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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

I really,really want a Ragdoll!

36 replies

MinimalistMommi · 07/10/2013 17:50

I've wanted one since early spring and I still want one now!
I think I would like a girl Ragdoll.
I'm not sure what colour to go for though.
Are they as lovely as they seem?
I have two DD age 5 and 8, are they ok with children?

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thecatneuterer · 07/10/2013 23:15

I know nothing about ragdolls, but I do know that rescue centres are full of beautiful cats of all kinds desperate for homes, and that thousands of cats are put down every week simply because there aren't enough homes.

If you have a home to offer couldn't you consider being part of the solution to the problem, not the cause?

It could well be that there is a rescue somewhere specialising in ragdolls, it might be worth investigating. If not, please consider the joy that a normal moggie could bring to your lives, with the added satisfaction of knowing that you have saved it, and that you are making space in a rescue centre for another unloved stray in desperate need.

Please don't breed or buy while strays die.

cozietoesie · 07/10/2013 23:25

\link{http://www.ragdoll-rescue.co.uk/\Ragdoll Rescue }

Smile
thecatneuterer · 07/10/2013 23:27

Yay. I knew there had to be one.

JumpingJackSprat · 07/10/2013 23:30

i have a raggie she is absolutely beautiful. not a typical ragdoll in that shes not super cuddly but she does give affection, and lots of it, but on her terms. shes a big robust cat but doesnt like being pulled around. dont feel guilty if you want a pedigree cat, consider a rescue yes but if you want a particular breed then go for it. ragdoll rescue might be able to help. go through the breed society to find a breeder, as far as i recall from my breeder they have to go through tests etc to be able to register as a breeder. if youre in the north west pm me if you like ill give you the details of my breeder.

JumpingJackSprat · 07/10/2013 23:31

raggies change colour a lot throughout their life so i really wouldnt worry a lot about what colour to choose by the way.

FriendlyElephant · 08/10/2013 00:14

We looked after a ragdoll for a while but unfortunately couldn't keep her forever so now she lives with my mum and brother. She was lovely but very markedly different to my other two (moggy) cats - she was very placid, not very affectionate, wasn't shy as such but liked to sit by herself. She was quite boring actually! My other two make me laugh every day with their crazy antics, and they come and curl up with anyone who sits still long enough.

The reason we let the ragdoll go was because when DD would cry, she would fly into a panic and attack whoever was holding DD, and she went for DD herself when I was changing her. She was such a docile cat otherwise but seemed to flip when the baby cried! Obviously I'm not saying all ragdolls are like this though.

Definitely try to rescue rather than buy, if you can - there are far too many homeless cats already :(

Floralnomad · 08/10/2013 00:20

My mum has a Ragdoll, he has had multiple health problems from the day we got him . He can be quite affectionate and playful but it's always been on his own terms IYSWIM and he does come across as a bit aloof .

MinimalistMommi · 08/10/2013 09:22

thecat are you aware of how utterly patronising you sound?

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Nyborg · 08/10/2013 09:24

I don't think she sounds patronising at all. I think she sounds right.

MinimalistMommi · 08/10/2013 09:25

jumping thank you for your reply, I will look at the rescue link but I imagine I will go through a breeder. It's something I've thought about a lot and I do want a specific breed of cat, I think the ragdolls are beautiful. I'm at home all the time so the breed feels like a perfect fit to me.

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MinimalistMommi · 08/10/2013 09:26

Unfortunately not in the Northwest jumping otherwise that would be brilliant!

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cozietoesie · 08/10/2013 09:28

The rescue site has a lot of useful raggie advice and links Minimalist - over and above the straight rescue stuff. It might be worth a good look through.

MinimalistMommi · 08/10/2013 09:30

Nyborg in her and yours opinion she is right. Finding a cat that is the right fit for our family for the next 20 years is huge to me. I don't see why I shouldn't choose a breed that I like. Also, having a kitten is important to me so it can grow up with my DD's. And before you say it, yes I know kittens are hard work and their personalities haven't been formed yet. I've seen it all trotted out on here before.

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Nyborg · 08/10/2013 09:38

I don't think CatNeuterer is in the wrong for trying to give you the context of your decision. Shelters are under more pressure now than they have ever been, and full of truly delightful cats in desperate need of loving homes - with every sort of temperament you can imagine, including kittens who would be wonderful with your children. People involved in rescue work are, understandably, keen to get the word out there to potential adopters. Shelters work very hard to match suitable cats/kittens to good homes - please make sure you find a breeder who does the same.

MinimalistMommi · 08/10/2013 09:47

Yes, the breeder has been in contact since early spring with me and has asked me question after question, quite rightly.

I had to laugh at the

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MinimalistMommi · 08/10/2013 09:48

Cozie I'm going to pop over to the site now, thank you for the link.

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issey6cats · 08/10/2013 10:57

being as you are set on a ragdoll just please make sure you do go to a responsible reputable breeder ask to see the kittens with mom, no mom means they have been farmed bred and wont be healthy,

double check any paperwork if they have vaccination certificates ring the vet named on the papers to make sure they are genuine, any [pedigree papers ring the relavant orginisation to check they are genuine before you hand over any money,

a good breeder wont mind you doing this,,

and catneuterer works for a very large well known cat rescue in london and sees the sharp end of feral cat problems and rescue every day she is an awsome lady who will help anyone who comes on here with problems ,

im like her to a degree i always advocate rescue cats as i work for a smeller rescue but see the amount of cats that are dumped, abandoned, brought in with the flimsiest of excuses,

maybe you might think about offering to work as a volunteer at a local cat rescue ans that way you would not only see what happens in rescues but would be giving a little time which is good

catkitson · 08/10/2013 11:13

I have ragdolls. Yes, you do have to make sure the breeder is reputable. It is heartbreaking to lose a cat to an inherited disorder.

That said, my boys are healthy, very very affectionate, flop in the children's arms for a cuddle. Mine are quite needy - if you aren't around for them a lot, then they can get lonely/anxious. Also, they really have no common sense, really an indoor cat, but if you get them early enough it is possible to get them to walk on a cat leash.

Ild get two littermates together, instead of a single kitten, they really like the company and you might not get quite so loudly miaow-sered at night time if they have each other.

I have seal mitted boys, but they are all gorgeous. Ild beware breeders who go for the more trendy lilac and choc colours, as they tend not to be quite so reputable.

Whilst rescuing is all well and good, not everyone wants an older cat, or a moggie....

MinimalistMommi · 08/10/2013 11:32

cat your ragdolls sound beautiful! I want to ask, do they make lot of noise at night, wake you? You see my five year old wakes me on and off and I don't really want extra waking in the night...

I appreciate what you say about having two and in an ideal world I would but I don't think I can afford to care for two cats you see. I don't see how I could afford two lots of vets fees/food/litter etc

The breeder I was thinking of using does sell lilac etc I think, now I'm worried....

Would anyone be willing to look at the breeder if I PM'd it?

Any you're exactly right, I'm not after a Moggie or an older cat. Deciding to bring a cat into our family is a very big deal to us so it really needs to be right.

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MinimalistMommi · 08/10/2013 11:34

issey thank you for your reply. I have no clue even where our local cat rescue is! I never see ads for it etc? I'm assuming there must be one.

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MinimalistMommi · 08/10/2013 11:35

Ive found it! Just googled it, it was under bigger umbrella of Cats Protection legue.

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cozietoesie · 08/10/2013 11:36

Have a look \link{http://www.catchat.org/adoption/index.html\here}. (As much for anyone reading the thread as you.)

catkitson · 08/10/2013 11:46

My cats didn't wake me up when they had each other - I had one who passed away from kidney disease. When the surviving cat was alone, he did cry a lot at night and tap me on the face to wake me up! Now we have two cats again, he is much happier and no longer bothers me, as long as they are allowed on my bed to sleep with me.

Two cats really isn't that much more expensive than one, and it is worth thinking about for the companionship issues. You want to make sure the cats the breeder is breeding from check for genetic disorders with heart and kidney. I think the problem was some kitten-farm type places thought they could make money from "rare" minks, reds, chocs and lilacs. The standard seals and blues are probably a safer bet.

Ragdolls are absolutely gorgeous, very floppy and friendly, and I love mine. They are a part of the family, and I wouldn't be without them.

You should consider that the cat may well wake you early or in the night, especially when it is a kitten. They will scratch your furniture and walk on your kitchen counters. I know Cozie and some others have had success training their cats not to, but I know mine don't do it when Im watching and the second my back is turned they are dancing on them. It doesn't bother me particularly, but if scratched sofas (despite the cat trees and outdoor safe space run), walked-on counters and the occasional night time yowling bothers you, you should reconsider!

www.ragdollcatguide.com/forum/index.php is a good site is you have ragdoll-specific questions!

tabulahrasa · 08/10/2013 12:16

If you're looking at breeders, Ragdolls should have had a DNA test for HCM and regular clear scans (as it can also develop later in life even if the DNA test is clear)and as cakitson says, there's an issue with kidney problems so you want to have several generations scanning clear for that too. That's on top of all the normal health checks.

You also want to be asking whey they're breeding, if it's to get a kitten for showing or their breeding line...if they're not keeping a kitten, why not? There are thousands of kittens being bred to make money without much thought given to health, temperament or type and giving money to someone who is doing that would cause me a massive ethical issue.

Good breeders should also be telling you that they will take back the cat if you ever need to them to for whatever reason.

There's nothing wrong with buying a pedigree kitten, but it is possible to do it without adding to the rescue situation at least by buying from a breeder who is breeding carefully and responsible about what happens to their kittens.

It's not just kitten farms you have to watch out for, it's people who've decided to make a bit of profit from pets as well, who are doing it without bothering to ensure that they're breeding healthy cats or caring what happens to them after they're sold.

MinimalistMommi · 08/10/2013 12:50

Just found these details on her website:

FIFe registered breeder with Felis Britanica and also on their Commission Health and Breeding Welfare group

GCCF registered breeder with The British Ragdoll Cat Club

-Tica registered breeder

-Listed breeder/member within the following Cat Clubs:-

Progressive Ragdoll Breeders Cat Club

Semi-Longhair Cat Association

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