Q: Should I let my Ragdoll cat go outside?
A: Ragdolls should never be allowed to free roam. They are too trusting and do not have great outdoor skills. If left to wander they are
at risk of being run over, theft, killed by other animals, and poisoned. Free roaming also puts them at risk of contracting incurable, fatal diseases, such as FIV (similar to HIV in humans) and FeLV (feline infectious leukaemia). Most Ragdolls will live happily indoors, but if you do decide you wish your Ragdoll to have outside access, it should always be supervised and into a catio or leash train another option is the pet stroller.
Q: I read somewhere that Ragdolls do not need much grooming, is this true?
A: Ragdoll cats do need regular grooming to remove shedding fur and to prevent the formation of knots, also reduces hairballs. Ragdolls coats do vary, some are very silky and have less tendency to matt, while others are prone to matting.It is advisable to groom your Ragdoll two or three times a week. This will help to keep their coat healthy and matt free, but will also help you to establish a bond with them.
Q: Do Ragdolls moult?
A: Ragdolls most definitely moult and shed fur throughout the year. If you decide to own a Ragdoll, you will need to accept that clothes,
furniture, carpets etc. will attract fur and that the need for vacuuming will increase, particularly if you are very house proud.
Q: Do Ragdolls feel pain?
A: Absolutely! Any suggestion that Ragdolls have a higher tolerance to pain or feel no pain is completely untrue. Like all cats, Ragdolls feel pain.
Q: Will my Ragdoll like cuddles and sit on my lap?
A: Every Ragdoll cat is an individual with its own personality, some Ragdolls love to be picked up, cuddled and to sit on a lap, others do not.
If you obtain your kitten from a breeder who has given lots of time to handling and socialising their babies, you should take on a well adjusted Ragdoll who is happy to be fussed, but whether they sit on your lap is entirely up to them!
Q: Why do Ragdolls go floppy?
A: Over time some strange claims about the Ragdoll breed have been made and one of the most famous is that they are floppy. To clarify Ragdolls have the same anatomy and physiology as any other cat, however, as a breed tend to be quite laid back. Some, when feeling happy and secure, will lie on their backs, in their owner’s arms, in a relaxed posture.This is sometimes referred to as the ‘Raggie flop’, but this is not a behaviour unique to the Ragdoll breed. Many cats will relax in the same way. Equally, many Ragdolls do not like lying on their backs and never adopt the ‘Raggie flop’.
Q: What should I feed my Ragdoll cat?
A: Ragdoll is a cat, and cats are obligate carnivores (which means they eat meat) In the wild Cats would not eat vegetation, and food in the wild is not in a shape of a dehydrated biscuit. Cats are very poor water drinkers, which means you need to add a little water in to their food. Please do your own research on this too. If you decide on a dry food go for one that is grain free.
Q: My cat does not have blue eyes. Is it still a Ragdoll?
A: All Ragdolls have blue eyes. If your cat does not have blue eyes then it is not a pure Ragdoll and it is likely the mother or father was not a Ragdoll cat. There is an exception to the solids / miracle ragdoll as they can have green eyes. If the cat is not registered, then not a ragdoll but may be ragdoll type.
Q: What is the best way to find a Ragdoll kitten?
A: It is very important to take the time to search for a responsible, reputable breeder, who has excellent breeding practices and husbandry. You should always visit the breeder before making the decision to buy a kitten. A good breeder will be happy for you to visit, meet their cats and answer any questions. They should ask you questions too, as they should care where their kittens are going. The breeder may not own the father of he kittens, but you should always meet the mother. Any kittens should look healthy, with bright clear eyes and should be confident, playful and inquisitive. Choosing a kitten is an exciting time, but if you make the wrong decisions it can lead to heartache,
so we would urge all would-be kitten owners to take care when finding a kitten. Please be aware for a random visit, you may not be able to see kittens due to their age, under 9 weeks is not acceptable, as they should have had first vaccinations done before viewing.
Q: Are Ragdolls hypoallergenic?
A: There have been several articles in the press, suggesting that Ragdoll cats are hypoallergenic and suitable for people who have cat allergies. This is untrue and if you have an allergic reaction to any other cats, you will be allergic to Ragdoll cats too. as its not the fur you have an allergy too its the cat dander, (similar to human dandruff) and males carry the most dander.
Q: How long can I leave my Ragdoll during the day?
A: As a breed Ragdolls thrive on companionship and for this reason most reputable breeders and most rescues will refuse to home a single kitten to a home where it is to be left for long hours on its own. Your chosen kitten will need companionship whether human or animal.
A: Ragdolls should never be allowed to free roam. They are too trusting and do not have great outdoor skills. If left to wander they are
at risk of being run over, theft, killed by other animals, and poisoned. Free roaming also puts them at risk of contracting incurable, fatal diseases, such as FIV (similar to HIV in humans) and FeLV (feline infectious leukaemia). Most Ragdolls will live happily indoors, but if you do decide you wish your Ragdoll to have outside access, it should always be supervised and into a catio or leash train another option is the pet stroller.
Q: I read somewhere that Ragdolls do not need much grooming, is this true?
A: Ragdoll cats do need regular grooming to remove shedding fur and to prevent the formation of knots, also reduces hairballs. Ragdolls coats do vary, some are very silky and have less tendency to matt, while others are prone to matting.It is advisable to groom your Ragdoll two or three times a week. This will help to keep their coat healthy and matt free, but will also help you to establish a bond with them.
Q: Do Ragdolls moult?
A: Ragdolls most definitely moult and shed fur throughout the year. If you decide to own a Ragdoll, you will need to accept that clothes,
furniture, carpets etc. will attract fur and that the need for vacuuming will increase, particularly if you are very house proud.
Q: Do Ragdolls feel pain?
A: Absolutely! Any suggestion that Ragdolls have a higher tolerance to pain or feel no pain is completely untrue. Like all cats, Ragdolls feel pain.
Q: Will my Ragdoll like cuddles and sit on my lap?
A: Every Ragdoll cat is an individual with its own personality, some Ragdolls love to be picked up, cuddled and to sit on a lap, others do not.
If you obtain your kitten from a breeder who has given lots of time to handling and socialising their babies, you should take on a well adjusted Ragdoll who is happy to be fussed, but whether they sit on your lap is entirely up to them!
Q: Why do Ragdolls go floppy?
A: Over time some strange claims about the Ragdoll breed have been made and one of the most famous is that they are floppy. To clarify Ragdolls have the same anatomy and physiology as any other cat, however, as a breed tend to be quite laid back. Some, when feeling happy and secure, will lie on their backs, in their owner’s arms, in a relaxed posture.This is sometimes referred to as the ‘Raggie flop’, but this is not a behaviour unique to the Ragdoll breed. Many cats will relax in the same way. Equally, many Ragdolls do not like lying on their backs and never adopt the ‘Raggie flop’.
Q: What should I feed my Ragdoll cat?
A: Ragdoll is a cat, and cats are obligate carnivores (which means they eat meat) In the wild Cats would not eat vegetation, and food in the wild is not in a shape of a dehydrated biscuit. Cats are very poor water drinkers, which means you need to add a little water in to their food. Please do your own research on this too. If you decide on a dry food go for one that is grain free.
Q: My cat does not have blue eyes. Is it still a Ragdoll?
A: All Ragdolls have blue eyes. If your cat does not have blue eyes then it is not a pure Ragdoll and it is likely the mother or father was not a Ragdoll cat. There is an exception to the solids / miracle ragdoll as they can have green eyes. If the cat is not registered, then not a ragdoll but may be ragdoll type.
Q: What is the best way to find a Ragdoll kitten?
A: It is very important to take the time to search for a responsible, reputable breeder, who has excellent breeding practices and husbandry. You should always visit the breeder before making the decision to buy a kitten. A good breeder will be happy for you to visit, meet their cats and answer any questions. They should ask you questions too, as they should care where their kittens are going. The breeder may not own the father of he kittens, but you should always meet the mother. Any kittens should look healthy, with bright clear eyes and should be confident, playful and inquisitive. Choosing a kitten is an exciting time, but if you make the wrong decisions it can lead to heartache,
so we would urge all would-be kitten owners to take care when finding a kitten. Please be aware for a random visit, you may not be able to see kittens due to their age, under 9 weeks is not acceptable, as they should have had first vaccinations done before viewing.
Q: Are Ragdolls hypoallergenic?
A: There have been several articles in the press, suggesting that Ragdoll cats are hypoallergenic and suitable for people who have cat allergies. This is untrue and if you have an allergic reaction to any other cats, you will be allergic to Ragdoll cats too. as its not the fur you have an allergy too its the cat dander, (similar to human dandruff) and males carry the most dander.
Q: How long can I leave my Ragdoll during the day?
A: As a breed Ragdolls thrive on companionship and for this reason most reputable breeders and most rescues will refuse to home a single kitten to a home where it is to be left for long hours on its own. Your chosen kitten will need companionship whether human or animal.