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

Original poster

Ragdoll kitten or not?

29 replies

shroomboom · 07/12/2014 21:16

We're thinking of getting either one or two kittens to join our family. MIL has suggested getting a ragdoll as they are supposed to be great with kids.
Does anyone have any experience with this breed? From what I've read they sound gorgeous Grin
We have two dc (7 yrs & 10 months) and live in the countryside. Our last cat was killed on the small road we live on, so I'm nervous about getting another cat. She was pretty feisty and switched on & I still can't believe it happened (was just over a year ago). Are ragdolls really mainly indoor cats? Would we have to keep them inside ir do they choose to stay in? In the summer we have lots of doors open...
Also, we have mice in the house (in the fireplace!) - but I haven't heard anything about ragdolls being good mousers? Maybe just having a cat would be enough to persuade the mice to leave?!
I'd love to know any thoughts about whether our lifestyle would suit a ragdoll or whether we might be better just looking for a homebred kitten or kittens of no particular breed? DH works tues-sat & I work part time so for two days a week we won't be at home for most of the day.
Any advice appreciated! Thanks Smile

OP posts:
SockDrawer · 07/12/2014 21:27

I have a ragdoll x british blue. She's an indoor cat who spends her days sleeping, having cuddles, eating and grooming. She occasionally plays with her toys but definitely isn't massively active.

We don't have the windows wide open just incase she jumps out (we live up in a flat) but have noticed that she doesn't show any intetested at all in going out the front for when it's open. I think she's afraid of it.

When we rescued her it was because we could keep her as an indoor cat, her previous owner knew she wouldn't cope well going out on roads and had already turned down a prospective new owner because of that.

Just purely out of interest, is there any reason you're not going down the rescue/shelter route?

Original poster
shroomboom · 07/12/2014 21:42

Thanks sock Smile I'm not averse to going down the rescue route, but with such young children I would be worried about taking in a cat with problems. We think our last cat was roughly treated and as a result would attack everyone except me. She used to hide and attack my poor ds's legs walking up our front door steps. I loved her, she loved me but everyone else was bit traumatised by her! This time it's really important to get it right (if we can), I don't want the kids being scared/scratched all the time.

OP posts:
SockDrawer · 07/12/2014 21:53

That's so sad Sad. I'm glad she still had a lovely life with you though.

I get what you mean. Our cat has a but if a rescue personality but for her that just means that she's terribly timid of strangers. It's definitely not in her nature to lash out at all though so I guess that could be in her breed!

Original poster
shroomboom · 07/12/2014 22:00

I think I'd prefer a timid cat over an aggressive one (however much I adored her!) One of the cats I grew up with was terrified of everybody & nothing we did helped her Sad
When you rescued your cat was it by chance that she was part ragdoll or were you looking for that breed?
DH & I originally agreed we wouldn't get a special breed of cat but they do sound lovely Smile

OP posts:
SockDrawer · 07/12/2014 22:12

It was completely by chance. We'd been looking through the RSPCA etc and had had a home visit to help identify what nature of cat would be best for us. They told us we'd be best with an indoor cat so we narrowed the search to old or ill cats (FIV, blind, etc) that needed rehoming and went on a waiting list, but no suitable cats came up, then we found her looking for a home! Grin

Now I know how lovely she is I'd definitely consider a ragdoll again. Infact we were thinking of getting a kitten so she has company when I go back to work but we still haven't decided if we will.

Original poster
shroomboom · 07/12/2014 22:17

She sounds lovely and lucky to have found you Smile
Can I ask whether she follows you around a lot? I've heard that ragdolls can be a bit clingy and get upset when you go into a different room. It's not so much of a problem but we've always had our animals sleeping downstairs & I wouldn't want to stress a cat/kitten out by forcing it away from us.

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Parsley1234 · 07/12/2014 22:21

We have a rescue ragdoll she is beautiful and loving but beware she talks a lot ! She complains about many things food, the puppy, the temperature etc she is lovely but vocal and grumpy x

SockDrawer · 07/12/2014 22:26

She's super clingy. She will go off for a doze in her favourite spot in the spare room but is most happy next to me and will even follow me about the room while I'm getting dressed (can be a bit much!). She's not the same with my DP, but I'm at home a lot more.

If it's just at night and they had a comfy spot and lots to do I'm sure a cat could get used to being away from you. It would just be extra happy to see you in the morning Smile.

SockDrawer · 07/12/2014 22:29

Parsley mine is really chatty too, but it's such a sweet little quiet meow. Now I think about it she's actually quite noisy! Its either little chatty mews or she's stuck on purr mode constantly. Even when she's asleep she snores!

Siarie · 07/12/2014 22:29

I have two beautiful ragdolls, wouldn't change them for the world. Beautiful big fluffy cuddly bears!

Ragdoll kitten or not?
NewEraNewMindset · 07/12/2014 22:32

Ragdolls really are indoor cats. They have no sense at all so would not be able to cope with the road or other territorial cats, they are also extremely beautiful so I would be concerned about the theft aspect, particularly since they are very friendly.

We have a Maine Coone cross who can go outside but hates it so cries to come in after 5 mins. Norwegian Forest cats are another lovely breed who are a bit more street smart and could cope with being let out.

Floralnomad · 07/12/2014 22:38

my mum has a 12 yr old ragdoll , who we have had since he was a kitten . He shows no interest in going outside ,but he does require a constant temperature indoors so that means fans in the summer and heating on 24/7 in the winter otherwise he will not settle at all . He is very demanding,is very fussy about food , basically does exactly what he wants and if he doesn't get his own way he just keeps bothering you until you give in . He has been known to bite if he isn't getting what he wants or wants the seat that someone else is sitting on . He has numerous health problems that he has had since he was 16 weeks old despite being from a 'very good' breeder . my mum adores him but I doubt she would have another .

Original poster
shroomboom · 07/12/2014 22:40

Okay, thanks, will researchNorwegian Firest cats too NewEra Smile Had a quick look and they are beautiful & perhaps a little more suited to us.
Our last cat was very chatty, I still miss her so much Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
shroomboom · 07/12/2014 22:44

Wow Floral, he sounds rather high maintenance! We have a pretty busy life so I'm not sure we could cope with that.
It's great to hear all experiences, we want to make sure we choose the right type of cat!

OP posts:
MrsSchadenfreude · 07/12/2014 22:48

A friend of mine has a Ragdoll Maine Coon cross. He has no sense of direction (that's the Ragdoll) but loves to wander (Maine Coon) and she is always getting phone calls from different parts of the town to come and collect her cat!

JeanetteDanielsBenziger · 07/12/2014 22:57

I have two beautiful ragdolls.
Our boy is almost three and goes out every night for the last year or so, he started off by hiding behind the washing machine and sneaking out when I let the dog out for her last pee. Now he cries to get out every night. I hate it to be honest :-(

Our little girl is 9 months old (and she's NEVER getting out)

They are great cats and I would never have any other breed now.

JeanetteDanielsBenziger · 07/12/2014 22:59

Oh and my boy brings back mice! He's quite unusual for a ragdoll :-)

Siarie · 08/12/2014 14:16

I'd just like to add my ragdolls don't bite, so not all Ragdolls bite lol. I think that's just down to a cats personality rather than a breed.

Ragdolls are a very loving breed, they like to socialise and do tend to like to be In the same room as humans. But again it's a personality and can vary, mine are very soppy, huge and have rabbit like fur. I don't have to groom them very often, they are very intelligent and keep me company. Usually they follow me around, only one of them is vocal. But he only meows when he wants something.

They both tend to do the Ragdoll flop, where they flop sideways to the floor and make a humph sound haha. Both are easy to cuddle and don't mind being held. I would highly recommend buying from a good breeder, making sure they don't let them go too early etc.

Temp wise, mine don't care. Hot or cold they sort themselves out by either cuddling or going to find a cool spot.

Petallic · 08/12/2014 14:22

My ragdoll was an awful mouser, although very pleased when he got once play with a dead mouse - made his week! Was an outdoor cat but didn't roam very far and always first in for his dinner. Lovely gorgeous cat but had to get another cat to keep him company as he was too noisy miaowing at night. Bit of a sensitive tum but don't know if that's a breed thing.

Invest heavily in the roll tape fluff removers though as their fur is a bugger for getting everywhere. Never bit or scratched and was a very docile cat. Unfortunately I only had him until he was 12 before he became ill but I would otherwise def have a ragdoll again. Get one and then come back to post lots of pics!

MagratsHair · 09/12/2014 14:01

We have a rescue Ragdoll, there are about 6 Ragdoll rescue shelters in the country dotted around if you want to try them.

My 5 year old Ragdoll is an ex breeding cat & when we got her (October) she was really skinny & scrawny but has a beautiful temperament & has since filled out. There is no aggression in her at all, she will hide under the chair if the kids are too noisy but will let them stroke & fuss her. She has not tried to bite or scratch even once. We don't let her in the bedroom at night & for the first few nights she was meowing outside on the landing but has now settled down. She is so friendly & will lie on my lap in the evenings. She does not protest if picked up & getting her in the carrier etc is just no problem at all. I'm having to give her liquid medicine at the moment & watched a youtube video about how to administer it & the cats on the vid were yowling & scratching but mine just tries to wriggle backwards into your armpit, that's it.

She's totally an indoor cat, I did leave the back door open once to see what she did when I took the bin bag outside but she came out & was very close to running off, some people say their Ragdolls have no interest in going outside though, so it depends on the cat. She sleeps most of the day.

As an indoor cat her Petplan insurance is £8 pm. I deflea & worm her once every 3 months according to the vet. I buy a bag of wood litter from Tesco every 2 weeks for £3.99.

Ragdolls do have a couple of genetic glitches though purely because the amount of foundation cats of the breed was so small. They can have heart murmurs & kidney problems. As my cat is an ex breeder I have DNA certificates stating that she is negative for both which is something you may want to look for.

She is a sweetheart & I'm so glad we have her :)

MagratsHair · 09/12/2014 14:05

Carrying on from my previous post here's my girl.

ProfYaffle · 09/12/2014 14:07

We have a HUGE ragdoll tom, he is definitely not an indoor cat. He loves being out and about, ruling the neighbourhood with an iron paw (very territorial) and he's an excellent mouser. He would adore your fireplace!

He's a funny old thing, very good with the kids, very patient and only swipes at them under provocation. But all the same he's a bit aloof and wants affection from us on his own terms. He's massively confident but not very bright which is a dangerous combination.

He's a character though and we all love him a lot.

happygardening · 11/12/2014 07:12

We have a very beautiful young blue point male ragdoll cat he's going to be massive. He's definitely not cat Mensa material. Everywhere I go he goes too, he believes he's very helpful, and frequently helping me type emails ect. He lives with another cat and two cat friendly dogs but is convinced he's a dog he's usually found sleeping in their bed with them. He often looks at my other cat in a sort of "I wonder what that is" sort of way. He is in charge of the dogs they are just slightly wary of him.
We got one because they can't jump as he's allowed in my courtyard garden which he loves but can't jump over the 6 foot wall in fact he struggles to jump onto a chair frequently missing it. The birds openly laugh at him. Despite numerous efforts on our part and his he can't master the cat flap. He's quite active in a sort of clueless fashion and spends a long time chasing his tail or our legs, he likes to hide (not) and grab our legs as we walk by. When he wants to be cuddled he lays on his back in our arms and would stay there for hours.
I'd definitely recommend one, a few years ago we lost Bengal (who we all adored) they're similar personalities without the agility, the very unfortunate persecuting your neighbours cats trait and the obsessive killing everything that moves habit.

ProfYaffle · 11/12/2014 11:54

Our ragdoll can jump. He gets up our 6 foot garden fence without a problem and is very surefooted on top. He also likes to sleep on dd2's cabin bed which is about 5 feet off the ground. He's so big though that when he jumps down the house shakes!

MinimalistMommi · 11/12/2014 12:38

I have a Ragdoll kitten and he is simply amazing with the children. They carry him everywhere, he never swipes at them. He likes the be near them and will sit on top of chest of drawers watching them get dressed, sit on edge of bath with them etc. He is a delight and I highly recommend the breed for children. He wants to be in the mix the whole time and wants to be right in the middle of family life. I would get a Ragdoll from a good breeder who has the kittens underfoot with children. I can pm you our breeder if you want.