had a frustrating time of it, cat owner Jeanne Anderson, of Golden, says she and two friends are so enamored of cat agility that they plan on investing in their equipment. The females, she noted, seemed to perform much better than the males.

“They did well running through the tubes and the carpeted things,” Anderson says. “But that jump and the hoops – those were our stumbling blocks. We have to get them more into that.” Suzanne Jeanmenne brought her Maine coon, Ziggy, all the way to Denver from Chicago just for the agility tournament. “He hates regular cat shows,” says Jeanmenne. “He doesn’t like to be handled. But he loves agility.”

Jeanmenne and Ziggy spend 20 minutes a day training, jumping over chairs and hoops she’s set up in her living room. “Now he’s so fast I have to use a laser pointer just to keep up with him,” she says. At the moment, the Michael Jordan of cat agility is a spotted Bengal named Packer who lives in New York. His world record time to run 15 obstacles in the 30 foot by 30-foot arena is 14.5 seconds — 4.5 seconds faster than any of his rivals.