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Original poster

Any cat owners around?

94 replies

BettyTurnip · 08/10/2009 11:38

We are on a list to get a Ragdoll kitten in late Jan/ early February, which seems ages away but I know will come round quickly, so I'm trying to think a few things through now. My main question at the moment is where did your cat sleep when it was a kitten/young cat?

I'd planned to have the cat's bed in the kitchen (with a litter tray when it's tiny then with a cat flap in the door to the utility room where a second litter tray will have been kept). However, I don't really like the thought of it climbing all over the surfaces when we're asleep. I was considering a crate type of affair but then is that cruel to coop it up? So should I let it have the run of the house?

Obviously, cats are nocturnal so may be out all night but Ragdolls are house cats...I'm just wondering whether the cat will be rampaging playing around in the house for hours when we're all in bed or do they tend to sleep a lot at night as well?

Help!!

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paddypoopants · 08/10/2009 13:15

It depends on the personality of the cat where you can let it sleep. With our first 2 kittens we couldn't let them sleep in our room as they used us as nocturnal scratching posts. One of them would climb up the bottom of the duvet and bite our toes - which is cute once and then just annoying.After a week of scratching at the door they gave in and found somewhere else Our third cat was fine to sleep with us as all he did was sleep. As for the surfaces we have been very strict with them and they never walk on the kitchen surfaces or the table ( well not when we're around). You can train a cat but it requires much more consistency and takes longer than a child IMO (depending on the IQ of cat and child in question).
Good luck - I am sooooo jealous.

PuppyMonkey · 08/10/2009 13:20

When our cat was a kitten, we happened to leave one of those big comedy Guiness hats on the sofa (must have been near St patrick's Day) and we would come downstairs in the morning to find him sleeping in that. Worked really well for several weeks. So buy a big comedy hat.

At the moment (he's five now), he sleeps on an old coat that has dropped on the floor in the cupboard under my stairs. I haven't the heart to move him/the coat. If DP leaves dirty socks or underpants on the floor, you can usually expect the cat to sleep on top of them too.

My sister has TWO ragdoll cats and while one is how you might expect it to be (never goes out, sleeps all day, can do anything to it and it won't bat you one), the other is just like a normal cat, killing mice and buggering off for three or four days on a recky.

I love cats me.

TheGhostOfAMushroom · 08/10/2009 13:27

OMG....we adopted 2 kittens about 2 months ago.....we left them in one small room with a litter tray for about 4 days, for them to get used to the tray etc.....they are now 4 months old and at night they are like crazy demonic kittens, they run around and crash and bang into things so loudly at night I am quickly growing a big hatred for them,..they keep us up ALL night, we can here them in every single room in the house, they sound like elephants fighting!..we have no doors downstairs, its all open plan, and I wont close the door tight at night as our DDs are still very small and cant open doors, but the cats can!!!...what a bloody pain in the arse!!...if you have a large room,(with a door)...lock them in there during the night!!..good luck

nanafantastic · 08/10/2009 13:39

Excerpts from a Cat's Diary...

Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.
Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet.
I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of.
However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event.
However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.'
I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking.
I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.
The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly.
I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.
For now................

wheresmypaddle · 08/10/2009 13:49

Hilarious - that is brilliant- thank you for brightening up my afternoon.

PuppyMonkey · 08/10/2009 14:37

nana....

nanafantastic · 08/10/2009 14:47

Happy to be of assistance ladies!

babyicebean · 08/10/2009 17:35

Why did I read the extract from the cats diary in an Ant and Dec type accent?

Original poster

BettyTurnip · 08/10/2009 17:48

Very good nana.

Gostofamushroom - you have made me a bit worried now ...maybe two kittens together wind eachother up and cause more havoc than just a singelton

I realise that a Ragdoll is not guaranteed to be docile and gentle and laid-back - however with these being the general characeristics of the breed surely it's got more chance of being chilled out than a semi-feral little rescue kitten?

I lodged with friend in my young, free and single days who had two cats. One day I found a bloody little object outside the toilet door - I was disgusted with my mate, thinking she hadn't got rid of a used tampon properly. On closer examination it turned out to be a mangled little mouse - don't know which was worse tbh!

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Original poster

BettyTurnip · 08/10/2009 17:51

Nooo, I think the diary should be read in a sinister upper-class drawl - definitely not Geordie!

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BloodRedTulips · 08/10/2009 18:17

BT.... i have 6 semi feral rescue kittens (well youngest 3 are six months now bykwim) and they are all very snuggly chilled out cats. the kittens have their moments of lunacy alright but tend to get worn out after short bursts and collapse in a purring heap on top of dp or myself

you've had some really good advice here but it's no harm to get a book and have a read through, long hair cats do require a bit more care than shorthair varieties and it's no harm having a book in the house that you can refer to when you need to.

good luck and enjoy them

Original poster

BettyTurnip · 08/10/2009 21:42

BloodRedTulips - do you have children as well? (Our dc are probably more feral than any kitten ever could be ).

Apparently Ragdolls require minimal grooming as their hair doesn't get matted. Do you know of any good books which are good to have for reference?

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fruitspooksbatsintheeaves · 08/10/2009 21:51

We had a feral cat once
she couldn't be handled
the vet thought he knew better
she savaged the vet
I resisted saying I told you so as I though my bill mught be more!

I love cats

DailyMailNameChanger · 08/10/2009 21:54

I was going to say I don't know anyone who really grooms their ragdolls as such, plenty of bathing and a brush after but not daily sit down and groom type of thing....

aristoBLACKcat · 08/10/2009 21:59

nana.......you are a genius

Original poster

BettyTurnip · 08/10/2009 22:13

Bathing a cat? I thought they hate water?

I can see I have a lot to learn...

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LittleRedCar · 08/10/2009 22:14

Really really must speak up in defense of ragdolls

My 4 year old Flopsy is as sweet as sweet can be, she never hunts and she loves her extended grooming sessions with me.

She purrs like crazy when I get my rubber curry out

Original poster

BettyTurnip · 08/10/2009 22:16

fruitspooks... bet you couldn't resist a subtle "Ahem" with a little smirk though.

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Original poster

BettyTurnip · 08/10/2009 22:17

Are you taking the piss by any chance LittleRedCar? If not, then wtf is a rubber curry?

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LittleRedCar · 08/10/2009 22:19

rubber curry

fruitspooksbatsintheeaves · 08/10/2009 22:23

I was a bit shocked tbh as he suggested I have the cat put to sleep
he is still my vet and still knows it all but I do have a little smirk when I remember the blood!

Original poster

BettyTurnip · 08/10/2009 22:24

I guessed after I posted that you meant a grooming thing but have only heard of them in relation to horses. It just sounded vaguely "double-entendrish" when I quickly read it.

Are you serious about your cat being named Flopsy though?

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DailyMailNameChanger · 08/10/2009 22:24

LRC, who has been saying anything bad about ragdolls? As I said not all are like yours - ie some are like yours....

Cats are ok with water, well some of them are, if you start young enough... and wear leather gauntlets

LittleRedCar · 08/10/2009 22:26

Flopsy loves a bath - but do be careful to use a special pH neutral pussy shampoo

DMNC - did you have a bad experience with a ragdoll?

Original poster

BettyTurnip · 08/10/2009 22:26

Fruitspooks...capital punishment for cats or what? Your vet sounds like a bit of an arse, you should take your cat there more often .

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