Dh has said we can have a ragdoll kitten!

[hiddenhome]

I have long suspected that dh is a secret kitty fan. I caught him and ds2 looking at ragdoll cats on Youtube yesterday. Ds2 asked if we could get one and dh agreed

We asked again today and he agreed again. He says they seem to have good write ups and it would be a great cat to have.

We already have two cats. One elderly and the other, just a year old.

What do I need to know about ragdoll cats? Are they purely indoor cats, or would it cope with being in an enclosed back garden? Do they climb or have an urge to wander? What sex would be best?

Don't they charge a lot of money for them?

Is it some sort of pedigree ?

Yes, they're a pedigree. About £375 for a kitten. We can't get one yet because we're moving next month, but perhaps once we're settled.

My sister has a female ragdoll. I dont think shes typical, but she is very aloof, and will ignore you if she doesnt need anything but wave a bit of ham at her and shes yours. Shes definitely not a lapcat but she is very beautiful. Shes an indoor cat but she seems quite savvy and would probably be alright going outside but we live on a busy main road and dont want her to get killed

I've never had a pedigree cat before. I normally go for rescue cats.

I have a female half ragdoll . Goes in and out with cat flap and wanders but always comes back. Likes to bring mice in occasionally , drops them on the carpet and looks up to see if you appreciate the gift! Very affectionate, in fact, follows me around, inside and out and must sit on or next to me as close as possible in the evening. Sheds fur though! Great with kids, can be placed in doll prams!

Do they need a good grooming each day?

Be real careful about your breeder - see \link{http://www.icatcare.org/advice/cat-breeds/ragdoll\this.}

Oh - and \link{http://www.ragdoll-rescue.co.uk/\this page} may be of interest to you if you normally have rescue cats.

Good luck.

Raggies are amazing. To be registered as a breeder with the Ragdoll society breeders have to do all sorts of tests. They should have regular grooming but like mostcats they will probably look after themselves. Most breeders will probably recommend indoor only. They are born white and change colour as they get older until about the age of four so don't pay to much attention to what colour you get as is unlikely to stay that colour!

Oh thank you for the replies and the links

Cozietoesie, thanks for the link, I'd no idea there was a Ragdoll Rescue group.

HiddenHome - hope you get another rescue cat again. I'm sure 375 would really help the rescue group or you could spend it on the new house :-)))

Most, if not all, rescues have a 'donation' which they require, with the amount varying, to go towards rescue funds to help other breed cats - some of the cats who come into rescues are never found permanent homes or, sadly, have extensive vet costs, and have to be funded by the rescue. The cats won't be free but the donation is unlikely to be the same as the cost of a new cat.

Although theres nothing wrong with wanting a kitten so if thats what you want to do then go for it

I think a kitten would be less stressful for the other cats to cope with.