Ragdoll or moggy

[Frazzledmum55]

I’m considering getting a cat in the next couple of months. I love the look of ragdolls and their personalities are definitely a match for us and vice versa. We are a family of 3, kids 15 and 8 and live in a flat with a balcony which I think would suit a ragdoll.
But the only thing stopping me is the amount of shedding from a long hair cat and litter box problems with a long hair cat.
I’m wondering if I should get a moggy instead or a bsh.
My main hopes is that we’d get a friendly affectionate cat which I know you can’t predict. Especially with moggies.
I understand there will be hair and accidents ect. I’m fine with that, but possibly not to the extent of a long hair cat...
Also, no rescues. They won’t accept us.
Anyone with experience that can offer advice??

Raggy!

Go for a specialist fur and skin feed and litter box issues shouldn’t happen.

Hair will get everywhere but you just get used to it.

My raggy is far friendlier than my children, and they're pretty loving. His absolute favourite place is on me, seemingly followed by my daughters head. He's huge, so I don't know how he manages it...

I'll not lie, the shedding is awful, but fine with a daily hoover. He's 4 now, he has had to have 3 showers in his life due to dodgy tummy and long fur (but tolerated with no biting or scratching. He got really upset and needed lots of cuddles instead!), after the last time, I have taken to sporadically trimming his arse - no further issues. If temprament is important to you, then raggy all the way!

I wouldn’t get a cat at all if I lived in a flat with only a balcony for outdoor space. It’s cruel. Which is why you cant get approved for a rescue cat.

We have a Ragdoll and I would NEVER go back to a Moggy now! She is ridiculous but amazing and I wouldnt be without her. She doesn't really she as much as a normal cat because we brush her everyday and her hair is very very soft, not like cat fur so it comes off clothes easier with damp hands. We feed her a grain free diet so her poop literally smells of nothing. Her litter tray is next to the dining table at the moment due to wfh and I cannot tell if she has been. It's not nose blindness either as my mum has said the same when she comes over and she would definitely tell me!
Our girl is soppy and snuggly, genuinely loves the kids even though they make her play 'the baby' in their games and is basically the heart of our family. Get a Raggy!! 🥰

Photo for cat tax!

I’ve had three Ragdolls are they are consistently lovely. They do shed but actually not as much as my British Shorthair or DLH. Other than the annoyance of having a litter tray, their fur didn’t make it anymore difficult.

I’ve also had a selection of moggies. Some have been wonderfully affectionate, others less so.

I’ll definitely have more Ragdolls and moggies in the future though.

@Soontobe60 Thanks for your pointless input. Ragdolls need to be kept indoors actually. Plenty of moggies also are. It’s safer for them and better for wildlife. But I do understand there’s an argument for letting them out for their well-being. But that doesn’t apply to pedigree cats.

Ah it’s seems that ragdolls are the way to go.
Can anyone give me a bsh comparison? I love them too.

Can I put in a word for the humble moggy? You do get affectionate moggies and long-haired ones too if a fluff-monster is what you want!

@Frazzledmum55

Ah it’s seems that ragdolls are the way to go. Can anyone give me a bsh comparison? I love them too.

My BSH is more loving and affectionate than any of my Ragdolls have been but I’ve heard he’s the exception to the rule as most aren’t lap cats. I’m also biased as despite all the cat breeds and moggies I have had, he stands out way above them all for general awesomeness in every way.

I gather BSH do tend to prefer going out, certainly more than ragdolls. I have indoor only moggies (condition of adoption), there are a few out there who need to stay indoors e.g. FiV. You can get various types of cat proofing for the balcony, so any cat can go out there with no risk of falling/jumping off.

Soontobe60 very few Ragdoll breeders will sell to anyone who doesn't intend to keep the cat(s) indoors, as they have been bred specifically for this. You'll find this also for some other breeds e.g. my DBro's Burmese were sold only on (contracted) condition that they were indoor only. There are also special needs cats who are ideal as indoor pets but shouldn't go out for their own safety.

Another vote for moggies.

I'm very uncomfortable with many of the practices used by the 'professional' breeders (in-breeding, breeding with wild animals, accentuating traits that are deleterious to the animal's health etc.), and it is generally true that moggies are healthier and longer lived than purebred animals. I find it strangely ironic that these breeders are now terribly proud about doing genetic tests to screen out issues that they introduced in the first place by inbreeding. As an aside a Swedish (insurance) study found that Ragdolls were amongst the shortest lived cats (wikipedia)

I can confirm that my BSH very rarely goes outside. He spends most of his time asleep with almost all of the rest on me (often asleep on me) mashing away or purring at me. His lack of inclination to go outside left him quite overweight at one stage.

One warning, he has suffered a lot from cystitis in the past which is apparently common in his breed.

@Grumpyoldpersonwithcats

Another vote for moggies. I'm very uncomfortable with many of the practices used by the 'professional' breeders (in-breeding, breeding with wild animals, accentuating traits that are deleterious to the animal's health etc.), and it is generally true that moggies are healthier and longer lived than purebred animals. I find it strangely ironic that these breeders are now terribly proud about doing genetic tests to screen out issues that they introduced in the first place by inbreeding. As an aside a Swedish (insurance) study found that Ragdolls were amongst the shortest lived cats (wikipedia)

I have a Ragdoll who will be 22 this year curled up with me now. Another one died a couple of years ago at the age of 19. Another one is 17 and still going strong.

Many indoor cats do live longer purely because it is safer for them and less trauma on their body than being outside. I do agree with you about the issues breeders cause though.

A raggy in a heartbeat
Loyal, warm and snuggly-devoted to their family,ridiculously good-natured and comically playful..slightly obsessed with food and likes retrieving anything small we chuck his way.
We joke its all the best bits of a dog wrapped in the most gorgeous feline body.
Yes a bit of fur but nothing a hoover/lint roller cant sort.
Oh and I too have found the arse-trim to be the quickest approach to bathroom mishaps.
Check out the "spoonful of ragdolls" youtube vids-the Korean owner of 12-odd Raggies takes it to another level-shes amazing!

I have two ragdolls and seven moggies, one ragdoll is super affectionate and the other is a sassy bitch all animals have different personality, all my moggies are quite affectionate.

Picture of my two ragdolls

We have a ragdoll/moggy cross! She's perfect ☺️ We also have another moggy and she's the soppiest thing ever! Maybe you're more likely to get an affectionate ragdoll, but you never can tell, cats be cats!

I used to think ragdoll kittens were the cutest kittens until I discovered Somali kittens , so I'm going to throw you a curveball and say get a Somali!

They're funny, snuggly, friendly and intelligent and come in a choice of colours.

Raggy all the way. We have three. Amazing cats.

I have a raggy too, very chilled and would be better than a moggy in a flat.

We used to have a moggy in a flat and gave it to my Dad (who had a garden), once he was over 6 months you could see he just wanted to be outside.

I have a rag doll and he's my (big) baby they're perfect for flat living.
He does go into the garden but has never left, can't hunt and is scared of birds.
My mum has a BSH and she's the absolute DEVIL, vicious and likes to hunt.

[quote Frazzledmum55]@Soontobe60 Thanks for your pointless input. Ragdolls need to be kept indoors actually. Plenty of moggies also are. It’s safer for them and better for wildlife. But I do understand there’s an argument for letting them out for their well-being. But that doesn’t apply to pedigree cats.[/quote]
By pointless, do you mean honest? And yet you wont be approved for a rescue cat precisely because you live in a flat. But hey, I guess the rehousing charities know bugger all about cats?
Rag dolls need to be kept indoors like chickens need umbrellas.
All pet cats should have access to safe outdoor spaces. They’re not lifestyle accessories.

Ok thanks for your input but I disagree. I had a garden until recently and still wouldn’t be approved by a rescue because I was near a big road. I’d rather my pet not get run over.

I have two ragdolls and seven moggies, one ragdoll is super affectionate and the other is a sassy bitch

Is the one on the left the sassy one?

A sibling of mine had a raggy. They had to agree never to let the cat out unless it was on an enclosed balcony or garden space or on a lead.

@YetAnotherSpartacus

I have two ragdolls and seven moggies, one ragdoll is super affectionate and the other is a sassy bitch

Is the one on the left the sassy one?

The one with the black face, she's sassy haha