Having doubts about Ragdoll

[JasmineK]

I've put down a deposit on a beautiful Ragdoll kitten but now some doubts are creeping in...

I'm a lone parent to a 5 year old, and we're both really keen for some feline company. BUT I'm out of the house 3 days a week and I'm worried that the cat will be bored and lonely. I cant afford a second so that's no good.

Is a Ragdoll a bad idea?

[Toddlerteaplease]

I would think a rag doll would be ok to be left. They are less dynamic than normal cats, as far as I know. I have Persians and I work 13 hour shifts. They are fine being left.

[Hotterthanahotthing]

Maybe you would be better with a rescue kitten and a cat flap when it is old enough.Any indoor only cat can get bored/destructive if left for long periods.Cats are terratorial so getting two can stress them more.

[RandomMess]

I would get a kitten I would get older kitten rescues/young adults.

[Dawnofskeggy1]

I would always plump for a rescue, my friendliest cats have been rescued.

[Mia184]

Get two cats or kittens so that they have each other for company when alone.

[lljkk]

Er, cats don't mind their own company for long periods. They aren't like dogs.

Cost for one ragdoll kitten locally = £600.
Cost for 2 Rescues locally = £100.
Running costs per cat (food, litter, insurance, etc) = £5/week.

I suppose after 3 yrs one pedigree would cost less than 2 Rescues.

[fishonabicycle]

Cats are generally solitary, so are fine alone.

[IHeartKingThistle]

Generally I think cats are fine to be left. But kittens aren't. Are you taking time off initially?

[RandomMess]

I kitten sat the other weekend, I will stick to my adult rescues!!!

They are so time consuming, into everything just no.

MILs rag dolls weren't the friendliest/nicest either personality wise - 1 was a different 2 not so at all.

[sweetkitty]

I have a wee rescue kitten just now he’s a wee tear away but he has the company of my two year old cats who are loving him.

I would say get two kittens together they will be company and play with each other.

[DerbyRacer]

I am a lone parent. I got an older rescue cat when my ds was 6, he is 10 now. She is a wonderful cat. I wanted an indoor cat and one I knew would be ok around my ds so I thought going to a charity who could match us to the right cat would be the best thing for us. It worked out really well for us.

[JasmineK]

I will be able to have time off initially so I won't be leaving her as a tiny kitten. I don't really want 2 as it's extra litter trays etc and I don't have space for that. I'd rather have one who I can give a good life to, rather than stretching resources and money for 2. I'd really got my heart set on a Ragdoll

[DerbyRacer]

My cat is a lazy cat. I think she sleeps when I am out or she will sit at the window watching the birds. I don't often leave her for a full day.

My sister has an active cat and is out working most days. She has a cat flap so her cat can come and go whenever he wants. She has an app on her phone that lets her know when the cat has gone out and come back in. His previous owner gave him away because he was frustrated at being kept in.

What does the breeder say? Are Ragdoll kittens usually ok when left alone? My son and I would love a Ragdoll kitten, we always look at pictures of them but a kitten would not be right for us. A lazy older cat suits us.

Please post some pictures when you get your new cat.

[RandomMess]

If you contact the Ragdoll cat club they will have their own welfare and rescue page, you can get an older ragdoll for next to nothing often ex breeding queens etc.

There is likely more than one Ragdoll club thing.

We got all our pedigree cats this way. Our just 2 year olds were naughty enough!!!

[Toddlerteaplease]

I got my Persians from a specific rescue. They sometimes have other breeds.

[YouFellAsleeep]

I just got a ragdoll 3 weeks ago. He’s not on his own very much, but when he is he seems fine, I check in on the security camera and can see him playing sometimes but he usually just sleeps on his blanket on the couch. He also sleeps downstairs at night on his own and he’s been fine.

[juliet75]

We got our first Ragdoll a few years ago. The breeder stipulated that someone would need to be at home all the time as they were like dogs and would pine. Our first one is quite independent and not your traditional dog-like Ragdoll so she doesn't notice when we go out. Our second (1 year old) is more clingy so does cry a little when I go out. However he has the other for company. Initially when they are young and away from their litter mates it is definitely important for someone to be there 24/7. Perhaps when returning to work you could have a neighbour/ cat sitter pop in and give them a fuss from time to time. Alternatively set up a camera to see how your kitten is coping. They tend to sleep a lot when little anyway. If in doubt why not chat to the breeder that you are getting the kitten from and see what they say. Cats aren't pack animals like dogs so are less likely to 'need' constant company, but Ragdolls are traditionally more people oriented than moggies. Another consideration is to have an outside play area for the cat. We made one of these and our older cat loves sitting out in it watching birds and butterflies. You can link this to a catflap or similar so that they have space outside without being free roaming...Are the three days in a row or separated across the week?

[Bracken5]

The kitten would be fine ,. Yes 2 would be better for company,. But would be fine on her own. Would advise getting some cat puzzles which you could put some of her dryed food or treats in and some rattly mice. Some dog puzzles are also suitable This would amuse kitten then she would find cosy place to sleep.

[CathyL99]

I have a ragdoll cat. They are bred to be people pets and thrive on human company. My boy likes to follow me around and just be in the vicinity of humans, not necessarily being petted or cuddled. Maybe another type of cat would be a better choice. Cats, unlike dogs, are solitary animals and don't usually need company.

[Mia184]

There is a good article on whether or not cats are solitary animals www.catster.com/cat-behavior/do-cats-get-lonely-do-cats-need-other-cats

[sweetkitty]

I have a little rescue kitten just now and he just follows the older ones around and is developing such a bond with them. I used to love watching the two kittens playing with each other.

Personally I think animals should have one of their own kind to play with especially if they are indoors. I know ragdolls are people cats but there’s no more work with two than one IMHO.

[TastingTheRainbow]

I think a lot of people on here saying cats are solitary and will be fine alone haven’t met a Ragdoll. Part of the fact that the breed is so people orientated means they struggle being alone and cry / pine. I really think you need to look at getting 2, if you can’t afford 2 Ragdoll’s then a Ragdoll and a rescue would work but I think leaving a Ragdoll kitten alone for long periods is cruel. My girls wouldn’t cope without each other.

[Bloodycats]

I agree with tasting. My ragdolls are very sociable and thrive on human company.
If you get it from a kitten you’ll probably find it won’t pine for you when you are out but will need a lot of attention when you do come home. They are indoor cats too so need playing with and extra stimulation than an outdoor cat needs.

A ragdoll and a rescue could work if you think you could stretch to two cats. As long as they are of similar age.
I think cats work best in twos anyway. Even the grumpiest ever moggy I had (eventually) liked the second moggy we got.