Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

The litter tray

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

Flip

Original poster

Thinking of buying a ragdoll kitten

9 replies

Get123 · 15/05/2018 09:16

Hi all 😊 me and dp have been thinking about buying a kitten since we have bought our own place and can have a pet now. I am just a little worried about hearing they can spray and scared we will buy one then end up with a nightmare smelly house! We have seen a boy we like but I'm scared they are worse, either way I would get kitten neutered asap and it would be an indoor only pet. Would I be better off looking for a girl or could it just happen that we end up with one that sprays either way? We are fine with usual mess smells that come with a pet but I'm not sure I could cope with a cat making everything smell of strong urine, it is making me second think things, any advice from cat owners would be much appreciated! Thank you 😊

OP posts:

ImAGoofyGoober · 15/05/2018 12:56

I think you would struggle to find a decent breeder who doesn’t already neuter or make you sign a contract to neuter firstly.
I’ve had male cats and never had a problem with spraying. We have had some issues with accidental wees but that’s the sort of thing that would happen with either sex.

Poos can be a big issue with smell if you feed food like whiskas etc. You need a good quality food.

Your main concern is making sure a ragdoll is the right breed for you. They need a lot of attention and want to be near you a lot. They are so social and get lonely if left for long periods of time. They also have a very thick fur once it grows through properly and need a lot of grooming.
They don’t have any fight in them so would need to strictly be an indoor pet too.

Allergictoironing · 15/05/2018 13:05

You may also want to consider contacting a specialist breed rescue - there are a surprising number of pedigree cats needing homes - and think about getting an adult cats that needs rehoming. That way you have a really good idea of the temperament rather than chancing it with a kitten, and things like neutering & chipping will have been done already.

Cats can live up to around 20 years old, so you won't miss much if you get one a year or so old & though you miss the short uber-cute phase, you also miss out on the destructive bits!

TheDinosaurRoars · 15/05/2018 13:08

I’ve had three Ragdoll cats and none have sprayed, including one who I got when she was three and was an ex breeding cat.

I agree that a reputable breeder will make you sign a contract to neuter your kitten at six weeks.

junecat · 15/05/2018 15:47

I have a young Ragdoll male. I took him in when he was 7 months old (now 11 months) and he was already neutered. I have never had any spraying problems but he spent the first couple of weeks peeing and pooping all over the place. I suspect mainly due to settling in stress but also his food (Felix) which we quickly changed to Natures Menu and he is a very clean cat now.

He is a typical Ragdoll, follows me everywhere and likes to be with people. He loves cuddles but like any other kitten / young cat he is very playful. Be prepared for a very big kitten charging around creating mayhem :)

Original poster

Get123 · 15/05/2018 19:05

Hi thanks for all your replies x I have been torn between a ragdoll or another breed that could go outside, would you say ragdolls are a lot more pet like as they are in or do outdoor cats spend time quite a bit of time indoors? Hoping a lil boy would be ok from the posts! Sorry for all the silly questions just want to get this right for the cat and us x x

OP posts:

ImAGoofyGoober · 15/05/2018 19:47

What other breed are you looking at? Ragdolls can go outside under supervision as long as your garden is cat proof. Some will even let you pop a little lead on!

This is my first raggie but he is unlike any moggie I’ve had before! They’re like a cross between a little dog and cat. Mine follows me everywhere but isn’t needy with it, he just wants to see what I’m up to and if he can help.
My other moggies have been affectionate but nowhere near as much as my raggie.

Toddlerteaplease · 15/05/2018 22:25

Persians are the best breed of cats ever!!! Affectionate, docile, not very bright. There are several Persian rescues. The one i got mine from does have other breeds as well.

EachandEveryone · 16/05/2018 06:14

Whatever you go for I’d get two especially if they are going to be indoor 24/7. For the company.

junecat · 16/05/2018 08:23

I didn't pick a Ragdoll by choice or anything, I just took him because he was in need of a new home. Only ever had moggies in the past.

He really is very dog like, follows me from room to room etc but in a very chilled way. He just likes to be near us. I always get up first and when my husbands alarm goes off he runs like a rocket to meet him on the landing!

He does go outside but only when we are. He likes to bat stones and leaves around the patio. Sits on a chair with us or underneath it when it's hot but he follows us back in as soon as we get up. I'd never allow him free outdoor access on his own but to be honest he doesn't seem to want it either. We have been considering building him a catio area so he could spend time outside without us but I'm not sure he would use it if we weren't with him. I can leave my patio doors open a bit on a nice day and he lies on the inside enjoying the air but doesn't go out.

I think in general they should be in pairs but he was rehomed after being ganged up on by the other cats in his first home so at the moment he's an only cat and seems happy with it but we have to play with him a lot with wand toys etc as he doesn't have a buddy to play with.

Flip